[downeaster]

Originally Posted by queasy27

In addition to possible encumbrances during a sale, if easement access is ever needed/enforced, those nice softscape plants could be goners.

downeaster, what are you putting in your raised beds? Edibles?

Crepe myrtle, roses so far. Room for more to be decided by She Who Must Be Obeyed.

[cmj1210]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Joyce, I think there was a big brouhaha a few weeks back because one single person drove around and made dozens of complaints by email.


There have been folks who built something tangible without permission and it extended into the no-no zone and it had to be removed, I remember reading that on this forum when we first moved here.. If you have a yard gnome that isn't under the eaves and it is reported, you need to tuck that guy under the eaves or put him in the back or you will get a fine if he is reported.


There has been a good deal of reporting and the yards are pretty much uncluttered south of 466 and south of 466A near Morse. I see a lot more "stuff" in people's yards near Lake Deaton when we go to visit friends. If someone reports them, they will be notified and if they don't comply they will be fined.


I know this because a close neighbor in our first neighborhood here had a BUNCH of yard stuff and she was very vocal about the process.

Gracie, not all homes to the south have deed restrictions for lawn ornaments. We live in Lake Deaton & there aren't any restrictions. We had a neighbor that had a bird feeder, a neighbor complained, down it came then to find out there are no restrictions so back up it went.

[dirtbanker]

Originally Posted by yabbadu

I followed the guidelines and happy I did. My new neighbor behind me has not and I have yet to decide what my next step will be. They installed plants/mulch right up to their property line because their landscaper said it was OK. They did NOT take out the permit!

That has to be disturbing to stare at...the mulch beds would look way better with grass between them and your property line, it would also make your yard appear larger (and yet he would have to mow that area for you!).

It is your duty as a Villager to turn him in !!!

[vette]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Sadly, the ARC is more of a paper lion than anything.

We fought an issue for nearly a year and the final decision not in our favor was the wording "aesthetically pleasing". ARC defined this to mean " beauty is in the eye of the beholder".. Further defined as what is ugly to one person might be beautiful to another.

Our entire neighborhood found that ARC basically has no power to deny anything. If it is not specifically noted in the covenants, you have ne recourse.

Hi Warren,
Maybe it's only because I haven't had my 2nd cup of coffee yet, but I'm confused by your post! My understanding of it says the ARC can't deny anything but then you state how you were denied? So please help me understand. TIA

[gomsiepop]

Make sure that the landscaper you hire submits a drawing and plan to ARC. As the homeowner, I was responsible for making sure this was done. Because I trusted the landscaper I hired I assumed that he was doing what was necessary. I found out after my neighbor filed a complaint with ARC and I was informed that I have a violation on record. Because I am not on speaking terms with the landscaper I emailed him only to receive a very, very nasty letter from his wife stating that it was my fault that the plans were submitted and then "retracted" by the landscaper. Be very careful who you hire and don't assume anything is being done unless it is in writing. There are very unscrupulous landscapers working in The Villages who will take our money and do what they will. I cannot name the company I hired because his wife monitors this site. I had all my posts removed by the Administrator after the landscaper's wife reported these posts. If anyone wants to know who this landscaper is all they have to do is PM me and I will let them know who this company is. $20,000 and I'm still paying for his lack of knowledge.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rjm1cc

You want to find the plot plan for your area. That should show the easements. Try the county building office if the builders sales office does not have a copy. I know in my loop I share a 5 foot easement with the neighbor on my left but none on the right. Most of the houses on the loop do not have and easement between houses. I can plant in the easement but the HOA does not have to repair any of my planting if they need to use the easement.
Your plot plan that you got at settlement should show your easements.

What HOA?

[yabbadu]

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

A friend said there is a difference between hardscape and softscape. IMO mulch and plants are softscape; raised beds are hardscape. I would need to feel I was harmed, really harmed, before I took any action, including broaching the subject with the neighbor.

Thank You for your opinion However the ARC told me directly and gave me guidelines to follow and one thing for sure is that you CANNOT put any scape onto or up to the property line which could possibly inhibit water flow or access to the underground utilities.
If you do not believe me feel free to check out the guidelines at the ARC offices. I am in District 9

[yabbadu]

Originally Posted by dirtbanker

That has to be disturbing to stare at...the mulch beds would look way better with grass between them and your property line, it would also make your yard appear larger (and yet he would have to mow that area for you!).

