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PVC fence replaces wooden one
By MELIA BOWIE, Times Staff Writer TAMPA PALMS -- The fight is over and a new fence is up at Joseph and Lucy Patsko's home. The 6-foot white PVC fence bordering their corner home signals the end to a yearlong battle between the family and the Tampa Palms Owners Association, which cited the Patskos for violating deed restrictions by erecting a wooden fence. "Mr. and Mrs. Patsko have complied fully with the mandate of the Residential Modifications Committee to erect a 6-foot PVC fence in an approved style and remove the old wooden fencing," said community manager Maura Lear. "That pretty much negates the violation. Their deadline was May 22 and they had it all up in accordance with what they were told to do," she said. The family initially selected the wood fence to accent their Cambridge III home. It was pretty and it would protect their young son, the Patskos reasoned. Instead it resulted in a year of emotional meetings, citations and fines from the homeowners association, which banned wood fences in August 1998 -- two days before the Patskos applied to build one. The board determined that wood fences were no longer welcome in Tampa Palms nearly five years ago, as they become unsightly in the harsh Florida weather. The Patskos, who moved to Tampa Palms in 1997 and installed the fence in March 2001, felt the association had imposed the rule without sufficient input from the homeowners. "When you live in a deed restricted community, you sign on the line that you will abide by the restrictions that are enforced," Lucy Patsko said in April. "We signed on for a wooden fence." The homeowners association has not yet decided whether to pursue the $2,000 fine against the family. -- Melia Bowie can be reached at (813) 269-5312.
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From the Times |
