A son’s inherited property has turned into a neighbor’s nightmare in The Villages.
The home at 701 Pine Hills Place in the Village of Winifred was the subject of a public hearing Tuesday before the Community Development District 5 Board of Supervisors at SeaBreeze Recreation Center.
The home was originally purchased in 2008 by Christine Dolby, who later changed her name to Christine Greenlaw. She has passed away and her Winifred home is part of the C.W. Greenlaw Living Trust.
A complaint was received June 5, 2025, about overgrown grass and weeds at the home. Letters were sent and the property was brought into compliance on Aug. 12, 2025.
Another complaint was received June 4 of this year regarding overgrown grass and weeds. At last check, the property remained out of compliance.
Community Standards testified at the hearing that Greenlaw’s son, Galen, now has control of the property.
Neighbor Andrea DiGiovanna told the CDD 5 board that the home has fallen into neglect.
“It has been a constant two years of aggravation,” DiGiovanna said.
She said the generational change of ownership has taken its toll on the property.
“Her son is, I am sorry, a derelict. His mother was pristine. She took great care of the property. She must be rolling over in her grave,” DiGiovanna said.
DiGiovanna also charged that the son has been playing a cat-and-mouse game with Community Standards.
“Every time there is a hearing, he cuts the grass,” she said. “Something has to be rectified on this situation. I need help.”
She added that a family of rabbits and several snakes have taken up residence in the yard.
Galen, who had been notified of the hearing, was a no-show.
The CDD 5 board was clearly sympathetic and recognized the agony suffered by DiGiovanna, who was supported at the hearing by several neighbors equally disgusted with the condition of the home.
Supervisor Jerry Knoll suggested cutting the window for bringing the property into compliance from seven days to 24 hours. His fellow supervisors agreed, and they have labeled the property a “re-occurring violation.”
The District will maintain the property at a cost to the estate of $250 per occurrence.
“The most important thing is to get this cleaned up,” said CDD 5 Chairman Gary Kadow.