View for sale: $30,000 New owner of a lake fences it off when homeowners wouldn't pay.

St. Petersburg Times ^ | May 14, 2002 | ROBERT FARLEY

[AppyPappy]

You are one crooked debate monger, I'll grant you that. Slimy.

You sure do whine a lot. Do you need your diaper changed or something?

[A. Pole]

If one of their kids drowned in the lake or a pet was eaten by an aligator,

I think if the owner of the lake were forced to swim in it the problem would be simplified.

[E Rocc]

Absent knowing the local laws, I agree with you, and the pictures of the fence don't show it being so high as to unreasonably shade the neighbor's lot. Yet I'd hope a Judge could condemn the lake, at a reasonable non-extortion comdemnation price price, so as to maintain the neighborhood peace.

And I'd hope that property rights are worth more than "peace". So would a lot of Korean grocers in shall-we-say "economically disadvantaged neighborhoods". Taking their stores or controlling their prices could be called "maintaining the peace" by unscrupulous politicians.

I'd bet that $30,000 is the approximate difference in property values between houses with legitimate lake frontage, and those without.

-Eric

[Roscoe]

Do you consider such use of the law a violation of the rights of the adjacent landowner?

Homeowners who consider the enjoyment of their property diminished and/or their resale values reduced will doubtless take those grievances to their elected representives. As Kevin Curry previously pointed out, that may result in more burdensome legal restrictions on the use of property being enacted.

Actions have consequences.

[Rainmist]

When my husband and I moved into our house in 1988, the subdivision behind us was building a pond. For months, day and night, we lived with the sound of a pump dredging up water. In 1996, our 4 year old son caught the fishing bug. He and I would fish in that pond every summer day, and he caught more fish !!!! In 1998, the subdivision decided to fence the pond off. My son, then 6, couldn't understand why we couldn't fish there anymore. Frankly neither could I since it was about 5 yards away, but we couldn't trespass. So we went looking for another pond and found one about a half mile away. It was in another subdivision, no one lived on the shore of it and the length of it was bordered by the road that went around the island that we lived on. My son gleefully continued his reign, pulling in fish after fish. The second summer we were there, a sweet policeman came up and regretfully told us that the lake had become private for the subdivision and we couldn't fish there. This lake wasn't even fenced in !!! The cop really felt bad having to run us off, he was talking to my son about all the fish he had caught. We never kept any of the fish, we catch and release. We leave the pond like it is when we get there. We never encroached upon anyone else's property. We were so disgusted that we didn't fish at all the next summer because we were afraid that wherever we went we'd get kicked off, plus we aren't any good at salt water fishing. The nearest commercial lake is off the interstate !! Recently we discovered another subdivision with multiple lakes and no " Private " signs, so we might start up again. Such a shame that crotchety old farts spoil a little boy's fun for the sake of privacy !!!! If I were those people, I would keep knocking down the fences and make that jerk keep putting them up !

[Lazamataz]

You seem terribly naive. More often than not it's merely a vehicle for corrupt politicians to hand prime real estate to their pals at fire sale prices for strip malls, apartment complexes, and the like.

In my entire life, I have never ONCE seen this sequence of events.

I have seen Eminent Domain condemnations for roadways and widenings thereof, and for public parks. That is it.

[E Rocc]

Why in the hell would anyone want to live within feet of a pond full of alligators anyway. LOL!

Because they taste good? >:)

-Eric

[Area51]

That's a reason why I love the country so much.

492 posted on 5/14/02 9:47 AM Pacific by Dan from Michigan

They buy one acre parcels and attempt to control the County. I live in the Country and they find you!

I had two decide to borrow about 50 feet of my field for a expanded back yards. They even when so far as to establish a headge row of trees and Autumn Olives.

When I attempted to find the Property stakes they got All bent out of shape. Telling me that they were on their property. Well I found the stakes. And yes they had expanded their land a bit. They instead of suggesting that they would remove their plants, tried to argue with me about it.

I Suggested very strongly that A) they either remove their things and stay to home or b) Enjoy the long summers with a 1,000 hog lot in their back yards. The next week when I put up a wolven wire fence there was a lot of watching from the lot dwellers.

Things have since quieted down nicely.

[ladyjane]

The respect for private property rights seems to be a fickle thing 'round here, doesn't it?

Agree. Free Republic sounds like it has been hijacked by a bunch of communists. "The lake is there, please local government-make him take down that fence so the commune can enjoy the view again."

[Lazamataz]

You sure do whine a lot. Do you need your diaper changed or something?

I think he whines because he owns a pond too and he is afraid someone will condemn it to build a strip mall.

[Lazamataz]

Agree. Free Republic sounds like it has been hijacked by a bunch of communists. "The lake is there, please local government-make him take down that fence so the commune can enjoy the view again."

Even in the most capitalist of all societies, there is a recognition of public good.

Or perhaps you are opposed to roadways?

[E Rocc]

Of course, I was the one who left the room smiling after that. I had known what I was doing all along. Now they have to suffer my business development for decades to come, all on their own city property (some 8 acres of it, too).

Hmmm...since it's their property, they don't collect property taxes either, do they? >:)

-Eric

[CharacterCounts]

I'd bet that $30,000 is the approximate difference in property values between houses with legitimate lake frontage, and those without.

Precisely!

The homeowners never purchased the lake. They have been enjoying a windfall. The Speculator purchased the property for $1,000. He now enjoys a windfall. This case is nothing more than which party gets to enjoy the windfall. Since the homeowners paid nothing and never obtained title while the speculator did, the law will be on his side.

[AppyPappy]

I used to live on a 4 acre pond. You'd be surprised how much your hands are tied. Had a wetlands too. And a rare type of crawdad living in the yard.