[golferrm]

In yesterdays newspaper there was the article on how the villages shop owners are looking forward to have apartments built in the vilages. Now, how can we get the true picture and have an article to see if the homeowners are in the full agreement. Let's talk to everyone, especially the one that will be living close to the apartments. Are they in full agreement also?

[vintageogauge]

I think the neighbors made clear their dissatisfaction both here, in the news, and at the meeting. It will do no good, you rarely can fight city hall and win.

[JoMar]

Now there's talk of not going to those stores that support the apartments. While I suspect most didn't support them anyway, just another selfish group of Villagers shooting themselves in the foot. Maybe they will get angry enough and move and provide housing for a more progressive group of residents.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Now there's talk of not going to those stores that support the apartments. While I suspect most didn't support them anyway, just another selfish group of Villagers shooting themselves in the foot. Maybe they will get angry enough and move and provide housing for a more progressive group of residents.

I agree with you, this is a dumb idea.

[asianthree]

The apartments above businesses would not effect residents everyday life.

But I have to ask how many times do you really Shop in the square? Not just do a drive by, but shop for something. In 10 years I have stopped in stores with guests, but personally have only bought something 6 times.

So I am not boycotting the business due to apartments, I just don’t shop there. So I am guessing I won’t be hurting or helping any shop owner who supports the new square apartments.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Can someone respectfully tell me why apartments are so offensive to most Villagers? I really can't figure it out. As I see it, they will provide a much needed boost to the businesses in the squares (so of course those businesses are going to support apartments). I don't think they will increase traffic as not everyone comes and goes at the same time. More traffic was often cited as a reason to oppose housing developments in the DC area where I used to live, and those traffic issues never materialized.

Parking at the squares for nightly entertainment might be impacted to some degree, true. And for that reason, I think it's incumbent on the developer to address that issue by adding more parking or perhaps a garage before construction moves forward.

As for this idea that apartments somehow taint the image of the Villages being a sea of single family homes, where is it said that the Villages has to forever hold that singular image? I would welcome a mix of detached houses, duplexes, villas, townhouses, condos and apartments, thereby giving the consumer more options - as long as we have the infrastructure to support that model.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by golferrm

Let's talk to everyone, especially the one that will be living close to the apartments. Are they in full agreement also?

Never get full agreement on any topic.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

Can someone respectfully tell me why apartments are so offensive to most Villagers?

It depends on the location and layout. One potential problem with apartments in the squares, will be parking. If the tenants get preferential, assigned, designated parking spots closest to the buildings (and why wouldn't they), then that's a 100% guarantee that no one else will ever be able to park closer to the stores, in the parking lots. This means there will be more people vying for those sacred spots on the streets outside the store entries. That means - more potential for traffic problems.

The fewer open spots available near the action, the harder people will fight for whatever IS available near the action. We all like to think we're all very civilized, but get a dozen old folks with fake handicap parking tags and attitudes of entitlement, and things can go downhill and get ugly very quickly.

A problem with parking *as a potential tenant* within the squares would be - lack of covered secure parking or charging stations for golf carts. This IS a golf cart community afterall, people who live here should be able to have a place to park and charge their cart, and not have to worry overmuch about theft or rain drenching the upholstery - or coming out of their home (apartment) only to find some random drunk guy passed out on the bench seat.

Because the squares are all open to the public, the issue of secure tenant golf cart parking is a real issue.

With regards to non-Square apartments (such as Hacienda), there's the matter of covered, assigned golf cart parking and charging stations - both would absolutely be needed. More importantly, the parking situation. Hacienda CC usually did -not- have over 100 cars and golf carts in the lot 24/7. Of course it had busy days, and busy night events. But it didn't have traffic in and out at all hours. If people are living there, there'll be traffic in and out at all hours. I feel it's just too close to the hospital and 441 to have 200+ more units of people in such a small area of land.

I think a part of the reason people are so against apartments is because of the reputation of tenants in general. They think tenant = transient. I think they're looking at it backward. In fact, it's transients = tenants. And this sounds like semantics, but it is significant.

