THE VILLAGES, Fla. – A The Villages homeowner known for filling his yard with flags, lights and other decorations says he’ll have to remove most of them after neighbors complained and the community updated its outdoor lighting rules.
Dennis McGrath-Wagner said his displays are a “labor of love” and his way of spreading cheer.
“I get Christmas gifts people bought me. I got Easter gifts. I have Valentine’s Day gifts. People come and thank me for my decorations,” McGrath-Wagner said.
But some neighbors say the decorations have gone too far. Noel Hanson, who filed a complaint with the Community Development District board along with several other residents, said the displays feel excessive and have created tension in the neighborhood.
“He does say derogatory things to other people, and people have become afraid to be out and around this area,” Hanson said.
Neighbors raised concerns at Tuesday’s District 11 Community Development District board meeting. The board unanimously approved new outdoor lighting rules aimed at reducing nuisance lighting while still allowing reasonable seasonal and holiday displays. Homeowners who fail to comply after receiving notice could face fines of up to $500 per day for repeat violations.
McGrath-Wagner said he believes he has been operating within the rules and criticized the restrictions.
“In a communist country we all have to do the same exact stuff. In America we’re allowed to be ourselves, and they don’t want me to be myself,” McGrath-Wagner said.
We reached out to the district board to ask whether there have been any violations involving McGrath-Wagner’s property and what his compliance history shows. We are waiting for a response.