By JOHN BALZ, Times Staff Writer
Posted August 30, 2002
North Oaks owners decide a neighborhood
watch - instead of banning new families with children - would be a better
use of resources.
NEW TAMPA -- Owners of the North
Oaks condominiums are backing away from a plan that would gradually eliminate
children from their complex.
In a closed-door meeting Tuesday night,
residents at the 296-unit complex in southernmost New Tampa decided it
would be too burdensome to secure the support of 75 percent of condo owners
-- as required by the association's bylaws -- and fight possible legal
challenges.
Instead, residents will look to other solutions
for their problems.
"You can't do it, don't waste your money
or your time," F.J. Burr, a lawyer and president of the National Seniors
Benevolent Association, said he told residents at the meeting.
Bob Witschieben, president of the condo
association, said children had caused problems by urinating in the pool
and vandalizing locks on the pool's gate.
Other residents said unsupervised kids
riding bikes in the parking lots could be hit by speeding cars.
"The big issue is the kids tearing up the
place," said Mel Burger, who has lived in North Oaks for four months. "It's
unsafe for them and a liability for us."
An August newsletter announced the plan
to consider a rule that would forbid selling or renting units to families
with children under 19. Families who currently live in North Oaks would
be allowed to stay.
Maintaining property values was one reason
for the rule, according to the newsletter.
But Burr said a court would likely strike
down the proposal as discriminatory.
Instead, residents will work toward repairing
the pool gate and organizing a community crime watch, said Witschieben.
The complex, just north of the Bearss Avenue
and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard intersection, is a mix of renters and owners.
Witschieben said he didn't know how many children live in the complex.
Although the rule appears doomed, residents
said Tuesday night's meeting was the best attended in years.
"The discussion has brought the condo owners
together," said Jason Cohen. |