What the MCA lawsuit is about in plain English

The following was written by a person with detailed knowledge of the lawsuit who wrote this to help us understand it. (Respecting this person’s need to remain anonymous.) They’ve indicated this should move through the courts fairly quickly because it is a narrow focus. Link to the Complaint

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This lawsuit is not about stopping a possible deal forever, and it is not about opposing Benderson as a company. It is about process, transparency, and voting rights under the MCA’s governing documents and Florida law.

At its core, the lawsuit asks a judge to decide who has the legal authority to approve the proposed Benderson transaction—the Board alone, or the full membership of The Meadows.

The lawsuit alleges that the proposed Benderson ground lease would place long-term restrictions on hundreds of acres of MCA-owned land, including the golf courses and green space, potentially for decades. Because of the scope and duration of the transaction, the lawsuit argues that Florida law and the MCA Bylaws require a community-wide vote before any approval can occur, rather than a vote by the Board alone.

Why the Emergency Filing Happened

On Monday afternoon, MCA homeowners received notice that the Board intended to vote on the Benderson transaction at a special board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 at 1:30 PM—with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Because the vote was imminent and would have potentially committed the community to a long-term transaction before a court could rule on whether a membership vote is required, an emergency motion for injunctive relief was filed late Monday with the Circuit Court in Sarasota County. The purpose of the emergency filing was to pause any board vote long enough for a judge to decide the legal question, not to block discussion or negotiations.

What Happened Next

On Tuesday morning, January 20, before the scheduled meeting time, the MCA sent out a Constant Contact notice stating that the board meeting was cancelled “in the best interest of the Association to allow the attorneys to address and resolve the related legal issues.”

That cancellation effectively preserved the status quo while the legal issues raised in the lawsuit are addressed.

What the Lawsuit Is NOT About

• It does not seek to prevent any kind of deal with Benderson

• It does not seek to prevent negotiations

• It does not ask the court to force a particular outcome

Instead, it asks one narrow but important question: Does this decision legally belong to the Board alone, or does it belong to the entire community?

That question is now before the court.

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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. Please provide your address in your request to join the group so your ownership can be confirmed. (* or spouse of a Homeowner)