Whether you’re new to Herons Glen or have lived here for a while, it’s easy to feel unsure at times about the roles of the Herons Glen Recreation District (HGRD) and the Herons Glen Homeowner’s Association (HOA). These are two separate and distinct organizations, and this article will provide a general overview of each.
The HGRD is a Special District created under Florida law, and as such is a governmental entity. The HGRD was formed in 1999 when the residents voted overwhelmingly to purchase the recreational facilities from the developer. These included the golf course, clubhouse, restaurant, other recreational amenities in the Glen, and the common lot irrigation system (CLIS). A provision of Florida law allowed the residents to finance this purchase through a tax-exempt bond issue creating an instrument of Florida State government known as the Recreation District.
As a Special District, the HGRD serves a specific geographical area and is governed by a Board of Supervisors, all of whom must be residents of Florida and are elected by the homeowners. Because it is a governmental agency, the HGRD is capable of issuing government-backed, tax-free bonds to raise funds for capital improvements. In 2020, for example, the district issued bonds to provide $12.9 million in construction funds to renovate HGRD facilities and amenities. However, as a government entity, the facilities owned by the district are public property and as such must be made available to the general public, albeit with some allowable restrictions.
Key areas of responsibility for the HGRD include the CLIS, cart paths and bridges on the golf course, lakes that touch the golf course or other amenities, landscaping on HGRD property, the fitness center, tennis courts, bocce courts, pickleball courts, shuffleboard courts, the pool and spa, ballroom, card/activity rooms, libraries, restaurant and lounge (including the liquor license), golf shop, pump houses, rental golf carts, and restrooms on the golf course and tennis courts. (NOTE: This list is not comprehensive.)
The Homeowner’s Association in Herons Glen was first instituted as part of the legal structure of the original developer in 1990. It is a Florida not-for-profit corporation and operates under specific Florida statutes. In 1997 the developer expanded the board from three to five members to add two resident board members. The developer held the majority on the board until January 1, 2005, when the board was transitioned from developer control to resident control with a full resident board in place. The HGHOA is run by a Board of Directors elected by the members of the Association.
The HOA owns and is responsible for the maintenance of the streets and common areas within Herons Glen. HOA administered common areas include the guardhouse, gates, street lighting, street signs, entrance walls, neighborhood entry signs, common area landscaping, streets, curbs and sidewalks, street drainage, five wetlands and preserves, and eight lakes that do not border the HGRD Golf Course or other amenities property. The HOA is also responsible for community standards for homeowners, such as landscaping and the appearance of residences. (NOTE: This list is not comprehensive.)
Both organizations maintain separate websites. The HGRD website can be accessed at heronsglencc.com. The HOA website is available at heronsglenhoa.org.
While they have distinctly separate organizational structures and functions, both the HGRD and the HOA cooperate for the benefit of our community.
Several lists accompanying this article attempt to delineate the key responsibilities of the HOA and those of the HGRD.
In addition, the HOA Communications Committee has developed an organizational and governance structures document that shows an overview of each organization side-by-side. This Herons Glen Community Governing and Oversight Structure document can be accessed at https://hggcc.com/hghoa/pdfs/community_info/structure.pdf and can also be found on the HOA website by clicking on the Management tab.
