Townhome residents put dollars, dedication into keeping area green

Landscape company contracts, fertilizer, new flowers, more shrubs, tree treatments and sprinkler systems -- add it up and you've got big money coming out of quarterly maintenance fees to pay for spruced-up community common areas.

But isn't that the image you were looking for when you bought your home? A homeowner association board's commitment to keeping grass green can make or break a neighborhood's identity -- and may even boost property values.

Homeowners in larger developments such as SilverLakes and Chapel Trail spend a big chunk of their annual maintenance fees for landscaping. Chapel Trail's financial reports list the development's landscaping costs at $407,475 last year. Total operating expenses for 1995 were more than $1.2 million, all used to take care of the 15-neighborhood development west of Interstate 75.

East Lake Townhome residents, tired of renting and repairing lawn mowers, have recently spent $10,327 for two 18-horsepower John Deere lawn cutters. Townhome association board members shopped around and found buying the durable lawn cutters to be the most cost-effective way to maintain neighborhood common areas. Maintenance supervisor John DeSantis oversees landscaping projects in the 332-townhouse neighborhood on Taft Street between Douglas Road and Palm Avenue in Pembroke Pines.

Lawn mowers, landscaping and keeping their neighborhood looking pretty is on the agenda at the East Lake neighbors' annual spring meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the complex meeting room. Residents with questions should call the management office at 432-6888.
Upcoming meetings

Neighborhood meetings this week: