Villagers are having a tough time finding the correct shingles for their courtyard villas.

“As the community continues to age, construction materials used at the time of original construction have become increasing difficult to find or are unavailable, and alternatives are required to perform general maintenance or replacements,” Director of Community Standards Matt Armstrong on Friday told members of the Community Development District 1 through 4 Boards of Supervisors. “This has become evident for courtyard villa roofs. Colors and material grades that were available have been discontinued by manufacturers.”

This older aerial view shows the uniformity of the roofs years ago in the Cottages of Summerchase
This older aerial view shows the uniformity of the roofs years ago in the Cottages at Summerchase.
Screenshot
Over the years, the hues have change in the roof colors in the Cottages at Summerchase.

Last year, the CDD 2 board ordered a homeowner in the San Leandro Villas in the Village of Santiago to reroof after he was found to have the wrong shade of shingles.

Joe DeMayo of the Cottages at Summer Chase represents CDD 3 on the ARC and admitted it’s been a tough issue. He is sympathetic with residents as he purchased his premium courtyard villa 21 years ago.

“Some of the roofers push a certain color because they will make more money. I don’t think the roofers are giving the residents the best information,” DeMayo said.

He said the elimination of anonymous complaints has made for an uncomfortable situation.

“Now you have to make a complaint and give your name and it’s going to cost your neighbor $15,000 to replace his roof,” DeMayo said.

The solution would be to give the ARC a little more authority when it comes to the shade of shingles it can approve.

“The intent is not to change the color, but grant flexibility with regard to the hue,” said Deputy District Manager Carrie Duckett. “This would give the ARC a little more leeway to make approvals.”

Supervisors of CDDs 1 through 4 agreed to consider the matter during their monthly meetings in May and potentially vote to grant more authority to the ARC with regard to the hue of the shingle color at courtyard villas.

“I think it’s a great idea and it’s long overdue,” said CDD 4 Board Chairman Cliff Wiener. “I don’t want to see anybody put on a roof and then have to tear it off.”