[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Rsenholzi

You obviously have not been attending meetings related to these issues. This is not a few complainers. There are thousands of people attending these meetings in opposition. They had to put loud speakers outside the building to handle the Overflow this week when the “developers” approached lake county to put in apartments in Spanish Springs. This was not Harold Schwartz and Gary Morse’s dream. This is fueled by the greed of the grandchildren who are The only ones that stand to benefit from this move. ARC was forced by the developers to give rights to amenities by threatening them. They were told if they didn’t give them the rights they would build a parking garage there! The people spoke out and they didn’t listen and are now trying to push the apartments through in La Hacienda, Lake Sumter and Brownwood. There are multiple reasons for not doing this , one of which is the parking situation. They will have to put in parking garages in each area in order to handle the overflow crowd these apartments bring in. This will change the whole flavor of the squares. However, knowing what the family has been doing this may not happen and who is going to lose out- The people who have bought their homes Hoping for the lifestyle the was promised to them by Harold Schwartz and Gary Morse. In addition , your taxes will need to go up because there is going to be many more problems - more police will need to be hired due to the number of problems this will bring in. Things like burglaries will increase since you will no longer know who is going in and out of buildings, complaints from the noise to the Smells from the restaurant . There will be an increase in visible trash From the apartments. More equipment will be needed for the fire departments because different equipment is used for residential on the second floor than was needed for just offices. There is a host of difficulties from this and the benefit will not be to the people living here!

This post is so full of incorrect information.

This person is very upset.

Not thousands, not ARC, not really but there will be someone who reads it and believes it.

I think what anyone reading this kind of thing should do TODAY is to get in your car and drive up (or down) Morse and pull into the parking lot where the Hacienda Hills restaurant/country club was torn down and see the area. There is golf course behind the spot. On the left hand side behind the postal drop you can see four homes. Across Morse is golf course and the Sharon Morse Nature preserve.

Here is a map and you can enlarge this area and see for yourself.


The Villages(R) Community Map - Explore & Find Your Way Around

[mcwood4d]

Someone once said... "The only constant is change"

[TC_Arch]

Bring on the NIMBYs!

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by npwalters

Notice that no one has disputed any of the facts. The opinions are mine alone and I stand behind them. The more astute and rational among the readers will take a look at what is happening and come to your own conclusion.

I encourage you to go to the meeting with the special master for planning and zoning on the 21st. Listen to the stories of the many folks that are having to cope with this change to the lifestyle they were living. Be farsighted enough to know it is "them" today but could be you tomorrow.

There are many beautiful places in Fl. If youre unhappy here then start thinking about a move. No area stays the same and no one should expect it will. You take your chances whereever you go

[PennBF]

Unless there are actions which would have negative impacts on the profits from building the Apartments I doubt there is a chance in hell to stop the projects. As long as there are profits to the Developer/Owner the Apartments will be built as he/she have absolute power in the Villages. In the Law Suit filed by the POA in 2000 they demonstrated outside of his/her sales office to impact the sales of homes. Even with this the suit went on and he lost, and the Developer/Owner was fined $40,000,000.00. Thus allegedly, the Developer/Owner formed the HOA to offset the POA that caused the suit. Since I don't have a dog in this fight it would be outrages for me to take a position on either side.

[graciegirl]

Here is a map of the area.

Across from the torn down Hacienda Hills Country Club is the Sharon Morse Nature Preserve and nine holes of golf course. Behind the area where the building was torn down is nine holes of golf course. On either side are four homes. Please drive to this site up or down Morse and see for yourself the area where these apartments will be built.

The Villages(R) Community Map - Explore & Find Your Way Around

If you are not familiar find Spanish Springs, follow Morse South (Hacienda Hills site is VERY close) You will have to enlarge the area several times to see it well. One picture is worth a thousand words.

[Tadpole]

Ya; the one and only gripe I have, and always will have, is losing Katie Belle's. It was The Villages' signature building; it was the go-to place for every visitor we had; it was the most unique building in T.V.; it was always occupied to capacity with great shows and dancing, and there will never be another that can match it.

[billethkid]

If there are eventually going to be apartments here (one way or another) it is better done by the developer of TV than another with zero invested interest in the existing resident structure.

[T186021]

Originally Posted by npwalters

New owners and potential new owners need to pay attention to what is happening in The Villages now. If you want to get an idea of what your lifestyle is going to be in several years take a look at the Spanish Springs and Sumter Landing area this month.

The developer has petitioned both Lake and Sumter County to change the existing zoning restrictions to allow multi-family housing (apartments) in Spanish Springs town square, Sumter Landing town square, Brownwood town square, and in the former location of Hacienda Hills Country Club (HHCC). The current residents are vehemently opposed to this – especially the HHCC – and have let the developer know. The developer, so far, has basically said so what, we will do what we can get away with. County Commissioner meetings are being held on 21 SEP (Monday) and in mid October. This does not affect residents in Brownwood and south but IT COULD IN several YEARS. If they choose to do it here they can choose to do it elsewhere.

