[Challenger]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Could you or anyone else please tell me which specific post answers my question?

I can't recall anyone explaining why the crosses irritate them.

As for myself, I am not, and never have been, a Christian of any type, but I think Christianity is a very nice religion for a lot of people. The religion has never irritated me in the least.

For me ,it is not that it is a religious symbol, I couldn't care less. The issue is the enforcement of deed restrictions.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Could you or anyone else please tell me which specific post answers my question?

As Bogie says, your answer lies within the previous 100+ posts.
Specifically, it's about violating deed restrictions.
It has nothing whatsoever to do with religious preference.

[MikeyBoo54]

As many before have stated, it is not about the crosses, the controversy is about the fact that the deed restrictions have some control over how/what decorations can be displayed in the yard. Most times, people ignore this and The Villages only take notice when someone complains, albeit anonymously. Some folks may take exception with the crosses, but it they are displayed within the guidelines set out by the deed restrictions, they would be acceptable.

The cross built into the stone pavers on a driveway as a decoration is a different matter. If the Architectural committee approved the individual having a paver driveway installed with a "decoration" I have to assume that would fall within the guidelines and could not be disputed. Maybe I give TV too much credit but I don't think so.

[Barefoot]

Hey MikeyBoo, I like your sense of humor.

--------------------------------------------
Here at Air America, what's considered psychotic behavior anywhere else is just company policy.
-Gene Ryack
Air America 1990

[Mrs. Robinson]

Well, here's my take on the subject.

Do you find a birdbath offensive? No.
Do you find a planter offensive? No
Do you find a fountain offensive? No.
Now, I'm speaking in general.
All of the above items are generally pleasing to the eye and considered a decorative part of landscaping.

As indicated by many of the responses, these crosses seem to be causing an issue with many people.
They cannot be considered landscaping.
They are religious symbols of Christianity and not everyone is a Christian in this community.
They seem to become a focal point in the front of a house and cannot be considered decorative or part of landscaping.

So -- No. I don't believe they should be permitted besides being a no-no according to TV docs.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

Well, here's my take on the subject.

Do you find a birdbath offensive? No.
Do you find a planter offensive? No
Do you find a fountain offensive? No.
Now, I'm speaking in general.
All of the above items are generally pleasing to the eye and considered a decorative part of landscaping.

As indicated by many of the responses, these crosses seem to be causing an issue with many people.
They cannot be considered landscaping.
They are religious symbols of Christianity and not everyone is a Christian in this community.
They seem to become a focal point in the front of a house and cannot be considered decorative or part of landscaping.

So -- No. I don't believe they should be permitted besides being a no-no according to TV docs.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

As indicated by many of the responses, these crosses seem to be causing an issue with many people.
They cannot be considered landscaping.
They are religious symbols of Christianity and not everyone is a Christian in this community.

Of course, many people, including me, are not Christians.

But why cannot the white crosses be considered landscaping?

I see people put things in their yard honoring our military and that does not offend me even though I have never served in the military. A white cross just honors the Christian religion like a military symbol honors our military.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Of course, many people, including me, are not Christians.

But why cannot the white crosses be considered landscaping?

I see people put things in their yard honoring our military and that does not offend me even though I have never served in the military. A white cross just honors the Christian religion like a military symbol honors our military.

Landscaping involves growing things and associated structures such as walls or curbing, all of which require approval. White crosses are considered lawn/garden ornaments which have restrictions on where they can be placed. You can have a white cross as long as it is placed where deed restrictions allow.

It is important to not look at this too narrowly. It is not the white cross per se. It is ignoring a restriction to which we all agreed when we purchased. Ignoring a deed restriction is dangerous as it may become unenforceable in the future if someone can show a history of ignoring it.

It is why I'm uncomfortable with the CDD(s) that have decided to not enforce certain aspects of the deed restrictions, creating inconsistency through the neighborhoods. They certainly have a right to do so, I guess. But, someone may have a feature that is a violation where the CDD has chosen to ignore it. The feature is seen by someone who lives in a different CDD and decides to do the same thing creating the old "Well, they did it, why can't I?" problem.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Mikeod

Landscaping involves growing things and associated structures such as walls or curbing, all of which require approval. White crosses are considered lawn/garden ornaments which have restrictions on where they can be placed. You can have a white cross as long as it is placed where deed restrictions allow.

