LOCAL

How a lawn care business has taken over a quiet Auburndale neighborhood | In photos

Ernst Peters
Nicholos Cole has amassed numerous code violations, liens totaling $1.8 million, for his businesses on Pine Street in Auburndale.
Nicholos Cole has amassed numerous code violations, liens totaling $1.8 million, for his businesses on Pine Street in Auburndale.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Neighbors have complained for years about Nicholos Cole's activities from his businesses on Pine Street.
Neighbors have complained for years about Nicholos Cole's activities from his businesses on Pine Street.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Since it opened in 2014, 4 Leaf Lawn Care and an affiliated business, More Than Mulch, both owned by Nicholos “Dee” Cole, have expanded to dominate the stretch of Pine Street between U.S. 92 and Melton Avenue.
Since it opened in 2014, 4 Leaf Lawn Care and an affiliated business, More Than Mulch, both owned by Nicholos “Dee” Cole, have expanded to dominate the stretch of Pine Street between U.S. 92 and Melton Avenue.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
As his business has expanded, Nicholos Cole has often parked trucks, trailers and other equipment on the right-of-way along both sides of Pine Street.
As his business has expanded, Nicholos Cole has often parked trucks, trailers and other equipment on the right-of-way along both sides of Pine Street.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Last year, the city erected “No parking any time” signs on the grassy strips along the street. Nicholos Cole cited the signs as an example of what he considers Auburndale’s “retaliation” against him. He said parking on the right-of-way is not illegal and questions why the city installed the signs on Pine Street.
Last year, the city erected “No parking any time” signs on the grassy strips along the street. Nicholos Cole cited the signs as an example of what he considers Auburndale’s “retaliation” against him. He said parking on the right-of-way is not illegal and questions why the city installed the signs on Pine Street.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Nicholos Cole, owner of two businesses based on Pine Street, has removed houses and uses lots zoned single-family residential to store dirt and other supplies.
Nicholos Cole, owner of two businesses based on Pine Street, has removed houses and uses lots zoned single-family residential to store dirt and other supplies.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
The operations of 4 Leaf Lawn Care and More Than Much have expanded in recent years to lots on the west side of Pine Street that are zoned single-family residential.
The operations of 4 Leaf Lawn Care and More Than Much have expanded in recent years to lots on the west side of Pine Street that are zoned single-family residential.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Nicholos Cole said that he received oral approval from the “previous regime” in the Auburndale building inspection and planning departments. He said he regularly consulted with a building official who retired in 2019. “We're not doing anything that wasn't allowed or in their coding,” Cole said. “Prior to doing said things, all of those codes were discussed prior to the purchases of those particular properties.”
Nicholos Cole said that he received oral approval from the “previous regime” in the Auburndale building inspection and planning departments. He said he regularly consulted with a building official who retired in 2019. “We're not doing anything that wasn't allowed or in their coding,” Cole said. “Prior to doing said things, all of those codes were discussed prior to the purchases of those particular properties.”
Ernst Peters/The Ledger