ABOUT US
The Martin Downs Planned Unit
Development was created August 08, 1980, by Southern Realty Group, Inc. Control
of the 3,800-home development was turned over to the Martin Downs Property
Owners Association (MDPOA) May 01, 2000. The Planned Unit Development covers an
area of approximately 2,600 acres and is home to approximately 10,000 residents
within 23 individual residential associations. An integral part of the
community is the three major shopping centers with banks, restaurants, gas
stations, churches, medical facilities, specialty shops, general retail
outlets, offices, and a supermarket. Many residents of Martin Downs have the
convenience and comfort of having all these services and amenities within
walking or biking distance of their homes.
The mission of
Martin Downs Property Owners Association, Inc, is to preserve and enhance the property
values and the quality of life of the property owners. Responsibilities and
activities of MDPOA are funded through assessments paid by the residential
and commercial property owners.
The affairs of the Master Association are managed by a Board of Directors. Each of the 48 Members appoint one representative to sit on the Board. The Board appoints an Executive Committee consisting of 7 members. This Committee governs MDPOA and consists of 4 Officers and a representative from Meadows, Monarch, West Villages, East Villages, Sunset Trace, and the Institutional Parcels. The day-to-day operation of MDPOA is managed through the Executive Committee by an on-site Administrator.
Representation for the residents:
When MDPOA was organized, our Members were made up of representatives from the Associations and Commercial/Institutional properties within much of Palm City. Each member is responsible for selecting a Representative of their choice to sit on the Board of Directors. Unfortunately, there appears to be a disconnect or lack of communication between MDPOA, each association’s Representatives, and their member residents. MDPOA information is not always being shared by the representatives. To help each Representative and the Associations they represent better inform their residents, MDPOA will begin posting on this website the Minutes of our Meetings. It is our intent that this will help answer questions and better inform the residents of the important services provided to the infrastructure within the Martin Downs community. In addition MDPOA will continue to encourage each Member association board to provide their residents the information they learn when sitting on MDPOA Committees and attending Board Meetings.
Why MDPOA cannot be dissolved:
The following is Martin Downs POA attorney’s analysis of why a sub association cannot withdraw from MDPOA. Martin Downs is a development of regional impact which means it was approved and developed under the requirements of the State of Florida and Martin County. In 1980, Southern Realty Group, Inc. (“SRG”), the developer of Martin Downs, entered into a Planned Unit Development Agreement with Martin County. That agreement required SRG to create a master property owners association to have jurisdiction over the property. This master association will have the duties and responsibilities set forth in the governing documents, primarily to maintain the Surface Water Management System, the common areas and to provide security services.All of the real property comprising Martin Downs was submitted to the jurisdiction of MDPOA by the original Declaration and the numerous amendments thereto. The Declaration requires all property owners within the submitted properties to be Members of MDPOA or a member of a sub association within MDPOA. All submitted properties are held, transferred, sold, conveyed and occupied subject to the covenants, restrictions, easements, reservations, assessments, charges, liens and other provisions set forth in the Declaration as amended. These covenants and restrictions are binding on the property. An owner cannot withdraw his or her property from the jurisdiction of MDPOA, any more than an owner can withdraw from the jurisdiction of Martin County or the State of Florida.There have been some suggestions to “dissolve” MDPOA. This cannot be done. Martin County required MDPOA to be formed (through the PUD agreement) and South Florida Water Management District required MDPOA to be formed and perpetually responsible for the maintenance of the Surface Water Management System throughout the properties. For these reasons, MDPOA cannot be dissolved.
2024 MDPOA Scholarship Recipients
The Martin Downs Planned Unit Development was created in 1980 by Southern Realty Group, Inc. The control of the master planned community was turned over to the property owners on May 01, 2000, with James J. Felz being the first and founding President of our Master Association, Martin Downs Property Owners Association, Inc. (MDPOA).
Mr. Felz served in this capacity through late 2003, enjoying every aspect of the position. He led our organization in a quiet, effective manner demonstrating leadership, community involvement, and citizenship. The scholarship award was established to honor students living within Martin Downs who demonstrate these same quality characteristics.
We are pleased to congratulate the following students as recipients of the 2024 Martin Downs Property Owners Association / James J. Felz Memorial Scholarship award:
Gabriella Brooks
Jayden Rosenberg
Kayla Higgins