DON’T BE FOOLED! (link fixed)

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This is What The Contract Really Means

This contract is very risky. It could seriously and permanently harm The Meadows we love.

Who is the contract with?

The contract is with a company called Benderson Realty Development Inc (“BRDI”). We know very little about it. The contract does not bind any of Benderson’s other companies. BRDI owns no nearby land, so promises it makes about stormwater don’t actually protect us.

Golf in The Meadows could be gone in 3 years

The golf lease is only for 3 years, not long-term. BRDI is not required to invest any money, and likely won’t. Once the lease ends, BRDI have the right to turn the golf courses into wetlands, ending golf at The Meadows.

Stormwater is Benderson’s priority, not ours

Benderson’s main concern is fixing stormwater problems on their own properties. This deal appears designed to help them, not The Meadows (our stormwater system works great for us).

Benderson’s new Independent Special District would give them broad stormwater powers on MCA land with little if any County oversight. The Board does not fully understand the impact (which appears to be severe).

Conservation easements would severely limit us

Putting conservation easements on our land would:

Prevent us from selling land in an emergency
Prevent us from borrowing against the land
Stop us from building new amenities on the land

This leaves special assessments as our only major funding option for maintaining our 50 year old infrastructure. These lost rights are worth far more than the $2.4 million we would receive.

The loan sounds good—but creates a big future problem

Lower interest sounds nice, but the savings are small.

The plan to make minimum payments creates a $4.6 million balloon payment in 7 years, with no plan to pay it.

Homeowners are being denied a vote

Florida law requires a homeowner vote before giving away or selling community property. The Board is ignoring this—just like it did in 2017 with prior unlawful actions.

Bottom Line

This contract could destroy The Meadows as we know it.

NO DEAL is better than a BAD DEAL. We need a much better agreement—and simply a reliable golf operator.

What Should Happen Next

Split the deal into three separate agreements (golf, loan, land rights) and focus first on securing a golf lease.
Delay selling land rights until we get independent engineering studies, valuations, and a full understanding of Benderson’s plans (especially with their Independent Special District).
Do not refinance the loan yet—we are not required to, and it depends on the land deal.
Maximize golf revenue now to reduce financial strain.

Tell the Board how you feel. This decision permanently affects the future of our community.

If you are an MCA Homeowner* and would like to discuss this and other MCA matters with your fellow Homeowners*, join the “For The Meadows” Facebook group.

Posted

January 14, 2026

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Website Admin

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8 responses to “DON’T BE FOOLED! (link fixed)”

Fred Sprankle

January 14, 2026

Nobody knows who to believe between you and MCA. Show up when the MCA has a meeting with their attorneys and experts, and ask your questions respectfully in front of everyone present and Zooming in. I think this is the only way we can determine what direction to take. I appreciate everyone’s input, but this needs to be addressed with all players involved. ty

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1. Website Admin
  
  January 14, 2026
  
  We understand how you feel. For the last 9 months we’ve had no meaningful opportunity for dialogue. And even the meeting on Friday we are only allowed to comment for 3 minutes. They are not obligated to answer any questions (often not answering) and it is a very complicated issue that can’t be discussed in 3 minutes. Please ask whatever questions you have and we’ll answer with backup whenever possible.
  
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  1. fullydefendorb57213c80f
    
    January 14, 2026
    
    It is complicated, but with 6 questions and six different people asking the questions, so there is more than enough time, all issues should be covered. If this ends up in a shouting match, everyone loses.
    
    I appreciate your diligence and concern, time for a productive group q & a.
    
    All of us need questions and good answers.
    
    Fred
    
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  2. Website Admin
    
    January 14, 2026
    
    I’m sure there will be some coordination of that sort, but it doesn’t work nearly as well as having one well-informed person having a fact-based discussion. And the President frequently defaults to “it is Owner Comment time, not question time. We aren’t obligated to answer questions”. And the agenda says there will be “Owner Comment” time so don’t expect the 3 officers to actually answer any tough questions.
    We are happy to answer any questions you have.
    
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David Moore

January 14, 2026

I am wondering about the truthfulness of the recent MCA board presidents email which addressed issues or concerns of the owners. He specifically states that Benderson does not end up owning any of the MCA property and that the Special Water District “… would apply only to the property they own, not any property they lease from The Meadows”

Is there any owner in the Meadows with legal or other expertise willing to pursue action to stop the signing of the contract if indeed such actions by the board are illegal or grossly misleading? ( an injunction might be a good start).

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1. Website Admin
  
  January 14, 2026
  
  If you haven’t already, please join the “For The Meadows” Facebook group (there is a link above in the post). A couple of homeowners have shared their analysis of the President’s most recent email.
  
  Legal work is underway. There was a LOT of support from Homeowners to support legal action (which sadly seems necessary). Raising serious funds requires some legal work to do so, but we’re nearly there. Stay posted!
  
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John Nitterauer

January 14, 2026

Another point should be the MCA board could choose to have a resident vote on the contract. By law they may not have to but it could be done. Just do it.

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1. Website Admin
  
  January 14, 2026
  
  Definitely true and has been pointed out a number of times.
  The President just defaults to citing his belief of their minimum legal obligation (which is his standard).
  
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