Neighbor landscape nightmare
 

So, we buy a wonderful lot on the golf course. Although we are set back and down a bit from being level on the course, we still have a nice view. Our new neighbors, as we speak, have landscapers on their property, plotting out their landscaping. Mind you, they have two big dogs. They have been talking to the landscapers about putting in bushes/hedges all around their property to make sure the dogs stay on their property. They have mapped it out with the paint. We have a few problems with this.....first, we believe that you aren't supposed to have anything up that resembles a fence, which is what he is trying to create with his shrubs. Second, this must mean he is going to let his dogs out without a leash. Third, the bushes will block our view a great deal! As you can imagine, we are extremely upset with all of the above. We will keep an eye on this and certainly report them if any of The Villages landscaping laws or pet laws are broke. You will probably suggest talking to them.....we already did but they are in the mindset that the rules don't apply to them. Oh, we also hear the dog bark inside the house on a daily basis. It's just great for relaxing on out lanai.......We are not so Happinow.

I believe the landscaping has to be approved here in The Villages. I know we had to submit ours. There is a district office up by Laurel Manor where you take in the form and the landscaping design.

Maybe they are going to do invisible fencing for the dogs and using the shurbs to help.

I understand how you feel about losing your view especially when you pay a premium for those lots.

The company that was painting the boundaries was a landscaper not an invisible fence company. That would have been the correct thing to do.

I am sorry to here this, your own landscaping appeared quite beautiful. It would seen that hedges, as you feel they are considering, would block their view as well. Hopefully it will not be as bad as you think. It may be worth another conversation with them, although I know you do not think so.

The correct thing is when a representative comes out and marks ALL your underground utility lines, electric, phone/cable, water, gas etc. I believe they are dispatched from District.

They sit directly level with the golf course so it will not hinder their view a bit. I thought that when we signed our papers to build and live here we signed something that said you cannot use hedges/bushes as fences and your dogs had to be on a leash at all times. I believe, the sole purpose for his landscaping is to build a "fence" out of bushes to have a place for his dogs to run. That would be against the policies of TV.

When we closed on our home I think we were given a manual of Covenant Rules. Perhaps this hedge fence and unleashed dog issue is addressed someplace in this manual.

I can sense your distress and by no means do I intend to make light of your situation. Having read so many of your posts during the planning of your home, I hope this can be worked out to your satisfaction.

Hedges are allowed but must be kept trimmed to no more than 4 feet in height. There are also some guidelines on setbacks for rear and side property lines. Suggest you call the deed compliance office to see if he has an approved plan on file and if not suggest they send an inspector out to ensure all requirements are being met.

Good luck.

We had a neighbor plant about 6 bottle brushes on side property line and we and they make sure the hedge stays at 4 feet so as to not block our view.

Here is some VCCD guidlines regarding landscaping. In short, I dont think these will help in your problem. Landscaping needs to be approved ONLY to the point of making cetain resident is not planting in a Special Easement area. Specific lot deed restrictions/plots will control each specific situation. Bush height should be 48 inches tall and it is only "Suggested" that bushes be planted 2-3 feet from property line. Also note the bold Florida Statute below

4.10 Landscaping
*Note: Florida Statute 373.185 states: A deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land. (Effective 7/1/09)

For Homes
1. Due to the diversity of the Deed Restrictions regarding landscaping it is
necessary to refer to the specific set of Deed Restrictions and/or Matrix.
Some Deed Restrictions state: “must be seeded or sodded”, “the lawn must
be sodded, or “to qualify as sodded, at least 51% of the yard area visible from the adjacent roadways and golf courses must be sodded
2. No vertical structures are allowed in an easement. This includes things that descend vertically, such as ponds or buried tanks.
3. It is recommended that landscaping/curbing be a minimum of 18” from the property line for drainage. Should access to the easement area be required, any damage to landscaping in this area is the homeowner’s responsibility.
4. Landscaping walls are allowed. It is recommended they be consistent with
the elevation of the homesite.
5. Due to the diversity of the Deed Restrictions it is necessary to refer to the
specific set of Deed Restrictions and/or Matrix regarding the height
requirement of 48” for hedges. It is suggested that this type of planting be
kept two to three feet away from the property line.

Happi, if I were you I'd pick up the phone and call the architectural review office, give them the unit and lot number of your neighbor, explain what appears to be happening and ask if this plan was approved by them. If you're on a golf course any landscaping must be approved by ARC. Maybe your neighbor only thinks it applies to the front yard. Or, you can wait till the project is complete, see how bad it is and then call the ARC. If it wasn't approved it may have to be ripped out.

And SoccerCoach, FYI it is not the district who sends someone out to mark utilities. The contractor or homeowner should call 811 who takes the info and sends someone out to mark your lines. However, from my own experience, many contractors arounds here don't think this is a necessary thing to do. We've actually ruled out contractors because they told us they "knew" where the lines were and there was no need to get them marked. Yeah right!

I know of several people who thought they had a nice view. One had a peek-a-boo sight line to the golf course, in two years it was gone. Other had nice view up and down the fairway, neighbors landscaping blocked the veiw.
If you are looking at a lot, think how a neighbors landscaping might effect that great view.
If the neighbor is not accomodating thru a discussion..........its probably a done deal. So much for having a nice neighbor.
Dogs on a leash is a county ordinace.

Not sure about the hedge but the leash rule is true....Your dog is suppose to be leashed anytime it is outside your home......Hedges can not be more then 4 feet tall in my village, I don't know if every village is the same.

Article 2.17 of the Sumter county Covenants and Restrictions may be worth reading.
http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...206/S6-105.pdf

We just called the district and expressed out concerns. This is what they told us.....A property owner cannot in any way mark a boundry between properties with hedges or bushes. There cannot be a straight row of bushes or shrubs that separate any properties. You can plant shrubs, but not in a line to represent a boundry. And, a permit is required for any landscaping. As for the dogs, they must be on a leash at all times, even in your own yard, unless you have an invisible fence. The district told us that they would never approve this type of "landscaping" and when the landscaper starts the job, to call and make sure a permit has been obtained.

The homeowner told us last week that in order to keep his dogs in his yard, he was going to put in shrubs and bushes to create a fence area for them. He also told us that fences make good neighbors.

We know that the shrubs/bushes are intended to form a fence. We will see where this goes. We wish to keep the peace, but it seems these folks are doing a lot to make this impossible.

Call community standards if all else fails.

-oops guess you already did. Hope things get resolved. One of our neighbors put in a row between his lanai and the new home behind it. Guess that was okay. Shouldn't be from what you just said.

I think you need to not only be happynow but happy later. :rant-rave:

Remember anything that's planted now will grow UP and get fuller, do you think they will keep those hedges at 4' in the future.

You really need to stop it before it begins the work, it sounds like your neighbors are a bit of a jerk not to talk it out with U, fine that's there prerogative.

It's your prerogative to file an inquiry into the review folks or whom ever to tell them what's going on. Ask them what the limitations are and get a clear understanding about getting this work must require an approval.

I see you posted at the same time, good you are on the right track.



I don't like the word "suggested" that can't be enforced?


.

It is my understanding that people can build or plant with permission up to ten feet from the edges of their property.

If it will be a fact of life, than least said, soonest mended. They will continue to be your neighbors and living comfortably in a neighborhood is really important in the long run.

It is something for all prople who are looking at lots to remember if you are considering a lot with another lot running behind it. They can legitimatly put up a birdcage or plant things.

"A permit is required for all landscaping"........ A permit is required only to the point of the resident not planting on Special Easements. We all know, there are plenty of Row hedges out there to form a privacy fence.

In addition you will be faced with Florida Statute 373.185 states: A deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land. (Effective 7/1/09)

This situation is unfortunate but its not as clear cut as what the District just told you.

I wish you the best of luck..........as others have said, please be tactiful in your discussions, for you will be living next to these people for a period of time. HOw long ......Umh!!

landscaping
 

Someone mentioned that you being on a golf course the Arch Review Board would have to approve the project. This is only partly true, the ARC must approve nearly every new or additional project whether it be on a golf course or not. We just went thru a problem with the home modification by a neighbor. Sadly, the ARC has very little authority to enforce anything unless it is specifically spelled out in the deed restrictions.There is a strict rule about animals being on leashes anytime outside the home, also there are rules that limit households to only one dog and the size of that dog. I suggest you go to the Villages Governmental Offices at Laurel Manor asap.

Check with Community Standards. They are part of the VCCD located at 1894 Laurel Manor Drive. Their # is 352-751-3912.

Sorry - missed the post above.

Not sure if that is taken out of contents, it referrers to water conservation.

Read the entire statute

(3) Each water management district shall also work with the department, local governments, county extension agents or offices, nursery and landscape industry groups, and other interested stakeholders to promote, through educational programs, publications, and other district activities authorized under this chapter, the use of Florida-friendly landscaping practices, including the use of solid waste compost, in residential and commercial development. In conducting these activities, each district shall use the materials developed by the department, the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, and the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, including, but not limited to, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program for homeowners, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Builder Developer Program for developers, and the Green Industries Best Management Practices Program for landscaping professionals. Each district may develop supplemental materials as appropriate to address the physical and natural characteristics of the district. The districts shall coordinate with the department and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida if revisions to the educational materials are needed.
(a) The Legislature finds that the use of Florida-friendly landscaping and other water use and pollution prevention measures to conserve or protect the state’s water resources serves a compelling public interest and that the participation of homeowners’ associations and local governments is essential to the state’s efforts in water conservation and water quality protection and restoration.
(b) A deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land or create any requirement or limitation in conflict with any provision of part II of this chapter or a water shortage order, other order, consumptive use permit, or rule adopted or issued pursuant to part II of this chapter.
(c) A local government ordinance may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land.

The issue here is not about Florida-friendly landscaping ..............its about bushes.

Nope, two dogs are fine, any size. No problem with invisible fences either. They are approved.

IMHO seems to me it would be a good idea to get this all settled with the powers that be before all the work was completed. It would save the person who hired the landscaper some money at the very least. Actually it would seem to me that the person who hired the landscaper would have this all settled with the powers that be before the landscaper even put a shovel in the ground.


Joaniesmom

Warren is this a new Covenant in some of the newer Villages? We moved to The Villages because our Villages agent told us that two domestic pets are allowed per household, any size, and that is reflected in the material we received on closing. Also I don't believe that the "on leash" rule applies if you have invisible fencing.

I'd really appreciate hearing more about this new "one dog" rule.

I believe it is a two dog rule and if you have three when you move to TV you can keep them but if one dies, you cannot get another third. Not sure but we bought in November and I think that is what I was told. We have two Setters. Thus we bought a villa...

Amt of animals
 

We are in the process of buying new constuction in the Haciendas of Mission Hills. Our realtor told us 2 pets per household and there is no weight restriction.


:pepper2:10 more days to TV

[QUOTE=graciegirl;520643]"...They will continue to be your neighbors and living comfortably in a neighborhood is really important in the long run..."/QUOTE]

Rules are rules and following them are important. However, is it more important to have neighbors you are on good terms with or neighbors you don't speak to or associate with? I agree with Gracie when she says "...living comfortably in a neighborhood is really important in the long run." Choose your battles wisely and with your future in mind.

I always think about some good advice given to me years and years ago. That advice was...if you consider this one of the worst things that can happen in your life then run with it. If it isn't one of the worst things that can happen in your life, then let it go. Best advice I've ever been given.

Think about it long and hard before you make your next move.

Yup, you and me! Except I bought already there!

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are absolutely correct that you can bring a 3rd pet but when they cross the Rainbow Bridge you can only have 2.

[quote=flipflopz;520787]
I expect we will have to live with these people for a long time, but when you pay a large premium for a golf course view and then because someone wants their dogs to be able to run without a leash they block the view you paid for I would think you would be upset too. Seems awful selfish to me. All of the neighbors around us have worked together to put in landscaping that wouldn't block each others view of the course. Then we get one person who thinks it's all a out him. We have a right to be mad. One bad apple is all it takes. Is it the worst thing that could happen? The answer is no but hedges and bushes is not what we paid for.

[quote=flipflopz;520787]The advice given to you made you the person you are today. We haven't yet met but I hope to meet someday. I like your style!

