West Villages Improvement District

West Villages Home Site

http://yoursun.com/sunne…/venice/11324213-699/story.html.csp

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

West Villages: Venice Gondolier Sun Article

WEST VILLAGES IS NOW 4TH-FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES

Just down the road from Venice, West Villages even has a planned "beach," complete with white sand (see photo), planned for this large community.

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

West Villages Home Site

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

Saturday, July 23, 2016

West Villages: District Landscaping Contract Open for Bid

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
7/22/2016
Miscellaneous Notices
WEST VILLAGES
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE SERVICES

AND

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO OPEN RFP RESPONSES

West Villages Improvement District, the Owner, announces that Landscaping and Irrigation Maintenance Services will be required for the project listed below:

PROJECT: Landscaping, Common Areas, &amp; Irrigation Maintenance Services Agreement Request for Proposal for West Villages (US-41 and West Villages Parkway).

The contract for landscaping, common areas, and irrigation maintenance services will consist of maintenance of turf, trees, shrubs and ground cover, open areas, hardscape and irrigation as well as trash removal through certain distinct areas of maintenance as more specifically set forth in the Project Manual.

The Project Manual will be available beginning Monday, July 25, 2016 at Stantec Consulting Services Inc., 6900 Professional Parkway East, Sarasota, FL 34240.

A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on this project on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (EST) at the office of the Owner, 19503 S. West Villages Parkway, Suite 14A, Venice, FL 32493. The pre-proposal conference may include, but not be limited to, a discussion of contract requirements, inspections, evaluations, and submittal requirements and may involve a site visit to inspect existing conditions and the areas to be maintained.

Ranking of proposers will be made on the basis of qualifications according to the Evaluation Criteria contained within the Project Manual. The successful proposer(s) will be required to execute a contract with the District and file the requisite Performance and Payment Bonds and Insurance within ten (10) calendar days after execution of the contract. The District has the right to reject any and all proposals, make modifications to the work, award the contract in whole or in part with or without cause to one or more proposers, provide for the delivery of the project in phases, and waive minor or technical irregularities in any proposal, as it deems appropriate; if it determines, at its sole discretion, such rejection is in the best interest of the District. Any proposer who wishes to protest the Project Manual or any component thereof, shall file with the District a written notice of protest within seventy-two (72) hours after receipt of the Project Manual, together with a protest bon
d in a form acceptable to the District and in the amount of $10,000, and shall file a formal written protest with the District within seven (7) calendar days after the date of timely filing the initial notice of protest. Filing will be perfected and deemed to have occurred upon receipt by the District Engineer. Failure to timely file a notice of protest or failure to timely file a formal written protest shall constitute a waiver of any right to object to or protest the contents of the Project Manual. The formal written protest shall state with particularity the facts and law upon which the protest is based. Any and all questions relative to this project shall be directed in writing only to Mike Kennedy, District Engineer, via facsimile 941-907-6910 or e-mail at mike.kennedy@stantec.com, no later than Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

Firms desiring to provide services for this project must submit five (5) bound copies of the required proposal section(s) no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2016 at the offices of Stantec, 6900 Professional Parkway East, Sarasota, FL 34240, Attention: Mike Kennedy, District Engineer. Additionally, as further described in the Project Manual, each proposer shall supply a bid bond or cashier's check in the sum equal to five percent (5%) of the total amount of the first full year's proposal. Proposals shall be submitted in a sealed package, shall bear the name of the proposer on the outside of the package, and shall identify the name of the project. Proposals will be opened at the time and date stipulated below; those received after the time and date stipulated above will be returned un-opened to the proposer. Any proposal not completed as specified or missing the required proposal documents may be disqualified.

Notice of Public Meeting to Open
RFP Responses

A meeting will be held on Monday, August 22, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the offices of Stantec, 6900 Professional Parkway East, Sarasota, FL 34240. No official action of the District's Board will be taken at this meeting, it is held for the limited purpose of opening the RFP responses. The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law. This meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meeting. Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Engineer's Office at 941-907-6900 at least five calendar days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955- 8770, for aid in contacting the District Engineer's Office.

Date of pub: July 22, 2016

Monday, July 18, 2016

West Villages: FDOT says plans for traffic control at US41/Tamiami Trl are moving forward with a roundabout

An email was received this morning regarding the results of the analysis for a roundabout at the junction of US41 and IslandWalk/Gran Paradiso.

It states:

The department has reviewed and analyzed the US 41 at Corradino/Galleria intersection. At this time the department is moving forward with the roundabout option at this location. We believe this is the best operational treatment for this intersection. However further analysis is needed, which will include a concept and cost estimate for both the roundabout and traffic signal. Once this analysis is complete we will be meeting with the builders and/or their representatives to discuss this further. This effort should take no more than 3 to 4 weeks to complete.

