Yard ornament issues
 

I'm a "one year" newbie to the Villages. Before purchasing I was made aware that most areas had a ban on yard decorations....unless seasonal holiday displays. When I moved into my Village, I noticed a few homes had discreet, tasteful ornaments in their front yards....a decorative frog, statue or gazing ball. I thought (yes, without checking the restrictions) it was ok for my area. Apparently it was because no one complained. However, when I arrived last month and put out a small 2ft tall mermaid...well she was not out there a week before I got a knock on my door from Community Standards. My area was restricted, mermaid was to be moved. Standards claims that infractions are only in forced if there was a complaint! That's when I noticed that the frog, statue, and gazing ball had also been removed. Apparently a lot of complaints! Now, your opinion please....these things had been displayed for years before I moved in.....neighborhood residents hadn't changed too much...So my question is: did Community Standards respond to an actual "complaint" or do they think they are the Community "Police" bent on in forcing the rules. Just wondering?

As far as I know there are no "Community Police". Anyone can contact (anonymous) Community Standards to notify them of a possible infraction. This is the system and it is what will all live by.

BTW standards differ among areas not necessarily defined by District boundaries. Check the deed restrictions you agreed to when you closed on your property.

You got busted by a self appointed "Troll Patrol". Too bad people don't have more to do than worry about the neighbors' lawns.
Fortunately we live in an area where decorations are allowed, and IMHO most of them are not too objectionable and if done in reasonable taste usually adds a little personality to the neighborhood. Compare your decorations to the wild things that appear all over The Villages at Christmas when apparently it's open season on whatever Sam's Club, or whoever, is selling this year, or worse. But it's enjoyable to see anyway, lasts about a month, and goes away. That's part of the fun in The Villages.
As for your problem, it is my understanding there is little restriction on what is placed near the house under the eves or in the back yard far from the prying eyes of the "Troll Patrol"

They really don't do anything unless someone complains. The complainant could have been a neighbor, someone on an adjoining street or, sadly, someone just driving by. Regardless, if your C&Rs say no lawn ornaments, that really does mean no lawn ornaments. If you'd like to have your mermaid, there are neighborhoods where it would be allowed. The further south you go, the more restrictive the rules are, up to and including backyard items.

Put her in your entryway or anywhere under an eave and you'll be in compliance. We had one neighbor who didn't get along with anyone and they drove around and made a list of all house numbers that had lawn ornaments and filed a complaint. Everyone got a knock on the door. Thank God they moved to NC.

" Troll Patrol ". That's an excellent way of putting it. A great reason I'm happy about the neighbors and village we picked. :pepper2:

All of the actions are complaint driven. Obviously, at least one person did not appreciate lawn decorations - and thought all residents should abide by the covenants and restrictions they had signed off when buying in the community.

North of 466, there are not the lawn ornament restrictions. No one has anything that could be offensive. People seem to love my flock of pink flamingoes!

Yes, different areas have different restrictions. But I believe all of The Villages from one corner to the next has restrictions on mermaid ornaments. :loco:

Even the topless ones? [emoji6]

There are lawn ornament restrictions in some units north of 466. To check on a particular area go to: Village Community Development Districts.

Unit number can be found on individual Villages ID card.

I LOVE deed restrictions.

I chose this place partially because it had deed restrictions.

I love ARC.

Come to Alhambra...I'm pretty sure a Mrs Kravitz doesn't live here and if she does, we have been so welcoming to her she has become joyful like the rest of us.

"Community Police" "Troll Patrol" thank you. One of my biggest fears living here is that the promises made concerning deed restrictions would go by the wayside.

I don't wish to offend but quite honestly I have driven past some front yards north of 466 and well was glad that I live south of 466.

Keep it going patrol

I agree...If I did not like the deed restrictions I would not have moved here, and so, a big reason I moved here is because the front yards were restricted and things are neat and orderly.

LOL. Mrs. Kravitz. That's pretty funny.

It could have been that someone in the neighborhood was reported and had to remove something and then they went around and reported everyone else.

I have noticed that with the Community Watch not reporting violations that the lawn decorations are starting to creep out in the non-decorations allowed areas.

Z

Thanks for the comments, but my question is still......does Community Standards respond only to complaints, or do the patrol for infractions and then knock on your door? I have no problem with deed restrictions, but I also have no problem with an occasional tasteful ornament. When an area has had a few decorations with no notoriety, was action taken solely because of a complaint or does Community Standards become the ornament police!

