New home threatens to block view for some Gulf Cove homeowners

Every day, every night, Lance James enjoys a view of the Myakka River from his living room.

“I have the El Jobean bridge right there and it’s really cool,” he said.

But he fears his wide-angle view is in danger because the owner of the property next door plans to build a home.

“We actually would’ve purchased the property if we knew who to purchase it from,” said James.

Charlotte County said the HOA previously owned the land and it was supposed to be a park. But ultimately, the HOA sold the property to its new owner for a new home.

Donel Law lives on the other side of the property. “Everyone’s concerned of what this is going to devalue all of our properties around here,” he said, and block everyone’s view of the river.

The property owner said he’s in the process of finishing the design for a 1,550-square-foot home standing at one and a half stories. That won’t block the view of his neighbors.

But they argue that the rest of their neighborhood will suffer.

“They want to see the water. They don’t want to see a little tiny house,” said James.

He put his home up for sale and the rest of the neighbors want the county to deny building permit applications in the future.

“This never should have happened,” said.

Hoping their dream homes can keep their dream-like view.

The property owner said he plans to apply for the building permit once the design plans are finalized and that’s taking longer than expected.