In the meantime, should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

Tanya N. King, P.E., CPM

Traffic Studies Engineer

Florida Department of Transportation

District One MS 1-8

801 North Broadway Avenue

P.O. Box 1249 | Bartow, FL 33830

(: 863.519.2509 7: 863.534.0915

*: tanya.king@dot.state.fl.us

We will have to wait and see what this decision brings.

Contact information for the local leaders are as follows:

Florida Governor
Rick Scott
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

State Senator
Nancy Detert
https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s28
Email: DETERT.NANCY@FLSENATE.GOV

State Representative
Julio Gonzalez
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4611&LegislativeTermId=86
Email: JULIO.GONZALEZ@MYFLORIDAHOUSE.GOV

FDOT District 1, Secretary
Billy Hattaway
Email: BILLY.HATTAWAY@DOT.STATE.FL.US

FDOT Public Information Office
Florida Department of Transportation District 1
Email: FDOT-D1PIO@dot.state.fl.us

FDOT Safety Office, Chief Safety Officer
Lora Hollingsworth
Email: LORA.HOLLINGSWORTH@DOT.STATE.FL.US

FDOT Operations and Engineering
Trey Tillander
Email: TREY.TILLANDER@DOT.STATE.FL.US

Thanks for reading!
Ali

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

My West Villages Site

If you are considering purchasing a home in this community, I can assist you. My services and extensive resources are of no cost to you, and in most instances, I am even able to save home buyers money. I do not work for any of the wonderful builders/developers in the West Villages Improvement District, or any others for that matter. My services and information (including the resources provided on all of my websites) are wholly independent of these developers. No other independent professional is more knowledgeable about this community, and enlisting me to assist with your transaction can provide you with a wealth of information as well as saving you money.

Please, check out my Venice area website, and contact me for more information.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Friday, July 15, 2016

West Villages: Latest Sarasota Herald Tribune article regarding sports arena in the district

from http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20160713/NEWS/160719844

SPRING TRAINING

Are Atlanta Braves the only team considering Sarasota County?

By Zach Murdock
zach.murdock@heraldtribune.com

Published: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 1:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 9:52 a.m.

This is the artist's preliminary design for a spring training stadium in North Port. The Atlanta Braves are in talks with local leaders about bringing the team to a new spring training baseball complex in North Port as soon as 2018. PROVIDED / MATTAMY HOMES

Three to four other clubs are interested in potentially sharing the proposed stadium and practice fields at the heart of the planned West Villages “town center” development on 100 to 150 acres near U.S. 41 and River Road, West Villages General Manager Martin Black said Wednesday afternoon.

Black mentioned the possibility of other teams’ interest in the project during an update to the Venice City Commission on Tuesday afternoon, but he would not say which teams are considering the idea.

It appeared to be the first public disclosure that other teams could be added to the plan — which to date has only publicly included the Braves — but Black said he has noted the possibility to other local groups over the past several weeks.

“It may have never been explicit in an article, but it’s not a new thought for us,” Black said late Wednesday. “We’ve always talked about two teams in our conversations with the state and we’ve been in discussions with other teams for some time, but we’re just not at a point where we can disclose that publicly.”

If the West Villages can sign a second team to the proposed $100 million complex, potential state grants for the project would jump from $20 million to $50 million.

Interest from other clubs could also give West Villages back-up options should the Braves ultimately strike a deal to relocate to Collier or Palm Beach counties, where the team also is negotiating.

“It’s a big financial benefit from the state-funding perspective,” Black said. “It’s a multiplier and it’s an economy of scale type of approach. We have the capacity to do to two teams, as far as acreage.”

Local consultants for the Braves and designers of the West Villages commercial district already are collaborating on specific plans for the proposed complex, but the addition of a second team later would not dramatically change that work, Black said. Another team clubhouse and offices would make relatively modular, easy additions to the plans, he said.

Designs are expected to be available for public consideration by the end of the year and the Braves are expected to make a final decision on their next facility in six to nine months, Black has said.

Black and Sarasota County officials have been negotiating with the team behind closed doors since March, when the county commissioners authorized administrators to negotiate on their behalf with the Braves. The team is also reportedly negotiating with officials in Collier and Palm Beach counties.

County officials would not say this week whether one or more other teams also are being considered. They and team officials have repeatedly declined to comment, citing a confidentiality agreement guarding the ongoing negotiations.

The Braves plan to relocate to a new spring training facility in 2019 after the team’s lease ends at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando.

Black’s comment Tuesday is the first indication that other teams could be in the mix for the North Port proposal, which has previously been a point of contention for the Braves.

