Waterlefe settlement seeks to build bridges

WATERLEFE — The span between holes No. 17 and 18 at Waterlefe’s golf course is a bridge over water.

But it’s the focus of a longstanding dispute within the community. Now, as Ken Bumgarner, Renee Eppard and Franklyn Dickson stand atop it, they hope conflict over the structure will soon become a thing of the past — water under the bridge.

Located behind the private gates of The Shores neighborhood within Waterlefe, the bridge has been a source of contention between a group of Waterlefe residents and the organizations Bumgarner, Eppard and Dickson represent — the Waterlefe CDD, The Shores Homeowners Association and Waterlefe Master Property Owners Association — for years.

In 2011, the MPOA filed liens against seven homeowners in The Shores who stopped paying their “additional assessments” at the advice of their attorney. (The Shores residents contribute toward CDD assessments although the community is located outside the boundaries of the CDD). That lawsuit is headed to trial as those homeowners contest the budgeting process for the assessments.

But the CDD, MPOA and The Shores HOA have been working to reach an agreement that will clarify the homeowner deeds and covenants on which the lawsuit is based.

“It’s very good,” said Eppard, president of The Shores HOA. “It will stop all the conflict. It’s a great solution.”

All three boards — the MPOA, The Shores HOA and the Waterlefe CDD — must officially vote on the new agreement. Once approved, the new documents will go out to all Waterlefe homeowners for consideration. Two-thirds of residents must approve the changes for them to go into effect. 

“We’re confident the community will work with us,” Dickson said. “This is important to all of us.”

Per the proposed agreement, homeowners in The Shores will contribute equally toward the CDD’s operation and maintenance costs for community infrastructure.

“The Shores will pay the same as everyone else in Waterlefe, and in return, they get repair and maintenance of the Shores’ road and bridge,” Dickson said. “It will be considered part of a general common expense, rather than a limited common expense.”

The agreement shifts the expense from The Shores’ 32 homes to all 617 Waterlefe homes.

The MPOA will collect its fees for landscaping and upkeep of the Waterlefe River Club and related amenities, as well as the equivalent for CDD assessments from The Shores homeowners. Once it’s paid its bills, additional funds will be transferred to the CDD for operations and maintenance.