Rodrigue v. Copeland
Louisiana Supreme Court
475 So. 2d 1071 (1985)
- Written by Tanya Munson, JD
Facts
Alvin C. Copeland (defendant) owned a house in the Pontchartrain Shores Subdivision neighborhood. The neighborhood was zoned solely for single-family residences. Every year since 1977, Copeland created a Christmas display on his property, complete with lights, lighted figures, and music. By 1982, Copeland’s displays became extravagant and started attracting spectators to the neighborhood to watch the display in full effect. Copeland’s displays became so popular that visitors would cause bumper-to-bumper traffic and large crowds formed. Copeland would run the display from dusk until as late as after midnight on weekends. Three residents of the neighborhood (the neighbors) (plaintiffs) filed suit against Copeland and sought injunctive relief due to the problems associated with the light show. The neighbors sought to enjoin Copeland from erecting and operating his annual Christmas display. The district court found that the neighbors did not suffer real damage from Copeland’s display and found in favor of Copeland. The neighbors appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Dixon, C.J.)
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