WFAA-TV

PLANO - A Plano homeowner said he is shocked that a few bushes he planted in front of his home ultimately led to a warrant for his arrest.

Bob Benson's problems started last fall after he hired a professional landscape architect to design a plan for his new house. Cotton easters were a part of the design and planted at the corner of his yard.

Benson said a month later, a Plano code enforcement officer came to his house after someone complained the bushes blocked the view of oncoming traffic for drivers on Independence Parkway. Benson said he was cooperative and that the woman told him she would talk with her supervisor about a solution.

However, he said he later received a citation, and called the code enforcement supervisor who told him to pull out five of the bushes.

"Take those out and we'll be good to go," Benson said he was told.

"I don't have any record of it," he said he was told about the citation. "It hasn't gone to the municipality yet, so don't worry about it. If you've taken the plants out, we're good."

Benson pulled out the bushes, but he said the situation still got worse.

"Last week, I open my mail and there's a warrant out for my arrest," he said.

The 26-year Plano resident said he didn't want a fight.

"By the count, I did what they said and I felt I was done with it," he said.

Plano Property Standards Director Cynthia O'Banner said notices were sent to the Bensons home asking them to comply, but the terms were not met. She said when Benson didn't show up for a January court date, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

"Again, it's ludicrous that a town - an incorporated city, a city government - is going to do something like that," Benson said. "It's startling ... Common sense has no place. Period. Zero."

Benson has a court date set for April 2. He said he plans to plead not guilty. He also said he still finds it hard to believe that it ever got this far.

E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com