Oregon Public Broadcasting

The small town of Ryderwood in southwest Washington is thought to be the nation’s first seniors-only retirement community. The town will keep that distinction at least a little while longer.

A federal appeals court has issued a temporary reprieve allowing age restrictions to remain in place.

Last month, a federal District Court judge ruled against the community association on a fair housing-age discrimination complaint.

The judge ordered town leaders to take down all signs designating Ryderwood as a 55-and-over haven.

He also wanted the community to mail letters to about 100 real estate agents notifying them that there no longer would be age restrictions to buy property in town.

The deadline for compliance was this coming Friday, but now the Appeals Court has put that on hold.

Ryderwood homeowners’ association president Don Barnes is relieved.

Don Barnes: “We’re all retired and wanted to live out the remaining years of our lives in peace without various families moving in an out.”

Ryderwood’s identity crisis was sparked by several residents who want to market their homes to prospective buyers of any age. Those plaintiffs vow to press on with the underlying case.