Article
and Video Courtesy of
FOX 35 NEWS -- ORLANDO
By
Steve Gehlbach
Published
August 20, 2010
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Watch
VIDEO
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WINDERMERE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A homeowner in Orange County is in
nasty fight with his Home Owners Association. Neither side will budge over
a 6-and-a-half foot pergola in his backyard. The dispute will go to
mediation in September, then possibly to court.
Richard Cook built his million dollar home in the Tildens Grove
subdivision in Windermere and moved in last November. From the beginning,
he says the HOA wanted him to rip out all the landscaping in his backyard,
but now have sent notice to remove the pergola. "We want to be able
to enjoy the view of the lake and sit outside. That's why we bought this
lot," said Cook.
FOX 35 left messages with the HOA's president and their attorney, but
have yet to hear back. Cooks attorney responded to the complaint saying
his client was the victim of selective
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enforcement and discrimination.
Cook's pergola is one of three in the subdivision, along with a giant
trampoline and numerous children's play sets that have all been approved by
the HOA.
"I think it's a power play. They have to have their way. They're a
board with nothing to do," said Cook.
Cook says he plans to fight to keep his pergola. "Their heels are
dug in. They're not going to give in. They're going to take it as far as
they can, and so am I to defend myself."
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