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Article Courtesy of NBC 6
South Florida
By Sasha Jones
Published June 20, 2026
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WATCH VIDEO |
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A Tamarac homeowner says he is seeking answers after receiving a letter from a
real estate developer saying parts of his property may extend onto land slated
for a major residential development.
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Joe Donzelli said he purchased his
Tamarac home in February 2015 because it offered everything
he and his family wanted, including a pool, an enclosed
patio and a view of the former Woodlands Country Club golf
course.
"We found this one, and just the stars aligned and we were
able to make the deal happen," Donzelli said.
More than a decade later, Donzelli is adjusting to major
changes in the neighborhood. Construction is underway on a
development that will bring more than 300 luxury homes to
the former golf course property.
Donzelli said residents had previously been told that new
construction would maintain a buffer between existing homes
and the development.
"We were told that once the plans were agreed upon that new
construction would be a minimum of 80 feet from existing
property lines," he said.
But Donzelli said he received a letter from developer 13th
Floor Homes last month stating that the company had
identified "potential encroachments in the vicinity of your
property" that could "conflict with the approved site plan
limits."
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Three days to remove a pool deck? A Tamarac homeowner
said that’s the message he initially got from a developer and when
he couldn’t get answers, he turned to NBC6 Responds for help.
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According to Donzelli, an image included with the letter showed a green line
representing his property boundary and a red circle encompassing portions of his
enclosed patio and pool area.
Donzelli said he began contacting the developer to seek clarification.
"They told me I had three days to remove my pool and anything that was in the
company's property or the construction company would do it for me," Donzelli
said.
Donzelli said he later spoke with a company representative by phone who told him
a surveyor would be sent to his home to verify the property line. He said the
representative also waived the three-day deadline.
"I haven't received an email or phone call since," Donzelli said.
NBC6 Responds contacted 13th Floor Homes about Donzelli's concerns.
In a statement, the developer told us,
"Land development is now underway at The
Woodlands, including site preparation and earthwork associated with the approved
redevelopment of the former golf course property. As part of this process, a
land survey identified instances where items or structures from adjacent
properties extend onto The Woodlands property in conflict with legal property
boundaries and approved development plans.” They went on to say, “13th Floor
Homes is working collaboratively with neighboring residents to address each
situation individually as we request the removal of items or structures
encroaching onto The Woodlands property. Property boundaries are established
through a certified survey prepared using the property's deeded legal
description and supporting title documentation, consistent with Broward County
Property Appraiser records.”
NBC6 Responds reviewed mapping information available through the Broward County
Property Appraiser's website. The online map appears to show Donzelli's enclosed
patio within his property's boundaries.
For Donzelli, the issue extends beyond his own property.
He worries that some of his neighbors may struggle to navigate the process.
"There are a lot of folks who are still original owners from the early '70s who
live here," Donzelli said. "They may not understand how this process works.
Who's advocating for them?"
13th Floor Homes told NBC6 Responds that it remains committed to working
directly with Donzelli and offered to send a surveyor to his property. As of
this report, Donzelli said that survey had not yet taken place.
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