Dear Friends,

April is such a beautiful time of the year to be in VI, and this year is no exception!!! However, it is clear that our community is still in recovery mode. I’d estimate that 30% of the homes in VI are still unoccupied or under construction/renovation. While our community will be attractive and more resilient to storms after all these projects are completed, we still have a way to go. Please be patient with your neighbors as they deal with permitting, hiring contractors and rebuilding.

The Architectural Review Committee (“ARC”) is ready to assist you with timely review and approval of your plans or suggesting changes to ensure compliance with current Deed Restrictions. Please contact any of the ARC members if you have a question regarding your projects after reviewing the materials posted on our website at http://www.ourvi.org/architectural-review.html

Update:

In summary, 313 (60%) of the ballots have been returned to date so there are 209 still outstanding.  At this point, none of the 5 proposed DRRs have received the required 349 (66.7%) votes for approval. So your vote is crucial. We understand that many of you have still not moved back into your homes so if you have not yet received a ballot, please let me know IMMEDIATELY and we will have one sent to your current location.

The Board believes 60% of the property owners voting is not yet representative of our community, so we extended the voting period until September 30, 2025.  This gives us more time to receive ballots during the summer months.

Also, the Deed Restriction Committee continues to enforce the Deed Restrictions within VI.  However, after consulting with our counsel, the Board approved a temporary suspension of the Deed Restrictions pertaining to the maintenance of the exterior of properties, specifically Deed Restrictions 19, 20 and 34.  ARC continues to review projects that require their approval in an expedited manner. Many thanks to Bob Brett and his team for keeping up with all the requests.

Thanks to the 294 property owners who have paid their $200.00 annual VIHA dues as of March 31.  As a reminder, we did not increase the annual dues in 2025. The 2025 VI Homeowners Directory has been delivered to dues paying members. We have a number of new directory advertisers this year, many of whom are VI residents, so please try to patronize these companies to thank them for supporting the VIHA. I’ll feature one, or a number, of these advertisers with each President’s Letter that I send out for 2025.

Also, if you are on social media, I’d encourage you to “like” the “Venetian Isles of St. Petersburg, FL” page on Facebook.  This page is supported by VI residents Jeff and Claire Copeland.

We really NEED more volunteers for VIHA Committee positions, particularly on the Deed Restrictions Committee.   This is a great way to meet your neighbors, work for the betterment of our community and have a little bit of fun while you are at it!!!  
The Committees within VI can be found on our website at:
http://www.ourvi.org/viha-committees.html

As evidenced by the 2024 Hurricane Season, it is never too early to start preparing for 2025. Let’s hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  Lastly, as our community continues its recovery, please continue to show your neighbors a little kindness, that can go a long way!!!


Sincerely,
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President

[email protected]g

Dear Venetian Isles Property Owners,
Our community stands at a crossroads. In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we’ve faced unprecedented devastation—flooded homes, shattered roofs, and a long road to recovery. These changes—DR-50, DR-8, DR-3, DR-10, and DR-42—are not just updates; they’re a lifeline to rebuild smarter, stronger, and together. We need your vote now, and we need it “For” these revisions. Here’s why.
The Stakes Are High
Under our current rules, not voting counts as an “Against” vote. To pass, each revision needs 348 “For” votes—two-thirds of our 522 properties. Of the 53% that voted, the five DR revisions averaged over 86% approving. With only 278 ballots in, we’re falling short, not because these changes lack merit, but because silence is stifling progress. The storms damaged 80% of our homes and 50% sit empty, with owners displaced, rebuilding, or waiting for insurance checks. Property values have plummeted in the last five months—over 20 homes are for sale, and only a handful have sold this year. We can’t afford to let outdated restrictions hold us back when modern solutions are within reach.
Why These Changes Matter
These revisions aren’t arbitrary—they’re responses to your feedback, crafted by our Deed Restriction Revision Committee to meet today’s realities. Let’s break them down:
1. DR-50: Electronic Voting
o Why It’s a No-Brainer: For 50 years, we’ve relied on slow, costly mail ballots. Electronic voting streamlines elections, saves money, and ensures everyone—especially those displaced—can participate. It’s 2025—let’s join the digital age and make our voices heard effortlessly.
o Benefit: Faster decisions mean quicker action to protect and enhance our community.


