Judge sides with Waterlefe MPOA

A Manatee County judge has ruled in favor of the Waterlefe Master Property Association in a lawsuit that has divided the Waterlefe community for more than four years.

Judge John Lakin decided six households in The Shores, a private gated community within Waterlefe, owe the MPOA more than $111,000 in past-due assessments collectively, as well as reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. 

Homeowners of seven homes within The Shores had refused to pay “additional assessments” charged by the MPOA that were collected on behalf the Waterlefe Community Development District. The CDD maintains common areas, roadways and the entry gate, among other infrastructure, for the Waterlefe community. The Shores is not part of the CDD, although its homeowners must use CDD infrastructure to access their neighborhood.

“This has been such an open wound for the whole community for so long and it’s caused a lot of (hurt) on both sides,” MPOA attorney Scott Peterson said. “The board is hopeful this puts an end to that chapter and the community can unite again.”

The defendants still can ask for an appeal.