The Braves landed in Orlando in 1997 after jilting a proposed spring training complex at a development in Jupiter amid plans that the Braves split the stadium with another team. Roger Dean Stadium was built at the heart of the commercial and residential development there, and is home to the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

Officials and developers who worked with the Braves then and helped design the site explained earlier this year that it still stings that the team left the area after decades of holding spring training in Palm Beach County.

That development, called Abacoa, became the standard bearer for many of the Florida and Arizona spring training complexes that have followed, and mirrors the plans proposed in North Port.

Facts

The story so far

Early March: Sarasota County approves formal negotiations with the Braves over possible spring training facility in the West Villages development in North Port by 2018

Late March: Palm Beach County officials reveal they are also in discussions with the Braves about a possible West Palm Beach site, near where the team trained for decades before moving to Orlando in 1997

April: Business leaders in Collier County reveal they, too, have discussed a potential site with the Braves, but the County Commission votes down the proposed site

May: Sarasota leaders say they are still negotiating with the team but refuse to discuss plans, citing a confidentiality agreement, and no other county governments approve formal negotiations with the team

Early June: Braves Vice Chairman John Schuerholz writes both Collier and Sarasota county administrators — just days apart — to indicate the team is still interested in pursuing negotiations with both.

June: West Villages General Manager Marty Black announces the Braves have hired local architects and consultants to work with West Villages staff to design a specific site plan for the proposed complex

July: Black suggests he has contacted "several other teams" about the potential for the Braves and another club to both train at the proposed West Villages location or to have a second team interested in the plans if the Braves choose Collier or Palm Beach

Thursday, July 7, 2016

West Villages: City Commission Meeting July 12 has IslandWalk Alfaya St on Agenda

DiVosta is converting part of Alfaya St in IslandWalk at the West Villages from single-family lots to attached units. It will only increase the number of "doors" on the street by 2. It is on the agenda for public hearing at the City Commission regular meeting set for July 12th at 10am.

Islandwalk at the West Villages Phase 30-1
Partial Re-Plat of a portion of Alafaya Street within lslandwalk Phase 30-1 to convert 57 single-family detached lots into 32 single family attached lots and 27 single family detached lots (PLF-16-066).

Link to Planning and Zoning Board Report - Approval has already gone through and been recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board

Commission Regular Meeting

Date: 07/12/2016 10:00 AM

Location: City Chambers

4970 City Hall Boulevard

North Port, Florida 34286

Just an FYI for those interested in the proceedings.

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

West Villages Home Site

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

Monday, July 4, 2016

West Villages Items on the Planning and Zoning Agenda for Public Hearing Thursday

(Information copied from posted agenda)

CITY OF NORTH PORT Planning & Zoning
Meeting at 9am on July 7, 2016

CITY HALL Commission Chambers – 2nd Floor
4970 City Hall Boulevard
North Port, Florida 34286

PUBLIC HEARING:

E.1 VIA-15-178 – Ordinance No. 2016-17, Petition No. VIA-15-178, West Villages Index
Map Amendment. (M. NORTON)(QUASI-JUDICIAL)

E.2 CPAL-15-157 – Ordinance No. 2016-22, Petition No. CPAL-15-157, Costamar at West
Villages Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment and Amendment to
Figure 13.1.n of the Land Use Element of the City of North Port Comprehensive Plan.
(C. WHITTAKER)(QUASI-JUDICIAL)

E.3 REZ-15-158 – Ordinance No. 2016-16, Petition No. REZ-15-158, West Villages
Rezoning. (S. WILLETTE-GRONDIN)(QUASI-JUDICIAL)

Just an FYI for those interested in the proceedings.

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

My West Villages Site

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

Sunday, July 3, 2016

2016 Annual Landowners' Meeting for the West Villages

Here is a quick rundown on the last landowners' meeting...

Last Tuesday (June 28th), the annual West Villages landowners' meeting was held at IslandWalk's event center and followed by the monthly district meeting. Surprisingly few people were in attendance. There was not much new business anyway, though, but it is typically a time for residents to bring their questions and concerns for response.

The two items of note from the first part of the session were that Brian Watson's term expired and a new supervisor, David Koon, was added to the board in his place and the district manager went over the district financial status. The previous year's meeting minutes were approved, the district manager did review for attendees the process of filling supervisory seats, and Mr. Koon was sworn in later at the start of the regular monthly district business meeting.

The financials were said to be good overall, with the exception of unit two that includes the former Town Centre project which remains in default and likely will for some time to come. Supervisor Rossman requested that information be obtained for the next monthly meeting on what items the remaining balance in unit 1 is expected to cover. At this time, there was no new or surprising information presented. August will present the final budget for next year to a public hearing. Also, a request was made from a resident to check on poor visibility issues with landscaping at the roundabout on West Villages Parkway.

Notes from the monthly district meeting of last week later...

Thanks for reading!

Ali

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179