Why so much fret and worry over the little tidbits of information that continue to leak out about the future of TV? The developer obviously has a long term (30 year?) master plan that they are very tight lipped about and will only let out enough information need to get plans solidified for the near future activities. It's a business that has been successful for 30 years, does anyone really think that they would make radical changes to a successful model in an attempt to reap a few extra short term dollars?
The development plans are a closely held company secret that the development company has absolutely zero obligation to disclose to any of us. They owe us no explanations of their plans. Each new snip-it of information that comes out should be treated as an unexpected gift on Christmas morning, instead many act like spoiled children wanting more and complaining about what they got not being good enough or want they wanted.
Do you really think that there is going to be no more executive and championship golf courses built and we are going to overload the existing courses? Take a look at the few early drawings that have so far been released about Southern Oaks on both sides of the Turnpike, they show multiple courses being built. They also show multiple recreation areas (rec centers?) and commercial areas. These are critical areas and items that make TV the successful development they are.
The commercial areas continue to grow as TV grows and it appears that there's actually a plan in place. Look at Brownwood and the commercial area by the Rohan recreation center, at first glance one would have to ask what the heck are they thinking, these areas are too far away and would be difficult to get to. Fast forward a few years, TV will be building on the south side of SR44 were established commercial areas exist because they were planned for in advance. SR44 and CR468 will be a significant economic engine for Sumter County.
I really love to read the comments like "Harold Schwartz didn't want it like this" and similar. Think again, Mr. Schwartz died in December of 2003, in 2004 CDD-9 & CDD-10 were established, this took years of planning and work to make happen, the land had been purchased long before his death. He and his son Gary Morse had a grand master plan and were pushing it along even back them. The 3rd and 4th generation of the family are just continuing the plan that was laid out long ago and building on it as opportunity presents itself. It's not about greed, it's about business. Do you remember before you retired what that was about? Stop the growth and watch the local economy collapse and home values go down the drain. Want to see what failure looks like, do a search for Lehigh Acres in Lee County FL.
When you look back at the history of some of the other developments in the area, many tried or wanted to copy TV model. Southern Oaks was one of these copycat plans that never happened, who knows what happened and why, but it never solidified. As TV continued its growth south it must have been seen as a perfect extension as it was already on the books as a planned development. Wildwood Springs appears to have been a gift that fell into their lap, located on the far side of Southern Oaks and stagnating since 2008 the developer appears to have snatched it up and it's now known a Fenney. Now things are starting to back fill between Fenney and the southern end of The Villages.
The changes to the types of dwellings to be allowed in the development plan is more likely a shift to accommodate changing needs and desires of future retirees. I don't really believe that they want to create their own Pottersville, it doesn't server their business needs. Yes there is a need for affordable housing outside TV and the other local communities are working this, dig into the Wildwood planning meetings and you will see a lot of planning to make that city grow outside of the new TV development areas.
The State of Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the union, TV represents a very small part of this growth. Almost every of the state has positive growth, not all as good percentage wise as Sumter County, but a significant increase none the less. It's not going to stop anytime soon, so I for one would rather live in a place like TV that has a solid plan in place an a proven record.
Few communities have the infrastructure as well planned and in place like TV. Our use of reclaimed water for irrigation is an industry model of success. If you run the numbers on water usage alone for TV as compared to other communities in Florida the differences are significant; first there is the use of reclaimed water for irrigation that limits the drawl from the underground sources, next consider the potable water usage of a retired couple compared to a family of 4 with 2 teenagers - easily less than half as much, finally consider the percentage of seasonal residents who's houses are unoccupied several months out of the year with near zero potable water usage. All these factors lead to a significantly lower annual water usage per home compared to most any other area in the state. The growth of TV on a local level is significant, on a state wide level it is only a small part of the picture.
Is The Villages perfect? Not at all, but it is well planned and as long it continues to be well planned and executed we will continue to live in the best 55+ community in the country.
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