May President's Letter

Dear Friends,

The Tampa Bay Times featured an article on the front page of the Sunday, May 11 edition titled “Who is the bad neighbor.” The article describes how the relationship between the residents of two adjacent homes deteriorated as claims and counter claims mounted. VI is similar to the South Tampa neighborhood featured in that article…attractive, well-maintained neighborhood, $1.0 million +/- homes that are located very close to each other.

The outcome of the situation may have been different had the neighborhood been regulated by deed restrictions (DRs), which residents agree to abide by when they move into a DR community such as Venetian Isles. DRs are intended to maintain property values and aesthetics of neighborhoods.

DRs do exist in VI and they are being enforced. At the March 31 Board Meeting, the Board voted to temporarily suspend DRs 19, 20 and 34. DRs 19 and 20 pertain to “Property Maintenance” with the understanding that VI is still recovering from the effects of the 2024 hurricanes. DR 34 pertains to “Vehicles – Parking and Use Restrictions” and was temporarily suspended to allow those residents whose homes had suffered substantial damage to live in trailers/campers parked in their driveways while renovations are undertaken. The other provisions of DR 34, including the parking requirements for “special purpose vehicles,” including golf carts, and boat trailers were not suspended.

The enforcement of DRs is a tough job, probably the toughest of any Committee within VI. For many years Linda Testa volunteered for this difficult but necessary role. With Linda’s passing, Mark Brenman stepped in and continued the effective enforcement of the DRs. However, the Brenmans have recently sold their VI property and we thank both Mark and Virginia for their years of commitment to VIHA and numerous committees. While we search for a new DR committee chair, the DRs will continue to be enforced. If you see a potential DR violation please report it, either by emailing [email protected] or by going to www.ourvi.org and clicking on “Report a DR Violation” on the left side of the home page.

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 projects after reviewing the materials posted on our website at http://www.ourvi.org/architectural-review.html

Below is an update on the ballots submitted for the 5 Deed Restrictions Revisions (“DRR”) that the Deed Restriction Revision Committee had advanced for consideration by VI property owners:  

As of May 11, 2025, 143 ballots have not been returned. The ability to use electronic balloting for future DRR approval has the requisite number of approvals and we are so close on the 4 others that were proposed based upon RESIDENT input!!! The DRs require 66.7% of property owner approval on any DRR. If you have not yet received a ballot or misplaced it, please let me know IMMEDIATELY and we will have one sent to your current location. This is your opportunity to determine the future of your neighborhood. Please vote, even if you are not in favor of any, or all, of the proposed DRRs.

Many residents have expressed their concern about the increased number of investor-owned properties in VI. The Tampa Bay Times has also featured articles about Blackrock, and other investment firms, acquiring numerous properties in a neighborhood and leasing them. The impact of this is to reduce the “community feel” of a neighborhood. With a large number of homes in VI currently unoccupied and awaiting repairs, that the current property owners may not be able to afford, there is the potential for an increased level of investor interest in VI. If purchased, some of these homes may be redeveloped and sold but others may be offered under long-term leases. The VIHA Board will be discussing this trend. Regardless of form of ownership or intention, EVERY property owner must abide by the DRs.

Finally, thanks to the 297 property owners who have paid their $200.00 annual VIHA Dues as of April 30. We’ve been featuring advertisers in the Homeowners Directory in each of the 2025 President’s Letters and this month we feature Klement Family Dental. We have a number of new directory advertisers this year so please try and patronize these companies, many of which are run by VI residents, and thank them for supporting the VIHA.

Lastly, as our community continues its recovery, let’s continue to be patient and kind to our neighbors.

Sincerely,
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
[email protected]