Once the driveway opened, the inspector photographed every hole.
He asked the homeowner:
“Any known utilities beneath this area?”
“Sprinkler line near the grass edge.”
“Drainage?”
“French drain on the left side.”
He wrote.
The foreman became concerned.
“We called utility marking.”
The homeowner shook her head.
“No markings were placed on my property.”
The foreman looked toward the president.
She said:
“We had a prior locate.”
“For the visitor lot,” the homeowner said.
The foreman closed his eyes.
Of course.
The city inspector looked toward the excavated holes.
“Stop all restoration until utility verification.”
The homeowner stared.
“You mean they might have drilled into something?”
“Probably not.”
He raised one hand.
“But we verify.”
The president scoffed.
“They’re shallow bollards.”
The inspector looked at her.
“You’ve had enough guesses for one morning.”
The neighbor with the dog coughed to hide laughter.
The president turned toward him.
He suddenly found the sidewalk fascinating.
The inspector issued a stop-work notice electronically.
Then asked the contractor for the original work authorization.
The foreman forwarded it.
The homeowner asked:
“Can I get a copy?”
The inspector answered:
“Some records will be public once entered.”
The president immediately said:
“She is not entitled to private association communications.”
The homeowner looked at her.
“I think we’re past you deciding what I’m entitled to.”
The president’s face reddened.
The city inspector stepped between the conversation before it escalated.
“Everybody go through the proper channels.”
The homeowner nodded.
The president did not.
Before leaving, the inspector looked at the HOA president.
“You’ll need an amended permit if the association intends any work outside the approved location.”
“We don’t.”
The president answered too quickly.
The inspector’s eyebrow rose.
“Good.”
Then:
“And do not resume here.”
“I understand.”
The homeowner stared at her.
She did not believe that for a second.
By 10:15, the utility truck was gone.
The twenty-one unused bollards had been loaded back onto it.
The four removed units left round holes near the driveway entrance.
The contractor temporarily covered them with heavy safety plates and cones pending utility checks.
The white SUV could finally move.
The homeowner stood alone after everyone left.
Her front yard looked ridiculous.