Problems with overbuilding The Villages

[npwalters]

I just read the Sun's editorial comment (saw it on Facebook) regarding the rapid expansion of TV. It is definitely worth reading and they don't pull punches.

I'm sure opinions will vary and I realize that the train is way too far down the tracks to stop or even slow. Never the less, I agree with every word of it.

Please don't bother to insult me just because you disagree with me. It will just roll off my back.

[Bill32]

Do you have a link?

[kcrazorbackfan]

Do you have a link?

I guess that's a way to keep us from disagreeing with him. :icon_wink:

Couldn't read the paper today; sprinkler system soaked the paper this morning so I have no idea what was written...

[NotGolfer]

Didn't see the article. IF there is sour grapes re: the growth, what would griping about it do except raise one's bp? IF not our developer, someone else would purchase the land and put in "who knows what"?! When we lived up north we lived in a small community near a larger city. Eventually growth began to make our town grow and there were many malcontents there---mostly people who'd moved in but didn't want it to change from when they came to town. There was a name for those folks, which was NIMBY (not in my back yard). Growth and change is bound to happen unless a place is depressed. I'm sure many people have seen those towns too, if they've traveled this country a bit. I for one love it here!!

[champion6]

I just read the Sun's editorial comment (saw it on Facebook) regarding the rapid expansion of TV. It is definitely worth reading and they don't pull punches.

I'm sure opinions will vary and I realize that the train is way too far down the tracks to stop or even slow. Never the less, I agree with every word of it.

Please don't bother to insult me just because you disagree with me. It will just roll off my back.Are you sure it's from The Villages Daily Sun??? I don't think so.

The online news site has an editorial on this subject which was published Feb. 15. It also appears on their Facebook page.

I think you confused the source of the opinion piece.

[anothersteve]

Are you sure it's from The Villages Daily Sun??? I don't think so.

The online news site has an editorial on this subject which was published Feb. 15. It also appears on their Facebook page.

I think you confused the source of the opinion piece.

Yep.


Do you have a link?

Also it is against the rules here to post any link from that other source.

Steve

[Two Bills]

It from the other place, under..........Headaches heading our way as The Villages doubles in size over the next 20 years.
Usual clickbait to fire up the locals!

[Fredman]

Doesn’t matter what the editorial said or who said it. The growth is going to happen. The snowball is rolling

[sharonl7340]

Actually this brings up an excellent point! With all of the "over-building" has the developer (i.e. The Villages) made any kind of conservation plan regarding the animals they are displacing. I watching a program on Nature the other night that focused on the wildlife of central FL and it emphasized that 400 people move to FL everyday and there was fevered building to keep up with it. This building frenzy was displacing the native wildlife and contributing to the rapid extinction of many species.

I couldn't help but wonder if the developer had any thoughts or plan about what to do about the displacement (and I surmise there is no plan and no thought given to destroying so many habitats in the name of the almighty dollar). I have heard that once this building spurt is done with the new acreage that the developer is finished (and there would be plenty of houses bought and sold for many years), but I doubt it greatly. The lure of money is too great...

[Mikee1]

:bigbow::bigbow: A truer statement has never been said. With TV we know the quality of life and type of development. As it has been said in the past ... Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.

Didn't see the article. IF there is sour grapes re: the growth, what would griping about it do except raise one's bp? IF not our developer, someone else would purchase the land and put in "who knows what"?! When we lived up north we lived in a small community near a larger city. Eventually growth began to make our town grow and there were many malcontents there---mostly people who'd moved in but didn't want it to change from when they came to town. There was a name for those folks, which was NIMBY (not in my back yard). Growth and change is bound to happen unless a place is depressed. I'm sure many people have seen those towns too, if they've traveled this country a bit. I for one love it here!!

[ribil]

The growth of TV is unprecedented and frankly unforeseen given the fact that when we bought in 2011, we were told by the sales office that the “final build-out” will be 2015. No other retirement community IN THE WORLD has grown in this manner so we had no reason to believe that the beautiful retirement village we were sold would turn out to be a money hungry metropolis. Harold Swartz’s vision was described as a utopia built to serve the residents. His dream was completely derailed by his descendants. So the complaints you read are totally justified.

[dmarti1973]

LOL I did not read the article. Did you ever consider that when you expect to be insulted that your opinion might be a little off base to begin with? There are plenty of exit routes from The Villages as well as the State of Florida!

[Dlbonivich]

You can move to a smaller retirement village. With 900 people moving to Florida a day it is highly unlikely that you will find a place that is not experiencing growth

[janetuwg@yahoo.com]

LOL I did not read the article. Did you ever consider that when you expect to be insulted that your opinion might be a little off base to begin with? There are plenty of exit routes from The Villages as well as the State of Florida!


