It is a matter of fairness in administrative procedures. Separate or ex parte communications are those outside of the formal proceeding without all interested parties present, and thus can unfairly prejudice the proceeding. This is standard in most administrative proceedings.

What the hell does it matter to anyone? It certainly looks better than some of the 2nd floor additions that have popped up in TV. It’s their money, let them spend it.

BTW, as of Monday, 7/1, people in TV will be able to grow gardens in their front yards; I bet that will cause you worry warts who want to stick your noses in everyone else’s business to really blow a gasket.

Is it too late to plant corn?

For what it's worth, I drove by the subject house this morning, basically unremarkable in real life and it meets all CDD/ARC standards. The pictures posted on the other website taken to intentionally distort the appearance.

To me what I found humorous is the rest of the homes on Five Forks, there were at least a dozen (I just stopped counting when I started laughing) homes with deed compliance violation - lawn ornaments (you name the type, they're there), rock and flower beds overgrown with weeds, grass uncut and above the height limits, etc. The home with the garage was well kept and in compliance.

So we have residents that refuse to comply with their own deed restrictions complaining about a resident's home that the homeowner with through the required process to be in compliance.

Where are the troll with their clipboards when you need them...

Very helpful description, and GoldwingNut, and Manaboutown you are so funny.

Well said. It’s just the typical crybaby trolls with nothing else to do with their miserable “nothing else to do with their life” lives. Police yourselves before you act like the “deed compliance police” against others.

More tax money. I'm sure he has a good reason.

The more this thread goes on, the more jealous I have become of the owners of the garage in question!

Indoor pickleball court

No room, yard full of garages :1rotfl:

No dog in this hunt.....but!
 

I greatly look forward to becoming a resident of TV within the next few years and I really appreciate TOTV as an easy and free way to meet lots of potential future neighbors ahead of time. As a person who has been a Realtor in the past and am still involved in the world of real estate in a different way I can see both sides of this issue on the so-called garage house. If I had to pick a perspective I would agree with Nucky. I don’t think this house with the huge garage will negatively effect anybody’s property value. I would say that from what I understand about the rules governing the exterior of homes in TV is that the rules are for the most part extremely strict and far more restrictive than the list of covenants (deed restrictions) for most subdivisions outside TV. Your property values in TV are certainly quite secure! Now if a flood of criminally minded kids like the one who was recently arrested for stealing a golf bag and clubs out of a parked golf cart at Mallory Hill Country Club in TV begin moving back in with their parents in TV like this one did that’s a whole different matter!!!

It's everyone's right to ask questions about construction in their neighborhoods. On thefirst day when a polite request was made to look at the garage plan an employee from Community Standards asked why? She then proceeded to state that if "you have a problem with this plan maybe the owner doesn't like your house either. Is this the way that residents should be treated? For the record she knows who she is and paid to be at EVERY ARC meeting and comments regularly.

If it weren't for the interest of the concerned neighbors and the attention on it theproject may have looked completely different. Citizen activism (even in light of notable 2nd floor Community Standard VIP antagonism) prevailed.

Tell that to the hundreds of people requesting a 3 foot width expansion to their driveway. Consistent rulings would be appreciated.

I like context and common sense in the application of rules. See no big deal with this house as almost no one but the neighbors and the yard people see it. It is in a very out of the way spot in Tall Trees.

If you mean the red house, I think it stood out primarily because it is red, and looks more like a normal non-Florida community house, than it does a dwelling that might belong in what was once a trailer park and still contains manufactured homes.

If that's the house you mean, I absolutely love that house. Yes it stands out but it's magnificent and is a perfect landmark to explain to people when to turn to get to my house!

Currently all are operating in good faith that the use of the property will be adding to the quiet and peaceful, friendly atmosphere in TT. This is expected so no need for any action is needed.

The way the neighbors were treated the first day in inquiry about the project was in no way compatible with the friendliest neighborhood in Florida theme. Calls to the office went unreturned and neighbors were hung up on by standards administrators. Calls to public relations administrators for contact information were denied. Very unfortunate. Richard Baier and staff were a pleasant exception.

They did a very nice job on the landscaping. The active and continuing dialogue helped.

