Residents claim a “nit-picking neighbor” has made a mockery of their addresses on “Paradise” Drive on the Historic Side of The Villages.
Things came to a head this week when the “nit-picking neighbor” forced a hearing in front of the supervisors on the Village Center Community Development District.
Doug Ollila’s parents had purchased the home at 1165 Paradise Drive decades ago. His father passed away and now Ollila lives in the home with his aging mother.
Four years ago, Ollila added a brick planter to the side of the house.
On Sept. 26, Community Standards received a complaint that Ollila’s planter had been built without prior approval from the Architectural Review Committee. Community Standards verified the complaint.
Ollila applied on Oct. 19 and Nov. 9 to the ARC in an attempt to have the planter retroactively approved. However, the ARC stood by its assessment that the landscaping wall was encroaching on the five foot side yard easement.
Thus, Ollila appeared Wednesday in front of the VCCDD Board.
Lady Lake Mayor Jim Richards appealed to the VCCDD board on Ollila’s behalf.
Richards, a retired engineer, said he had been to Ollila’s home and had seen the wall.
“It’s an attractive wall and the neighbors seem to agree,” Richards said.
The mayor added that Lady Lake is a “full-service” operation when it comes to permitting, construction and modifications. He said it would not be uncommon for Lady Lake residents who live in The Villages to overlook or be unaware of the ARC requirement.
Ollila’s neighbor Margot Haught has lived at 1161 Paradise Drive for seven years.
Haught said she has had trouble with the same neighbor she believes turned in Ollila’s violation.
“It’s gotten to the point where it’s ridiculous,” she said.
Haught said the neighbor has been taking advantage of The Villages’ anonymous complaint system.
“She’s called in tiny things on me,” Haught said.
The Villages’ anonymous complaint system has been called into question by some CDD supervisors who have argued that the accused have a right to face their accuser.
However, District staff and counsel have argued that the anonymous complaint system can preserve harmony in the neighborhood.
For example, if a resident puts out a lawn ornament that violates the deed restrictions and a neighbor complains, the homeowner is then asked by Community Standards to take down the lawn ornament. But if the neighborhood is accepting of the lawn ornament and no one complains, the lawn ornament can stay. Unless of course, someone new moves into the neighborhood and takes offense at the lawn ornament.
In Ollila’s case, the VCCDD Board has agreed to give it six months. Ollila could come into compliance, or the VCCDD Board could opt to revise its policy when it comes to the ARC.
“I would really hate to see this thing have to come down,” Ollila said.
