Important News for Sec. 20, Deep Creek
a Deed-Restricted Community
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Charlotte Crossing Update - FAQ's
March 8, 2008
There have been many questions concerning the Charlotte Crossings Complex on Sandhill Blvd. The Board of Directors, in an effort to provide information to homeowners, is posting the most frequently asked questions.
Question - When was the project initially disclosed to Section 20 members?
Answer - The project was originally applied for with the county in December 2002. This information was brought to the attention of homeowners by the previous administration in 2003. Additionally, the local newspapers reported it at that time. Since then, we have spoken about this issue at annual meetings, answered questions, and it again has appeared in recent newspaper articles.
Question - Did the homeowners of Section 20 vote to approve this project?
Answer - No. Section 20 Property Owners Association cannot approve or disapprove this project. This was approved by the county and was voted on by the County Commissioners.
Question - How come this project does not have to conform to our deed restrictions?
Answer - The property along Sandhill Boulevard is zoned RMF 10, not RSF 3.5, so any development in this area does not have to comply with the Declaration of Restrictions for Single Family property. The maximum height in RMF 10 is 60 feet. The project is below that at three stories. There was no zoning change required for the approval of this project.
Question - How come this project was approved in a scrub jay area?
Answer - Florida Fish & Wildlife Service approved the application and provided the required permits for scrub jay impact and/or mitigation.
Question - When will construction start?
Answer - According to the developer construction will start in spring of 2008 and is scheduled for completion in winter of 2009.
Question - Why didn’t the Section 20 Property Owners Association stop this project?
Answer - As a Homeowners Association, we do not have the authority to veto a housing project. This complex can only be approved or denied by the county or the state (Florida Fish & Wildlife). However, homeowners should be aware that Section 20 and 23 Board members attended all meetings concerning this project, met with the Commissioners individually, and opposed it. It is also important to note that this project was originally planned to be a much larger multi-family, low-income complex. We pursued this issue vigorously on behalf of our homeowners. These efforts combined with the work of Commissioner D’Aprile, was the basis for the change that modified the project by reducing the size and changing the status to affordable housing for seniors (55 and older).
Each member of the Board is also a homeowner. What affects you as a homeowner affects us also. Unfortunately, we do not have the authority to stop development along Sandhill Blvd., nor the power to deny a housing project.
News; Charlotte Crossing
Feb 24, 2008
Charlotte Crossing is a 124-unit affordable housing development for seniors. The project is financed primarily with federal tax credits, which require it to be leased only to individuals 55 years of age or older, earning at most 60% of the area median income. Recorded deed restrictions that will run with the land for at least 30 years will legally ensure compliance with the age restrictions. We will also be regularly audited by the State, who ensures that we maintain the senior tenant demographic as well as provide the amenities we have promised. These amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse, library, and computer lab. Charlotte Crossing is not Section 8 housing, and is subject to a stricter level of compliance and regulation.
The revised site plan reflects a far smaller development than originally contemplated. Carlisle has reduced the number of units to 124, housed in 3 residential buildings. This action, along with switching the demographic to elderly, dramatically reduced the land that will be impacted by the development as well as mitigated the traffic impact because seniors tend to drive much less than families do. The north side of the property, which abuts single-family homes, will feature an attractive privacy fence along with landscaping.
Nick Doering-Dorival
Carlisle Development Group