Villager with too much junk now in trouble for unauthorized storage shed

A Villager who got in trouble last year for having too much junk at his home is now in trouble for putting up an unauthorized storage shed on his property.

The home of Harold Crume at 709 Megan Circle on the Historic Side of The Villages was the subject of a deed compliance hearing Monday at the District Office at Brownwood.

A complaint about the property was lodged this past July, prompting a visit from a code enforcement officer from the Town of Lady Lake. The code enforcement officer found multiple chairs, inoperable golf carts and car batteries in the front yard of the home. Crume claimed that some of the golf carts were “collectibles” and said he was attempting to restore them. A neighbor told the code enforcement officer that he believed Crume was running a golf cart rental business out of his home. Crume also admitted he was a “dumpster diver.”

Crume apparently found a solution to his problem by putting up a shed on his property. However, he never sought approval for the shed from the Architectural Review Committee.

A complaint about the illicit shed was lodged in October with Community Standards. During a visit to Crume’s home, Community Standards left behind a copy of an ARC application, trying to gently prod him in the direction of compliance. He submitted an ARC application on Dec. 11, but it was denied on New Year’s Eve due to “insufficient information regarding the structure.” During an inspection of the property this past week, the shed was still there.

Crume was given 45 days to remove the shed or receive approval from the ARC. If he fails to do so, he will be fined.