Unbelievable - AAC vote on Hacienda
 

AAC voted 4-1 for the apartments at Hacienda.
The most infuriating part is this:
"It was clear that the Developer had vowed to put a parking garage or big box retailer at the Hacienda Hills site if the AAC did not go along with the apartment complex."

Hacienda
 

Was there any of mention of location at Hacienda. Are they removing golf course holes?

The unnamed news site has the story.

How was it clear?

Can you link us to credible proof that the developer did/said/planned/ had such a thought?

Apartments are not awful. I imagine they will look like the complex on 466 for people who are living there independently.

We are of an age where downsizing to a beautiful apartment is something we think about. If the developer builds it, it will be beautiful and a lovely haven just like all of our homes.

I don't have an opinion either way on what is placed there. That said though, if you've not watched the most recent posting of Goldwingnut on YouTube (don't know if he posted it here or not)...go to it and he explains many things that people either aren't aware of or have been told improper information re: The Villages.

So your saying the Developer owns the members of the AAC?

Sadly, it appears from the other news source that it was threatened by the developers. I’ve noticed that news source has been pretty careful to not libel themselves but that’s only my opinion. This is not the community people bought into but such is life. Peace out.

We are relatively new here but what is this other news source people keep mentioning?

villages(dash)news.com

The head of "the other news source" worked for The Villages several years ago and has an axe to grind. Most stories have a negative color towards The Villages.

Naa!
Just showing who's the boss in this town.
My ball. my game, my rules!

The AAC DIDNOT vote for apartments. They voted on an amenity fee sharing plan. The decision to build apartments was the developer’s and developer’s only.

We can debate if the amenity fee sharing was a good idea or deal, but at least debate the facts.

An axe is an axe but a fact is a fact which appears to be true or The Villages would be all over this statement. Why would you be surprised, have you seen the changes over the last 16 years that I have? As I said, it is what it is.

Exactly. You wouldn't buy the rotting building for full market value, so I'll just stick it to you!
I hope they lose another lawsuit.

I attended the meeting. I could not see who was doing the talking because I was in the back of the room, but they could have been a bit more diplomatic. They made it sound like it was “my way or the highway”. People in attendance started yelling blackmail. I think this is where the other news source got their “threatened by the developers”.

Allow me to add.
My Ballpark, My Concession Stand, My County Commissioner Umpires.

Yeah, I guess a threat is a threat too. Some people will be fine with sharing limited amenities and pay the freight. Others will be upset, we all have varying opinions but in the end no control over what happens. Life is short now, people should choose what makes them happy and enjoy their remaining days.

The Villages is not a town. It is a business development that sits inside several towns and counties. The developer is the only one who made a business investment in this entity. I'd even bet a majority of the people bitching about it never ONCE went to the old dump they just leveled. For too many, it's just something else to kill time complaining about.

I didn't have the opportunity. The restaurant had already closed down by the time we moved in.

So you're not missing it, then.

Well said.

No one is kept here against their will. Change is a constant in life. You can only control your own actions, never those of others. Empty land will one day be filled. -- Just some of the life lessons that some folks seem to have forgotten.

I think many went to 'the old dump,' unfortunately, most of the people I saw there, sat all night with a lemon and water.
Maybe if they had charged for such a drink, 'the old dump' would still be open.
Maybe you were one of the regular patrons?
And you are correct in saying TV is not a town, it's nearly approaching City status!:icon_wink:

The AAC by default voted on building the apartments, because without amenity privileges it would be very difficult to rent out the apartments so they would most likely not have been built. That is why the developer threatened (or should I say bullied) the AAC members into approving the apartments, or they would build something even less desirable.

Never went there, never wanted to.

If they "charged for such a drink" the freeloaders wouldn't go.

And no, it is NOT almost a city.

Back to regular programming.

Enjoying amenities that are not overcrowded is one of the things that makes (or should I say made) me happy.

Under utilized amenities could result in higher fees.

From the article

The Developer had previously offered the Hacienda Hills site to the AAC for purchase at full market value. The AAC, under pressure from residents to pass on the offer, failed to make a deal with the Developer and the offer was taken off the table.

Looks like a put up or shut up deal to me. If you want to control what happens with a property you need to own it.

I think that 7 acre property is not currently zoned for multifamily units so that may be a battle, but I am pretty sure developer will get what they want.

Yes

Of course they will get what they want. They control local government. So much for a system of checks and balances.

Hopefully next week that will not be the case in Sumter county.

Than again what would stop them from buying any new commissioners?

Looks like the camel is now almost fully in the tent. First a whisker (never completing a grill and bar room at Glenview Tennis Club, now an investment planner's office) then a nose (conversion of Silver Lake restaurant to a pool hall), then a foot (conversion of Chula Vista Country Club to a pool hall and a couple of meeting rooms), then another foot (El Santiago Country Club" sold but had to be torn down) then another foot (conversion of Terra Del Sol Country Club into a "theater toy" for "family members"), and the fourth foot (modification and eventual closing of Katie Belle's), now conversion of a country club (and maybe possibly part of a golf course) into apartments. What comes next?: All country clubs go, championship courses converted to more apartments, villas, homes, etc. By then the whole herd of camels is in the tent and we will be outside looking in. And maybe eventually Spanish Springs is torn down to be replace by a Costco, now the whole herd is reproducing!!

It is a shame that approval of such a significant change to an existing residential neighborhood area is allowed to proceed in less time than than it took to remove a few useless speed bumps on the golf cart paths or the in depth studies and engineering surveys done to stripe and reflectorize the cart paths. Of course, I am sure a few votes from current lame duck representatives played into the necessary speed of it. Now, just think what will happen in Sumter County as a whole if the Developer's apparent minions are voted out in the primaries.

The threat to put up a "big parking structure" to me is a joke unless there is a big nearby building to utilize it; and such a building, I would think, would require significant rezoning from recreational or residential use to commercial use.

Wow, talking about misinformation unrelated facts combined and speculative truth....all in one post. Well done.

Who would park there, and for what reason? Then walk for a mile to get somewhere. I doubt a parking garage was a legitimate concern.

There are people who love The Villages but they don't want to (or can't) deal with the maintenance of a house anymore. An apartment is a great solution for them.

Katie Bell's just closed... why would they want to build another restaurant so people can order a water with lemon and listen to entertainment all night?

The Developer owns the land. If they didn't get what they want they could pave it over and make a big parking lot... or put in some landscaping and call it a day.

Never understood this Katie Bell thing about people going in ordering almost nothing and stay to listen to entertainment.

Seems like management puts in a little something called a cover or a food minimum and problem easily goes away.

Very perceptive, but few will see it.

I didn’t see any sharing! I think the developer gets to keep the amenity fees for all the units. It was around $543,000 a year. The tenants get to use all amenities in the Villages. What kind of deal is that?

I also don't see how a big box store is a threat. The Villages could build it, but would Costco / Whole Foods / Trader Joe's come? Besides, a fair number of residents would be positively gleeful at the prospect.

It seems as though many would prefer to have a new and improved country club on the site, but why should any business owner continue to pour money into a failing enterprise? It's unrealistic to expect the Morses to do so. (And please let's not bring the sainted Harold Schwartz and his grave spinning into this.)

If Mita Minton has the story, you can be assured that it's biased against The Villages.