Golf Car access to 7-Mile Road area?

[Oregon-Flyer]

Is there a way to access the Seven Mile Road area (Lowes, ABC Liquors, Jersey Mike's, etc) by golf car? If there isn't, does anyone know the plan? I've seen golf cars in the Lowes parking lot, but not sure how they got there. TV app doesn't recognize those businesses, so no directions. The GPS app gives directions straight across 466...right past the "no carts" warning sign.

[JSR22]

Trailwinds Plaza is not golf cart accessible. I do not believe it will be accessible. It is not Villages property.

[karostay]

There was years back when the Villages plans were to develop the strip of land on 466 A till Wildwood x the project then it all went away

[Oregon-Flyer]

That's too bad. That also means the new Starbucks won't be accessible either.

I can't help but think there will be a solution to this.

[JSR22]

That's too bad. That also means the new Starbucks won't be accessible either.

I can't help but think there will be a solution to this.

Golf carts are not allowed on 466A.

[mulligan]

Drive the car, call uber, take a hike, or cut through somebody's yard in Tamarind Grove and walk across the fields.

[cb1972]

if ever the residenial development to the west makes a connection to trailwinds you may be able to cross 466A with a street legal cart at the light at Pinellas Place. Thats if they will allow golf carts on their property. Plans do show a road connectiong the two developments

[FG111]

Park your golf cart @ the Winn Dixie parking lot across the street, walk north for 10 minutes and you will arrive @ the Seven Mile Road area. Pick-up a lite Starbucks coffee and by the time you walk back to your golf cart, you have already burnt-off the calories to compensate for your coffee. Not so difficult.

[champion6]

Is there a way to access the Seven Mile Road area (Lowes, ABC Liquors, Jersey Mike's, etc) by golf car? If there isn't, does anyone know the plan? I've seen golf cars in the Lowes parking lot, but not sure how they got there. TV app doesn't recognize those businesses, so no directions. The GPS app gives directions straight across 466...right past the "no carts" warning sign.There is an entrance into the Beaumont development at the traffic light for Pinellas Place and 466A. When this entrance is opened, a street legal cart on Pinellas Place can legally cross 466A, go into Beaumont and follow a street that connects to Trailwinds Village behind Lowe's.

My prediction: Many non-street legal carts will cross 466A at the light and the Wildwood police will be writing citations every day. :popcorn:

[JSR22]

My prediction: Many non-street legal carts will cross 466A at the light and the Wildwood police will be writing citations every day. :popcorn:[/QUOTE]

Totally agree it will be a huge money maker for Wildwood.

[Stu from NYC]

We are not golfers and this is one of the reason we are one of the few folks here without a golf cart.

[vintageogauge]

If you have a car, problem solved.

[Ben Franklin]

It is silly that bicycles can use the road for access but not golf carts.

[Bilyclub]

Park your golf cart @ the Winn Dixie parking lot across the street, walk north for 10 minutes and you will arrive @ the Seven Mile Road area. Pick-up a lite Starbucks coffee and by the time you walk back to your golf cart, you have already burnt-off the calories to compensate for your coffee. Not so difficult.

It would be East once on the sidewalk of 466A which is on the North side of the street.

[yabbadu]

It is silly that bicycles can use the road for access but not golf carts.

Your statement is silly!

[Mleeja]

That's too bad. That also means the new Starbucks won't be accessible either.

I can't help but think there will be a solution to this.

Isn’t there a Starbucks in Pinellas Plaza? This one is golf cart accessible.

[dhsmith]

I think there may be a way to accomplish the crossing. On 441 in front of Walmart golf carts cross at the traffic light, I’ve heard that Marion County Sheriff allows them to cross.My mother lives in Sun City Center,Fl and golf carts cross the State Hwy at intersections that have traffic lights.
I think that the sign “No Carts beyond Here” was put up by the Villages and not by the St Of Florida nor Sumter County.Your course of action should be meeting with the Sumter Co Sheriff and your County Commissioner’s and maybe permission will be granted.
I’m not a attorney but I think if enough people want this access and just a little common since is applied it’s something that’s doable. It certainly makes since and would life for the residents much more enjoyable.
Good luck

[asianthree]

That's too bad. That also means the new Starbucks won't be accessible either.

