Heritage Harbour South CDD agrees to talk landscape with Stoneybrook HOA

A split board that has been divided for months on the issue of landscaping will continue the trend, after the Heritage Harbour South Community Development District meeting June 3.

Board supervisors moved in a 3-2 vote to go back on a decision they made earlier this year not to allow the Stoneybrook Homeowner's Association to maintain the landscape of CDD-owned medians and cul-de-sacs.

Lee Bettes, Richard Lane and a hesitant Michelle Patterson decided to move forward with attorney Andy Cohen, to craft a contract proposal for the Stoneybrook HOA to again maintain CDD property. Chairwoman Joyce Sandy and supervisor Joe Jaudon opposed the union of the two groups.

"They've reached out to us," Bettes said, "it's time for us to reach out to them."

Landscape discussions came to the forefront after District Manager Greg Cox introduced the supervisors to two 2014-2015 fiscal year budgets — one that contained $29,500 for landscape maintanance, and one that did not. 

The supervisors unanimously agreed to approve the proposed budget that didn't include the landscape fees, which would give financial responsibility for maintenance to the HOA.

Cohen will work to draft a landscape maintenance proposal that the HOA will review before the two groups move forward.

Look for the extended story in the East County Observer June 12 issue.