Community Development District supervisors appear reluctant to use the new powers granted to them to tow errant parkers.
Supervisors are still soaking in information presented to them Wednesday regarding legislation that as of July 1 amended Chapter 190, the law governing community development districts in Florida. Under the changes, CDDs now have the power to tow vehicles at owners’ expense when they violate clearly marked parking restrictions.
A chart presented to CDD supervisors, showed relatively low complaints about parking.
CDDs 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 have determined that putting up signs and enforcing the rules, at least for now, would do more harm than good.
“The status quo seems to be working fine for the circumstances we have in CDD 6,” said CDD 6 Supervisor Tom Griffith.
Some supervisors are concerned about unintended consequences that could come about if they put up signs and started providing for enforcement.
“Maybe you would have one vindictive neighbor who would repeatedly call to have vehicles towed,” said CDD 5 Chairman Walter Martin.
Martin, who lives in the Jasper Villas, had a car with California license plates parked in the supplemental parking in his villa neighborhood for a year and a half.
“I know a little bit about living with the situation,” he said.
CDD 8 Supervisor Dennis Hayes said he has heard from many villa residents who are fearful that taking advantage of these powers could wind up with them having their friends’ and guests’ vehicles towed.
CDD 6 Chairman Sally Moss there is no need to rush into anything.
“We know it’s there if we need it,” she said.
Some signs have already gone up in temporary parking areas of some villas and have met with some success. Those signs are informative in nature and don’t threaten towing.
