[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I stated in an earlier post that I lived in another community with restrictions before moving here. In the other community, we had an opportunity to and a method to suggest changes or additions to the original rules if it was shown to be a benefit to the community. Property owners were able to request a variance for certain things that could enhance the property and would not negatively impact their neighbors (neighbors approval). Posts 65 and 68 show that, apparently, only the developer has the ability to make changes to the covenants. If this is true, than an appeal to the developer is the only hope of providing an avenue for updating or improving the covenants. If this is also true, and, as has been suggested or inferred from time to time, the developer has a financial interest in some of the companies that supply products and services to our community, than there is little, if any hope of any changes that might impact their bottom line.
So, tow the line or leave. Many of us, me included, turned our lives upside down to move here. This is home now. And, I love living here, but it would be nice if the ARC or CDDs had the ability to make a judgement call instead of just leveling fines.

I agree with everything you said. But, other posters think that the lady should be able to ignore the rules and get away with it just because some people like her lawn.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Thanks for sharing this. I had often thought about doing something like this. We spend so much on irrigation to water the crumby grass. We, the community, spend a ton of money on trying to fight bugs, fungus and other things that kill or damage our lawns. We dump tons of toxic chemicals into the sewers and ground water to try to keep the lawns alive. And any attempt by home owners like this one, to promote a landscape that could save water, reduce chemical pollution or save money and improve curb appeal with less required maintenance get squashed. 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?
When we purchased our home we didn't know there was a grate covering a sewer/runoff drain in our yard. Since we bought new, it must have been cleared with the developer to cover it with old carpet and cover that with sod. After some time (well over a year) trying to deal with flooding in the low spot, I discovered what had been done to try and disguise this sewer to make the home more sellable. Still love our home, but.? 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.

Wow. That is a big assumption. Cannot imagine the sod laying crews would go to the trouble of getting approval of something so stupid.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Slapnut

Some of these homeowners associations have too much power and control over people and their homes. If I were her, I would fight this. I will not live where there is a homeowners association because of the control that they have. Too much time on their hands.

No homeowners association involved, they don't exist in TV.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ldovermiller

Just give a big THANK YOU to the the money hungry, arrogant DEVELOPER who shafted all of us on the way our lawns were installed.
We need to stop the complaining and unit together, BUT no we want to enjoy our retirement in peace!

My lawn is fine.........

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by greenflash245

seriously, I do not see the problem

The Community Standards Department is committed to upholding the high standards of our community’s residential architectural design, landscaping and aesthetics. The department has two divisions: Deed Compliance and Architectural Review.

You have chosen to live in a community protected by Restrictive Covenants. The Declaration of Restrictions was issued to you at the closing on your home. It was at that time you signed a covenant with the Developer to comply with the Restrictive Covenants. We urge all homeowners to read their Restrictive Covenants.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I stated in an earlier post that I lived in another community with restrictions before moving here. In the other community, we had an opportunity to and a method to suggest changes or additions to the original rules if it was shown to be a benefit to the community. Property owners were able to request a variance for certain things that could enhance the property and would not negatively impact their neighbors (neighbors approval). Posts 65 and 68 show that, apparently, only the developer has the ability to make changes to the covenants. If this is true, than an appeal to the developer is the only hope of providing an avenue for updating or improving the covenants. If this is also true, and, as has been suggested or inferred from time to time, the developer has a financial interest in some of the companies that supply products and services to our community, than there is little, if any hope of any changes that might impact their bottom line.
So, tow the line or leave. Many of us, me included, turned our lives upside down to move here. This is home now. And, I love living here, but it would be nice if the ARC or CDDs had the ability to make a judgement call instead of just leveling fines.

Then where do the judgement calls end and if mine gets approved and your's doesn't then what? I have a number of friends that live in gated and private communities and all have an HOA that make the rules and they are not negotiable. While they would all like flexibility they accept that the rules are the rules and when you know them before you buy acceptance should be part of your purchase decisions. I agree with you, this is our home now and honestly, the deed restrictions are a nit to the joy this place brings.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by cwhitecat

Apparently she didn’t fork over enough cash to the ARC committee.

What are you trying to say??

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by mcfirkle

There’s lots of homes with it installed some have mini golf and putting greens complete with holes and flags. What’s the problem.

Do you know if the plan was submitted to ARC?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Bill1701

You just stated the reason. Less water means less money for the Morse family.

Cheap shot...

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by 17362

I have a question after reading all the posts.
Can a district (a group of homes in The Villages) go before the ARC and get a “rule” changed? Has this ever been attempted?

