December President's Letter

Dear Friends,
This Holiday Season will be like no other that we have ever had in Venetian Isles.  So many of our neighbors are still unable to live in their homes and are making the really difficult decisions of repair, raise or re-build new.  As I discussed in the November President’s Letter, the VIHA Board is trying to make changes to facilitate the “three R’s” that many in VI are faced with.
The Architectural Review Committee (“ARC”) is ready to assist you with timely review and approval of your plans or suggesting changes to make sure they are compliant with current Deed Restrictions.  Please contact any of the ARC members if you have a question regarding your repair or renovation projects after reviewing the materials posted on our website at http://www.ourvi.org/architectural-review.html
The VIHA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Lutheran Church of the Cross.  A “social” starts at 6:30pm with the actual meeting starting at 7:00pm. A Zoom option will be available for those who cannot attend in person.  The link will be sent out in advance of the meeting.  The agenda will include the following topics:

• Election of VIHA Board Members for 2025;
  Discussion of proposed additional Deed Restrictions (“DR”) and revisions to certain current DRs, which may include:
  
• o  DR 3 - revising the placement of buildings or structures on cul-de-sac lots if approved by the City;
  

o  DR 8 - approval of non-corrosive metal roofing materials;
o  DR 10 – clarification that garages are required, need to been closed and must be at least 400 sq. ft.;
o  DR 42 - revising the required navigable width of waterways from 80’ to 50’ facilitating the placement of docks within far North and South ends of the interior canals;
o  DR 50 - Allow voting on future VIHA matters via “electronic” means:

•  A presentation by Modern Movers (www.modernmovers.com) on the process and considerations for raising an existing home;
  

• Presentations by invited guests.
  

We strongly encourage you to attend the Annual Meeting.  We need your input, we need your ideas, and we need your support of the DR revisions when ballots are distributed to property owners, especially since many of the proposed changes will help your neighbors who need to repair or rebuild as a result of the hurricanes.  Remember, we need 66.7%approval on any DR addition/amendment, so your vote is crucial.
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.
As I mentioned last month, the traditional seawall candle lighting on December 24 starting at 5:30pm will be limited to Grand Canal Boulevard.
I hope everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the holiday season despite some of the challenges many of us are still facing as we rebuild.  I wish you all a you all a happy, healthy 2025!
Sincerely,
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
[email protected]