Best statement yet👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🙏

[billethkid]

The growth of TV is unprecedented and frankly unforeseen given the fact that when we bought in 2011, we were told by the sales office that the “final build-out” will be 2015. No other retirement community IN THE WORLD has grown in this manner so we had no reason to believe that the beautiful retirement village we were sold would turn out to be a money hungry metropolis. Harold Swartz’s vision was described as a utopia built to serve the residents. His dream was completely derailed by his descendants. So the complaints you read are totally justified.

WOW!

We have many friends that have a common denominator. They say "...they hate what the developer has done to TV..."

Any place worth visiting or attending or shopping or eating, etc. is going to be busy. What percent of the daily life routine is affected because TV is getting bigger? For most of us, most days....not much!!

As I have stated many times before...when we built our home 16 years ago the population was less than 35,000 and 466 (not 466 A) was just completed to 4 lanes. Buena Vista only open to the Arnold Palmer circle....no Arnold Palmer CC yet....no Lake Sumter Landing...No Home Depot...no Target shopping center...no Kohls shopping center....most of the larger restaurant did not exist...just to name a few.

Now the size of TV is about 4 times as big....with much more to offer. The expansion that is taking place South of 466 A and SR 44 have no affect on how we live our lives on a daily basis.

Everything is relative to one's expectations. For example;
Phoenix, AZ 50 years ago was smaller than TV is today!!!
Phoenix as measured in 2018? 1,660,272.....and still growing.

I accept what has come with the growth here in TV...as it has made TV life style even better. Are there some negatives? Of course. More than half of which go away with a little planning and patience.

If we were coming in for the first time today....we would still choose TV....for the same reasons we did in 2003. It was the best option of all we looked at (including several not in FL).

There is no right or wrong....to each his own.

Growth in central FL was and continues to be inevitable.
I think we are fortunate that our surroundings and growth nearby are done and controlled by the "developer".

[Fred2016]

such nonsense

[Annabelle110410]

Billethkid:

Well said.

WOW!

We have many friends that have a common denominator. They say "...they hate what the developer has done to TV..."

Any place worth visiting or attending or shopping or eating, etc. is going to be busy. What percent of the daily life routine is affected because TV is getting bigger? For most of us, most days....not much!!

As I have stated many times before...when we built our home 16 years ago the population was less than 35,000 and 466 (not 466 A) was just completed to 4 lanes. Buena Vista only open to the Arnold Palmer circle....no Arnold Palmer CC yet....no Lake Sumter Landing...No Home Depot...no Target shopping center...no Kohls shopping center....most of the larger restaurant did not exist...just to name a few.

Now the size of TV is about 4 times as big....with much more to offer. The expansion that is taking place South of 466 A and SR 44 have no affect on how we live our lives on a daily basis.

Everything is relative to one's expectations. For example;
Phoenix, AZ 50 years ago was smaller than TV is today!!!
Phoenix as measured in 2018? 1,660,272.....and still growing.

I accept what has come with the growth here in TV...as it has made TV life style even better. Are there some negatives? Of course. More than half of which go away with a little planning and patience.

If we were coming in for the first time today....we would still choose TV....for the same reasons we did in 2003. It was the best option of all we looked at (including several not in FL).

There is no right or wrong....to each his own.

Growth in central FL was and continues to be inevitable.
I think we are fortunate that our surroundings and growth nearby are done and controlled by the "developer".

[PugMom]

i'm not so sure the article provided was truly a misunderstanding. there is a sub group of malcontents that try to bring their ire to every social media platform available. i'm SURE they would love to infiltrate this site, which so far, seems to be a positive, polite discussion area for local residents. it's why i choose to be here, among the civilized, where not everything becomes a political argument, or whose side of the villages is better, lol.

[TheWarriors]

Nothing good happens on Facebook, kill your Facebook and be happy!

[John41]

the problem started when commissioners at large were elected instead of by district. the elected officials do the developers bidding and rezone agricultural land for housing. their vision is sumter county emulating orlando with higher taxes, crime, traffic etc. no more friendly home town.

[golfing eagles]

the problem started when commissioners at large were elected instead of by district. the elected officials do the developers bidding and rezone agricultural land for housing. their vision is sumter county emulating orlando with higher taxes, crime, traffic etc. no more friendly home town.

You think THAT'S the developers vision??????? I doubt many would agree with that view

[Investment Painting Contractors]

wow!

We have many friends that have a common denominator. They say "...they hate what the developer has done to tv..."

any place worth visiting or attending or shopping or eating, etc. Is going to be busy. What percent of the daily life routine is affected because tv is getting bigger? For most of us, most days....not much!!

As i have stated many times before...when we built our home 16 years ago the population was less than 35,000 and 466 (not 466 a) was just completed to 4 lanes. Buena vista only open to the arnold palmer circle....no arnold palmer cc yet....no lake sumter landing...no home depot...no target shopping center...no kohls shopping center....most of the larger restaurant did not exist...just to name a few.

