The city said Julia Ramos couldn’t provide enough proof that the basketball’s location violated the zoning ordinance.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — The City of St. Louis Park is pushing back against the woman who filed a lawsuit over her next-door neighbor’s basketball hoop, claiming she hasn’t presented enough evidence to back her claim that it violates the city’s zoning ordinance, according to court documents.
The city filed a memorandum Monday opposing the temporary injunction that was filed by Julia Ramos. In Monday’s filing, the city argued that Ramos failed to cite any authority to back her claim that the hoop’s location violated the city’s ordinance, and added that she’s attempting to “constrain the play of children in their own driveway.”
Ramos, who used to be a lawyer, filed a lawsuit against her neighbors, Ross and Lily Moeding, as well as the city, regarding the basketball hoop. Ramos argued that the hoop should be considered a “sport court” within the city’s code. She also claimed that the ground beneath and behind the hoop should be considered “playing surface” as part of the “sport court” and therefore is still too close to her property.
Ramos went on to ask the judge for a temporary injunction – ordering the children to not use the basketball hoop for four months – because she is beginning a construction project at her house. In that filing, Ramos argued that the “sport court” was installed in “dangerous proximity” to the Ramos’ property line.
“What makes this an exigent circumstance is that [Julia Ramos] is having an addition installed on the upper floor of her house facing the [Moedings]. Construction permits were just approved, the work is about to commence momentarily and will last at least four months,” Ramos’ motion states, adding that construction materials will be kept on her driveway where workers will be active. “Consequently, the area of [Julia Ramos’] property that the [Moedings] use for their basketball activity will be even more dangerous for anyone running through or balls being thrown.”
The city responded Monday by saying that it amended its zoning code in March 2025, making Ramos’ claim moot. The code reads “A patio, porch, pool, or driveway shall not be considered a sport court.” The surface the Moerdings play basketball on is also their driveway, according to court documents.
“Since it is no longer a ‘sport court’ but remains a permanent structure, the basketball hoop is now simply an ‘accessory structure’ under the City zoning code,” the city’s memorandum reads.