Twelve
years ago when Jovanovich moved in and planted his trees, he knew he was
going against the homeowner's association's rules, but says he wanted to
do what was best for the environment.
"I'm ashamed at these
places that are still going back to ancient rules and they should all
start going green," said Jovanovich
His HOA requires residents
to have shrubs waist high and to be consistent with other houses.
While we were unable to
speak with someone from the HOA, but we obtained the eviction letter
that states:
"You have wild,
overgrown plants around your mobile home that are not in keeping with
community standards."
Compared to other neighbors,
Javanovich's front yard looks a lot different. His lawn is a certified
Florida-friendly lawn with native plants that help shade his home to
keep energy bills low. And he says the plants help with water drainage
and control water pollution.
A recent bill is a little
more lenient on these types of lawns.
"Florida-friendly
landscaping could not be deed restricted in covenants by homeowner's
associations to prevent someone from saving water," said extension
agent Tom Becker.
The bill is intended to
create a beautiful and functional landscaping, but the question of
whether it can override homeowner's association rules is still in
question.
For now, Jovanovich says
he's going to continue to follow the state guidelines for
Florida-friendly yards, despite the eviction letters he continues to get
in the mail.
"And they say we don't
care, you do what we want you to do so my hands are tied I guess,"
he said.
The eviction letter says
jerry was first notified in September that he was violating the rules
and according to state statute, the mobile home park owner has the right
to evict a resident.
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