The Amenity Authority Committee has been asked by the Homeowners Association of Hickory Head Hammock that ownership of a road deeded to the homeowners be transferred back to The Villages.
According to Paul Schraff, the resident appointed as president of the Homeowners Association of Hickory Head Hammock for this year, Hickory Head Hammock “was originally the home of the Morse family” and was built in the 1980s when it was surrounded by ” undeveloped land.”
The homes are only accessible through Oregon Avenue. Schraff contends that before construction of Hacienda Hills Country Club and golf course, Oregon Avenue, which used to be a private road, connected directly to U.S. Hwy. 27/441. With all of the changes that have occurred in that area over the years, however, Oregon Avenue now ends at Avenida Central and its role has transitioned.
The addition of paved cart paths that were accessible by Oregon Avenue made the roadway easy access for Villagers traveling to Spanish Springs Town Square via golf cart.
In Schraff’s eyes, that is where the problem lies.
“When Hickory Head Avenue was created, Oregon Avenue was a private road owned by the Developer. A few years ago, the Developer deeded that part of Oregon Avenue to the [Hickory Head Hammock] Homeowners Association.”
Schraff suggested that the amenity should be controlled by The District and not by the Homeowners Association.
“That part of Oregon Avenue is the part used as a short cut by hundreds of Villagers. It looks like an amenity, it’s treated like an amenity, and we’re trying to seek relief from the responsibility and potential liability of owning that amenity,” said Schraff.
On behalf of the Hickory Head Hammock Homeowners Association, Schraff asked AAC members to look into transferring “ownership of that part of Oregon Avenue, from the cart path to Avenida Central, to the District.”
AAC member John Wilcox indicated that the issue might need to be brought to the District, as the area in question wasn’t part of the numbered districts represented by the AAC.
To resolve the conflict, Recreation Department Director John Rohan indicated that staff will take a look at the plat and map to confirm ownership of the location in question and will offer more information at next month’s AAC meeting.
