North Oaks owners decide a neighborhood watch - instead of banning new families with children - would be a better use of resources. 

NEW TAMPA -- Owners of the North Oaks condominiums are backing away from a plan that would gradually eliminate children from their complex. 

In a closed-door meeting Tuesday night, residents at the 296-unit complex in southernmost New Tampa decided it would be too burdensome to secure the support of 75 percent of condo owners -- as required by the association's bylaws -- and fight possible legal challenges. 

Instead, residents will look to other solutions for their problems. 

"You can't do it, don't waste your money or your time," F.J. Burr, a lawyer and president of the National Seniors Benevolent Association, said he told residents at the meeting. 

Bob Witschieben, president of the condo association, said children had caused problems by urinating in the pool and vandalizing locks on the pool's gate. 

Other residents said unsupervised kids riding bikes in the parking lots could be hit by speeding cars. 

"The big issue is the kids tearing up the place," said Mel Burger, who has lived in North Oaks for four months. "It's unsafe for them and a liability for us." 

An August newsletter announced the plan to consider a rule that would forbid selling or renting units to families with children under 19. Families who currently live in North Oaks would be allowed to stay. 

Maintaining property values was one reason for the rule, according to the newsletter. 

But Burr said a court would likely strike down the proposal as discriminatory. 

Instead, residents will work toward repairing the pool gate and organizing a community crime watch, said Witschieben. 

The complex, just north of the Bearss Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard intersection, is a mix of renters and owners. Witschieben said he didn't know how many children live in the complex. 

Although the rule appears doomed, residents said Tuesday night's meeting was the best attended in years. 

"The discussion has brought the condo owners together," said Jason Cohen.