[quote=Happinow;520796]I agree that in communities, or villages, like TV, it is important for neighbors to work together and discuss what is symbiotic for everyone, not just for the ambience, but for long term relationships and respect for each others investments. We live in a very private community outside of Seattle. No one can see into our house from any side. But our property line is shared with our neighbor and this winter, the hedge which is on their side toppled over. They could have planted anything they wanted, it was on their side but the impact on our side is significant because it creates the barrier between us and we see it everyday. They consulted us every step of the way, we offered to share costs of taking out the shrubbery which we did, and then they discussed the options with us and it was decided to put up a cedar fence. If we were opposed, we would have worked together for another solution. It was all so pleasant and friendly. Sometimes their dogs come over and poop in our yard, not often, but they are great neighbors. I have never said a word. Sometimes one of our Setters gets loose and they will put the dog back in our house for us or in our yard, or in their yard until we get home. It takes two sides to be pleasant and respectful, and I feel for Happinow who worked meticulously at every detail in choosing her home and creating it, and is only asking for the neighbor to consider the impact that their decision will have on Happinow's home. I think it is reasonable to be considerate in places where you are close together and where your actions impact each other.

the dog problem is VERY easy to solve,,, Back homeI had a neighbor whose dog did his "bussiness" near my side of the yard.. near where we used to set when we were at the pool,, needless to say the odor got a bit much,,, guy was a real jerk,,, chatting one day with the meter reader he showed me a small unit that they used rather than spray to keep the dogs away... It emitted a harsh tone only the dog could hear,, I ordered one online,,, hooked it up near my pool house,, the tone didnt bother anyone but the dog,, and let me tell you this,, When he came out of the house,, he had a change of heart on where to dump a load for the day... he seemed to not be in the yard much with this tone coming from my yard... was interesting in the winter in snow when you see tracks in snow,, my side of the yard never had tracks in it,, much less anything else!,,,as far as the bushes,,, let him get them all put in,,, then take him to task!! you have tried to be a nice guy,, and work with him,, now be a grizzly bear,, not just a cub!

[quote=jane032657;520804]Well said. We are only asking that we all work together to preserve everyone's investment. This guy wants nothing to do with anyone and is clearly on a mission. Honestly it's not the dogs we are concerned with at this point, it's the fact that he is recklessly putting up landscaping without any concern for his neighbors view. We all want to get along but he clearly doesn't want to work with anyone. We aren't the only ones who are not happy with his plan. The other neighbors that it affects are very upset as well. I believe this will all get resolved as with a plan like his it is doubtful that it will get approved because he is breaking the rules.

If the ARC doesn't enforce the restrictions you have legal ground to sue for enforcement if a homeowner violates the CCR.

I read that alterations including planting must receive prior written approval from the developer if visible from the golf course.

That may be a more important aspect than your own interest to the ARC or developer.


also it says something about "uniformed appearance within the community.

There are many things in the deed restrictions that can apply.


read your deed restrictions carefully. :confused:
Especially the section on enforcement which says if you sue for a violation, the losing party pays your legal fee.

You can also get your neighbors to join in a petition or complaint to the developer

If I were you, Happinow, I would take lots of pictures, every day as this "project" is getting built. Take them now with a clear view, and keep taking them daily standing in exactly the same place with the same thing showing in the picture on the left/right side, to show the same view changing and getting blocked.

Hopefully this will get stopped before they start. If the guy thinks "walls make good neighbors", then he should have a bought a courtyard villa having the walls already in place.

You hit the nail on the head!! I am camera ready!

:rant-rave: i am so sorry for you, we have a neighbor up north that the dog is outside 19hours a day and barks about 18 of it. we talked to them left them nice notes, had words called animal control. In the end they hate us the neighbors hate the dog, and the poor dog is the one who gets to sit in the rain, snow sun and dark all by himself.

Jimbo2012

The Florida Statue that was quoted is promininetly found in the Village Architectural Review Committe Guidelines Page 57 Section 4.10 entitled LANDSCAPING. These guidlines make no distinction about water conservation areas.

http://www.districtgov.org/departmen...viewManual.pdf