[CFrance]

Originally Posted by patfla06

Why did Wildwood turn down The Villages for 800 homes but don't seem to have a problem with this plan which is much worse?

I think what they said at the time was that they were looking for a more mixed-use kind of development, and TV wanted to circumvent some of their ordinances, such as not being golf-cart friendly to the community and not wanting to follow the tree-removal policy. If you do a search on the forum for "Wildwood Mayor," you'll come up with a couple of threads on it.

BTW, in those threads some are suggesting that it had something to do with the mayor not being elected again. Actually, the mayor never intended to run again, so that was not the issue.

Perhaps they felt they would get more taxes from mixed use.

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by outlaw

I guess you will be disappointed with the TV hospital, Freedom Point, or the hundreds of high rise condos retirees live in.

I'll just continue to scratch my head and wonder about the decision making.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Would you have that same sentiment if it was in your backyard?

We looked at a house that backed up to that property. Our sales agent was very forthright about the fact that development could occur and we could be looking at a parking lot, although the line of live oaks along the property line behind the house would probably be kept. I think anyone moving into that area would have to be very dense not to realize there could be development in their backyard.

[justjim]

One must be careful what they wish for. Residents that backed up to that property didn't want golf carts going down their street. Sounds like they probably won't have golf carts going through their area of TV.

Of course, we have a pretty good idea of TV Developer's quality of projects . We will just have to "wait and see" about the overall quality of this project and if it's finished in a timely manner etc. etc.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I think what they said at the time was that they were looking for a more mixed-use kind of development, and TV wanted to circumvent some of their ordinances, such as not being golf-cart friendly to the community and not wanting to follow the tree-removal policy. If you do a search on the forum for "Wildwood Mayor," you'll come up with a couple of threads on it.

BTW, in those threads some are suggesting that it had something to do with the mayor not being elected again. Actually, the mayor never intended to run again, so that was not the issue.

Perhaps they felt they would get more taxes from mixed use.

I recall tree removal being one of the objections as well. However, when you look at the land, there really aren't many trees there. Red herring, maybe?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

I question tbe decision to have seniors in a 6-story building. They will be up a creek without a paddle if there is an emergency that requires a partial or full evacuation.

No different than evac a six-story hospital. People are trained to do that. Once you get past 20 stories though it becomes a little more difficult and less fun.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by CFrance

We looked at a house that backed up to that property. Our sales agent was very forthright about the fact that development could occur and we could be looking at a parking lot, although the line of live oaks along the property line behind the house would probably be kept. I think anyone moving into that area would have to be very dense not to realize there could be development in their backyard.

We looked at a cottage home there also; our realtor said there was going to be development there but didn't know what. We talked to a neighbor next to the home and he claimed to be "in the know" because he would go to all of Wildwoods meetings; said the buffer zone was going to be about 75'; sure doesn't appear to be that looking at the plans. So glad we found elsewhere.

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by justjim

....The proposal is for three year leases. There will be very few snowbirds in this complex.

Actually there will be no snowbirds, since the "apartments" will be Assisted Living Units which command high rents.

[Barboza]

There will be NO Golf Cart access to Villages land! & 70ft in total from rear fence line of Villages properties to fence line of new properties, with trees & shrub screen. Even if this gets through all the planning stages the Developer has stated it will be "many years" before anything is built!

[Barboza]

That land is not Village property, comes under Wildwood, but privately owned.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by Barboza

There will be NO Golf Cart access to Villages land! & 70ft in total from rear fence line of Villages properties to fence line of new properties, with trees & shrub screen. Even if this gets through all the planning stages the Developer has stated it will be "many years" before anything is built!

Just wondering what "Developer" said this? I heard they have two years to build or the deal is off. FWIW, I've seen surveyors on the property. We know sub parcels have been defined. IMO building something (?) is imminent.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by Barboza

There will be NO Golf Cart access to Villages land! & 70ft in total from rear fence line of Villages properties to fence line of new properties, with trees & shrub screen. Even if this gets through all the planning stages the Developer has stated it will be "many years" before anything is built!

No OFFICIAL golf cart access. It looks like all one has to do is access the store parking lot across the street, and total MMP access is gained via Pinellas Pl.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by outlaw

No OFFICIAL golf cart access. It looks like all one has to do is access the store parking lot across the street, and total MMP access is gained via Pinellas Pl.

But how would a GC get across to Pinellas Plaza? They'd need to have a tunnel, right?

[bike42]

Originally Posted by NYGUY

Actually there will be no snowbirds, since the "apartments" will be Assisted Living Units which command high rents.

Justjim was referring to the 400 "bungalows" (i.e., villa-size lots) with "picket fences" (i.e., no privacy) that they expect to rent for $3000-$4000/month on year-round 3-year leases. This shows me that WholeLife has not done its homework. Why would anyone want to rent one of these when they can rent a premier home in the villages on a long-term lease for $2500, with all villages amenities? Or a bungalow villa with a water view for $2000? Or an ordinary villa on a long term lease for $1000-$1500 (all with Villages amenities)?

WholeLife is based in Texas and seems to be using suburban Dallas to set their rent expectations and their 6-story apartment building concept. They are dreaming.

[Waverunner]

I remember that Wildwood and/or Sumter County made an agreement, (with some concessions), to allow the public building that houses the DMV and Library to be built where it is, to allow golf cart access to The Villages. It would not be a stretch to think, if it is in their domain, that Wildwood could allow a golf cart street crossing on 466A, to allow access to this building and Pinellas Plaza. It is speculation at this point.