Central Park residents take on community leadership

CENTRAL PARK — Nearly five years after Central Park at Lakewood Ranch opened for sales, the community is passing another milestone.

Residents this week will assume control of the neighborhood’s homeowners association from developer Neal Communities. On May 12, Central Park residents chose the first resident-controlled board.

 “A developer transfers control of the HOA board when the community reaches a build out of 90%,” said Leisa Weintraub, Neal’s vice president of marketing/creative director. 

Central Park has satisfied the Florida Statutes Chapter 720 requirement of having the expected percentage of homes sold before turning it over to its homeowners, with 40 of 826 residences still for sale, said Harry Benas, a resident who was one of 17 applicants for the HOA’s new board.

Over the last few months, C&S Community Services Inc. — a property management company Neal Communities hired to help residents establish an HOA board and hold elections — led training sessions that delved into legal, financial and operational responsibilities of the HOA and its functions, Benas said. 

The HOA is responsible for a range of areas within Central Park, which includes all road islands and those within Claremont and Brickell park, all roads within the community, parks, external security gates, electric and Internet lines, sidewalks, ponds and pond banks, and other community assets.

Neighbors represent neighbors

Residents will now learn firsthand on what their dollars are being spent.

“(Resident control) allows more involvement for homeowners,” Weintraub added.

To resident R.C. Bartley, who has lived in Central Park since January 2013, residents taking responsibility of the association’s budget and ensuring residents comply with regulations puts a face to the entity that collects homeowner association fees.

When the developer controlled the association, it held annual budget meetings to show residents where dollars would be allotted to fund projects and other needs. 

But monthly HOA meetings residents control ensures neighbors are making decisions on behalf of their neighbors, while also providing updates to residents on happenings in the community.

Who takes more pride in a community than its residents, Bartley asked. 

“This change, to me, means residents will have a better sense of ownership of their home and their community,” Bartley said. “They won’t feel as though someone who doesn’t live in the community dictates what happens in that community.”

Although Benas and Bartley believe Neal Communities’ HOA board had a successful run, the men hope the residents board can start tackling projects they and their neighbors want.

For example, the park/play area in Central Park features playground equipment designed for young children rather than an all-inclusive space with activities for teenagers and adults.

Benas would like to see a bocce or basketball court to cater to more than one demographic of residents who don’t currently have a hangout hub in the community.

“(Central Park) has kids through seniors in high school who ought to be able to take advantage of the park,” Benas said. “We need more money invested into the park itself. (Resident control) is a way for the HOA to start incorporating the flavor of the people in the neighborhood; this is how we put our stamps on an already great neighborhood.”

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].