The irony is going after oak tree owners and white cross "offenders." as projects of a larger scope go without staff review.
A revamp of the entire process, staff professionalism and procedures could be reviewed to ensure consistency and fairness universally.

Methinks you are still banging your drum, when the band has long gone home.
The gentleman concerned, applied for relevant permission.
It was granted.
He built.
It's there.
End of!

Yes, that is how it would work in a dictatorship.

However, it sounds like with the landscaping it’s ok. I hope people have learned from this process for the next time.

Would a storage unit be another option? Of course work on any vehicles is not allowed inside or outside by FL state fire and safety codes.

I think we are very lucky to have this man in charge, too.

Sounds very democratic and law abiding to me.
I am glad you approve of the landscaping, I am sure the owner will rest easy now.

Now that we have meet the owner. It Would have been nice if there was some mechanism whereby neighbors could communicate some way during the process. Gary Lester who is the Administrator involved with public relations would not return numerous phone calls throughout the months long construction phase. Perhaps this could have been of assistance for all involved parties?

Thank you. Therewas no jealousy involved. Just drainage concerns, aesthetic conformity and use that is consistent with R-1 zoning code. Thank you.

:confused: Doesn't Gary Lester work for the Developer...... not the District? Why would you call him? :shrug:

All is well that ends well.

The time to communicate would be during the approval process..... not after.

You can sign up to receive a copy of the ARC agenda for each of their meetings.
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The Architecurual Review Committee (ARC) meets every Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. at the District office located at 984 Old Mill Run, The Villages, FL 32162. It meets for approximately 2-4 hours each week and review approximately 100 applications per week. All meetings are open to the public and the committee operates under the Florida “Sunshine Law”.

The ARC shall administratively review for approval or denial all owner applications seeking to make EXTERNAL structural alterations (including but not limited to landscaping, fencing, sheds, arbors or similar items) home re-paintings, additions, repairs or improvements to their home.

Said review shall be done and in accordance with each individual District’s adopted Rule, guidelines, procedures, policies and standards taking into consideration staff’s recommendations regarding said compliance.

Religious freedoms should be defended and protected. Deed restrictions do involve protection in regard to conformity. It is a project that was completed and all neighbors are moving forward. However being challenged by staff from Day 1 did little to help the situation.

Correct. Religious Freedom has to do with the practicing of ones religion not the display of ones religious symbols whatever they may be. I believe many folks are conflating religious freedom with deed restriction limitations that one agrees to when buying a home in a deed restricted community.

Freedom Of Religion | Definition of Freedom Of Religion by Merriam-Webster

157 posts on an ARC approved addition. Many have only viewed poorly taken photos, not seen the home in person.
So far I have not seen anyone who is living within site of the HOME posting, how it has consumed their lifestyle.

Some realize once moved in a Bigger Garage would be a blessing. ARC approval is a done deal.

If ARC approved it, what's the big deal? They are the people who are in the best position to judge what is architecturally in the best interests of the Villages. I think it looks fine.

I drove by. It is a nice looking addition. But it is in a very out of the way section of Tall Trees that you would not visit without a reason. It would even be hard to get to if you got lost in Tall Trees which I have in the past.

I find it interesting that nobody said a word about the 5 car garage behind #5 fairway of Bonita Pass. !-car plus a 2- story 2-car with lifts that hold 2 elevated for storage.

Adjacent property ownerswere concerned about drainage issues. The Deed restrictions discuss the protection of aesthetic conformity within TV districts. This, not to mention the daily policy changes any applicant experiences were determining factories in the debate. Yes it is over and things are resolved but the ongoing concern remains as the standards at ARC and board of supervisors face challenges to the anonymous reporting system, inconsistent rulings and protections of religious freedom.

You bloody well are entitled to your opinion mate. TV will only be improved upon in every way by the exercise of respectful free speech. The protections of our deed restrictions and issues lately are worth the fallout from the hierarchy bent on protecting some status quo. We all love TV but also acknowledge some changes may make it even better.

We attended an event near the Home. At the time had no idea it was the house, better yet the home in question, was not in any conversation with over 30 people attending. I agree with you. As in any additional space added in TV, it was well done.

Drainage issues are to be addressed by a construction permit, not ARC.

The things that you mention are not challenges to anyone or anything. They are simply grumbings of those who don't want to follow the deed restrictions.