Most tenants in most areas of the country are law-abiding, peaceful, working or retired, generic normal people, who rent in the same place for many years.

Most "non-homeless" transients don't own homes. They rent instead. They don't have to be responsible, because if something goes wrong they just pick up and move somewhere else. Since the apartment isn't theirs, personally, they don't have to care about maintaining its condition. They might only live in a place for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few days. Because they're transients, you really don't know how long they will actually stay - until the day they leave. They might be one drink away from a bad credit rating - get approved for a 1-year lease, and then skip town two months later, never to be seen again.

It's because transients give rentals a bad reputation, that many people think apartments will always be a bad idea. This isn't true, but I believe that is one main reason why the reputation exists.

Another is Section 8 (public) housing. Many public housing complexes in cities are really horrible places to live, visit, or even live near. Lots of crime, drugs, filth. And every single one of them are apartments. So that adds to the reputation.

I would HOPE the developer has no intention of applying to qualify as a Section 8 provider. But since it's his property, he can do as he pleases. And I think THAT is one of the other main reasons why people are against it.

[Number 10 GI]

Originally Posted by asianthree

The apartments above businesses would not effect residents everyday life.

But I have to ask how many times do you really Shop in the square? Not just do a drive by, but shop for something. In 10 years I have stopped in stores with guests, but personally have only bought something 6 times.

So I am not boycotting the business due to apartments, I just don’t shop there. So I am guessing I won’t be hurting or helping any shop owner who supports the new square apartments.

It has been proven that boycotts don't work, sounds good but that is all. We've been here almost 2 years now and I've been in the town squares maybe 10 times. They have no interest for me.

[Northwoods]

1st - Parking - How many people did they say would live in the apartments in Spanish Springs?? 40? 80? How many people went to Katie Belle's on a nightly basis? More than 100? I feel with the elimination of Katie Belle's, parking shouldn't be an issue.

2nd - Boycotting the stores? That's the dumbest thing I've heard. So I guess if you can put the stores out of business you'll solve that parking issue.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by asianthree

The apartments above businesses would not effect residents everyday life.

But I have to ask how many times do you really Shop in the square? Not just do a drive by, but shop for something. In 10 years I have stopped in stores with guests, but personally have only bought something 6 times.

So I am not boycotting the business due to apartments, I just don’t shop there. So I am guessing I won’t be hurting or helping any shop owner who supports the new square apartments.

Gotta agree there. Very little to "boycott". Except for a couple very mediocre restaurants the "shopping" is pretty minimal. There will never be any MAJOR franchisees there. The few branded stores are going out of business or are already gone. The little "cute shops" like Purple Pig and the other novelty stores are great for newbies or tourists. Retail is being replaced by service business. Not even a plain old candy/newspaper store probably because rent & fees are is so high and the Villages needs their few points. Very tough for a small business to survive that doesn't have multiple stores. They will probably turn all the empty storefronts into doctors offices, funeral sales or financial places.

Apartments at LSL will bring in what? Maybe 20 people? There are plenty of lots in the back for them to park.

[davem4616]

somehow I just can't imagine my wife ever saying:

"let's rent one of those cute 2nd floor apartments in the squares over a store...it'll be just like when we were newlyweds and we had to drive around to find a place to park the car and then lug our groceries up a flight of stairs"

[Scott O]

Thanks, for speaking exactly what I was thinking...so many just wake up to complain, without looking at the reality of the situation...I think it’s a good idea...

[Scott O]

You’ve got to be kidding, why would section 8 housing even come to mind...how ridiculous

[Beyond The Wall]

This is bringing the cities to the suburbs .it is also an concept that has worked in other areas. These were build with apartments in mind, not as an afterthought.
The difference is that TV is unique. Maybe if the TV management requirements for the stores was more reasonable, eg lower rent, etc, then there would Not be a need for drastic change, which this is. What’s next, buses to transport residents? The greed of the current owners is manifest in their rapid expansion. Brownwood residents were told that this was it, the last development of TV. At the current rate it will extend to Orlando in 5-10 years. I’m all for improvement to areas but this is the beginning of a seismic change.