It is your duty as a Villager to turn him in !!!

Thank You.

[gap2415]

Originally Posted by cmj1210

Gracie, not all homes to the south have deed restrictions for lawn ornaments. We live in Lake Deaton & there aren't any restrictions. We had a neighbor that had a bird feeder, a neighbor complained, down it came then to find out there are no restrictions so back up it went.

We had a bird feeder, two rats loved it and they entered our garage when driving out. We trapped the rats and down came the feeder. Now two doors down I see a feeder in my neighbors yard. I will mention it to him one on one but just tell him my story. We left an area because of the Pharisees...always trying to see what "others" we're doing wrong. They were hated by the rest of the subdivision but that didn't hinder their compulsion and attacks on others.

Please uphold the "spirit" of the rules to keep values up in a neighborhood and not be a busybody nit picker that hurts others. You will be found out....and nobody likes a snitch. If it really bothers you. Kindly reflect why and how much it really hurts the situation. If that doesn't work, politely talk to your neighbor and do listen to his or her reply. Who knows, it may be the start of a beautiful friendship no matter what the outcome.

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by yabbadu

Thank You for your opinion However the ARC told me directly and gave me guidelines to follow and one thing for sure is that you CANNOT put any scape onto or up to the property line which could possibly inhibit water flow or access to the underground utilities.
If you do not believe me feel free to check out the guidelines at the ARC offices. I am in District 9

I did not mean to imply you were not telling the truth. I will not apologize for stating my opinion.

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by gap2415

We had a bird feeder, two rats loved it and they entered our garage when driving out. We trapped the rats and down came the feeder. Now two doors down I see a feeder in my neighbors yard. I will mention it to him one on one but just tell him my story. We left an area because of the Pharisees...always trying to see what "others" we're doing wrong. They were hated by the rest of the subdivision but that didn't hinder their compulsion and attacks on others.

Please uphold the "spirit" of the rules to keep values up in a neighborhood and not be a busybody nit picker that hurts others. You will be found out....and nobody likes a snitch. If it really bothers you. Kindly reflect why and how much it really hurts the situation. If that doesn't work, politely talk to your neighbor and do listen to his or her reply. Who knows, it may be the start of a beautiful friendship no matter what the outcome.

I don't have a bird feeder for the same reason. Fortunately my story ended in the yard, not the garage!! I would let a neighbor know about unwanted guests just in case they didn't know.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by cmj1210

Gracie, not all homes to the south have deed restrictions for lawn ornaments. We live in Lake Deaton & there aren't any restrictions. We had a neighbor that had a bird feeder, a neighbor complained, down it came then to find out there are no restrictions so back up it went.

I would re read your restrictions. It is highly unlikely that there are "no restrictions " that would prevent or limit yard ornaments.

[NavyNJ]

Originally Posted by cmj1210

Gracie, not all homes to the south have deed restrictions for lawn ornaments. We live in Lake Deaton & there aren't any restrictions. We had a neighbor that had a bird feeder, a neighbor complained, down it came then to find out there are no restrictions so back up it went.

CMJ - Not sure where in Lake Deaton you live, but in Unit 234 where we are, Section 2.16 of the Deed Restrictions & Covenants pretty clearly states what types of signs and/or structures a homeowner is allowed to erect. And it also clearly states that Lawn Ornaments, except for seasonal/holiday stuff, are prohibited. Is your Unit handled differently?

[cmj1210]

Originally Posted by Challenger

I would re read your restrictions. It is highly unlikely that there are "no restrictions " that would prevent or limit yard ornaments.

We have read & reread the restrictions on this. Nothing is stated in the deed restrictions regarding ornaments, therefore it is legal. Believe me I am not a fan of lawn ornaments & there are some in my area that I am not a fan of. I do wish there was a restriction.

[twoplanekid]

For deed compliance for all Districts in Sumter County go to and read -> VCDD Deed Compliance - Sumter County

For my house in Lake Deaton it says in Section 2.16 " No sign ...... Lawn ornaments are prohibited, except for seasonal displays ...."

May have to take my clothesline down!