Residents are taking sides in a fight over an unapproved boat dock that extends too far into Lake Carroll.
By TIM GRANT
Published November 7, 2003
CARROLLWOOD - The boat dock that Bill and Cynthia Rizzetta built recently on Lake Carroll has triggered a rift between them and some of their neighbors in the Original Carrollwood community.
It's more than twice as long as the community's rules allow. The Rizzettas built it without getting approval from the homeowners association. And the dock and its boat lift are blocking Dr. Dan Taylor's view of the lake.
"No matter where you position yourself on Dr. Taylor's back lot, the Rizzettas' new dock obscures his view," said Aaron French, Taylor's attorney.
The dock is 63 feet long and 30 feet wide at its deepest point in the water. A boat lift attached to the end of the dock would store a boat higher than the dock, blocking Taylor's view even more, French said.
Taylor, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, wants his lake view restored. The Rizzettas, who bought their home at 11315 Carrollwood Drive in May, say they cannot enjoy the lake without their dock and boat lift.
If the two neighbors cannot agree by next month on how to settle their dispute, the Carrollwood Civic Association's board of directors said Monday night that they will vote on the matter and solve it for them.
"You guys are going to have to live next to each other," said Eric Hyde, the board's vice president. "Maybe in the end there can be cookies and milk. Otherwise, I wouldn't want to live there if I were you."
CCA board members have approved several docks on Lake Carroll that exceed the 25-foot limit. The problem in this case is the overwhelming opposition.
"We have always required the signatures of all affected homeowners," said Betsey Hapner, the board president. "He didn't get anybody's signature."
It was an emotional CCA board meeting. Cynthia Rizzetta broke down in tears while expressing her disappointment in the turn of events. Bill Rizzetta publicly told one neighbor who supports Taylor they would no longer be friends. Another neighbor told the board he has decided to move because of the dock dispute.
"This is the straw that broke the camel's back," said Dwight Strawser, who said he is moving. "And there's a lot of straw involved here."
The community guidelines say docks cannot be longer than 25 feet into the lake and that homeowners must get approval from the CCA before they build docks. The Rizzettas have completed their dock and are seeking approval for what they've already done.
"I'm a little concerned about the perception that we are the bad guys who are coming in here and throwing all this stuff out," Bill Rizzetta said.
Bill Rizzetta told the board he and his wife are willing to compromise with his neighbor concerning the boat lift. Several neighbors on Carrollwood Drive attended the meeting to support Taylor, a Tampa dermatologist.
"I'm here out of concern for (the Taylors)," said Dave Medich, a neighbor. "This dock is not in their best interest at all. I cannot see in good conscience how you can let this go."
Many of the docks on that lake, however, are longer than 25 feet because the low water level at times would make it impossible for a boat to reach a dock that short. Many of those docks also were built without CCA approval.
CCA board member Mark Tempest has a dock on Lake Carroll that also is longer than 25 feet. He said the CCA approved it before he bought the house and that none of his neighbors have objected to it. Tempest urged the board members to hold off on voting until next month.
"Hopefully they will have it worked out by then," he said.
Taylor's home, however, sits on an inlet. The Rizzettas' dock extends 15 feet into Taylor's view. If Taylor's other next-door neighbor were to build a dock, the two docks would meet and further diminish Taylor's lake access, French said.
"He won't have lake access or a view," French said. "He'll just see boats."
CCA board members took a tour of the lake Saturday to see how the Rizzettas' dock has affected Taylor and other neighbors. Nick Cox, the CCA legal adviser, told board members not to get involved in mediation between the two property owners because the board may have to vote on the matter.
Taylor remained silent throughout the meeting while others cried, debated and severed friendships. Taylor made only one statement just before he left the room, indicating he won't back down from this fight.
"Things that are built up and constructed can be taken down, too," Taylor said. "I want that added to the comments."
