Originally Posted by Goldwingnut (Post 2163443)

The lack of ribbon burning and the degradation of the MMPs was brought up 2 or maybe 3 years ago when I was serving on the PWAC. I expressed my concerns over the long term stability and costs for maintaining them. I made the point that the lack of ribbon curbing was such a concern north of 44 for the roads in the PV and CYV communities that the individual CDD ended up funding the installations in these communities. I questioned why they were not included and could we mandate that they be installed going forward.

District staff said they would investigate and get back to us…
Two responses were received:
1. They examined the MMP and didn’t find any significant degradation except in one area around Bradford where heavy trucks had damaged the path and their was being repaired. - A complete load of BS, before I made my comments at the PWAC meeting I had already ridden down miles of the MMPs and seen dozens of locations where there was degradation and encroachment of the grass into the surface, I had also spent the evening of the Water Lilly bridge movement over the turnpike at the Water Lilly RC area and saw numerous areas were the walking paths had started to degrade after only a few months. This has been, is, and will continue to be an issue with the walking and MMPs south of 44. Eventually, these paths will either have to be resurfaced/rebuilt and/or ribbon curbing installed to stabilize them like they are north of 44. Either way it will come at considerable expense to the residents.
2. The ribbon curbing was eliminated as a cost savings measure. There are many more miles of walking and MMPs in the areas south of 44 than elsewhere in our community. This is due to the geography of the area and the large number of wetlands areas that were preserved resulting in longer paths and the addition of miles walking paths throughout the newer areas. It was a trade off, more paths or ribbon curbing. Had the ribbon curbing been installed it would have had a significant impact on the bonds that were issued for construction. (The bonds south of 44 are consistent with those north of 44 on a $/acre to developer, once you account for time and inflation over the many years, you cannot compare the raw numbers without looking at the rising cost/acre caused by inflation. But I’ve had this discussion several times here so no more rehash.). The walking and MMPs meet the “state standards”, I however argued that they didn’t meet the long established, but unwritten, “Villages Standards” for these paths, so the ribbon curbing isn’t mandated, and therefore not installed. A business decision, good short term but bad long term for the residents.

Because of the wetlands areas and grasses that abut the walking and MMPs the need for the stabilization provided by the ribbon curbing is needed more so in the areas south of 44 than they are needed in the existing areas north of 44.

There is a lot of validity to their side of the argument, however it comes down to pay-me-now-or-pay-me-later; well it looks like “now” is the long anticipated “later”.

As the MMP maintenance falls under the PWA as common infrastructure, all the residents south of 466 will eventually have to foot the bill for the PWF costs of repairs/upgrades. This was one of the many discussion points and reasons why PWAC2 was so favored by all the signatories of the PWA, well almost all. When the bill comes due for this, as it will eventually, all of us north of 44 must be sure to thank the board of CDD7 for their efforts in railroading the agreement with false and misguided intentions and not even taking the time to vote on the new agreement. Sorry for this side track, but it is a valid point that needed to be said.

The real question at hand needs to be will the CDD 12 & 13 boards and PWAC take the necessary actions now, to “fix” this issue now or will these paths be left to fester, rot, and decay until someone gets injured and they are forced to take decisive action to upgrade, at a much higher cost. Let your voices be heard now or let your wallet be hurt later.

Originally Posted by NoMo50 (Post 2163473)

Not sure I agree with that statement. Different does not necessarily mean cheap. The newer developed areas south of SR-44 have many more miles of MMPs and walking/biking trails than the areas north of 44. The preservation of wetlands and preserves, along with the addition of miles and miles of trails was, in my opinion, a great feature to the southern villages. We meet people all the time who live north of SR-44 that come down south to enjoy the walking/biking trails. They don't seem to mind associating with us folks who live on "the wrong side of the tracks."

Originally Posted by BRN_RI_FL (Post 2163493)

It’s not only the walking paths in the south, it’s the villa roadways in the north. Two different newer villas right of CR 42 have grass creeping into the roadways. I’ve complained but the answer was that is how they were designed.

Originally Posted by BRN_RI_FL (Post 2163493)

It’s not only the walking paths in the south, it’s the villa roadways in the north. Two different newer villas right of CR 42 have grass creeping into the roadways. I’ve complained but the answer was that is how they were designed.

Originally Posted by aces4 (Post 2163504)

that roadway will soon be cr*p unless villagers pay for all of these repairs.

I would ignore the people who try to pull the subject off topic by pointing out how many posts someone has made. if you haven’t read the post from goldwing nut, go back and read the whole thing.

villagers will be paying the freight for all repairs to inadequate mmp installations. It’s that simple and the damaged mmps will be ugly until the proper repairs are made.

Originally Posted by Oldragbagger (Post 2163310)

There is nothing at all that looks terrible or awful down here. It looks different from the north of 44 areas, but different doesn’t equal awful. To those who don’t like the look of it, the simple solution is to stay up north. This whole thread is BS and just seems like pot stirring from someone who has no skin in the game in the south of 44 area. Why the obsession with something that doesn’t need to concern them is a great question though .

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager (Post 2163508)

EXACTLY! I'd say at least 50% of the owners down here South of 44 sold their homes North of 44 to move down. Has anyone EVER heard of a person who sold their home South of 44 to move North of 44?? I didn't think so.......

Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 2163194)

our mm paths north of 44 have cement "ribbons" lining each side of the paths. This cement prevents the grass from invading the asphalt and gives the landscapers a sharp edge to keep the grass edged.

I personally have not driven on the cart paths south of 44 but my sister routinely takes a ride in her golf cart on sundays south of 44. She has noticed that the paths down south do not have the cement "ribbon" along the sides of the asphalt. Without this ribbon of cement, the grass has invaded the asphalt and she told me those paths look awful.

Infrastructure on the cheap is what is happening down south. Too bad.

Originally Posted by Aces4 (Post 2163504)

That roadway will soon be cr*p unless Villagers pay for all of these repairs.

Originally Posted by NoMo50 (Post 2163473)

We meet people all the time who live north of SR-44 that come down south to enjoy the walking/biking trails.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2163540)

And yet another PWAC success story.
- no curbing
- removal of amenity fee top stop
- water and wind tower replacement
- Sumter bridge erosion shore up

Keep those wallets open folks