Condo ends ban on unmarried couples

Condo ends ban on unmarried couples Article Courtesy of The Sarasota Herald-Tribune By Shelby Webb Published August 25, 2013 VENICE - Facing a backlash from gay-rights activists, a local condominium association is reversing a recent policy that barred unmarried couples from the complex. The Casa Di Amici Condominium Association Inc. held a special meeting Thursday to amend a rule allowing only singles and husband-and-wife couples to buy or lease units within the community. The policy, approved in a July 17 meeting as part of 34 pages of amendments, generated anger among some who saw the measure as discriminatory against gay couples, who cannot legally marry in Florida. Outrage over the decision put the quiet condo complex in the public eye, generating not only local attention, but stories in newspapers in Miami and New York, as well. As the controversy frothed, the board at the 160-unit complex, which is near Jacaranda Boulevard and U.S. 41, remained silent, refusing to explain the new policy. But on Thursday board member Bill Moniz said the intent was never to discriminate. Moniz and attorney Dan Lobeck, who represents the condominium association but did not write the controversial amendment, said the purpose of the amendment was to keep corporations from coming in and buying up multiple units in the neighborhood. Attorney Dan Lobeck, left, sits with Bill Moniz, right, during a special meeting of the Casa Di Amici Condominium Association Inc. on Thursday. During the meeting, association board members, including Moniz, voted unanimously to change the wording of a policy that only allowed individuals or married couples to buy or rent in the neighborhood. "We never wanted to prevent anyone from living here," Moniz said. "I intend to make this right." “We never wanted to prevent anyone from living here,” Moniz said. “I intend to make this right.” Lobeck said some attorneys do not realize the repercussions of far-reaching language, especially when they constitute only a few paragraphs in a much larger document. “When I drafted one of my first condominium declarations, it required everyone to go out and buy a dog over 45 pounds,” Lobeck said. “Mistakes are made and this is a notably regrettable one.” The changes approved Thursday replaced all references to individuals and husband-and-wife couples with the phrase “two natural persons,” which is legal language for two human beings. Condominium owners must approve the amendments. They will vote within 45 days, Lobeck said. The original wording was flagged by Julia Nowak, a Realtor who owns a condominium in Casa Di Amici. Although she said there are some other parts of the condominium declaration she would like to see tweaked, Nowak said she was glad the association took out the discriminatory language. “The end result was great,” Nowak said. “We need a law to protect people and keep this from this happening again.” Nowak hopes Sarasota County will pass a human-rights ordinance that would prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation or marital status. Currently, there is no state or federal law banning discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation or marital status. Although gay-rights advocates hope to propose a human-rights ordinance to the Sarasota County Commission soon, some are celebrating what they see as a small victory. Jennifer Cohen, who heads the Sarasota-Manatee chapter of the National Organization for Women, protested outside of Casa Di Amici last week after she heard of the discriminatory policy. She said she is elated with the new changes. “I'm very happy for the people in (Casa Di Amici) and Venice,” Cohen said. “I hope other complexes will check their policies to make sure they allow all people to purchase a home or condo in Venice or in any other part of our county.”