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Special master pauses ruling on landscaping dispute after owner cites Florida‑friendly statute
Summary
Homeowner Michael Novich argued that plantings on his Beverley Hills lot are ‘Florida‑friendly’ and protected by state statute; the special master continued the matter for legal review and said he would issue a written ruling at the next hearing.
Homeowner Michael Novich appeared before Special Master Christian Waugh on Sept. 17 in a contested case for excessive vegetation and accumulation of vegetative material at 66 S. Columbus Street, Beverly Hills. County staff documented overgrown lawn and piles of vegetative debris in multiple inspections and submitted photographs for the record.
Novich argued the plants on the property are Florida native or “Florida‑friendly” species and cited Florida Statute 373.185 (the Florida‑friendly landscaping statute) in his defense. Code Compliance Director JC Charlton and Land Development Director Joanna Catute testified about the inspections and the county’s enforcement standard, saying county officers must be able to distinguish between intended landscape plants and overgrowth…
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