The Community Standards Department is committed to upholding the high standards of our community’s residential architectural design, landscaping and aesthetics. The department has two divisions: Deed Compliance and Architectural Review.

You can call here:
Community Standards
Phone: 352-751-3912

Let us know what you find out.

[Villagerjjm]

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.

The photo of the landscape with the artificial turf does look appealing. It is unfortunate that approval was not sought before going ahead and doing an actual install. Over the years I have seen residents install putting greens and lawn areas that utilized artificial turf, only to have to rip them out because they have not been approved by ARC.
We are in a part of Florida which has its natural resources governed by the South West Florida Water Management District. The SWFWMD dictates what can and can not be done with landscaping, building... all kinds of things! You can catch their link here:
Welcome to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Home Page
There is a lot of information and a lot of free publications that you can obtain from the SWFWMD. One of the publications is Florida Friendly Landscaping.

Shirley Schwartz may indeed have to remove her artificial turf under the State guidelines, which the ARC has to follow BY LAW!! However, it should be pointed out that she does NOT have to replace it with grass. She can choose to utilize rock, which is in itself also not allowed by itself. If you include groundcovers with the rock, especially the ones that are recommended by the SWFWMD, she stays within the legal guidelines that govern how a homeowner that lives in a regulated community like The Villages can alter their landscape.

A very basic rule is that 15% of the landscape property has to be some form of groundcover. Good choices are Dune Sunflowers, Jasmine, ground Juniper, etc.. There is a long list. Also, that 15% is reflected by what the mature plant diameter (spread) is and includes spacing between plants.

You can have potted plants and meet all the requirements stated by the SWFWMD guidelines.

I would strongly suggest for Mrs. Schwartz to contact the County Extension Office on Rt 471 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds or talk with the Master Gardeners about her landscape options. She can achieve what she wants to do, just not with artificial turf.

Some other links:
Free Publications | WaterMatters.org

Residents | WaterMatters.org

Projects | WaterMatters.org

I hope everyone who reads this finds it useful, and if so, let your neighbors know!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Mumbles

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.

No HOA involved....

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ValSetz

Because the rule is stupid! Vindictive is the ARC. If everyone in The Villages who has violated covenants was reported there would be an uprising of all residents. Common sense would be something to think about - tell her OK to leave but if she sells must be put back to original? What happens if you repaint your house, the same color, without ARC approval? What are they going to do - have you scrape it off to original? Power-hungry people without an ounce of common sense is the problem.

Who are these Power-hungry people? Do you even know?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I stated in an earlier post that I lived in another community with restrictions before moving here. In the other community, we had an opportunity to and a method to suggest changes or additions to the original rules if it was shown to be a benefit to the community. Property owners were able to request a variance for certain things that could enhance the property and would not negatively impact their neighbors (neighbors approval). Posts 65 and 68 show that, apparently, only the developer has the ability to make changes to the covenants. If this is true, than an appeal to the developer is the only hope of providing an avenue for updating or improving the covenants. If this is also true, and, as has been suggested or inferred from time to time, the developer has a financial interest in some of the companies that supply products and services to our community, than there is little, if any hope of any changes that might impact their bottom line.
So, tow the line or leave. Many of us, me included, turned our lives upside down to move here. This is home now. And, I love living here, but it would be nice if the ARC or CDDs had the ability to make a judgement call instead of just leveling fines.

After about the 10th judgement call there would be a thread on here attacking them for their calls. Enforcement of the rules is easy to understand!

[Villagerjjm]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I stated in an earlier post that I lived in another community with restrictions before moving here. In the other community, we had an opportunity to and a method to suggest changes or additions to the original rules if it was shown to be a benefit to the community. Property owners were able to request a variance for certain things that could enhance the property and would not negatively impact their neighbors (neighbors approval). Posts 65 and 68 show that, apparently, only the developer has the ability to make changes to the covenants. If this is true, than an appeal to the developer is the only hope of providing an avenue for updating or improving the covenants. If this is also true, and, as has been suggested or inferred from time to time, the developer has a financial interest in some of the companies that supply products and services to our community, than there is little, if any hope of any changes that might impact their bottom line.
So, tow the line or leave. Many of us, me included, turned our lives upside down to move here. This is home now. And, I love living here, but it would be nice if the ARC or CDDs had the ability to make a judgement call instead of just leveling fines.

You can get your neighborhood covenant changed. It has been done and there is a path on how you can do it. believe it or not, the ARC people will actually help you get the process started! Bear in mind, ARC is bound by laws that dictate certain changes that can not be done either because of code restrictions by town, county or state.

There is some leg work involved to get the changes done but like Rocky says:
Ya Gotta Wannit !!