Tara Preserve CDD to consider cell tower

In an attempt to avoid future resident assessment increases, the Tara Preserve Community Development District hopes to find a solution in the airwaves.

The CDD has asked its management company, Rizzetta & Company, to research the feasibility of renting out some of its property to a phone company for a cell tower during its June 28 board meeting.

At the southwest corner of the Tara Preserve, the CDD owns 34 acres of land that serve as mitigation.  The land can’t be developed but it could possibly hold a tower, said board chairman John Schmidt.

“We’re trying desperately to stay within our budget, and we’ve done a pretty good job,” Schmidt said.

The idea arose several years ago but was discontinued at the time. The CDD’s only revenue sources are from assessment taxes collected from residents, rental fees for the community center and selling memberships to the pool and tennis courts to those outside the Preserve.

“This came up again as an idea to offset taxes and make money for the CDD,” Schmidt said. 

With a 17-year-old community, the Preserve is beginning to face bigger and more expensive infrastructure projects, such as replacing the sprinkler system and fixing Pond 46, a dysfunctional drainage pond.