A Villager told the Community Development District 2 Board of Supervisors that government should enforce deed restrictions in The Villages – not neighbors.
Debbie Odom, of the Village of Santo Domingo, spoke on the topic Friday morning in a meeting at the District Office.
She described the dreaded knock on the door she has received more than once from Community Standards. She said in her neighborhood it’s gotten to be like “Nazism” with one particular tyrant frequently picking up the phone.
“If she likes you, she doesn’t call. At first I felt picked on,” Odom said. “It’s divided the neighborhood.”
The anonymous complaint process in The Villages is designed to promote harmony in neighborhoods. If neighbors don’t complain, a violation can remain. But that doesn’t sit well with Odom.
“It gets enforced by neighbors, not my government,” she said.
Odom admitted that she bought a home with an existing deed restriction violation. She claimed it was not revealed to her by her salesperson.
“Just because you bought it with a violation, doesn’t mean you can keep it,” said CDD 2 Chairman Bryan Lifsey.
He said CDD 2 has made the decision that establishing “the pink flamingo police” would be too expensive for residents to support.
District staff recommended that Odom check with Community Standards before making improvements to her home to ensure she is in compliance.