“I cannot find any permit authorizing the removal.”
“There wasn’t one.”
“That’s what it appears.”
“They damaged drainage.”
“I saw the video.”
Mark paused.
“I’m going to inspect the site this afternoon.”
He arrived at 1:15.
Mark wore work boots, khaki pants, a county polo shirt, and a faded cap.
He carried a laser level, measuring tape, tablet, and camera.
He was not impressed by HOA seals.
He was impressed by soil elevations.
Daniel walked him through the site.
Mark examined the broken concrete.
Then the drainage line.
“This was inspected before the pour?”
“Yes.”
Mark checked Daniel’s documents.
“This pipe is on your approved plan.”
“Yes.”
“And they crushed it.”
“Yes.”
Mark crouched.
He followed the damaged line toward the garage.
Then stood.
“You need temporary drainage protection before rain.”
Daniel nodded.
“I can do that without disturbing evidence?”
“I’ll document it first.”
Mark photographed everything.
He measured.
He took elevation readings.
Then he looked toward Karen’s house.
“She home?”
Daniel glanced across the street.
“Yes.”
Mark closed his tablet.
“I need to ask her something.”
Karen Whitmore opened the door at 1:47.
She was dressed now.
Navy slacks.
White blouse.
Hair perfect.
She glanced at Mark’s county identification.
“Yes?”
“Mrs. Whitmore?”
“I’m Karen Whitmore.”
“Mark Ellis, county code enforcement.”
“I assumed this might be about Daniel.”
Mark did not smile.
“It’s about unpermitted excavation at 184 Cedar Hollow Lane.”
Karen folded her arms.
“The HOA corrected a violation.”
“Where is the permit?”
Karen paused.
“What permit?”
“For excavation.”
“We don’t need one.”
Mark looked at her.
“Why not?”
“We’re a private association.”
“That does not exempt you from county code.”
“The work involved private property.”
“Exactly.”
Karen’s face tightened.
“We had authority under the covenants.”
“I’m not here to interpret your covenants.”
Mark’s voice remained calm.
“I’m asking where your excavation permit is.”
Karen did not answer.
“Demolition permit?”
Silence.
“Utility-clearance documentation?”
Karen shifted.
“The contractor handles those details.”
“Who hired the contractor?”
“The association.”
“Who instructed them?”
“The board.”
Mark looked directly at her.
“Were you present?”
Karen’s hesitation was short.
“Briefly.”
Across the street, Daniel watched from his garage.
He already knew what the video showed.
Mark did not challenge the answer yet.
He simply wrote it down.
Then:
“Do not authorize further work at Mr. Brooks’s property.”
Karen’s eyes widened.
“We have an enforcement responsibility.”
“You have no county authorization to continue excavation.”
“This is absurd.”
“No.”