Retirement community argues teen must go

Timber Pines files a complaint against a woman living with a teen grandson.


 

Article Courtesy of  The St. Petersburg Times

BY JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published May 19, 2005

SPRING HILL - Timber Pines is trying to evict another homeowner, or at least her teenage grandson living with her, because the boy violates the community's adult living rules.

The Timber Pines Community Association Inc. recently filed a complaint in Hernando County Circuit Court against Nina Maurer of Clearmeadow Drive, asking a judge to force Maurer to abide by the association's rules. The filing says Timber Pines would like Maurer's teenage grandson to move out.

With some 7,000 residents, Timber Pines has deed restrictions that say at least one person in every home shall be 55 years old or older and that no one under 18 can be a permanent resident. Children are not forbidden, but they may visit for only eight weeks in any given year.

Maurer confirmed her grandson is living with her, although she said she has not seen the complaint filed in court on May 13. She declined to comment further.

The Timber Pines complaint includes letters the association and its attorneys have sent Maurer about her grandson that start in December 2003. During that period, another Timber Pines couple who live on the same street as Maurer were fighting the association in an effort to keep their 2-year-old grandson in their home.

After a year of wrangling, Elizabeth and Bob Pierson agreed to move out of Timber Pines and are in the process of doing so. They are waiting for their new home to be constructed, Elizabeth Pierson said.

The court complaint requests Maurer to pay the association's court costs and attorneys fees.

Timber Pines attorneys first started asking Maurer to "remedy the violation" on April 26, 2004, according to the complaint. And then on June 1, the association gave her six months to comply with Timber Pines rules.

The complaint states that Maurer ignored the letters. It also says the association would be "irreparably harmed by the damage to its reputation and to the quality of life in Timber Pines' retirement community," if Maurer's grandson continues to live with her.

In 2004, Timber Pines officials said they had learned that there were five children living with Timber Pines residents in the adult community. They had sent warning notices to each of the homeowners involved, the general manager had told the Times.

Timber Pines association attorneys and general manager Lynn Setelius did not return calls for comment Wednesday.


 
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