I'm confused....you're speaking as if holding people to the restrictions they already agreed to in writing is a bad thing.

No two people have the same taste; but written, signed restrictions are clear to everyone. Well, almost everyone.

Your question has been answered several times. It's complaint driver. Bye-bye mermaid. Put her in the pool where she belongs.:wine:

There will always be those old biddies looking for something to complain about!

Too bad because people just want to personalize their property.

Community Standards does not employ people to patrol for infractions. The system is complaint driven.

An occasional lawn ornament would probably not raise any eyebrows. However, once one goes unchallenged we start down the proverbial slippery slope. It can soon get out of hand and that is when some one(s) says enough. Maybe that is what happened in your neighborhood.

Your situation seems to indicate the system is working.

My sentiments exactly.

Having had negative experience in none deed restricted communities, we moved to a deed restricted community only to find the restrictions were selectively enforced. I vowed I would try not to make that mistake again. When the time came to select our retirement home we included deed restrictions and their enforcement as a top priority. The Villages seemed a perfect fit and after many years we have never been disappointed.

I share your concern but I am pretty confident our deed restriction enforcement will continue. One of our top priorities when selecting our retirement home was based on our confidence.

I also agree with your comments on the area where lawn ornaments are permitted. However, I have seen worse in other communities. I wonder if driving through lawn ornament restricted areas could cause second thoughts about perching a pair of gnomes at the end of the driveway.

Your pool pump better not make any noise BWAHAHAHAH!!!:wave:

Yes, definitely. It has been clearly stated in news bulletins and other places that the violations are strictly complaint driven, and that there is no policing by TV otherwise.

But it you want to be completely sure, call community standards or deed compliance, or wherever Bogie says to call, and ask them. Bogie, what's it called?

I think it's deedcompliance.

Everyone has an opinion on what looks "great" and what looks "junky". I came from an area where residents could put out anything they wanted on their property. I for one, am glad that isn't what goes on here and that there are community standards. I'm also happy there are those trolls out there who help enforce the deed restrictions. With the density we have, everything we do to our property has a positive or negative impact on our neighbors and not all of us have great taste.

Nearly all of the community watch driver are villagers. Nothing to stop one of the drivers to file the complaint. Might not have been a neighbor at all.

Is she the one that got busted for armed robbery?

Go to the District web site and click on Community Standards Department to find an answer to your question.
Community Standards does not search for violations or become the ornament police.
_________________________________________

Due to the diversity of the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions, it is important that you familiarize yourself with your particular set.

Concerns about possible deed restriction violations may be provided to the Community Standards Deed Compliance Division by phone, fax, mail, electronic mail, or in person and may be made anonymously. The Community Standards Deed Compliance Division is entirely complaint driven.

"Personalize" means different things to different people.

You got that right
 

[QUOTE=TNLAKEPANDA;968648]There will always be those old biddies looking for something to complain about!




:BigApplause:

[quote=snowbird22154;968735]NEVER call ANYONE an old biddy.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/73...e49687398c.jpg


These are our new squirt guns girls. Whatdyathink???????

bully's
 

Yes , their are many. Bully's hide they are cowards,the program that let's them get away with it is community standards. If. You don't t like my yard have the courage to admit it. I have lived here 6 years and have met some of the nicest people ever, and some of the most hateful people u can imagine. This is a grate place the people that have spent their lives helping others ignore the mean people,embrace they people that want to finish their lives in peace I know my typing is not good, but my message is computers are not my friend. Thanks

Observer, did you find a good place for your loved one with Alzheimers? I know how hard that can be. You are right, there are so many good people here.

There are many lawn ornaments in Gilchrist.
I have never seen anything offensive.
Cannot imagine calling Community standards.

Then don't.......but just because you don't find stuff offensive doesn't mean someone else doesn't. I'm still amazed that people buy a house here, know what the deed restrictions are then for some reason, think they don't apply to them. Let the trolls continue the patrol.

Lots of lawn ornaments here in Santiago. I have come to enjoy them. To get to my house, you make a left at the sparkly tree, then turn right at the donkeys.

Is it true it's not a lawn ornament if water runs through it?

There is one in every neighborhood, I think. I'd like to know what makes those people so much more special than the ones who keep their word and do what they agreed to do.

I understand wanting to personalize your property, but come on. We all agreed to the terms when we bought. I don't understand why someone would agree, then break the agreement, and then have the nerve to get upset when they're reported for not following the terms they signed to follow!

Someone who breaks such a simple agreement so readily just proves to me they can't be trusted.