I can't help but think there will be a solution to this.

So glad no golf cart access. That means the old guys that drive their golf cart to Starbucks, buy one regular coffee, then sit in chairs for hours will be minimal

[JoMar]

If driving across 466A in a golf cart would make my life more enjoyable I would probably have a pitiful existence.

[Oregon-Flyer]

I didn't know this would stir up such a fuss!

[Stu from NYC]

I didn't know this would stir up such a fuss!

People on here have very strong opinions on just about everything.

[Joe V.]

I think there may be a way to accomplish the crossing. On 441 in front of Walmart golf carts cross at the traffic light, I’ve heard that Marion County Sheriff allows them to cross.My mother lives in Sun City Center,Fl and golf carts cross the State Hwy at intersections that have traffic lights.
I think that the sign “No Carts beyond Here” was put up by the Villages and not by the St Of Florida nor Sumter County.Your course of action should be meeting with the Sumter Co Sheriff and your County Commissioner’s and maybe permission will be granted.
I’m not a attorney but I think if enough people want this access and just a little common since is applied it’s something that’s doable. It certainly makes since and would life for the residents much more enjoyable.
Good luck

My parents lived in Sun City Center and you most certainly were able to cross 674 at the lights.

[villagetinker]

The original plans showed NO golf cart access, The Villages went so far as to install fencing along the Eastern and Northern boarders to prevent golf carts from trespassing to get to these shopping areas. IMHO, TV is very protective of "its" property and unauthorized access. You have to understand, if GC access is allowed TO this shopping area, it also allows access to TV from this area including all of our golf cart paths, etc. GC access would be great for me I live in this area, but I am not interested in the possible reverse flow from all the new housing, etc., that is currently under construction.

[Mohawksin]

Golf carts are not allowed on 466A.

Golf Carts are not allowed on 462 either.

[DaleDivine]

The original plans showed NO golf cart access, The Villages went so far as to install fencing along the Eastern and Northern boarders to prevent golf carts from trespassing to get to these shopping areas. IMHO, TV is very protective of "its" property and unauthorized access. You have to understand, if GC access is allowed TO this shopping area, it also allows access to TV from this area including all of our golf cart paths, etc. GC access would be great for me I live in this area, but I am not interested in the possible reverse flow from all the new housing, etc., that is currently under construction.

TV may be "Protective" of their properties, but golf carts can get to the shopping center with TJ Maxx, Outback, CVS and all the other stores in that area which doesn't belong to TV. :):)

[DaleDivine]

Isn’t there a Starbucks in Pinellas Plaza? This one is golf cart accessible.

NUPE, haven't seen one in there.
:shocked::shocked:

[VApeople]

golf carts can get to the shopping center with TJ Maxx, Outback, CVS and all the other stores in that area which doesn't belong to TV.

Sure, golf carts are allowed to escape TV, but TV tries to prevent non-TV golf carts from coming in.

[nick demis]

The original plans showed NO golf cart access, The Villages went so far as to install fencing along the Eastern and Northern boarders to prevent golf carts from trespassing to get to these shopping areas. IMHO, TV is very protective of "its" property and unauthorized access. You have to understand, if GC access is allowed TO this shopping area, it also allows access to TV from this area including all of our golf cart paths, etc. GC access would be great for me I live in this area, but I am not interested in the possible reverse flow from all the new housing, etc., that is currently under construction.

If the Villages wanted to allow it, the problem of access is easily fixed by putting gates on a dedicated cart path. Everyone in the Villages has a card to open the gates, thus keeping outsiders out.

[Bill14564]

If the Villages wanted to allow it, the problem of access is easily fixed by putting gates on a dedicated cart path. Everyone in the Villages has a card to open the gates, thus keeping outsiders out.

