Neighbors Fight Condo Parking Bell Causing Nuisance

A loud condo parking bell has surrounding neighbors up in arms, even leading to a lawsuit.

Warning Bell in Parking Garage

For many years now, a condo parking bell at the Ovation condo tower in St. Petersburg rang every time a vehicle left the garage. This notified other drivers of an oncoming car. And while it worked well to prevent accidents, its loud alarm is something that has caused annoyance among neighbors.

It has gotten to the point that one retiree, Fred Sherman, took legal action. Sherman, who lives across the street in another condo, filed a lawsuit. The lawsuit against the Ovation condo association aimed to put an end to the loud ruckus, which Sherman describes as having a mechanical and metal sound.

Sherman does not disagree with having a warning bell to signal an existing vehicle. However, he argues that the association could use a bell that is less aggravating, similar to other buildings.

As time went by, 24 other neighbors joined the lawsuit against Ovation.

Efforts Paying Off?

After four years, thousands of legal fees, and multiple appearances in front of the City Council, Sherman seems to have finally succeeded. Sherman even attended mediation ordered by the court, spoke to officials at events, and constantly connected with the St. Petersburg police.

It did not take long before Sherman was known as “the bell guy.”

Just this month, the Ovation condo association installed a new warning system for their parking garage. Sherman personally saw the workers making the installation. After his tireless efforts, he finally bid goodbye to the irritating metal sound.

However, despite how it seems, the Ovation condo’s lawyer wants to clarify that Sherman and his lawsuit did not make the association change its bell. It was simply a matter of a routine upgrade. The old bell was working fine.