Indialantic 'man cave' has neighbors up in arms over mountain of shipping containers

Michelle Spitzer, Florida Today
Updated ·2 min read
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A backyard "man cave" near Indialantic has neighbors up in arms.

The man cave at the heart of the dispute isn't just a spare room decked out with flat-screen TVS and sports memorabilia. Rather it is shipping containers stacked up on each other in the home's backyard and visible throughout the neighborhood.

Construction has been halted for now following neighbors complaints.

“I don’t think the code intended for people to dump tractor trailers in their backyards,” said next-door neighbor Michelle Snyder. “If they change the code for him this could potentially be in everyone’s backyard because they are cheap. It’s an eyesore.”

The view of some of the containers from the backyard of a neighbor. A homeowner on Diane Circle in Indialantic has had several large shipping containers stacked in his backyard, causing complaints from neighbors.
The view of some of the containers from the backyard of a neighbor. A homeowner on Diane Circle in Indialantic has had several large shipping containers stacked in his backyard, causing complaints from neighbors.

More: She sheds: The counterpoint to the man cave

The "man cave," as the owner described the structure in permitting documents, is on Diane Circle in an unincorporated enclave between Indian Harbour Beach and Indialantic.

According to Brevard County code, a new cargo shipping container may be used as residential storage, but stacking of containers is not permitted. However, the homeowner started submitting paperwork to the county last October and the permits were approved by planning and zoning officials. Construction began in September and that’s when neighbors took notice.

The view from the street shows a part of the stack of containers.. A homeowner on Diane Circle in Indialantic has had several large shipping containers stacked in his backyard, causing complaints from neighbors.
The view from the street shows a part of the stack of containers.. A homeowner on Diane Circle in Indialantic has had several large shipping containers stacked in his backyard, causing complaints from neighbors.

The neighborhood does not have a homeowners’ association, so the owner did not need approval from the neighborhood. According to permitting plans, the new addition, labeled as “Traska Man Cave” has roughly 670-square-feet of living space, two balconies and a spiral staircase.

No one answered the door when FLORIDA TODAY went to the residence and a telephone call went unanswered.

“My biggest concern right now is that Brevard County is going to save a buck by changing the code to allow this,” Snyder said. “This is a single-family residential neighborhood. (The man cave) doesn’t meet the code for Brevard County.”

Construction was halted on the structure after neighbors called attention to it.

“We have spoken with the homeowner, who has expressed a willingness to work with us on a workable solution,” said Don Walker, communications director for Brevard County.

The view of some of the contianers from the backyard of a next door neighbor. A homeowner on Diane Circle in Indialantic has had several large shipping containers stacked in his backyard, causing complaints from neighbors.
The view of some of the contianers from the backyard of a next door neighbor. A homeowner on Diane Circle in Indialantic has had several large shipping containers stacked in his backyard, causing complaints from neighbors.

A meeting was scheduled for Oct. 26 with the homeowner and planning and zoning county officials.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida 'man cave,' stacked shipping containers angers neighbors