It is important to not look at this too narrowly. It is not the white cross per se. It is ignoring a restriction to which we all agreed when we purchased. Ignoring a deed restriction is dangerous as it may become unenforceable in the future if someone can show a history of ignoring it.

It is why I'm uncomfortable with the CDD(s) that have decided to not enforce certain aspects of the deed restrictions, creating inconsistency through the neighborhoods. They certainly have a right to do so, I guess. But, someone may have a feature that is a violation where the CDD has chosen to ignore it. The feature is seen by someone who lives in a different CDD and decides to do the same thing creating the old "Well, they did it, why can't I?" problem.

Exactly, and I don't understand why people who want the crosses don't just simply put them up under the eaves, where garden ornaments are allowed. I walk by a villa every day with a potted plant sitting on a table on the front porch, and the cross is in with the plant. That's another example of what you could do.

The freedom of religious amendment to the constitution applies to congress not making laws that would inhibit freedom of religion. Deed restrictions that we signed on to at purchase regarding the displaying of any type of lawn ornament are a totally different category.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Mikeod

White crosses are considered lawn/garden ornaments which have restrictions on where they can be placed.

The white crosses that I have seen have all been in the mulch area in front of the house. According to your understanding of the deed restrictions, is it OK to put the white crosses in that location?

A new resident near us has two metal sculptures of sandhill cranes and he had placed them in the grass in his front yard. A few days later, I noticed he had moved them into the mulch area. Maybe he was told he could not have these ornaments in the grass area.

[lafoto]

#1 Lawn ornaments are NOT prohibited in district 1, most of 2, half of 3 and all of Lady Lake and Lake County.
So it depends where you live.

#2 Lawn ornaments are NOT prohibited in ANY district during seasonal displays and not exceeding 30 days.
So since there are about ten Christian Holidays, that covers a lots of the year for the little white crosses...boom!

[JerryLBell]

I'm OK with these small symbols of Christianity as long as those who display them are equally OK with symbols of other beliefs, whether it's Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Taoism, Scientology, Paganism, Satanism, Pastafarianism, Church of the SubGenius, Agnosticism, Atheism or whatever. If they find those other symbols offensive or inappropriate, then they should understand how people with other beliefs might find their particular symbols offensive or inappropriate.

However, if you move into a neighborhood or community where the pre-existing local rules preclude such displays, then you need to abide by the rules. If you don't want to abide by the rules, whether it's for yard displays, golf cart speed limits or whatever, then you really need to either organize to get the rules changed or consider moving to another neighborhood or community.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by JerryLBell

However, if you move into a neighborhood or community where the pre-existing local rules preclude such displays, then you need to abide by the rules.

I completely agree.

Based on what I have read, The Villages "pre-existing local rules" allow ornamental white crosses to be placed in the mulch areas in front of a house.

Does anyone have a problem with this?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I completely agree.

Based on what I have read, The Villages "pre-existing local rules" allow ornamental white crosses to be placed in the mulch areas in front of a house.

Does anyone have a problem with this?

I have NO problem with any Christian Symbol. NOT at all. AND I do like Deed Restrictions. I LOVE DEED RESTRICTIONS. There are MORE restrictions SOUTH of 466 than there are NORTH of 466. I think more is better in this issue.

I think that no one should interpret having their cross reported as anti-Christian. Wear it around your neck. Hang it on your wall. Live it. You have a lot of people who will agree with you here in The Villages. Like ME.

Please don't put anything in your yard without ARC approval or mean folks like me might report you. I like DEED RESTRICTIONS.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I completely agree.

Based on what I have read, The Villages "pre-existing local rules" allow ornamental white crosses to be placed in the mulch areas in front of a house.

Does anyone have a problem with this?

In District 8, the mulch means nothing. The ornament has to be under the eave of the house.