And keeping many Villagers out. This could cause more problems than it solves.

While I know I need a card to get back from Spanish Springs or Pinellas Plaza on my preferred routes, and I sincerely try to remember, I usually forget to bring it. If it wasn't for the red button I would be trapped outside.

Sure, it might be easier to remember after the first time being trapped but that isn't the point. The point is that many others are going to forget and cause a traffic jam. Once it becomes common to just let in those that forgot their cards, those that never had cards will just join the line to get in too.

[golfing eagles]

And keeping many Villagers out. This could cause more problems than it solves.

While I know I need a card to get back from Spanish Springs or Pinellas Plaza on my preferred routes, and I sincerely try to remember, I usually forget to bring it. If it wasn't for the red button I would be trapped outside.

Sure, it might be easier to remember after the first time being trapped but that isn't the point. The point is that many others are going to forget and cause a traffic jam. Once it becomes common to just let in those that forgot their cards, those that never had cards will just join the line to get in too.

Just where do you need a card to get back into Hillsborough from Pinellas Plaza???

[FromNY]

Possibly the owners of that land do not want golfcarts there? It's not always all about " The Villages ".

[linurban]

If the Villages wanted to allow it, the problem of access is easily fixed by putting gates on a dedicated cart path. Everyone in the Villages has a card to open the gates, thus keeping outsiders out.

outsiders will simply run the gate and break it as happens constantly at the gate access to Lowes in the Orange Blossom area..

[Bill14564]

Just where do you need a card to get back into Hillsborough from Pinellas Plaza???

I don't "need" a card because the red button is present. My preferred route is through gate on Pinellas Place and then on to Hendry. If there is a way to bypass that gate I am not aware of it (but would really like to know).

[Papa_lecki]

I don't "need" a card because the red button is present. My preferred route is through gate on Pinellas Place and then on to Hendry. If there is a way to bypass that gate I am not aware of it (but would really like to know).

You don’t, I went through it last night with a golf cart and no card - the red button opens the gate.

[Bill14564]

And keeping many Villagers out. This could cause more problems than it solves.

While I know I need a card to get back from Spanish Springs or Pinellas Plaza on my preferred routes, and I sincerely try to remember, I usually forget to bring it. If it wasn't for the red button I would be trapped outside.

Sure, it might be easier to remember after the first time being trapped but that isn't the point. The point is that many others are going to forget and cause a traffic jam. Once it becomes common to just let in those that forgot their cards, those that never had cards will just join the line to get in too.

Just where do you need a card to get back into Hillsborough from Pinellas Plaza???

I don't "need" a card because the red button is present. My preferred route is through gate on Pinellas Place and then on to Hendry. If there is a way to bypass that gate I am not aware of it (but would really like to know).

You don’t, I went through it last night with a golf cart and no card - the red button opens the gate.

I'm sorry, I wasn't very clear.

There are a few gates that do not provide golf cart bypasses. The gate returning from Spanish Springs and the gate on Pinellas near the Pinellas Plaza are two. However, there is a red button on these gates to allow anyone, car or cart, to get through the gate without a card. You don't "need" a card to get through these gates because the red button is there.

The red button would not be present on a gate intended to allow only Villager carts through. If a red button was present then anyone, Villager or not, could get through which would defeat the purpose of that particular gate. If a Villager forgot his card he would be trapped outside. That is what I tried to describe in my first message. I have heard there is such a gate in the north part of the Villages but I have not used it; there may be signage at that gate alerting Villagers to check for their cards before proceeding.

[Girlcopper]

It is silly that bicycles can use the road for access but not golf carts.
Because bikes should be staying to the right and not holding up traffic like many of the carts do when they just putter along.

