Neighborhood monument destroyed by developer, Orchards says in suit

A homeowners association has filed suit against a Missouri real estate developer, saying the developer destroyed a $55,000 monument when building real estate in St. Clair County.

The Orchards Homeowners Association claims it owned a neighborhood monument signifying the entrance to a subdivision located at Greenmount Road and Golf Course Drive in Belleville.

But when defendant Golden Management began to develop a parcel of real estate at the intersection in January and February of 2007, it destroyed the monument, according to the complaint filed Jan. 13 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

In its two-count suit, the Orchards Homeowners Association is seeking a judgment of more than $165,000, plus costs.

Elaine LeChien of The Law Offices of LeChien and LeChien in Belleville will be representing it.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-18.