78.4 F
The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Villager takes a stand against definition of Florida Friendly Landscaping in The Villages

Community Development District supervisors are providing guidelines to the Architectural Review Committee with regard to Florida Friendly Landscaping.

An example of Florida Friendly Landscaping provided by the UF/IFAS Extension.
An example of Florida Friendly Landscaping provided by the UF/IFAS Extension.

The ARC has been operating without specific guidelines when it comes to applications for Florida Friendly Landscaping. That has made it difficult to enforce compliance of occurrences in which Florida Friendly Landscaping has not lived up to its billing.

What has resulted in many instances is landscaping dominated by rock that doesn’t fit in with the aesthetics of The Villages. In those cases, the resident’s interpretation may not be in synch with Florida Friendly Landscaping as defined by UF/IFAS Extension.

The guidelines would set a maturity date within eight months for the Florida Friendly Landscaping.

Some of the Florida Friendly Landscaping which has received ARC approval has taken years to mature, according to Community Standards.

A resident of the Village of Buttonwood complained on Friday to the Community Development District 8 board about Florida Friendly Landscaping that has been approved in his villa community.

“In both cases these yards became gross weed beds,” Cardillo said.

He spoke for more than 10 minutes before the CDD 8 board, detailing his concerns about the definition of Florida Friendly Landscaping. He brought along neighbors who prepared to concur with his views.

It is hoped that the revision to the ARC manual with respect to Florida Friendly Landscaping will set standards where to date, few have existed.

District Counsel Valerie Fuchs reminded supervisors that the deed restrictions are designed to protect all homeowners.

“You want to protect what they bought into,” she said.

You can read the language put to the CDDs ARC revision

The world knew we had a strong leader in Trump

A Village of Fernandina resident looks back on the record of former President Trump. Read his Letter to the Editor.

Neglect of golf course maintenance now costing us millions of dollars

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of St. Charles resident argues that neglect of golf course maintenance is now costing residents millions of dollars.

Karen says her intent has been misinterpreted

A Village of Belle Aire resident who stirred quite a discussion with a previous Letter to the Editor, follows up to say that her intent was misinterpreted.

Our amenities are being used by families with kids

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Citrus Grove resident says she is not happy about families with kids using amenities paid for by residents.

Finally allocating funds to the golf courses!

A Village of Hadley resident said he is happy that more money is being allocated to the golf courses. Read his Letter to the Editor.