[NoMoSno]

I think there may be a way to accomplish the crossing. On 441 in front of Walmart golf carts cross at the traffic light, I’ve heard that Marion County Sheriff allows them to cross.My mother lives in Sun City Center,Fl and golf carts cross the State Hwy at intersections that have traffic lights.
I think that the sign “No Carts beyond Here” was put up by the Villages and not by the St Of Florida nor Sumter County.Your course of action should be meeting with the Sumter Co Sheriff and your County Commissioner’s and maybe permission will be granted.
I’m not a attorney but I think if enough people want this access and just a little common since is applied it’s something that’s doable. It certainly makes since and would life for the residents much more enjoyable.
Good luck
No it is not legal to cross at the McDonalds light unless you have a street-legal cart. You will get a ticket.
The intersection in front of Spruce Creek was approved because residents worked with county commissioners and FDOT. FDOT would not approve the crossing at McDonalds because of the number of lanes at that intersection. (3 each side).

[Buckeye Bob]

So glad no golf cart access. That means the old guys that drive their golf cart to Starbucks, buy one regular coffee, then sit in chairs for hours will be minimal

With the price of Starbucks coffee, I don't blame them.

[tophcfa]

I'm sorry, I wasn't very clear.

There are a few gates that do not provide golf cart bypasses. The gate returning from Spanish Springs and the gate on Pinellas near the Pinellas Plaza are two. However, there is a red button on these gates to allow anyone, car or cart, to get through the gate without a card. You don't "need" a card to get through these gates because the red button is there.

The red button would not be present on a gate intended to allow only Villager carts through. If a red button was present then anyone, Villager or not, could get through which would defeat the purpose of that particular gate. If a Villager forgot his card he would be trapped outside. That is what I tried to describe in my first message. I have heard there is such a gate in the north part of the Villages but I have not used it; there may be signage at that gate alerting Villagers to check for their cards before proceeding.

You can’t get trapped outside if you forget your card, because you can’t get outside without your card. We use the gate from the Historic section often to go to Lowel’s and one time when I got to the gate I realized I forgot my card and had to go back home to get it. After that one of our cards is always kept hidden in a safe place in my cart so I will never forget it again.

[ken.yotz]

There are two apparent issues here:
1. The Villages gets no rental revenue from businesses in the Trailwinds, so why would they want to provide access to them?
2. The speed limit on 466A is 45 mph, so one mistake and we have a splattered Villager if we allow access at the traffic light.

[Footer]

I have heard there is such a gate in the north part of the Villages but I have not used it; there may be signage at that gate alerting Villagers to check for their cards before proceeding.

After going over the bridge over 441, then heading west on Paradise you come to a golf cart path with exit to Lowes area. You need your card to get out so no danger of getting trapped outside.

[jneibert]

I have taken my street legal cart across 466A at the light at the intersection with Pinellas Place (Pinellas Plaza), since there is no sign that prohibits entry and workers are routinely traveling through there. Travel to Lowes, Publix, Wendy's etc. is a bit circuitous, but is easily done after crossing 466A. Unfortunately, the light controlling traffic coming back across 466A (Southward) into Pinellas Plaza wasn't working yet, but I was able to cross by waiting until the cross traffic stopped and the traffic exiting from Pinellas Plaza had cleared. I think I'll wait until the light is fully functional until I travel over there again. Shouldn't be too long.

[EviesGP]

With Trailwinds in my backyard, I was hoping for same. And, as has been mentioned here, some exceptions have been made for golf carts to cross certain county roads. An approval(exception) could be made here, as well, with a petition. But, after much thought, I realize the only place I would want(or desire) to get to, is Lowes. All the others are places that I'm not interested in(fast food), or can be accessed in other plazas. And, most of my trips to Lowes, require a vehicle to haul what I'm buying. Hence, not as much of an issue now for me.

NOTE: As for the golf carts, I've watched some folks traverse Trailwinds(i.e. Beaumont) with their carts, coming from the housing area that's west of Trailwinds/CR462A.