Now the size of tv is about 4 times as big....with much more to offer. The expansion that is taking place south of 466 a and sr 44 have no affect on how we live our lives on a daily basis.

Everything is relative to one's expectations. For example;
phoenix, az 50 years ago was smaller than tv is today!!!
Phoenix as measured in 2018? 1,660,272.....and still growing.

I accept what has come with the growth here in tv...as it has made tv life style even better. Are there some negatives? Of course. More than half of which go away with a little planning and patience.

If we were coming in for the first time today....we would still choose tv....for the same reasons we did in 2003. It was the best option of all we looked at (including several not in fl).

There is no right or wrong....to each his own.

Growth in central fl was and continues to be inevitable.
I think we are fortunate that our surroundings and growth nearby are done and controlled by the "developer".

amen !!!!!

[billethkid]

the problem started when commissioners at large were elected instead of by district. the elected officials do the developers bidding and rezone agricultural land for housing. their vision is sumter county emulating orlando with higher taxes, crime, traffic etc. no more friendly home town.

That is ONE perspective!

[Ross]

We bought in TV in ‘96. Population 15k, and told it would build out to 50k. 23 years later we still have no regrets.

[Marathon Man]

The growth of TV is unprecedented and frankly unforeseen given the fact that when we bought in 2011, we were told by the sales office that the “final build-out” will be 2015. No other retirement community IN THE WORLD has grown in this manner so we had no reason to believe that the beautiful retirement village we were sold would turn out to be a money hungry metropolis. Harold Swartz’s vision was described as a utopia built to serve the residents. His dream was completely derailed by his descendants. So the complaints you read are totally justified.

Described by who? His advertising firm? Harold's vision was to make money selling to relocating retirees. His son took over the business and turned it into a success. Developers, including Harold, are businessmen. They are not philanthropists.

[broycenjuice]

I love The Villages, but when Sumter decided to raise the millage rate 25% to pay for the roads the builder wants leading to his future buildings, that is unfair. I also read in the Daily Sun that after The Villages completes the roads leading to his new developing ares, the township is going to reimburse him for his expenses. How fair is that? Am I wrong?

[Iquitos]

Thank you Bill. I like your post. 😊😊

[OhioBuckeye]

I just read the Sun's editorial comment (saw it on Facebook) regarding the rapid expansion of TV. It is definitely worth reading and they don't pull punches.

I'm sure opinions will vary and I realize that the train is way too far down the tracks to stop or even slow. Never the less, I agree with every word of it.

Please don't bother to insult me just because you disagree with me. It will just roll off my back.
Npwalters, your comment said it just right, thank you!

[golfing eagles]

I love The Villages, but when Sumter decided to raise the millage rate 25% to pay for the roads the builder wants leading to his future buildings, that is unfair. I also read in the Daily Sun that after The Villages completes the roads leading to his new developing ares, the township is going to reimburse him for his expenses. How fair is that? Am I wrong?

Yes.

If the county reimburses the developer for the roads, it is because the county then owns the roads and anyone is free to use them. Otherwise the developer could just build private roads for the exclusive use of residents and this would be a truly gated community. How does the county get the money to pay for the roads?---That's right, taxes.

BTW, the new millage rate is still about 15% lower than it was in 2010.

There is a whole other thread of 17 pages that centers on whether or not county taxpayers as a whole should pay for these roads, some citing that they pay for something that doesn't benefit them. The counter argument was that there is tremendous economic and convenience benefit to non-Villagers.
There is validity to both points of view, but even IF it isn't fair, life is generally unfair anyway

[OhioBuckeye]

Are you sure it's from The Villages Daily Sun??? I don't think so.

The online news site has an editorial on this subject which was published Feb. 15. It also appears on their Facebook page.

I think you confused the source of the opinion piece.. If you don’t think they read it in TV I’m sure it doesn’t bother them. I’m not trying to be a wise guy but if you like TV’s that’s great, I loved it there but we did move to be nearer to our daughter, grandkids & great grandkids. But TV’s is going to be growing a lot bigger. Rumors are (& I did say rumors) TV did buy more land south of Fenney for 60,000 more homes. But thanks for your comment!

[Jerry101]

WOW!

We have many friends that have a common denominator. They say "...they hate what the developer has done to TV..."

Any place worth visiting or attending or shopping or eating, etc. is going to be busy. What percent of the daily life routine is affected because TV is getting bigger? For most of us, most days....not much!!

As I have stated many times before...when we built our home 16 years ago the population was less than 35,000 and 466 (not 466 A) was just completed to 4 lanes. Buena Vista only open to the Arnold Palmer circle....no Arnold Palmer CC yet....no Lake Sumter Landing...No Home Depot...no Target shopping center...no Kohls shopping center....most of the larger restaurant did not exist...just to name a few.

