Where is this trend headed?
 

Apartments planned in former restaurant. Katie Belle's upstairs might become apartments. Daily News reports:

Ryan McCabe, The Villages operations manager. “That sort of small-town, walk-to-everything convenience really appeals to some retirees; and, with the positive response we’ve had at Brownwood, we wanted to offer that same option to folks who love Spanish Springs.”

Oh, go ahead and make it an Airbnb and find some vacant space for RV hook-ups while you're at it. How about Section 8 housing? Good money it that too.

If they can make money at it they will keep doing it and nothing any of us can do to stop it apparently.

I have plans in with the Architectural Review Committee to turn my attic into three apartments to rent out.

I'll let you know how things progress, but I don't foresee any problems.

I shall, of course, charge them all the full amenity fee, and may even pass some of it on.

I would welcome a "walk to everything" living option in The Villages. But, to me, an essential part of that would be a grocery store and drug store within a few steps. Crystal City in Washington, DC has condos where you can get on an elevator, and have access to grocery stores, drug stores, doctor's offices, restaurants, a movie theater, and many other things. I would consider a condo, townhouse, or apartment that had that kind of convenience. But, if I have to drive a half mile to Publix, I may as well drive 4 miles.

Agreed and that is why this would have no appeal to us.

If half a mile is to far to walk
 

maybe assisted living would be better option then apartments lol

I would love living above Katie Belle’s and listening to the Spanish Springs square 365 days and nights a year. My TV has a really loud volume.

But that would not work when there are only a few apartments that could be made in one location.

If they have no appeal, they will sit vacant. If they do have appeal, they will be leased. No harm, no foul to anyone so no big deal. Other than from those who are just anti-developer and anything they propose.

Personally I think they will go fast.

Whats next.the Polo Field

That is an exaggeration of the facts.

The Villages. Inc. are very successful financially and people who have lived here for awhile dislike to hear unwarranted criticism of the developer.

Where did you get this information? Surely you wouldn't post just to get a rise.

Unlike the large scale high density apartment complex planned at HH, I have no problem with the Katie Belles plan. Katie Belles is an existing building in a commercial area and converting the building to 10 apartment units will have no negative effect on existing single family residential homeowners. I doubt anyone going to Spanish Springs will notice any difference between an empty Katie Belles versus the same building with 10 apartment units. The Katie Belles conversion is in no way the "bait and switch" that is being pulled on the homeowners in the HH area. There is still the fact that the area already has bad traffic congestion and over utilized amenities, but 10 or so apartments won't make any noticeable difference. As I have stated in other threads, I don't have a problem with apartments, as long as they are put in the right place so they do not negatively effect single family homeowners who had no reasonable cause to think they would ever be plopped down in an inappropriate area.

You must be right. I'll bet 20-some years ago the developer said "Let's build a country club, let it draw cheap villagers who won't spend much money, run-it-down to a dump, then tear it down around 2020 to pull a fast one".

Bait and Switch. Good thinking.

:pray:

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