A solution has been reached between the Pinellas County beach town of Belleair Shore and former Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard along with his wife, concerning an illegal construction fence on the beachfront side of their mansion.

  • Solution reached over fence between Belleair Shore and former Phillies player Ryan Howard
  • Issue was construction fence remaining along beachfront behind 19,578-square-foot mega-mansion
  • Ryan and Krystle Howard met with commissioners Jan. 17 about the fence

“The fence has been up for two years," said resident Jane Fuccillo. "Aesthetically, I don’t think it’s something you’d want to look at as you walk the beach. So, it really is an eyesore and it would be nice if he removed it.” 

According to property appraiser records, Howard purchased two lots on Gulf Blvd. in 2011, for $3.5 million. The 19,578-square-foot mega-mansion was built and completed in Feb. of 2015. The home appraised for $9.4 million, last year.

Belleair Shore Mayor Bob Schmidt said the town has been trying to convince Ryan, 37, and his wife, Krystle, 27, to remove the construction fence for nearly two years.  

At the Jan. 17 Town Commission meeting, Ryan and Krystal Howard offered their solution to the problem and explained why they've kept the construction fence up for years.

"What people are doing in front of our house, they're actually stationing out and they're trying to interact with us," Krystle said. "If we have our daughter out in the pool, they'll just come up, stop and stare and not even say anything. So, that's why we've really left our construction fence up. We've had no intention to keep it permanently there." 

Trespassers on the Howards' property

Commissioners urged the Howards to contact Pinellas Sheriff's deputy Scott Vaughn, who patrols their stretch of beach, when encountering trespassers. Dep. Vaughn said he was aware of the problem. 

"Well, they're celebrities. So, people will climb over their fence," he said. "We've arrested them, numerous times. They go up on their second floor balcony and take pictures of themselves, selfies, and then post it." 

Bay News 9 filed a public records request with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office that showed one trespassing incident on the property. Two young men and a minor girl were caught on the second story balcony taking pictures at 6:12 p.m. on June 21, 2015, while Krystle was in New York, according to a police report. 

One of the men said they wanted to take a good photo on the property. The trio never mentioned they knew it was Ryan Howard’s home and were arrested for trespassing.

Residents who walk the beach often said they have not seen fans "stationing out" near the property.

"It’s a pretty quiet beach. Most people are pretty respectful and don’t realize whose house it is," Fuccillo said. "They’re just gawking at the size of it.”

Part-time resident Ralph Perecin, from Massachusetts, echoed that sentiment.

"I’ve probably walked by here almost every day. I haven’t even seen any gawkers," he said. "A few people taking pictures but nobody really even got near the fence… when you build something like that people are going to look at you no matter whether he’s famous or not.”

At the meeting, the Howards said their solution to blocking potential gawkers is a 5-foot non-permanent child safety fence placed inside their seawall. Commissioner Ray Piscitelli said he did not have a problem with it but warned the couple to check with the Pinellas County building department before proceeding because the town code does not allow for a structure to be higher than four-feet tall near a seawall.

“You don't want go through all of this stuff and then have them reject you,” he said. 

Pinellas County public information specialist, Josh Boatwright, said a Howard contractor discussed the proposal with the building department about a week ago. Boatwright said state code allows for a 5-foot non-permanent fence along a pool deck and would be permissible as long at the town does not object.   

At the meeting, Krystle said they’re putting the child safety fence out to bid.

“We'll remove the construction fence as soon as that's installed,” she said.  

Vice Mayor Deborah Roseman asked town attorney Regina Kardash if she was satisfied with that resolution.

“As far as I can tell, yes,” Kardash said.

"Very good. Alright, sounds like a great solution,” Roseman said. “Thank you."

Mayor Schmidt did not attend that meeting and declined a request for an on-camera interview. Schmidt lives four homes south of the Howard residence. The mayor said the fence issue is not over and he plans to bring it up again at their next meeting on Feb. 21. 

Bay News 9 was unable to reach the Howards for comment.