[Villages Kahuna]

The Villages was going to develop the Trailwinds parcel with lots of new houses, a rec center, and an executive golf course. The plans were near completion after many meetings with Wildwood officials. At the last minute the City of Wildwood took over the project saying they wanted more commercial uses and greater density of the residential portions and no age restrictions on new home buyers in the new community. There is only one small area on the far west side of the large parcel, 7 acres as I recall, that is devoted as a small city park.

At the time another reason may have been the expectation of the elected and appointed Wildwood officials that they would be out of their jobs once all the new residents in the Wildwood portion of The Villages moved in and registered to vote.

So when the Wildwood city fathers pulled the rug so abruptly from under The Villages’ development plans, the reaction by Developer was predictable. They were not going to permit access directly from The Villages so residents could drive into Trailwinds in their golf carts to shop at businesses which would be in competition with businesses which were tenants in all the surrounding shopping centers which they own.

Similarly, why would the Developer extend the benefits of golf cart access to and through The Villages to buyers of homes in the Trailwinds complex that would be sold in competition with their own new and preowned homes sold by their own real estate sales subsidiary?

The reaction by the Developer was predictable and from a business standpoint point not unreasonable.

[Rowenfl]

I believe there is a law (local?) which states golf carts can only cross on roads which are posted 35mph or less. But have seen many golf carts cross 45mph roads. 😖😮

[justjim]

The Villages was going to develop the Trailwinds parcel with lots of new houses, a rec center, and an executive golf course. The plans were near completion after many meetings with Wildwood officials. At the last minute the City of Wildwood took over the project saying they wanted more commercial uses and greater density of the residential portions and no age restrictions on new home buyers in the new community. There is only one small area on the far west side of the large parcel, 7 acres as I recall, that is devoted as a small city park.

At the time another reason may have been the expectation of the elected and appointed Wildwood officials that they would be out of their jobs once all the new residents in the Wildwood portion of The Villages moved in and registered to vote.

So when the Wildwood city fathers pulled the rug so abruptly from under The Villages’ development plans, the reaction by Developer was predictable. They were not going to permit access directly from The Villages so residents could drive into Trailwinds in their golf carts to shop at businesses which would be in competition with businesses which were tenants in all the surrounding shopping centers which they own.

Similarly, why would the Developer extend the benefits of golf cart access to and through The Villages to buyers of homes in the Trailwinds complex that would be sold in competition with their own new and preowned homes sold by their own real estate sales subsidiary?

The reaction by the Developer was predictable and from a business standpoint point not unreasonable.

You are spot on... :bigbow:

[Mleeja]

NUPE, haven't seen one in there.
:shocked::shocked:

Maybe I just thought the building by the third tee on Palmetto would be a great place to put a Starbucks. Grab a latte while waiting on the tee!

[rogerk]

That's too bad. That also means the new Starbucks won't be accessible either.

I can't help but think there will be a solution to this.

The development includes apartment homes. If you really want the residents to have golf cart access to our community, roads run in both directions, I suggest you contact the developer of the shopping center about building a tunnel or a bridge.

[Ben Franklin]

There are two apparent issues here:
1. The Villages gets no rental revenue from businesses in the Trailwinds, so why would they want to provide access to them?
2. The speed limit on 466A is 45 mph, so one mistake and we have a splattered Villager if we allow access at the traffic light.

What would be the difference between a cart and a bike? Is a bicycle allowed to cross at that intersection?

[JoMar]

What would be the difference between a cart and a bike? Is a bicycle allowed to cross at that intersection?

Florida Law makes a difference.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

That's too bad. That also means the new Starbucks won't be accessible either.

I can't help but think there will be a solution to this.

I doubt it. Those of us north of 27/441 would love to be able to cross 27/441. CVS is about a quarter mile from my house but it's a two mile golf cart ride. Residents of Stonecrest are allowed to cross 27/441 at the lights but we're not.

We'd also love to have golf cart access to Home Depot. Sam's Club, Texas Roadhouse, Best Buy, Kohls, Bed Bath and Beyond.

