Published by Dugybear Outdoor Living on Nov. 20, 2021
Residents of The Villages are fired up, claiming that Florida-Friendly Landscaping has transformed their community into a jungle.
For years, a house at 2167 Darwin Terrace in Amelia Village has been a source of contention. It’s been dubbed the “Haunted House.”
Neighbors claim they have filed complaints with Community Standards, but nothing has been done since the homeowner has chosen “Florida-Friendly Landscaping.”
According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida-Friendly Landscaping entails adopting low-maintenance plants and ecologically friendly approaches. The Villages allows for Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Water-saving methods are also promoted in Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping is defined by the University of Florida Extension Service as a “beautiful landscape that might save you time, energy, and money while safeguarding our future.”
For some years, people have been complaining about the house on Darwin Terrace. But it’s not the only issue with Florida-Friendly Landscaping in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping is defined by the University of Florida Extension Service as a “beautiful landscape that might save you time, energy, and money while safeguarding our future.”
For some years, people have been complaining about the house on Darwin Terrace. But it’s not the only issue with Florida-Friendly Landscaping in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
Myers Hand, 81, was summoned before the Community Development District 10 Board of Supervisors earlier this year on a deed compliance matter owing to concerns regarding his Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Hand stated that the Florida-Friendly Landscaping was becoming too much for him in the Florida heat.
He also testified before the supervisors in a public hearing that he is unable to employ and retain landscapers who can groom the landscaping to his satisfaction. He swore to leave The Villages and sell his Premier house at 3610 Enterprise Drive, which he purchased in 2015 for $671,900. He has yet to follow through on his threat.
In 2019, despite the challenges she was having with her Florida-Friendly Landscaping, a stubborn homeowner in the Village of Piedmont battled to maintain it. Kathleen Stringer spoke before the Community Development District 4 Board of Supervisors in a public meeting, when images were provided as proof of a wild entanglement of plants, bushes, and bamboo at her property.
Stringer said that she “married into this circumstance” and had “no idea what deeds and covenants were.” She said that her late spouse may have signed certain paperwork, but she was unaware of it. Stringer was finally able to bring the property into conformity, and her fines were waived.