[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by wamley

Easy to turn 27 hole course into 18 and build on the vacated 9 holes.

Yes. And they could build a high rise apartment building for college students too but "THEY" won't.

Just a bunch of pot stirring by people who want to overthrow this nice CDD government for nefarious reasons, in my opinion.

[72lions]

Originally Posted by jimbomaybe

No they don't ,anymore than the right to build a waste dump next door to your home, apartments can only reduce the property value of your home, that is why zoning laws and restriction are in place across the country, its your home,your property ,can you do whatever you want? I have recently moved here and if apartments start going up I think I will look elsewhere. I have lived in large cities and have seen homeowners fight changes in zoning to protect their property values and have seen what happen when developers have their way, you will note that no apartments will be built in the new sections, at least until the developer has sold all the property.

No apartments In the South yet but you do have the opportunity to purchase a home with a carport. Give me apartments any day.

[Roberta Forcina]

I think our comments are very well taken. It is clear that the Villages has no thought or concern as to what the residents think or want. Since we pay amenity fees, I am wondering if according to Florida State Law that these people who are proposing these apartments etc., have to take a referendum vote from the people as to what they want. If this has to be done, clearly this was not. Perhaps one should contact the Attorney General's office and look into this matter.
As well, the Villages posts that there are so many clubs etc to join. With all due respect, even now, when one goes to a recreation center to join a class, many times you have to get there at least one hour before so that you can get into the class. This is plain ridiculous. I personally gave up and do my own thing. Now, they want to build even more apartments. How do they plan to accommodate these people and still offer access to these activities. It will be a disaster. As well, the squares will become inaccessible. I do believe that there is a law that states only so many people can congregate in one area otherwise it becomes a safety hazard.
The Villages is not what is was at one time. The theme of the friendliest town has gone right out the window. It is becoming overcrowded due to the greed of the owners and their relationship with the developers. It is a shame. I tell anyone I know who is considering moving here to look elsewhere. I would leave here in a minute if my husband would agree.
The voices of the Villagers need to be heard and not disregarded. Write to newspapers outside. Let others know what is happening. We all moved here for what it once offered. This is no longer the case. Very sad.

[collie1228]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I think I remember you just moved here this year? We have been here since 2007. I don't see any reason why the Morse family would take to shooting themselves in the foot. Up until now they have made wise decisions. At one time I sensed that the family weren't all on board with going forward but they did continue. Those who harbor good feelings toward them will find good reasons and those others will call it greed.

I am not a renter. Really not fond of renters, but people rent their homes out here right and left. It is a fact of life. Many villagers buy homes in order to rent them out. Renting is allowed and will happen. I am of the opinion that it will not harm anyone's property values, but other people think differently. I think. I hope that when these much smaller version of Brownwood Lofts are built and people rent the upstairs at Spanish Springs it will be an..........Oh Well. No big deal.

Gracie, I hope the developer doesn't build an apartment complex less than 1/2 mile from your home so that the traffic, already dangerous, increases significantly, to the point where a left hand turn onto Morse to get your mail will become nearly impossible. But that's what they are doing to my neighborhood.

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yes. And they could build a high rise apartment building for college students too but "THEY" won't.

Just a bunch of pot stirring by people who want to overthrow this nice CDD government for nefarious reasons, in my opinion.

Based on this and prior comments you would be okay if this happened in your neighborhood and lived in close proximity to let’s say a three or four story maximum height building within sight line from your home.

[EviesGP]

Originally Posted by npwalters

This is what Mr. Holly said in an unscripted moment. I'm paraphrasing this from memory .Speaking about the 8 acre Hacieida Hills site "after all the developer owns that land. They can do whatever they want with it. They could have placed a 100,000 ft retail store on that site and the traffic would be much worse".

Yes, the chief staff member of Planning and Zoning for Sumter County said this. This was after the period for public comment so no citizen had the opportunity to ask him if a retail store was actually an approved use at that site.

When you(they) say 8 acres, are you(they) referring to the entire CC property(i.e. all 27 holes, along with the CC), or just the CC itself? I ask because I am more concerned if they opt to convert or remove some golf courses?! That would be a trend that I would be disturbed about. Thanks, Nick!

[72lions]

The OP seems to have documented the meeting effectively so no quarrel there. My question is why the presumption that these changes, if implemented, would gravely alter the lifestyle of TV? Is it because they would be rented and not owned? There are units in Spanish Springs and Glenview that function very similar to apartments but are owned privately. It is reported that 80% of new renters with 12 month leases in The Lofts of Brownwood are previous owners in TV. Are these people going to ruin anyone’s life style? Is this worse than thousands of villas purchased specifically as income producing property catering to short term RENTERS. I think not.

Perhaps the OP is simply concerned about the handful of existing residents who actually view this property. And yes, the number is very, very small. Of course such changes are unfortunate for these few, but will it really be that much worse than looking out your lanai and seeing the former HH? The added benefit will be a new restaurant open to all which should satisfy all who complained the HH restaurant was closed. I’m sure the hundreds of golfers there daily will welcome the chance to grab a bite or a beer after the round instead of heading the LSL of SS.