I've looked into this before and was told that there was no way it was ever going to happen. It seems that there should be a pretty simple, safe and low cost way to make these things happen but I was told that the developer would never allow it.

[Ben Franklin]

"Similarly, why would the Developer extend the benefits of golf cart access to and through The Villages to buyers of homes in the Trailwinds complex that would be sold in competition with their own new and preowned homes sold by their own real estate sales subsidiary?"

Looks like their plan didn't work. We still take cars to shop there. Making it golf cart accessible, even if just at the intersection of Pinellas & 466, would probably reduce car traffic on the roads.

[Bogie Shooter]

"Similarly, why would the Developer extend the benefits of golf cart access to and through The Villages to buyers of homes in the Trailwinds complex that would be sold in competition with their own new and preowned homes sold by their own real estate sales subsidiary?"

Looks like their plan didn't work. We still take cars to shop there. Making it golf cart accessible, even if just at the intersection of Pinellas & 466, would probably reduce car traffic on the roads.

Can assume reduced by at least one.:duck:

[Goldwingnut]

Let's be clear on one point, this would not be a decision made at by the developer. This decision would have to be made by the CDDs and more specifically the PWAC. All of the property involved is either CDD or Amenity property.

This has been discussed several times at PWAC meetings, not many people realize this because few get involved with the local government except to complain about something (a tree blocking their view, dog poop - I don't want to get into that topic, etc.). In the PWAC discussions the topic was fully vetted and some of the takeaways were:

The path would be 2-way and impossible to control, therefore non-residents could/would have much easier access.

Where to put it, either through one of the bordering neighborhoods and have to deal with resident complaints about the traffic that they didn't buy into when they bought thier home, or along the Sandhill golf course where it would have to take amenity property away from the course because of existing right-of-way's.

The remainder of the pathway would have to be built by the developer of the Trailwinds and Beaumont properties, which would involve in interlocal government agreement with their CDD, an unknown quantity.

There was also concern for the crossing from the south side of CR466A and the round necessary to use the path for these residents - up and around the Turtle Mound course.

The cost of building the path.

Bottom line was there was only one real positive and that was ease of access for the few residents (unknown quantity) that may have wanted access to the area.


The unspoken part of the discussion was that SLCDD would have to concede some amenity property to make this happen and all the board members of SLCDD are directly associated with the developer. The developer has no interest in funneling business away from the businesses that are leasing from them and would likely get a lot of pushback from their tenants on the matter.


Of course, at the time Wildwood shot down the Villages expansion on this area they didn't realize that the bulk of their growth and income for the next 30 years would be from The Villages, they just considered it getting in bed with the devil at the time. All a very short sighted approach at the time.

Bottom line is, it will probably never happen.

[EdFNJ]

Bottom line is, it will probably never happen. Good! No GC's to have to deal with in the lot and a lot less people standing in line saying to the cashier .... "WAIT! I know I have that 2 pennies somewhere! Let me look." for 10 minutes. :1rotfl:

[Marathon Man]

"Similarly, why would the Developer extend the benefits of golf cart access to and through The Villages to buyers of homes in the Trailwinds complex that would be sold in competition with their own new and preowned homes sold by their own real estate sales subsidiary?"

Looks like their plan didn't work. We still take cars to shop there. Making it golf cart accessible, even if just at the intersection of Pinellas & 466, would probably reduce car traffic on the roads.

What plan is that? Is there actually a belief that "The Developer" works to prevent our legal movement to other areas of the world?

[JoMar]

What plan is that? Is there actually a belief that "The Developer" works to prevent our legal movement to other areas of the world?

Now there's a stretch

[Stu from NYC]

Another reason we do not see ourselves ever getting a GC.

[golfing eagles]

Another reason we do not see ourselves ever getting a GC.

Are there GC paths in the Village of Stu????

[Stu from NYC]

Are there GC paths in the Village of Stu????

We are going to have a meeting to decide this topic sooner or later. Some members of the board would prefer rickshaws.