A couple in The Villages has been ordered to remove rock from their yard after it was put down without permission.
The home in the Oviedo Villas in the Village of St. Charles, owned by Daniel and Donna Kelso, was the subject of a public hearing Friday morning before the Community Development District 8 Board of Supervisors. The home is located at 1804 Orange Court.
An anonymous complaint was received March 1 alleging that the rock had been put down without the permission of the Architectural Review Committee. The Kelsos had applied for approval in 2018 for the work, but were denied, “because rocks may only be used as an accent around approved landscaping beds,” according to Community Standards.
“They went ahead and did it anyway?” asked CDD 8 Supervisor Larry McMurry.
He said cases such as the Kelsos’ violation are frustrating.
“People don’t seem to understand the design intent of the patio villa. Some people go ahead and do it and the neighbors look around and see it and do it, too. It’s frustrating,” McMurry said. “They spent a lot of money.”
The rock beds surround the entire villa, which the Kelsos purchased in 2010 for $137,200.
The board voted unanimously to find the Kelsos in violation of deed compliance. They have been given 45 days to bring the property in compliance. If not, they will face a $150 fine to be followed by $50 daily fines until the property is brought into compliance.