Happy Monday, everyone! Members of our Beautification & Upkeep were hard at work last week beautifying the Venice Avenue entrance. A big THANK YOU to Claudia, Erica, Roxy, and Val! I love the pink and yellow lantana which they planted a couple weeks ago after weeding! That should attract some beautiful butterflies. Last Thursday, they planted crotons and ixora to add more color. Phase 2 of the project will include new mulch.

And Mint Condition did a very nice job trimming up all the bushes, grasses, and trees along Venice Avenue.

If you enjoy digging in the dirt and would like to help with the Beautification projects around our community, please reach out to chairperson Roxy Myzal at roxillator@gmail.com or at 646-302-3268.

And since we’re talking about beautification, let’s look at Section 180 - Landscaping and Plant Materials of our Rules and Regulations. Now that the weather is getting a little cooler, some of you may be thinking about making some changes to your yards. Please be mindful of the following:

A. Mulch color is cocoa brown.

B. Any change from mulch to decorative rock; landscape ornaments of any kind or size; and gardens of any type, must have written ARC approval.

C. Landscaping shall not be planted in any right of way or easement. Planting in such areas is at the homeowner’s risk and if utilities need to be installed or repaired it is within the right of the installing entity to remove the plants with no responsibility to replace them or compensate the owner.

D. When installing new landscaping in any area other than an existing planter bed or when installing a new planter bed, the homeowner is required to have all public and private utilities located and flagged prior to digging.

E. Landscape Lighting and Decorative Structures

1. Landscape wiring shall be buried and out of sight.
2. Homeowner may be required to assume responsibility for maintaining lawn directly surrounding landscape lighting or decorative structures if the installation of such features creates an undue burden on the lawn maintenance company.
3. Transformers shall be obscured from view.
4. Must not be a nuisance to neighbors.
5. Ponds, fountains and other water features and sculptures not permitted unless contained within an enclosed lanai or pool area.

F. PLANT MATERIAL

1. Trees – Requires ARC Approval

a. Most varieties are permitted, however rapid growing and/or invasive varieties may be prohibited completely or restricted in certain locations.

b. Shall not be a nuisance or attract insects.

c. Shall be regularly trimmed so that branches do not become a nuisance to neighboring properties.

d. Fruit trees must be planted a minimum of 10 feet from property lines. Standard setback for all trees other than fruit trees is a minimum of five feet from property lines. Large or rapidly growing trees may require greater setbacks.

e. Fallen fruit, branches and fronds must be picked up.

f. Fruit trees may only be planted in the backyard.

g. No trees may be planted on the lake banks or any drainage easements.

h. Homeowner is responsible for any additions or modifications to the irrigation heads to cover new plantings.

i. All homes must maintain two of the same variety of palm trees in the front landscape bed, AS LONG AS THE SOIL IS CONDUCIVE TO THE TREES THRIVING. An ARC approval is required to change from one type of tree to another.

2. Hedging - Requires ARC Approval

a. Most varieties permitted, however rapid growing and or invasive varieties may be prohibited or restricted in certain locations.

b. Shall not be a nuisance or attract rodents.

c. Shall be regularly trimmed so that branches do not become a nuisance to neighboring properties.

d. Spacing of hedging shall be continuous (i.e. Planted on 18-inch centers)

e. Hedging shall be planted inside property line by at least 18 inches. On corner lots hedging must be set back at least 5 feet from sidewalks and or roadways.

f. Landscaping shall not extend into lake or drainage easements.

g. Homeowner is responsible for any additions or modifications to the irrigation heads to cover new plantings.

3. Plants and Flowers - Requires ARC Approval (except for annuals)

a. No artificial vegetation allowed

b. Most varieties of plants are permitted. Must be Florida friendly, non-invasive.

c. Shall not encroach into lake or drainage easements.

d. Homeowner is responsible for any additions or modifications to the irrigation heads to cover new plantings.

e. Homeowner is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of all additional landscaping.

What else is happening in our community at the clubhouse over the next few weeks?

Thursday, October 2 at 6pm - Mahjong
Saturday October 4 at 5pm - Oktoberfest. $5 per person (includes German/Norwegian inspired food - BYOB). Family friendly, kid activities, adult games, cornhole and more!
Thursday, October 9 at 6pm - Mahjong
Monday, October 13 at 11am - Social Committee meeting.
Thursday, October 16 at 11am - Daytime Book Club
Thursday, October 16 at 6pm - Mahjong
Saturday, October 18 at 8am - Rummage Sale. Everyone has treasures that they do not want or need anymore. Please consider saving them to donate to our Rummage Sale! We currently do not have a place to store any items, we ask that you save them up and bring them to the Clubhouse on Thursday October 16th. Our goal is to raise enough funds to cover the costs of placing benches in our community. Walkers and dog walkers will be so appreciative to have a place to rest or sit as we chat with our neighbors! Questions? contact Liz Hilker - lizsbelievers@gmail.com

Please note that the HOA Board meeting originally scheduled for Monday, October 6 at 5:30pm will have to be rescheduled due to work schedules. But please consider running for one of the two open Board seats in November.

I hope to see you at one of these fun upcoming events!

What’s Going On?

What’s Going On?

What’s Going On?