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Manatee residents upset after massive garage built between homes

County says it meets codes
Posted at 5:39 PM, Dec 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-20 18:36:53-05

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — “We used to have some kind of view. Now we don’t have any kind of view,” said Manatee County resident David Maxson.

Maxson says when people drive by and see the massive garage across the street, they all ask the same question: “How in the hell did he get a permit for this?”

Earlier this year, the owner of a green home on 51 Street West in Palmetto, built a massive garage on the adjoining lot.

Neighbors say boats and a truck are usually stored inside.

But many say it just doesn’t belong here.

“That’s a commercial building. I’m sorry. That has nothing to do with residential,” said Maxson.

Those who are really motivated have turned into code enforcement investigators, digging up records to try and show this project should never have been approved.

“It’s in violation, the size and the location. He’s got the right to build whatever he wants on his property as long as it conforms to the code and this doesn’t,” said Jeanne Juernigan.

While Manatee County officials agree it doesn’t fit in the neighborhood, they say It meets building codes.

And if people want to stop things like this from happening in the future, they should create an HOA with architectural guidelines.

David and his neighbors know there’s not much they can do now.

But they say they are still going to keep pushing for changes to a building code that failed them.