Now the size of TV is about 4 times as big....with much more to offer. The expansion that is taking place South of 466 A and SR 44 have no affect on how we live our lives on a daily basis.

Everything is relative to one's expectations. For example;
Phoenix, AZ 50 years ago was smaller than TV is today!!!
Phoenix as measured in 2018? 1,660,272.....and still growing.

I accept what has come with the growth here in TV...as it has made TV life style even better. Are there some negatives? Of course. More than half of which go away with a little planning and patience.

If we were coming in for the first time today....we would still choose TV....for the same reasons we did in 2003. It was the best option of all we looked at (including several not in FL).

There is no right or wrong....to each his own.

Growth in central FL was and continues to be inevitable.
I think we are fortunate that our surroundings and growth nearby are done and controlled by the "developer".

Thank you for putting into words exactly what my wife & I think!!! 😜

[Goldwingnut]

The growth of TV is unprecedented and frankly unforeseen given the fact that when we bought in 2011, we were told by the sales office that the “final build-out” will be 2015. No other retirement community IN THE WORLD has grown in this manner so we had no reason to believe that the beautiful retirement village we were sold would turn out to be a money hungry metropolis. Harold Swartz’s vision was described as a utopia built to serve the residents. His dream was completely derailed by his descendants. So the complaints you read are totally justified.

If you think this wasn't Mr. Swartz's idea you're fooling yourself. Developments like The Villages take years or decades to plan and execute. Between March of 2002 and September 2004 CDDs 5 through 10 were established, Mr. Swartz passed in December 2003. He was making the deals for the land many years before his death. If you think he only looked as far as SR44, once again you were fooling yourself, plans have been in the works for many years for what we are seeing now and undoubtedly he had his hand in the pot. If anyone told you about "build out" after 2002 they were either clueless to what was happening around them or lairs.

If you look at were Brownwood sits it would have been stupid to put a premier retail district on the edge of the development (Rohan Rec Center similarly), if SR44 were to be the end, Brownwood would probably be Roosevelt and Truman courses sit today. The question become when was Brownwood planned. Watch this video and pay attention at the 2:10 point.

Making of Brownwood (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GHKaJd-wKk)

"...before the first house was built south of 466 we had determined were Brownwood would be..."

Translated - Harold Swartz was a part of the planning of Brownwood and knew and planned to continue on beyond Brownwood.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Swartz but from what I have read his outward persona was a kind and giving individual, much of which was likely a true reflection. In my digging into the history and progress of The Villages over the years I also see a very smart and long term thinking businessman who knew how to, with the help of his son, see the future and needs of the residents and make long term plans for this business. These skills he and Gary Morse pass on to the next generation and the one after that.

The Villages is a business, a business in the market of making retirement communities in a state who's population is increasing by 900 people a day, a significant portion of which are in the 55+ market. Many here and on other sites apply the moniker of greed to The Villages, is the same used when they pick up their phone, tablet, or laptop, or jump in their car, doubtful. If greed were the motivator the extreme attention to the environment shown in water reclamation, construction techniques, and maintaining the green spaces that has not only continued but increased in the newer sections under construction would not be happening. The current generation running the company continues to raise the bar in every aspect of the development, that is there business. Many seem to have forgotten what it means to work and run a business and now only focus on the "me" factor, too bad, the world continues to turn.

If there is a factor of greed that needs to be controlled here, it would be with those select few on the sales end to perpetuate lies such as "build out" in order to make the next sale, these are the lowest form of their profession and need to be weeded out for the good of all.

Is The Villages (both the community and the developer) perfect, hardly so, there is some room for improvement. But what is certain is that it is unlike any other community in so many positive ways that is hard to beat.

I'm no fanboy of the developer, hardly so, I have had and continue to have many conflicts with them on a personal, political, and professional level. I do however respect and appreciate what they've done, how they do it, and how they continue to evolve. At this point in my life I can't think of a better place I would want to live.

[ceguider]

There is growth, and there is GROWTH ! If "they" can continue to plan and coordinate as well as they have in the past, we're OK. On the other hand, it could lose its unique sense of community and atmosphere.

[ffresh]

LOL I did not read the article. Did you ever consider that when you expect to be insulted that your opinion might be a little off base to begin with? There are plenty of exit routes from The Villages as well as the State of Florida!

Congratulations … I believe you made the OP's point

[dewilson58]

If you think this wasn't Mr. Swartz's idea you're fooling yourself. Developments like The Villages take years or decades to plan and execute. Between March of 2002 and September 2004 CDDs 5 through 10 were established, Mr. Swartz passed in December 2003. He was making the deals for the land many years before his death. If you think he only looked as far as SR44, once again you were fooling yourself, plans have been in the works for many years for what we are seeing now and undoubtedly he had his hand in the pot. If anyone told you about "build out" after 2002 they were either clueless to what was happening around them or lairs.