You can quit reading here if you like but the remainder gets into the details you need to be well informed.

FACT: The developer plans to build a multi-story apartment complex in area that was Hacienda Hill Country Club. This complex will completely change the character of the neighborhood. It puts up to 280 apartments and about 500 new residents into plat that was a single story country club surrounded by single family homes. It will add about 500 new people to the already stressed amenities. The Amenity Authority Committee (AAC) was pressured by the developer to give about 280 amenities to the developer to make this possible. There was a hearing and the residents were firmly opposed. The AAC ignored the residents and voted to give the amenities to the developer.

OPINION: The AAC was played, rolled over like a puppy dog, and gave TV what it wanted. The affected residents are furious. You can read much more on TOTV and in the Property Owners Association (POA) newspaper.

FACT: There will be a meeting with the Sumter County special master for planning and zoning on 21 September. There are 2 meetings scheduled with the Sumter County commission in October. They will consider rezoning HHCC and 4 Sumter Landing Square locations to allow multifamily housing.

OPINION: The meeting venue with the zoning master is Everglades Recreation Center. Far from Sumter Landing and HHCC and not golf cart accessible to most. You can guess why. The developer has paired apartments in Sumter Landing and Brownwood and apartments at HHCC as an issue. This is because apartments in Sumter Landing is less egregious (although still with significant issues). They hope to muddy the water on the HHCC issue by considering them together.
The County Commissioner meeting is scheduled in October because the current commissioners change soon after that. The current commissioners are widely believed to be the developers’ lapdogs. Three incumbents were soundly voted out for that reason but will not change until after this decision.

OPINION: The developer is taking steps to change the character of the lifestyle in The Villages. They are doing this to generate additional income streams in a long developed area. The residents are firmly opposed and feel betrayed by “the family”. We love it here in our village inspired lifestyle. We want to see it stay that way. We do NOT want high density/city style life. We want the developer to recognize our concerns and forego a few bucks now to continue the long term quality lifestyle they advertise. These could well be your concerns in a few years. It is something you need to consider before you buy here.

NOTE: There will be several here that will call me a complainer – say I don’t speak for most- say some hotshot does this every few years- say the new apartment are going to be beautiful (as long as they aren’t in my neighborhood), etc. I can almost name them ahead of time. Just goes with the territory on this blog. You have to have thick skin to post here. I say go to the meetings and listen to the people speak. I have yet hear one dissenting voice other than the developers’ men.

Thank u for the well organized information. There is a % of potential village residents that don't want or need a single family home, that group will now have access to the village life style. Welcome to the bubble!

[ScottS]

I see both sides of the fence, literally. We are new here and plan on being here a long time. I would be upset if I bought an expensive home on a golf course, that is now facing the back of an apartment building. And I also understand the need for change. We are buying here because of the lifestyle as well as the amenities. We were turned off by Fenny because of the long distance to everything, but the turn around time on building up areas here is phenomenal. So Fenny is becoming a bit more appealing. As far as the apartments go, as long as they don’t build low income housing, I understand the need for them. Some people want to maintain the lifestyle but not the upkeep of a home. We are currently renting a home, but will be buying very soon. We are aware of the risks and will be diligent in our search. I’ve still yet to find a place that offers as much as they do here in the villages.

[merrymini]

Progress, sometimes good, sometimes bad. I am less troubled by the apartment in the squares, which seem very nice and will not change the atmosphere than the building at the HHCC. People who paid a premium for the golf course are getting something they did not bargain for. That is why buying on the “edge” of anything is problematic. I think it unlikely that golf courses will be razed, they are part of the water retention and distribution system. That being said, the associations that commissioners and others have with the developer can be construed as a possible lack of independence and these changes should be good. A large meeting facility can be good too, as many people as possible should go. Being put in the south instead of where the modifications will take place is pure manipulation.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Here is a map of the area.

Across from the torn down Hacienda Hills Country Club is the Sharon Morse Nature Preserve and nine holes of golf course. Behind the area where the building was torn down is nine holes of golf course. On either side are four homes. Please drive to this site up or down Morse and see for yourself the area where these apartments will be built.

The Villages(R) Community Map - Explore & Find Your Way Around

If you are not familiar find Spanish Springs, follow Morse South (Hacienda Hills site is VERY close) You will have to enlarge the area several times to see it well. One picture is worth a thousand words.

As usual, you make a very good point. Everybody should look at that map.

Has anyone who has already jumped to conclusions seen the plans for these apartments? It looks to me the only place to build would be where the existing clubhouse and restaurant/pool is located, on the east side of Morse. I suppose there could be construction just across Morse on the west side if they take out the 9th hole of Palms. Everything else is existing homes and nature preserve. I don't think they could build apartments where some of the golf holes are located---no room. Look at the map again. Please, someone, point out which golf course/view homes would be looking "at the back of an apartment building".

