I am no legal expert, but it seems to me that... A flaw in the concept is when the CCD ignores known violations (because of no complaint).

Can they ignore a known violation because some owner did not complain? Is a violation, the act of not complying with the rule? A complaint does not turn it into a violation! A complaint is a notification to the authorities of a potential violation! My guess is that a potential violation must be verified by the authorities before they register it as a violation and subseqently impose the fine.

I suspect the problem will be when people working for the CCD sees other violations or are otherwise aware of other violations and ignores them?

Could an owner construe it as a breach of contract?

Might it be construed as a form of harrassment or discrimination by some. Could the CCD be used as a means to harrass or target someone, yet ignore others... by not being even handed!

Possibly other little dusty corners of the law where a person might claim they were wronged by the practice.

The two of us can't recall where we saw it, but when out in the golf cart within the past week, we saw a full-sized cannon in someone's front yard. It looked like it had been there for some time. Let's get real! I'm sure the home owner is a really nice person, but, I certainly wouldn't want it in my neighbors yard.

It would make a nice landmark though. "We're the house right after the cannon."

Xavier

When people report a violation, can they do it anonymously?

Not sure if you can report anonymously, but rest assured your complaint will remain anonymous. Community Watch is very good about not saying who complained, just that someone complained (even if the complaint is completely inaccurate).

Yes.
Covered in the last paragraph on this link.

VCDD Deed Compliance - Lake County

The telephone number and email address for Deed Compliance is given at the top of this link.

Village Community Development Districts

I could not agree more about the slippery slope. I have never thought the compliant driven enforcement made sense. As long as we have a Community watch they could also be the complainer in addition to the neighbors. I am not advocating it is their main job, but they could certainly note things that could be followed up on.

Community Watch and Deed Compliance are two different things.
You can make an anonymous complaint to Deed Compliance.

Now let me get this straight - if someone has a lawn ornament in their yard that doesn't offend anyone and is enjoyed by many you think it should not be allowed period. I don't live on that side of the street. If the owner likes it and the neighbors aren't bothered what is the problem?

Is the CCD a form of quasi-government-ish entity? IOW serves as a replacement for certain aspects of local government?

What made me think that they might be is the special tax treatment on the bonds.

Keep this in mind . . .

In any community with deed restrictions, the rules, regulations, by-laws, etc., were all written before the first property was ever sold. Many of these things were taken from communities that already had them in place and usually, an attorney who wrote them is used for a new community, meaning that the attorney has prior experience with the restrictions, etc.

I've lived in communities that had restrictions. However, after a fair amount of time goes by, some of the restrictions need attention and need to be revised and recorded, even if it's only one little word to change the meaning of something.

I have not heard that this ever has been done anywhere in the Villages.

Does anyone have any insight into this??? Is there a committee that looks into this? It seems to be that there are some things that need to be modified.

I have no problem with a complaint driven system as long as there are no anonymous complaints. That would prevent any revenge or I don't like my neighbor to begin with calls which I'm sure already happens.

I don't.

The Deed Compliance office is located in Laurel Manor.
Here is a link to the people that run Deed Compliance.
Deed Restrictions have been changed in the 8 years that I have lived here.

Village Community Development Districts

There was a modification done just two years ago when all signs were banned in the villages north of 466 where they had been previously allowed. As I recall, it was done simply by Janet Tutt ordering it.

Some of the deed restricitions in the original villages are quite different than they are today. For instance; residents were restricted to one pet per household weighing no more than 45 pounds in the beginning. There is no restriction on lawn ornaments anywhere north of 466, but they are not allowed south of 466.

Another change that was recently made was the choice of colors for outside paint jobs. Previously, there were no rules. This was agreed upon by the elected district representatives.

To research all this, you would have to look up the restictions for each village. They are all the same for the newer areas, except that villa neighborhoods have their own rules.