If you look at were Brownwood sits it would have been stupid to put a premier retail district on the edge of the development (Rohan Rec Center similarly), if SR44 were to be the end, Brownwood would probably be Roosevelt and Truman courses sit today. The question become when was Brownwood planned. Watch this video and pay attention at the 2:10 point.

Making of Brownwood (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GHKaJd-wKk)

"...before the first house was built south of 466 we had determined were Brownwood would be..."

Translated - Harold Swartz was a part of the planning of Brownwood and knew and planned to continue on beyond Brownwood.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Swartz but from what I have read his outward persona was a kind and giving individual, much of which was likely a true reflection. In my digging into the history and progress of The Villages over the years I also see a very smart and long term thinking businessman who knew how to, with the help of his son, see the future and needs of the residents and make long term plans for this business. These skills he and Gary Morse pass on to the next generation and the one after that.

The Villages is a business, a business in the market of making retirement communities in a state who's population is increasing by 900 people a day, a significant portion of which are in the 55+ market. Many here and on other sites apply the moniker of greed to The Villages, is the same used when they pick up their phone, tablet, or laptop, or jump in their car, doubtful. If greed were the motivator the extreme attention to the environment shown in water reclamation, construction techniques, and maintaining the green spaces that has not only continued but increased in the newer sections under construction would not be happening. The current generation running the company continues to raise the bar in every aspect of the development, that is there business. Many seem to have forgotten what it means to work and run a business and now only focus on the "me" factor, too bad, the world continues to turn.

If there is a factor of greed that needs to be controlled here, it would be with those select few on the sales end to perpetuate lies such as "build out" in order to make the next sale, these are the lowest form of their profession and need to be weeded out for the good of all.

Is The Villages (both the community and the developer) perfect, hardly so, there is some room for improvement. But what is certain is that it is unlike any other community in so many positive ways that is hard to beat.

I'm no fanboy of the developer, hardly so, I have had and continue to have many conflicts with them on a personal, political, and professional level. I do however respect and appreciate what they've done, how they do it, and how they continue to evolve. At this point in my life I can't think of a better place I would want to live.






Thanks for pulling facts into the discussion, AGAIN.


Some want to ignore facts and just want to complain.


I hope many posters do a CTRL V and a CTRL P and to save this post because it will be used time and time again.


:bigbow:

[npwalters]

Actually the piece was in the Villages- News. Too long to repost here but google "Headaches heading our way as The Villages doubles in size over the next 20 years" and you can read it on-line.

It always amazes me how many people immediately default to "if you don't like it blah, blah, blah" One can be in a good situation and still look around and recognize potential problems and how things could be better. Take your head out of the sand.

[Kenswing]

I know it's just an opinion piece but why didn't the author have the courage to list his/her name?

[dewilson58]

Actually the piece was in the Villages- News. Too long to repost here but google "Headaches heading our way as The Villages doubles in size over the next 20 years" and you can read it on-line.

It always amazes me how many people immediately default to "if you don't like it blah, blah, blah" One can be in a good situation and still look around and recognize potential problems and how things could be better. Take your head out of the sand.




From a population of 1,000 houses, TV has doubled six times. Yep, Lucky number seven will be a problem.


:1rotfl:

[graciegirl]

Actually the piece was in the Villages- News. Too long to repost here but google "Headaches heading our way as The Villages doubles in size over the next 20 years" and you can read it on-line.

It always amazes me how many people immediately default to "if you don't like it blah, blah, blah" One can be in a good situation and still look around and recognize potential problems and how things could be better. Take your head out of the sand.

The Villages News is not "The Sun". Many opinion pieces are just that.

[graciegirl]

I just read the Sun's editorial comment (saw it on Facebook) regarding the rapid expansion of TV. It is definitely worth reading and they don't pull punches.

I'm sure opinions will vary and I realize that the train is way too far down the tracks to stop or even slow. Never the less, I agree with every word of it.

Please don't bother to insult me just because you disagree with me. It will just roll off my back.

The Daily Sun is a newspaper that is owned by the developer. The Villages News is an online news owned by Meta Minton.

The article was from the online news and not The Daily Sun.

[EvelynEvagash]

Morris Blvd. in Spanish Springs needs help with the popular expansion yet all needs are going to the new development area only. Traffic is outrageous and so dangerous for golf carts. Morris needs to have a separate golf cart path and a tunnel by the 466 gate. But no, they just build another golf cart bridge over Rt. 44. For what? To bring them into the Brownwood small center? Are TV residents funding this? Let's get the developer to fix what is broken first.

[npwalters]

The Daily Sun is a newspaper that is owned by the developer. The Villages News is an online news owned by Meta Minton.

