It's a shed, right? Not so fast

Meanwhile, they’re building sheds as homes in Beverly Hills.

Oh, hi. Happy Thursday! Just perusing my notes from Tuesday’s County Commission meeting, and there it is:

Beverly Hills woman says a builder is depositing shed-like structures on concrete pads, claiming them as single-family houses.

---

“Someone in the building department is rubber stamping these sheds as liveable housing,” she said. “You cannot live in a shed in Beverly Hills.”

The county is aware. Apparently, these “sheds” pass the Florida Building Code and that’s why they’re permitted.

Comments from this concerned woman and her South Tyler Street neighbors conjured up a memory from several years ago about a manufactured home in the Inverness Highlands, and residents having a similar reaction. In a neighborhood of traditional houses, they saw this as an obstruction, and they wanted commissioners to do something about it.

Commissioners at the time vowed to get an answer. Unfortunately for neighbors, the answer was the home is legal. Judging from the official reaction Tuesday, Beverly Hills folks may be facing the same fate.

I took a drive to 308 S. Tyler St. on Wednesday to see for myself. And, as anyone can tell from today’s photo, the residents have a point. I mean…that’s about the ugliest addition to a neighborhood anyone can imagine. It looks nothing like a house. Neighbors said the builder plans a breezeway between these two buildings; not sure what good that’ll do to the appearance.

Commissioners would love nothing more than to appease these folks and red tag that nightmare. It’s never that simple, especially since the county allowed it in the first place. According to the permit, that photo shows a $175,000 single-family home in the making.

It’s a frustrating point all around. Beverly Hills residents should expect traditional-looking homes on their street, right? This isn’t rural Citrus. “Anything goes” shouldn’t apply to established communities.

These square-peg-round-hole situations have become more prevalent the last five years as the growth exploded. The county hears complaints about folks living in RVs on empty lots, or shipping containers plopped on vacant property while the owners decide their next move. And the occasional non-traditional home in a traditional neighborhood.

Commissioners promised to look into the Beverly Hills situation, but the initial response would suggest it won’t go anywhere. (Here's the meeting video.) Even Commissioner Janet Barek, whose district includes Beverly Hills, said they’re permitted.

I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear about Beverly Hills sheds.

Also from Tuesday notes:

— The Lakeside golf course is for sale and residents there are already geared for a Pine Ridge-like fight to save it from development.

Residents told commissioners Tuesday that the country club closed April 17 and is on the market for $14 million. One man said he received a listing from the agent that said the county supported redevelopment of the golf course.

The man and his neighbors wanted to know who in the county would say that. Commissioners didn’t have a clue, but they directed staffers to ask the listing agent to keep the county out of it.

— Commissioner Jeff Kinnard dropped his moratorium idea, and instead talked about ways to streamline the regulatory process. Not to make development easier, just more efficient.

Jeff and I have a Cattle Dog chat scheduled next week. I’d like to find out where he’s coming from before delving into it here.

— Finally, a Bunny update. I try to adjust my schedule to ensure she’s not in the crate for any duration beyond five hours. I figured on County Commission days, I’ll zip home around 5 p.m. to watch the remainder online so that Bunny isn’t in the crate longer than necessary.

Well, as it turned out, there was no convenient time to escape during Tuesday’s board meeting. A certain subject was being discussed, and I couldn’t just walk out on that.

As the debate continued, I texted Deb in a panic and asked her to go check on Bunny, which she did. And Bunny was just fine. She’s sleeping under the desk at my feet as I write this.

We’re often up with the sun for our morning trail walk. Nothing like fresh scents. What a spectacular way to start the day.

Make this Thursday the best one ever, friends.

​Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Support the blog by subscribing to JWC Inner Circle for 99 cents/month.

Individual donations are appreciated through Venmo, PayPal, or Patreon.