[crash]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Welll... it looks artificial to me. I know the real stuff comes with a lot of problems but still it is real. I mean why not just pour concrete and paint it green?

Because that would be a violation also.

[ffresh]

Originally Posted by merrymini

She should have gotten approval, just like everyone else and , if she is not in accord with the rules, dealt with. That being said, some rules have been changed and it looks like this one should be looked at again, especially for, or maybe exclusively for small properties. Why is a whole bunch of rock more attractive than great Looking astroturf?

Good point, I'm not versed in ARC meetings and such but there must be some mechanism for bringing a suggestion before the board for consideration. Then, the pros and cons of this, or any other proposal, could be discussed in an adult fashion, hopefully, by adults and not people masquerading as such

Fred

[EandC]

I have been wondering for years why people have not done turf. I do not understand the waste of resources when this seems to be a wonderful solution, especially when we need to conserve water. I am a snowflake and figured I would investigate it once I moved there full time. I really hope this is something TV allows. BTW a neighbor of mine in NY has had turf on his lawn for 5 plus years. Looks odd in the winter when everything is gray but it has held up. Looks great in the summer.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

The Villages = Restrictive Covenants = Consistency = A beautiful place to live.


I'm thankful.

Consistency!

[ffresh]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

You signed papers to accept the rules , right or wrong there still the rules . Remember one persons expensive AstroTurf is another persons cheap version , just like with ornaments one person puts up something tasteful , but he next person puts up a theme park

Rules, especially those emanating from an ARC, are NOT inviolate! There is a way to amend them

Fred

[LowOnCash]

It's beautiful and save from chemical use I would fight them in court - It's time the ARC opened its eyes the residents pay the bills. The house and yard is absolutely beautiful and only adds to the community. Fight it!!!!

[trichard]

Follow the rules.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Sanford Epstein

Why are you so jealous? Or are you just the person who reported her. In five years she can change it out just as you cut yours every week because it grows and looks unruly. You are just a Villages busy body!

Need to “ quote post” so other poster know who you’re talking to.

[airstreamingypsy]

I think that may be the most attractive home in The Villages. The lady bought the turf at one of the squares during market night. Since it was being sold in The Villages, she said she had no reason to think it wasn't allowed, which makes perfect sense. So, it looks beautiful, and is environmentally friendly so it's really a win win. Maybe it's time for The Villages to rethink some of their draconian rules.

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

I suspect if everyone had artificial turf, it would soon put the lawn services around TV out of business, not to mention the water company would take a hit financially by the reduction in water used for irrigation. It's probably an all or nothing thing too. You can't have continuity aesthetically if some homes have articifical turf and others have natural grass.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Why would they object to it as it would save huge amounts of water?

I feel the same way.

[Mumbles]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

In the cyv's like the picture shows, I wonder what the reason is for not allowing it. Does it interfere with something? Or is it just the rule?
.... I think that unless there is a real and demonstrable reason this artificial grass actually hurts in some real way, why not allow it or some viable option for making a landscape that looks good while saving water, eliminating the need for chemicals and reducing or eliminating constant maintenance. Just asking.

Agree 100%. However, I'm guessing the Powers might worry that artificial turf is SO excellent looking, it might bring down the values of homes around it. Whatever the reason is, the Board needs to be MUCH more transparent than it tends to be (and that's probably true of all HOAs).

If need be, a collection of many people who think as we do about the turf ought to be organized to visit the Powers during their next meeting. This era in the US is NOT a time for letting things lie untouched, IMHO. People who run our lives MUST be made to be accountable for their applied rules on us.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by kimgarwel12@gmail.com

I suspect if everyone had artificial turf, it would soon put the lawn services around TV out of business, not to mention the water company would take a hit financially by the reduction in water used for irrigation. It's probably an all or nothing thing too. You can't have continuity aesthetically if some homes have articifical turf and others have natural grass.

While I understand your point, I think that there are many things to consider.
The lawn services. Some are large corporations (IE: Massey for example), others are small companies and even owner/operator like the one we use. Many of my neighbors maintain their own yards because they are dissatisfied with the service they received from companies they formerly used. I support businesses that provide products and services I want or need. Others, I assume, do the same. Being expected to support something neither wanted or needed might be like forcing one to support a charity they may not believe in.
As to the water company, I and many others have occasionally received bills that we believe to be incorrect and been dissatisfied with the way the water company just brushes off or defects back on the home owner any complaints. Sadly, we have no viable alternative.
As to the continuity of appearance, on my walks I see homes with great lawns and landscaping, others look pretty bad, regardless of their efforts. So, while I love a great looking lawn, I know from personal experience that for some (snowbirds, elderly, and some others) maintaining yards can be difficult.
I would like to see if there could be landscape options that are not gluttons for water and chemicals. The cyv's are different than the other areas, and I believe there may be a higher percentage of absentee owners that own those properties. So, I, (and No,I don't own one) do think that perhaps they might be allowed a slightly different set of rules in that they are already different than the majority of the community.
I think it would be worth considering.

[TooColdNJ]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Need to “ quote post” so other poster know who you’re talking to.

Totally agree. Who’s jealous?? Lol... not I. Nor did I complain- I don’t live anywhere near that house. (If he was referring to my post). His post was right under mine, who or what was the person who posted that referring to?

I’m all for Astro turf. There are a lot of rules that could be changed, but before doing so, all possible issues would need to be addressed first so there aren’t any unforeseen problems later. Maybe a specific KIND of AstroTurf for uniformity, if that’s what the Villages is concerned about.

Over time things change and some antiquated rules should be reconsidered. Yes. Rules and regulations can be changed- they’re not written in stone. What might not have been acceptable in the older areas have changed in the newer areas. It should be consistent across the Villages, but I’m told that it’s not.

[mydavid]

Originally Posted by John_W

According to the online Villages News a homeowner of a villa in Edgewater Bungalows must remove within 45 days her newly installed artificial grass lawn. The CDD 6 board voted 5-0 to have it removed or face $150 a day fine until it is brought back into compliance.

The home is in Edgewater Bungalows, her unit is two doors from the Waterfront Hotel overlooking Lake Sumter. She purchased the home in 2015 for $615,000. The owner Shirely Schwartz has appeared once before the District 6 board of Supervisors public hearing, and she said she is attempting one more issue before giving in. She said she's had over 100 cars and carts drive by the home and tell her how beautiful it looks. Unfortunately she never received ARC (Architectural Review Committee) approval before the installation.

I see they have met Cinthia.