I attached my photos, my survey, and a copy of the CCNR section on architectural review. I kept it factual and short, no emotion, no drama, just this structure was built without approval, and it encroaches on my property. I also called the county building department. The woman who answered was helpful. She pulled up Ronald’s address and confirmed what I already suspected. There was no building permit on file for a second story balcony or any deck addition. She said she would send an inspector out to check on it.
2 days later, I got a call back from the county. The inspector had visited the site and confirmed the structure was unpermitted. He also noted the encroachment onto my property. Ronald was issued a stopwork order and a notice of violation. The inspector told me that Ronald would either need to get a retroactive permit, which would require proving the structure code and was within his property, or he would have to remove it. The Hway moved a little slower, but they moved.
I got an email from the management company saying my complaint had been received and forwarded to the architectural review committee and they actually confirmed that there was no application on file from Ronald for the balcony. A formal violation notice was being sent to him and about a week after all this started, Ronald showed up at my door. He didn’t look happy. He was holding the county violation notice in one hand and his phone in the other. You called the county on me?
I also filed with the HOA like you told me to do. His face got red. I’m on the board. You think this is going to go anywhere? I think the board has roots and I think you did not follow them. This is going to cost me thousands of dollars over a couple of feet of overhang. You’re being ridiculous. Well, Ronald, you poured concrete in my yard. You destroyed my garden and you did it while I was out of state.
He leaned in a little. You’re going to regret this. I know every person on that board personally. And I’ve got a real estate attorney who does this job for breakfast. Well, good for you. You’re going to need him. He turned around and walked off my porch without another word. Now, I want to be honest here. When he said that stuff about knowing the board and having a lawyer, I did feel a little nervous for about 5 minutes and then I remembered something.
