Deerfield News Connection

August 12, 2024

 

Historic Attempt to Transition Deerfield Resort HOA to Homeowner Control

 

In response to recent online statements claiming that no one has ever wanted a Homeowner Association at Deerfield Resort, we present the following historical proof of the attempt to transition control of the Deerfield Resort Homeowners Association in 1997 from the developer to property owners.

We offer records collected from property owners who received the letter and survey sent to residents. As the scanned attached letter shows, developers Paul and Jim Fields initiated this effort through former homeowner Pat Martin. Included with the letter was a survey that was sent to all property owners at Deerfield. The letter and survey were mailed to approximately 312 owners, resulting in a 58% response rate—a relatively high level of engagement that indicates strong interest among community members. Over 84% of respondents expressed a desire to maintain Deerfield as a gated, private community, a goal that is best achieved through the support of an active HOA.

A volunteer committee was formed to develop a plan for the transition. Meetings were held with Paul Fields to discuss various issues at the Resort, during which Paul offered the following option: Fields Development would continue to operate and maintain Deerfield Resort through the year 2000, assessing $10 per month to home and condo owners to help defray the costs of mowing the rights-of-ways, maintaining the swimming pool, and other common areas.

The committee worked for more than a year to take input from property owners and develop a plan.  Paul Fields committed to present the plan to the owners in a letter in the coming weeks. However,  he never followed through with presenting the plan to the owners. Later, he indicated that he did not want interference and potential problems from a group of homeowners, choosing instead to retain control.

In their depositions on June 27 and 28, 2023, both Paula Fields LeJeune and Scott Fields acknowledged their awareness of the letter and the survey concerning the effort to establish an HOA. Scott Fields even expressed support for an HOA board to manage the Resort. However, recent actions, including the filing of their own CCRs without notice to property owners or the court, as discussed by the court Receiver during the August 2, 2024 hearing, suggest a different approach. We hope to work together with all stakeholders, including Paula and Scott, to ensure that any decisions made reflect the best interests of our entire community.

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Additional Resources

Review the 1997 Letter and Survey Here

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Further Reading: Explore the detailed records and historical context of the initial transition attempt. The initial Articles of Incorporation for Deerfield Resort, filed when the property was 800 acres in size, indicated that the transition to homeowner control would occur either by 1988 or when 75% of the lots were sold. This provision reflects the developers' initial commitment to eventually transfer control to the property owners once the conditions were met. 

Link to Articles of Incorporation