Trump's move to his Florida estate challenged by neighbour

President Donald Trump's expected move to his Mar-a-Lago club after he leaves office next month is being challenged by a lawyer who says a 1990s agreement allowing Trump to convert Florida property into a business prohibits anyone from living re, including him.

Attorney Reginald Stambaugh sent a letter this week to Town of Palm Beach saying he represents a neighbor who doesn't want president to take up residence at 17-acre property because it would decrease area's property values. He also asserts that a microwave security barrier operated by Secret Service is harming his client, who he says is exhibiting symptoms of microwave exposure. He did t give client's name.

president and first ly Melania Trump changed ir legal residence from New York City to Palm Beach last year. Stambaugh says that violates 1993 agreement between Trump and town that allowed him to turn Mar-a-Lago from a private home into a club that has 10 guest rooms for rent.

agreement says only members can stay overnight and for more than 21 days per year, divided into three one-week stays that cant run consecutively. question is wher Trump is a club member and covered by those rules. Stambaugh believes he is and comments Trump's lawyer me in 1993 back that up.

“In order to avoid an embarrassing situation for everyone and to give President time to make or living arrangements in area, we trust you will work with his team to remind m” of agreement, Stambaugh wrote.

“Palm Beach has many lovely estates for sale and surely he can find one which meets his needs.”

He did t immediately respond to a call and email Thursday seeking furr comment. Trump Organization issued a statement Thursday saying, “re is document or agreement in place that prohibits President Trump from using Mar-A-Lago as his residence.” Town Manr Kirk Blouin declined comment Thursday through an aide, and Mayor Gail Coniglio did t respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. Mar-a-Lago manr Bernd Lembcke also did t return a phone call.

Trump purchased Mar-a-Lago for $10 million in 1985 from estate of Marjorie Merriwear Post, owner of General Foods. 126-room mansion h deteriorated after her death in 1973, when she left it to U.S. government as a possible presidential vacation home. government gave it back in 1981. After Trump bought it, he spent millions upgring property while living re part-time, usually between vember and May when Florida's wear is temperate.

By early 1990s, however, Trump was in financial straits as real estate prices dropped and several of his business flopped, including a New Jersey casi. He told town he could longer afford $3 million annual upkeep and it was unfair that he was shouldering costs alone. He proposed subdividing property and building mansions. town rejected proposal.

In 1993, Trump and town agreed he could turn estate into a private club. It would be limited to 500 members,  initiation fee is w $200,000 and annual dues are USD 14,000. agreement has strict restrictions on parking and ise and specifically bars Trump from operating a casi or an animal circus. town did t respond to questions about why latter prohibition was ded. According to 1993 Palm Beach Post articles, Trump attorney Paul Rampell told town council Trump would longer reside at mansion if agreement were approved.

“Ar question that's often asked to me is wher Mr Trump will continue to live at Mar-a-Lago,” Rampell told council, according to Post. “, except that he will be a member of club and refore will be entitled to use of guest rooms.” Rampell did t respond to an email and phone call Thursday.

length of Trump's stays at Mar-a-Lago before his presidency are unkwn, but since taking office he has spent more than 21 days per year re, including visits of about two weeks during Christmas holidays. He has hosted several world leers re, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Before he became president, Trump and town often clashed over club's operation. Neighbors complained about ise and a car lot-sized US flag and its 80-foot pole that Trump erected in 2006 without proper permits.

two sides eventually settled: Trump got his pole, and his foundation gave USD 100,000 to veteran charities. He unsuccessfully sued Palm Beach County because jetliners taking off from nearby international airport flew over mansion. Since his 2016 election, his visits have created traffic snarls as vehicles are diverted away from Mar-a-Lago when he is re. Palm Beach is one of Florida's most exclusive towns, with a median home price of over a million dollars.

re have been numerous protests by Trump opponents and rallies by supporters near Mar-a-Lago in last four years and several incidents that resulted in arrests. Those include: - A Chinese businesswoman illegally gained mission last year when Secret Service nts thought she was daughter of a member. She was found guilty on federal trespassing charges and deported after spending eight months in jail. 

(Im Credits: AP)