Landscaping & Pond Guidelines
LANDSCAPING GUIDELINES
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In accordance with Section 24, Article VI, of the Declaration of Easements, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for The Preserve at Lake Thomas, “all landscaping on the property shall be strictly in accordance with the landscaping requirements and guidelines of the Board.”
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The following guidelines are therefore adopted for the community:
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Our Association supports Florida-friendly landscaping. www.FloridaYards.org
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Grassy portions of lots must be sodded with Floratam grasses (such as St. Augustine), Zoysia, or an equivalent type of sod. Bahia and Bermuda grasses are not permitted. Dead, diseased, or damaged areas of grass shall be re-sod or plugged immediately.
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Landscaping beds must be predominantly covered by natural plant material and no rock, stone, or mulch-only lots or portions of lots are permitted.
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Artificial plant materials are not permitted. Florida-friendly plant material is recommended. Plants within beds should be spaced according to industry recommended standards for the particular species at maturity.
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All landscaping beds will be appropriately mulched and kept weed/grass free.
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Each lot must be fully irrigated with an operational sprinkler system.
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All landscaping within lots and easements must be regularly maintained to include routine mowing, trimming, edging, weeding, pruning, fertilization, pest control and watering as legally permitted. Lots must be routinely edged along walkways, driveways, curbs and beds. All grass cuttings will be removed or blown so as not to litter roadways, walkways, or driveways. Grass cuttings should not be permitted to enter lakes, ponds, or the storm drain system. All yard debris and dropped leaves shall be removed from the lot and appropriately disposed of.
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No owner of any lot shall permit the grass, shrubbery, or other natural growth or accumulated debris to grow or accumulate to a point such as to become, or be generally acknowledged to be, an eyesore, detriment or discredit to the neighborhood.
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Washington Palms - These trees, at some point, can grow beyond an aesthetic height, and may no longer serve as attractive landscaping elements. The HOA Board of Directors recognizes this situation, and the removal of these trees is allowed upon submitting an ACC form with a legitimate reason for the removal.Homeowners may/may not be required to replace the removed palms with similar or alternate, more manageable landscaping elements.
POND GUIDELINES (Approved 09/03/13)
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission provides a Statewide Nuisance Alligator program.
The program in part strives to reduce the threat from alligators to people and their property in developed areas. Nuisance alligators are normally those over four feet in length that pose a threat to people, pets, or property.
Upon notification and verification, the Commission can issue a trapping permit for the collection and disposal of the gator.
Concerned homeowners may report nuisance alligators by calling 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Callers should be prepared with the following information:
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Description of the nuisance situation
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Approximate length of the alligator
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Location, and time of day of the sightings
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Ability to show the assigned trapper the usual gator location
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HOA Management phone number (813-264-1119) so that The Commission can secure permission before entering the subdivision to trap the gator.
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IT IS ILLEGAL TO FEED WILD ALLIGATORS. PLEASE SEE F.S. 379.412