2. DR-8: Seamed, Non-Corrosive Metal Roofs
o Why It’s Essential: Clay tile roofs, our current standard, became deadly missiles in Helene and Milton’s winds—cracking, leaking, and driving up repair costs. They were not made for Florida’s hurricanes. Seamed metal roofs (e.g., aluminum) are hurricane-resistant and can handle winds from 140-180 MPH, are leak-proof, and are virtually indestructible. They’re standard on high-end homes across Florida for a reason—they withstand high winds, hail, and debris. Take a short drive down Bayshore or Brightwaters and you’ll see that most of the new homes that are built or being built are using these types of roofs. They look modern and fabulous!
o Benefit: Stronger roofs mean fewer claims, lower insurance rates, and homes that endure. Plus, they boost curb appeal and property values in a market desperate for resilience.


3. DR-3: Cul-de-Sac Setback Alignment
o Why It Makes Sense: This aligns our rules with City code, letting cul-de-sac owners build garages 20 feet from the front setback (vs. 25 feet). It maximizes usable space on unique lots, mirroring  what’s already allowed citywide.
o Benefit: Increased functionality raises property values—not just for cul-de-sac homes, but for all of us, by showcasing a forward-thinking neighborhood.


4. DR-10: Garage Size and Modern Landscaping
o Why It’s Practical: This sets a clear 400-square-foot minimum for garages—ensuring space for two cars—and allows artificial turf, stone, and mulch in defined areas. Turf cuts water bills (a scarce and expensive resource post-storms), eliminates mowing costs, and resists drought and disease.
o Benefit: Sustainable, low-maintenance yards save money and time while enhancing our community’s appeal to buyers seeking eco-friendly homes.
5. DR-42: Dock Relief at Canal Pinch Points
o Why It’s Fair and Smart: Homes at canal ends—larger, often pricier lots—face “pinch points” that limit dock size under current rules. This revision adjusts limits (e.g., half the width beyond 50 feet for canals under 120 feet), ensuring 50-foot navigable channels—wider than city minimums. Of the 32 non-compliant docks in Venetian Isles, most would comply if it passes.
o Benefit: Compliant docks and lifts make these homes more attractive and desirable. This would help to lift all our property values. Without it, the VIHA faces costly lawsuits against 32  owners—or worse, a countersuit by the 32 owners could force even laxer rules. Let’s avoid division and expense; this compromise works for everyone.
Beyond the Basics: A Vision for Venetian Isles
These revisions aren’t just fixes—they’re investments. If all 278 ballots received so far were “For,” every DR would pass if abstentions didn’t count as “AGAINST”. That tells us the will is there—we just need everyone to act. Here’s what’s at stake:
 Property Values: Modern roofs, flexible setbacks, and dock relief signal a premium, resilient community. Buyers want homes that won’t crumble in the next storm—who doesn’t want that?
 Community Strength: Most of us are still rebuilding. These changes ease that burden—metal roofs resist hurricanes, turf saves resources, and docks enhance waterfront living. Voting “For” is a vote to help our
neighbors stand tall again.
 Unity Over Conflict: DR-42 alone could spark legal chaos—suing 32 owners would drain VIHA funds (dues haven’t risen despite our needs), and a countersuit could unravel all dock rules. Let’s unite for a solution, not fracture over enforcement.
Your Vote Is Your Voice
We get it—life is chaotic. If you haven’t received your ballot because you’re not home or if you need a replacement, you can request a new copy by sending an email to [email protected]. Our VIHA President, Rich Scanlon, sent a letter to all of us on 2/1/2025 asking us to contact him at 727-560-3655 or email him at [email protected] if you have any questions, I’m sure he’d be happy answer any questions or to rush a new ballot to your current address. Voting is simple: mark “For” on each of the five revisions, sign, and mail the prepaid postcard. Do it today, remember, not voting, counts as a, “Against” vote!
​A Call to Action
Spring is here, but hurricane season looms on June 1. We’ve lost enough—let’s not lose this chance to rebuild better. Picture Venetian Isles five years from now: storm-proof roofs gleaming, lush yards thriving without waste, docks welcoming boats, and property values climbing because we chose progress over stagnation. That starts with you.
Vote “For” all five revisions. Show kindness to your neighbors still piecing their lives back together. Let’s lift each other up and make Venetian Isles a beacon of resilience and pride. Mail your ballot now—every “For” vote brings us closer to 348.
Together, we rise.
Sincerely,
Bill Birkins
2080 Hawaii Avenue NE