The article was from the online news and not The Daily Sun.

Yes, I corrected that in my second post.

[graciegirl]

Morris Blvd. in Spanish Springs needs help with the popular expansion yet all needs are going to the new development area only. Traffic is outrageous and so dangerous for golf carts. Morris needs to have a separate golf cart path and a tunnel by the 466 gate. But no, they just build another golf cart bridge over Rt. 44. For what? To bring them into the Brownwood small center? Are TV residents funding this? Let's get the developer to fix what is broken first.

That is how it was built. That is how it was when you bought there. As The Villages grew "they" became better at what they were doing.

I don't understand whose money would build those separate golf cart paths although it is a very good idea and you are right about it being safer.

I don't want to pay for it, do you? I doubt the developer wants to pay for it either. Things don't just don't happen and the developer is not our mother.

[npwalters]

[QUOTE=graciegirl;1720252]The Villages News is not "The Sun". Many opinion pieces are just that.[

All opinion pieces are just that. That is why they are call opinion pieces.

[NotGolfer]

Morse Blvd. in Spanish Springs needs help with the popular expansion yet all needs are going to the new development area only. Traffic is outrageous and so dangerous for golf carts. Morse needs to have a separate golf cart path and a tunnel by the 466 gate. But no, they just build another golf cart bridge over Rt. 44. For what? To bring them into the Brownwood small center? Are TV residents funding this? Let's get the developer to fix what is broken first.

We've lived here 10 yrs and use Morse on a regular basis...though we don't live north of 466. I agree that traffic is dense and if "the developer" had had a crystal ball to look into the future they'd have designed things along Morse differently. I just traveled the length of it from 466a to 441/27 yesterday and traffic ALL over was crazy dense. I notice folks not paying attention as well as being impatient. People both in their golf carts and vehicles do crazy, idiotic things. I don't "get" the going out around a golf cart (over the center line) to pass them when they're clearly in their own diamond path. That said, I also don't "get" golf cart drivers straddling their line while in the diamond path or weaving over it. There are many behaviors we all can observe but that said...just pay attention to what you, yourself is doing and you will be fine. As for putting "special attention" to the new part(s)...I only see some of that as improvements. Do you remember when North Morse was worked on about 8 or 9 yrs ago? THAT was a night-mare. IF there was an easement for making a safe golf-cart path I'm sure that we'd have single-lane traffic and NO golf-cart traffic going on there for months. I would suggest---maybe plan your trips accordingly, take your time as well as a deep breath and just relax in your retirement years.

[kcrazorbackfan]

LOL I did not read the article. Did you ever consider that when you expect to be insulted that your opinion might be a little off base to begin with? There are plenty of exit routes from The Villages as well as the State of Florida!

Boom 💥! Head ‘em up, move ‘em out. I-75 can move them north and south.

[npwalters]

LOL I did not read the article. Did you ever consider that when you expect to be insulted that your opinion might be a little off base to begin with? There are plenty of exit routes from The Villages as well as the State of Florida!

Actually I am quite happy with my own opinions. I expected to be insulted because there is always some (insert your own expletive here) that feels required to insult and invite anyone that is not 100% happy with TV operations to leave. Seen this circus a few times.

Failure to follow instructions. You get an F

[Goldwingnut]

Morris Blvd. in Spanish Springs needs help with the popular expansion yet all needs are going to the new development area only. Traffic is outrageous and so dangerous for golf carts. Morris needs to have a separate golf cart path and a tunnel by the 466 gate. But no, they just build another golf cart bridge over Rt. 44. For what? To bring them into the Brownwood small center? Are TV residents funding this? Let's get the developer to fix what is broken first.

The developer is nobody's rich uncle who's promised to take care of your every need. It's not the developers responsibility or problem, that all now belongs to the County to address and maintain.

Once the county owns the road, regardless of who originally built it, it is their to maintain alone and expand as needed to carry any additional traffic that may result form additional development that they approve. These are the earmarks for the impact fees and county property taxes we all pay.

The developer has no responsibility or obligation to go back to any area that's completed and do more. There was no preternatural wet-nurse clause in your home sale contract. Many in the norther part of The Villages feel the developer has abandoned them. No, they've done their job, sold their properties, and have moved on; if you want anything else now you have to go to the local government. That would be your CDD or the County and be prepared to open you wallet and wake up to the real world.

Let me put it another way. Tomorrow, in the mail, you will receive a letter from the person who bought your previous home 5, 10, or 15 years ago, take your pick, when you moved to The Villages. In their letter they are demanding that you now fix the roof that is leaking, since you built the home you must therefore be forever responsible for it. They also demand that you now install a pool, because their family has grown and their children want one. How do you respond to this letter? I laugh at mine and feed it to the shredder. How do you think the developer reacts to the demands to build more amenities or widen-fix roads? Pretty much the same.

