Misunderstanding almost relights feud

A road block in Town Shores community raises tensions between two groups of residents but the incident is cleared up before problems break out.

By LAURA HEINAUER

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 6, 2000

GULFPORT -- For a moment Thursday, it appeared hard feelings had erupted again at Town Shores condominiums.

Four cement barricades blocked one building's residents from using the complex's primary road. The concern quickly arose that emergency vehicles, a frequent sight in a neighborhood of retirees, would have limited access. Peace of mind was restored the same day, but neighbors were reminded how far they had come.

Near the end of Shore Boulevard S, the street that slices through Town Shores, stands a tall wooden sign.

An arrow, like something out of medieval England, points left and is labeled Buckingham. Below, another arrow points right to Nottingham.

In recent months, the roadway between the two buildings was the object of a turf war.

Buckingham has owned the street and paid its upkeep for the past 20 years, though residents of both buildings use the driveway to reach their assigned parking spots. Buckingham wanted Nottingham to pay its fair share.

Lawyers for both sides reached an agreement July 28: The Town Shores Masters Association, the property manager, would take over the road's maintenance and Nottingham residents would pay Buckingham an undisclosed amount of money.

As for the roadblocks, John Damonte, Buckingham's lawyer, said there was a misunderstanding. "It was all worked out. Somebody didn't get the word, that's all."

Said Richard Zacur, lawyer for Nottingham and the Masters Association: "Whatever caused this little brouhaha, it never should have happened. It took everybody by surprise."

The Master's Association oversees the roads and property maintenance at the 18 buildings that make up the Town Shores complex. Condos in the Buckingham and Nottingham buildings are owned by the residents who have elected boards and presidents to look out for their interests.

Both Damonte and Zacur said the incident would not disrupt the easement process, which is pending while the surveyor prepares the legal description of the agreement.

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