Here's a suggestion from left field----If they are so hell bent on removing the HHCC clubhouse/restaurant, why not build a new and improved Katie Belle's there? Of course the profitability would be in question, might be better to build it further south where the demographics suggest a somewhat younger population.

Overall, sounds like residents and posters on TOTV need to take a deep breath and find out what is actually planned.

[talleyjm]

Originally Posted by billethkid

The minority report is duly noted.
The other 98.98437587% of us will continue enjoying the life style!!

Hey, I say “party on,” the apartments sound great! When we are in our 80s, God willing, apartment living sounds like the perfect transition from our courtyard villa. Folks, get a life. Take a day off from vilifying the Developer. You might like it.

[Rosebud1949]

But the Villages have THEIR money from us now and do not care. They sold us a dream that will turn to a nightmare. Not what ANYONE signed up for. We will be over-run with kids etc. So much for 1 month per year visits for the rest of our grandkids.... that will change too I suppose. Make the new apartments DOWN below SR 44.... DO NOT MIX THEM with very senior well established locations.

Originally Posted by npwalters

New owners and potential new owners need to pay attention to what is happening in The Villages now. If you want to get an idea of what your lifestyle is going to be in several years take a look at the Spanish Springs and Sumter Landing area this month.

The developer has petitioned both Lake and Sumter County to change the existing zoning restrictions to allow multi-family housing (apartments) in Spanish Springs town square, Sumter Landing town square, Brownwood town square, and in the former location of Hacienda Hills Country Club (HHCC). The current residents are vehemently opposed to this – especially the HHCC – and have let the developer know. The developer, so far, has basically said so what, we will do what we can get away with. County Commissioner meetings are being held on 21 SEP (Monday) and in mid October. This does not affect residents in Brownwood and south but IT COULD IN several YEARS. If they choose to do it here they can choose to do it elsewhere.

You can quit reading here if you like but the remainder gets into the details you need to be well informed.

FACT: The developer plans to build a multi-story apartment complex in area that was Hacienda Hill Country Club. This complex will completely change the character of the neighborhood. It puts up to 280 apartments and about 500 new residents into plat that was a single story country club surrounded by single family homes. It will add about 500 new people to the already stressed amenities. The Amenity Authority Committee (AAC) was pressured by the developer to give about 280 amenities to the developer to make this possible. There was a hearing and the residents were firmly opposed. The AAC ignored the residents and voted to give the amenities to the developer.

OPINION: The AAC was played, rolled over like a puppy dog, and gave TV what it wanted. The affected residents are furious. You can read much more on TOTV and in the Property Owners Association (POA) newspaper.

FACT: There will be a meeting with the Sumter County special master for planning and zoning on 21 September. There are 2 meetings scheduled with the Sumter County commission in October. They will consider rezoning HHCC and 4 Sumter Landing Square locations to allow multifamily housing.

OPINION: The meeting venue with the zoning master is Everglades Recreation Center. Far from Sumter Landing and HHCC and not golf cart accessible to most. You can guess why. The developer has paired apartments in Sumter Landing and Brownwood and apartments at HHCC as an issue. This is because apartments in Sumter Landing is less egregious (although still with significant issues). They hope to muddy the water on the HHCC issue by considering them together.
The County Commissioner meeting is scheduled in October because the current commissioners change soon after that. The current commissioners are widely believed to be the developers’ lapdogs. Three incumbents were soundly voted out for that reason but will not change until after this decision.

OPINION: The developer is taking steps to change the character of the lifestyle in The Villages. They are doing this to generate additional income streams in a long developed area. The residents are firmly opposed and feel betrayed by “the family”. We love it here in our village inspired lifestyle. We want to see it stay that way. We do NOT want high density/city style life. We want the developer to recognize our concerns and forego a few bucks now to continue the long term quality lifestyle they advertise. These could well be your concerns in a few years. It is something you need to consider before you buy here.

NOTE: There will be several here that will call me a complainer – say I don’t speak for most- say some hotshot does this every few years- say the new apartment are going to be beautiful (as long as they aren’t in my neighborhood), etc. I can almost name them ahead of time. Just goes with the territory on this blog. You have to have thick skin to post here. I say go to the meetings and listen to the people speak. I have yet hear one dissenting voice other than the developers’ men.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Rosebud1949

But the Villages have THEIR money from us now and do not care. They sold us a dream that will turn to a nightmare. Not what ANYONE signed up for. We will be over-run with kids etc. So much for 1 month per year visits for the rest of our grandkids.... that will change too I suppose. Make the new apartments DOWN below SR 44.... DO NOT MIX THEM with very senior well established locations.

Seriously????? I didn't realize we live in such a horrible place. This post is on a par with the poster who claimed that TV is overrun by "rabid packs of angry old white men", which is racist, sexist, and delusional all at the same time. One of Blouir's (?sp) original criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia was essentially a lack of reality testing. Seems to be prevalent on TOTV these days.