What's broken outside of what they own isn't their problem. Who's paying for the bridges? Easy, it's part of the bonded infrastructure going in in the new CDDs, nobody north of SR44 is paying anything for it, the residents of CDD13 will pay for the bridges as a component of their bond.

I love living in our little bubble, but that doesn't mean I have forgotten, like many, how the real world still works.

[Northwoods]

Morris Blvd. in Spanish Springs needs help with the popular expansion yet all needs are going to the new development area only. Traffic is outrageous and so dangerous for golf carts. Morris needs to have a separate golf cart path and a tunnel by the 466 gate. But no, they just build another golf cart bridge over Rt. 44. For what? To bring them into the Brownwood small center? Are TV residents funding this? Let's get the developer to fix what is broken first.
It is my understanding that the Developer owns the Championship golf courses and retail space (retail buildings in squares and retail space in Village owned retail centers) north of 44. That's it. Executive golf courses, common area maintenance, golf cart paths, etc. are maintained by the Districts. The Developer doesn't own it... So if you want any improvements the Districts will pay for it. So YOU will have to fix what is broken...

[rlcooper70]

Up north our community grew like crazy and the streets got crowded. The "place" was indeed in demand. When we finally decided to move we made a ton of money on the sale of the house. We stopped complaining.

Here in the Villages our friends built in The Preserves for $680k and it would go on the market today for $1.1m. Two and a half years. Is that the trade-off that we are juggling?

Good news - we're in demand. Bad news - its going to be bigger down in the south? Could not find the editorial referenced.

[sanibel40]

I just read the Sun's editorial comment (saw it on Facebook) regarding the rapid expansion of TV. It is definitely worth reading and they don't pull punches.

I'm sure opinions will vary and I realize that the train is way too far down the tracks to stop or even slow. Never the less, I agree with every word of it.

Please don't bother to insult me just because you disagree with me. It will just roll off my back.

The water supply is not infinite so as the governors and water managers allow the uncheck development of homes and the extraction of millions of gallons of water a day to big corporations for export, we may find ourselves a bit on the dry side

[golfing eagles]

The water supply is not infinite so as the governors and water managers allow the uncheck development of homes and the extraction of millions of gallons of water a day to big corporations for export, we may find ourselves a bit on the dry side

You could, but according to the US Geological Survey, the Florida aqueduct is one of the largest in the world

[ColdNoMore]

All opinion pieces are just that. That is why they are call opinion pieces.

Yep! :oops:

[ColdNoMore]

Actually I am quite happy with my own opinions. I expected to be insulted because there is always some (insert your own expletive here) that feels required to insult and invite anyone that is not 100% happy with TV operations to leave. Seen this circus a few times.

Failure to follow instructions. You get an F

Yep...dead-on! :thumbup:

[mulligan]

It is my understanding that the Developer owns the Championship golf courses and retail space (retail buildings in squares and retail space in Village owned retail centers) north of 44. That's it. Executive golf courses, common area maintenance, golf cart paths, etc. are maintained by the Districts. The Developer doesn't own it... So if you want any improvements the Districts will pay for it. So YOU will have to fix what is broken...

Close, but not precisely accurate. Exec's, common areas etc. are owned by One district. The VCCDD. The voting members of any district are the landowners within that district. The only landowner in the VCCDD is the developer. The VCCDD is the villages center community development district.

[dicksiggy]

It's simple, if TV don't build in all the places then someone else will. Guaranteed!!! Who would you want to build?? TV or another group who would not build the same way. It's still nicer than most places isn't it??

[npwalters]

I don't see it that way. Other folks that may build don't use Village assets.

I've stated before and will repeat here that the good news is that after all the bridges are complete and after a 4th town square is built TV will de facto become TV North and TV South. I will seldom have need to go to TV south. All TV assets will be stressed until that happens.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It's simple, if TV don't build in all the places then someone else will. Guaranteed!!! Who would you want to build?? TV or another group who would not build the same way. It's still nicer than most places isn't it??

This is the problem with Florida, in general. They don't have much respect or regard for nature. It has no value to them, other than "how quickly they can strip it raw it and build retirement homes on it."

It's one (of several) reasons I don't like Florida. There are some things about Florida I like. But as a whole, I don't like the state.

In some states, there are land trusts - where the trust buys up the land, and prevents development on it. The trust serves as a conservation steward to ensure that nature is allowed to exist, unimpeded by government or anyone else.

I would like to see, five generations from now, kids who grow up knowing that "lakes" don't all smell nasty, are not all filled with "reclaimed water," and that weeds are part of what makes nature beautiful. I'd like for them to not need to go to a zoo to see the last living butterfly in the state. I'd like for them to know what trees look like when they're not pruned perfectly and precisely placed in their back yard. I'd like for them to know, and experience, the sights, sounds, smells of nature. This won't happen if we continue stripping the natural environment and replacing it with plaster houses and strip-malls.

