Villa residents in Community Development District 3 are unhappy with the parking situation in their neighborhood, but new parking powers granted to CDDs don’t seem to be the answer.
Cheryl Borkowski has lived for 11 years in Villa Berea. She told CDD 3 supervisors the parking situation has grown worse through the years.
She said the temporary parking area has been abused.
For instance, she said residents are renting out their homes and leaving their car in temporary parking while the renter uses the driveway.
She said more renters and service vehicles are also a problem.
Borkowski said at one point a car alarm went off in a vehicle parked in temporary parking and nothing could be done about it.
Lianne Migiano of Villa Valdosta said her neighborhood has the same irritating situation. She said some of it is caused by new residents or renters. She said residents are reluctant to approach the parking abusers.
“You don’t want to start off a new neighbor relationship with being a grouch,” she said.
A legislative change to Chapter 190 recently granted new powers to CDDs to tow parking violators. But none of the CDDs in The Villages has taken advantage of the new powers, fearful of unintended consequences. You can learn more about those new powers HERE
“The authority we have been given is not the best way to deal with it,” said CDD 3 Supervisor Gail Lazenby. “They gave us a sledgehammer.”
CDD 3 has asked staff to look at signage that might help address the situation.