There is a need not driven by the developer but by seniors who live TV who choose to eliminate the risk of an economic downturn, have no maintenance, can predict their living expenses more accurately and wish to congregate with others of like minds.

Let it go. Enjoy the time you have left.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by collie1228

Gracie, I hope the developer doesn't build an apartment complex less than 1/2 mile from your home so that the traffic, already dangerous, increases significantly, to the point where a left hand turn onto Morse to get your mail will become nearly impossible. But that's what they are doing to my neighborhood.

Some people in our Village begin turning right as soon as the snowbirds start returning in droves. Some make a U turn and head back west as soon as it gets real busy and have for many years.

I sometimes say bad things about snowbirds, under my breath. But I don't mean them.

The "developer" it appears is building on the site of a business that failed, using a space to make a profit, which is not wrong at all. It may be a mess, with traffic problems, and maybe not. It will happen, and then we will all see. I know for sure that this constant disparagement isn't doing The Villages any good and I really wonder exactly WHAT is behind it. I don't like what I am thinking.

We will see eventually.

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yes. And they could build a high rise apartment building for college students too but "THEY" won't.

Just a bunch of pot stirring by people who want to overthrow this nice CDD government for nefarious reasons, in my opinion.

With all due respect, if you "know" what they will do you not only can read their minds but see into the future, they are running a business , the bottom line is the bottom line, they will protect your interests as long as and to the extent that those interests coincide, they know what they are doing and they plan farther into the future with more insight than the individual home owner. Can anyone show me where and when any developed single family community has benefited from the introduction of rental units? Yes change is always with us, but the people opposing this are trying to protect their investment in their home, what possible "nefarious" reason could they have?

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by 72lions

Is this worse than thousands of villas purchased specifically as income producing property catering to short term RENTERS. I think not.



.

Two wrongs don't equal a right. In my opinion, the absolute worst problem in The Villages is that there are no rental restrictions. You would be hard pressed to find any other 55+ community certainly in Florida and most likely in the country that allows that.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Based on this and prior comments you would be okay if this happened in your neighborhood and lived in close proximity to let’s say a three or four story maximum height building within sight line from your home.

Our village is smack dab on 466 and we have maintained our property values.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by John41

Thank you for an excellent post and attending the meeting. When the new Sumter commissioners take office the remaining puppets will be removed from office. The residents have won battles against the developer before. My opinion is that no squares are planned south of Rt 44, so the developer will turn all the existing squares into apartments to avoid sales competition in the new areas south of Rt 44. Also no money will be spent to maintain the clubhouses above Rt 44 so they can be demolished for apartments. There is a lot more being hidden from residents in my opinion.

My house backs onto a four square mile section in the middle of The Villages where currently there are retention ponds and a few houses with stables and pasture. I’m wondering if that huge piece of land will be turned into apartments and condos for 10,000 people.

Back about five or six years ago, the state university where I taught proposed to build a fancy new classroom and office building for the English, History, and Math departments. There were a number of meetings between the administration and the faculty. The faculty argued about endless things, such as how big their offices would be, what color their desks would be, how big the classrooms would be. Finally the administration threw up their hands in disgust and canceled the project and told us we could stay where we are. Actually, that was fine with me—I didn’t think the building we had was all that bad. Complaining about new apartments doesn’t mean that if we won this fight, we would get a nice new clubhouse and restaurant and pool. We could just be left with rubble, or a parking lot.

[Laker14]

I don't understand the enmity towards renters. The issue is not if the person sleeping under the roof owns or rents, but rather, the density of units, given the infrastructure. Every dwelling was built to house someone, pay their share of the amenities and infrastructure costs, and in return for that, use the amenities and infrastructure.
If things are getting too crowded, it is not the fault of the homeowner, or the renter, but rather, the fault of whoever overbuilt. It is inconsistent to bemoan the presence of renters, and the overcrowding of amenities due to renters, and not feel betrayed by the shift from single family use to more densely populated apartment complexes.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Over the years I went to many meetings/hearings such as this where residents were invited to speak their mind. Not once were there changes made based on the input from local residents. Similar to these "officials" at your meeting, in many cases never went to the site being discussed. I figured that I wasted about 100 hours of my life at these meetings/hearings and vowed never to get involved again as it is simply a waste of time. After the last meeting I attended where they were planning to build, and did build homes in a swamp not far from my property line, I sold my home and left town, I was not going to take a chance on having my property flooded when that swamp was built upon. In one way or another many of these "officials" have been bought and paid for. It's best just to let them go and enjoy life as it is.

"It's best just to let them go and enjoy life as it is." This from someone who sold and left. Based on what you did, how can you justify your statement?

[quietpine]

Where is the usual chorus of “if you don’t like it you can move”? Or “this is capitalism, the developer has the right to develop his property as he sees fit”? Or “government is the problem”? Does anyone really believe the Morse family is responsible for your “lifestyle”? Hey folks “The Villages” is a trademark, made to sell and sell quickly. “The Villages lifestyle” is a marketing slogan repeated by a chorus of shills, that’s us. Every apartment built will be rented to people who want the lifestyle without the burdens of home ownership, what’s wrong with that? Or you could move!