"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" is happening right here in the Villages. People older than I am, who have been living here for years already, know this song well and might even have protested against replacing nature with industry, in the 60's. The sad thing is that they're either a) not vocal here or b) have changed their minds.

Joni Mitchell and others are people I admired, growing up. It's just very sad to see that their message is obscured in the Villages - perhaps on purpose.

[dewilson58]

This is the problem with Florida, in general. They don't have much respect or regard for nature.



But yet you live here.


:ohdear:

[sipops]

A member of Mensa. What a great reply. How long did it take you to think of that. Wow All roads leave out of Florida.

[Number 10 GI]

I've read that 900 people a day move to Florida and guess what, you and your spouse are two of them and the wife and I make two more. Looks like we're part of the problem. Where are these 900 people a day supposed to live? I guess Florida could put up border control check points and not allow nonresidents into the state. Maybe develop a waiting list that only allows a new person into the state when a Florida resident dies or moves out.

You do know that most of the land The Villages is/was built on was agricultural land not pristine untouched wilderness. Much of the original land was watermelon farms. Have you even spent any time in the lower 44 before all the development. It is/was mostly cow pastures. The Hog Eye preserve and the nature area near the Fenney rec center have all kinds of free roaming wild live. Maybe you aught to come down here and check it out. I don't want to burst you bubble but Florida isn't any worse than any other state.

This is the problem with Florida, in general. They don't have much respect or regard for nature. It has no value to them, other than "how quickly they can strip it raw it and build retirement homes on it."

It's one (of several) reasons I don't like Florida. There are some things about Florida I like. But as a whole, I don't like the state.

In some states, there are land trusts - where the trust buys up the land, and prevents development on it. The trust serves as a conservation steward to ensure that nature is allowed to exist, unimpeded by government or anyone else.

I would like to see, five generations from now, kids who grow up knowing that "lakes" don't all smell nasty, are not all filled with "reclaimed water," and that weeds are part of what makes nature beautiful. I'd like for them to not need to go to a zoo to see the last living butterfly in the state. I'd like for them to know what trees look like when they're not pruned perfectly and precisely placed in their back yard. I'd like for them to know, and experience, the sights, sounds, smells of nature. This won't happen if we continue stripping the natural environment and replacing it with plaster houses and strip-malls.

"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" is happening right here in the Villages. People older than I am, who have been living here for years already, know this song well and might even have protested against replacing nature with industry, in the 60's. The sad thing is that they're either a) not vocal here or b) have changed their minds.

Joni Mitchell and others are people I admired, growing up. It's just very sad to see that their message is obscured in the Villages - perhaps on purpose.

[Big O]

Joni Mitchell and others are people I admired, growing up. It's just very sad to see that their message is obscured in the Villages - perhaps on purpose.

You're listening to the wrong people......Bob Dylan "The Times They Are A Changing" comes to mind.

[MrExcite721]

...

[Polar Bear]

This is the problem with Florida, in general. They don't have much respect or regard for nature. It has no value to them, other than "how quickly they can strip it raw it and build retirement homes on it."
...
"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" is happening right here in the Villages...
If you truly feel this way, then you don't have the foggiest clue about the development process in Florida.

An Environmental Engineer was in the office next to mine for 25 years. He supervised the environmental side of permitting for Pinellas County, Florida for that entire time period. I supervised the engineering side for the same time period. He would either fall out of his chair from laughing so hard at your rantings or from pounding his fists in anger at them...maybe both. To hear that a citizen of the state could know so little about what actually goes on but continue to rip the system anyway is simply hard to reconcile when you are so close to the actual process.

I know a lengthy description of the process wouldn't change your feelings one iota. But briefly and for the record, all development in the state must balance environmental issues with the engineering and development issues. The rules are rigid and strictly enforced. If anything is "stripped raw", then a very, very, VERY significant environmental compensation package is always a requirement. Always.

[photo1902]

If you truly feel this way, then you don't have the foggiest clue about the development process in Florida.

An Environmental Engineer was in the office next to mine for 25 years. He supervised the environmental side of permitting for Pinellas County, Florida for that entire time period. I supervised the engineering side for the same time period. He would either fall out of his chair from laughing so hard at your rantings or from pounding his fists in anger at them...maybe both. To hear that a citizen of the state could know so little about what actually goes on but continue to rip the system anyway is simply hard to reconcile when you are so close to the actual process.

I know a lengthy description of the process wouldn't change your feelings one iota. But briefly and for the record, all development in the state must balance environmental issues with the engineering and development issues. The rules are rigid and strictly enforced. If anything is "stripped raw", then a very, very, VERY significant environmental compensation package is always a requirement. Always.

There you go with factual information. It has no place here :)