Lakewood Ranch CDDs consider towing ordinance

A situation in the Edgewater neighborhood has led to proposed action by supervisors on the Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2 board, who hope to bridge the gap between community deed restrictions and the enforcement of them.

Vehicles have regularly parked on sidewalks outside one home in Edgewater despite being fined by the Country Club Edgewater Village Association. Supervisors now will consider an ordinance that would ban vehicles from parking on district sidewalks and give the CDD authority to tow vehicles, if necessary.

“The HOA was essentially ineffective in this situation,” CDD 2 Supervisor Mike Finney said. “With the ability to tow, you can’t ignore that.”

Supervisors on CDDs 2, 5 and 6, which govern common areas within the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, offered their support of the ordinance and are slated to consider the item at their Oct. 15 meetings.

Although the HOA would remain the first line of defense against parking on sidewalks, because it can fine violators and place a lien on their home, the ordinance would give the CDD the ability to remove problem vehicles from its property.

Former Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey, during a September agenda-review workshop, said the districts would only enforce the ordinance after receiving a referral from the HOA. Towing would be a last resort.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].