A Villager fighting to keep the artificial turf at her home claims that the surface is superior to decorative rock when it comes to landscaping.
Shirley Schwartz who lives in the Edgewater Bungalows next to the Waterfront Inn at Lake Sumter Landing called for a policy change in landscaping restrictions when she spoke Friday morning before the Community Development District 6 Board of Supervisors.
Schwartz, who bought her home at 1139 Edgewater Lane in 2015 for $615,000, explained to the board that she believes artificial grass is a better fit for her property.
“What is the difference between rock and artificial turf? You have to use a lot of Roundup to kill weeds with rock. You don’t have to use Roundup with artificial turf,” she said.
Schwartz already has an open deed compliance case and she wanted a policy change to accommodate the work which already has taken place.
“I think you need to be careful,” advised the board’s attorney, Mark Brionez.
He warned the supervisors that if an exception was granted, the board could be opening the door for requests for a variety of artificial surfaces.
“When we accepted the responsibility of enforcing the deed restrictions, we acknowledged we could not change the deed restrictions,” said CDD 6 Board Chairman John Calandro.
Another board member agreed that it was pretty clear that artificial turf was not seen as a compatible option in the Edgewater Bungalows.
“The question is, ‘Did the Developer originally put down artificial turf?’ The answer is no. That means you can’t put down artificial turf,” said Supervisor Thomas Griffith.
Schwartz complained that artificial turf is allowed elsewhere in The Villages and pointed specifically to the Village of Antrim Dells, which is located near Brownwood.
“Do you know how many homes already have this? Of course, you can have this south of County Road 466A,” Schwartz said.
After her policy request was turned down, Schwartz indicated she would likely be replacing the artificial turf with rock. She was reminded she would need to follow the proper application process through the Architectural Review Committee.
