According to the deed restrictions I just finished reading, the restrictions expire in January 2020 and will be automatically renewed for another 10 years IF there is no vote to change them first.

Some people like the status quo. Some people likes knowing that they can drive into neighborhoods nowhere near their own, for the express purpose of filing formal complaints about perceived violations. Some people get some kind of sick, twisted thrill out of knowing that they've caused upheaval to an entire neighborhood.

And of course some people are adverse to newcomers, snowbirds, and anyone who isn't "just like them." Which would be just fine, if this wasn't a senior community where the average lifespan from move-in to funeral home is less than 30 years. At some point - y'all will have vacant homes next to you. SOMEONE will be moving in, like it or not. It can be rats and other vermin as a result of abandonment, or it can be neighbors who you might or might not want to hang out with. It might even be neighbors who don't really want to move there, but that's the best they could find in their particular circumstances.

You can be "stuck" with the results, or you can embrace the results. Your mileage may vary but I'd think carefully about who you choose to shun and dismiss. They could become your next door neighbor.

wow!

There have been a few people who have reported lots of infringements, but it is a rare happening. I say this because I live here and I read this forum and others. You are jumping to conclusions. But if they did, they would be within their rights to do it. And maybe they aren't trying to get some "sick twisted thrill out of causing upheaval to a whole neighborhood". The truth is that a large majority of people who live here, like deed restrictions.

I didn't see any evidence of anyone shunning anyone, but some of us didn't agree with some views. No one made anyone move here with all of these deed restrictions. There are very few vacant homes for very long anywhere in The Villages, unless they smell like cigarette smoke, cat pee, or are gross and over priced.

Very interesting! It looks like people could effect changes in the deed compliance program. I would lobby that only Villagers with a valid Villages ID and who live within the affected Village could register a complaint. The email complaint system allows for abuse. When I looked at the VCDD site on deed compliance it looked like anyone, anywhere could make a complaint. No place for Village ID number, or name on the email form. That would mean non Villagers could make a complaint.

If changes can be made in 2020, then people should look to make changes if they wish. I must say that I agree with the concept of deed restrictions. It does make for our beautiful Villages environment. We love it here and we would not want to see any drastic changes, but a small change here and there that is desired by the majority of Villagers would be OK with me.

This seems the most reasonable response to the situation. The situation being - the demographics of the community have changed. The original deed restrictions are due for renewal or change, and if there are that many violations (36 in just one neighborhood, according to this thread), then perhaps some of the restrictions need to be adjusted.

Not eradicated - I agree with you. Restrictions maintain a certain standard of upkeep and keep the property values reasonable. But maybe an "under the eaves is now acceptable, and no tacky flamingos, period!" could be an addendum.

Things like that.

Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.

The email system is not so bad—mostly.

It has been said already, email is public record. I called the district, asked for a copy of all complaints over a period in my village. I received copies of emails and letters.

Bottom line, if you wish to remain anonymous, don’t give your name in any form.

If anyone wants more information on the Pinellas neighborhood in question they could attend the next District #9 meeting on February 14 at 1:30 PM at the District Administration office on 984 Old Mill Run, The Villages. Phone 352-751-3939. I think fair minded VillageTinker would be a good representative to have at that meeting, if he so wished.

The Duration clause of our our deed covenants say they remain in force until Jan. 2042 and that time are automatically renewed unless the developer decides otherwise. I don't see anything about a vote to change or who would be able to vote if there was a vote.

Also the developer has the right to amend the covenants. It looks like the developer did that to our covenants after we bought our house.

A quick look at covenants for other subdivisions in our area appear to be about the same.



"Duration

The covenants and restrictions of this Declaration shall run with and bind the land, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Developer, or any Owner until the first day of January 2042 (except as elsewhere herein expressly provided otherwise). After the first day of January 2042, said covenants, restrictions, reservations and servitudes shall be automatically extended for successive periods of ten (10) years unless an instrument signed by the Developer or his assignee shall be recorded, which instrument shall alter, amend, enlarge, extend or repeal, in whole or in part, said covenants, restrictions, reservations and servitude. "

Amendments

The Developer shall have the right to amend the Covenants and Restrictions of this Declaration from time to time by duly recording an instrument executed and acknowledged by the Developer in the public records of the county where the Subdivision is located. "

All, I would like to attend, but I have a prior commitment, so in my absence I offer the following:

First the deed restrictions would remain INTACT, but the IMPLEMENTATION of the complaint system would be changed. Here is my suggestion:

Suggested new annonomous complaint procedure.

1. Anyone desiring to file complaint would be required to get a form from Community Standards (either online or at the office). Community Standards will design the form. Phoned in complaints will no longer be accepted.

2. The complainer would fill out the form, which would include the nature of the complaint, the location of the infraction, and whether it is a serious infraction. Serious infractions would involve, buildings, water flow/drainage, infraction of build lines, permits, etc. Minor infractions would typically be signs, lawn ornaments etc.

3. One (1) complaint per form.

4. The completed form would need to presented in person, with complainer’s village photo ID to the VCDD. The reason for this is that going forward, only people living in the same village would be allowed to file complaints in that village.

5. There will be a charge to be paid for each complaint filed, cash only. The charge could start at say $10 per complaint, and be adjusted as necessary to limit “troll” activity. To maintain anonymity, there will be NO receipts or records of the payment.

6. If the review board finds the complaint to be valid, then the existing procedures will be used to get the property into compliance.

IMHO, I think this approach addresses many if not all of the 'problems' with the existing system. I had actually contacted Community Standards previously with something similar, but it was shot down, the suggestion above was modified to eliminate that concern.

PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT THE MESSENGER...........
:popcorn::popcorn:

You have thought of a great idea, but I doubt if things will be changed. I would not be hesitant to do that. I have every reason to believe that there would still be anonymity.

This is the problem in a nutshell. Some folks have been raised to speak up and speak out and are used to such interchanges and others have been raised to not confront someone with a transgression. It is simply how we were raised, what our parents did and what they expected of us. One thinks the other a wimp and the other thinks the one is crassly outspoken.

While I personally couldn't imagine the boredom and/or pettiness it takes to drive around the entire bubble looking for covenant/deed violations, I totally disagree with this sentiment...as well as the requirement to identify yourself or pay a "filing fee."

Law enforcement acts on anonymous tips all of the time, why would anyone think that just because we live in The Villages...we should be that 'special and/or entitled?' :oops:

IMHO, that kind of action simply nourishes the already unfair stereotype...that a lot of locals have about all of us. :ohdear:

Bottom line, either don't violate the rules, or if you do and get caught, don't whine about it...just stand up and take your medicine. :shrug:

Accurate and succinct...I like it. :thumbup:

Some excellent points! I think we will have to find someone else to make that meeting. We probably would want to canvass other neighbors and determine what they would like to see brought forward to VCDD. I know that there are concerned persons in the neighborhood who are upset with the implementation and extensive scope of this issue as it affected our small neighborhood in the Village of Pinellas. Judging by the demeanor of the VCDD people who came around to our homes I don’t think VCDD was in favor of the abuse of the complaint system when over 35 homes were affected. Who knows, maybe something will come from our discussions with VCDD. It certainly is within our rights to attend this meeting and make our concerns known. The Villages has a system in place for Villagers to attend these meetings and to utilize this democratic process.

None of thee points would survive the first court challenge.