Palermo Golf Cart Gate Closing

[Normal]

Can the Amenity Authority Committee close a golf cart gate to Villages amenities? The wood shop would be inaccessible by golf cart. We pay 95 dollars a year for its use. I had the understanding that the shop is Villages owned. I don’t see how they can seal off the gate if we all maintain paying our dues. I guess the driving range would be tough to get to too.

https://www.**************.com/2024/07/07/officials-appear-ready-to-seal-off-illicit-entry-point-to-the-villages/

[villagetinker]

I would suggest a gate be installed, but this one would require a valid VILLAGES ID CARD to open the gate, no RED button and no normal gate card that can be easily duplicated. I know this will be a problem for the people that forget their card, but I guess a backup would be a phone call to community watch to remotely open the gate.
Signs would need to be added that the Villages ID card is required for the return trip, actually after thinking about this, the villages ID should be required for BOTH directions, this way the villager will have a way to get back in.
I do agree that cutting of this access is not a good idea, I have used the driving range (I access by car) but not the wood workers shop.

[tophcfa]

Can the Amenity Authority Committee close a golf cart gate to Villages amenities? The wood shop would be inaccessible by golf cart. We pay 95 dollars a year for its use. I had the understanding that the shop is Villages owned. I don’t see how they can seal off the gate if we all maintain paying our dues. I guess the driving range would be tough to get to too.

https://www.**************.com/2024/07/07/officials-appear-ready-to-seal-off-illicit-entry-point-to-the-villages/

I would suggest a gate be installed, but this one would require a valid VILLAGES ID CARD to open the gate, no RED button and no normal gate card that can be easily duplicated. I know this will be a problem for the people that forget their card, but I guess a backup would be a phone call to community watch to remotely open the gate.
Signs would need to be added that the Villages ID card is required for the return trip, actually after thinking about this, the villages ID should be required for BOTH directions, this way the villager will have a way to get back in.
I do agree that cutting of this access is not a good idea, I have used the driving range (I access by car) but not the wood workers shop.

I read the same article and found the proposal very disturbing. In addition to access to the wood shop, access to the seasonal farmers market (the Spanish Springs farmers market has been permanently moved to Brownwood), driving range, golf instructors who give lessons at the range, and the dog park (membership only), would all be choked off. This would be a serious blow to both the lifestyle of many Villagers living in the area as well as the business that operate out of the Lady Lake facility. Many part time Villages residents periodically fly to their Villages homes throughout the year, ourselves included, and rely exclusively on our golf carts for transportation (no car available). We would be completely shut out from those facilities if the access path were closed.

I have already reached out to our Districts representative to the Ammenity Authority Committee regarding our concerns. I suggested exactly what Villagetinker suggested above, installing a gate with no red button that can only be opened with a valid resident gate card. If the AAC can fork over approximately $1.5 million for a storage facility to be used by subcontractors at Mira Mesa, surly they can install a gate that benefits many amenity fee paying Villages residents.

I would strongly suggest that other residents who would be affected by the access path closure also reach out the AAC with their concerns.

[UsuallyLurking]

The Amenity Authority Meeting is tomorrow (Wednesday) at 9 AM at Savannah. This item is on the agenda, at the very end of the meeting. At that time we'll find out why the issue is being raised in the first place. I would note that the suggestion of a gate with no red button is a good one, and already in place (as I understand) on the historic side, though it will be tricky given the space constraints to design and construct.

[tophcfa]

The Amenity Authority Meeting is tomorrow (Wednesday) at 9 AM at Savannah. This item is on the agenda, at the very end of the meeting. At that time we'll find out why the issue is being raised in the first place. I would note that the suggestion of a gate with no red button is a good one, and already in place (as I understand) on the historic side, though it will be tricky given the space constraints to design and construct.

I see your point about a double gate like the one in the historic section. However, there is ample room for a single gate and space for a cart(s) going in the other direction to pull aside and wait their turn. That path is typically not very busy so a single gate shouldn’t be a problem, especially if ONLY Villagers with a valid gate card have access. I wish I could attend tomorrow’s meeting (I wish it was next week), but I’m currently about 1,350 miles away from the Savannah Center. It would be greatly appreciated if someone who attends tomorrow’s meeting could post an update on the status.

[UsuallyLurking]

I will be at the AAC meeting and I will report on what happens there.

[Bilyclub]

Thinking out of the box, how about a gate with a camera where a TV membership card would have to be shown to the Community Watch camera watchers who could then raise the gate. This way there would be no cloned cards from outsiders getting in like at the Paradise gate.

[UsuallyLurking]

I will be at the AAC meeting and I will report on what happens there.

Bottom Line: The golf entrance will stay as it is.

Slightly longer explanation: The committee did not see that there was an issue that affected it (that is, outsiders using the entrance to get access to amenities -- defined as things supported by amenity fees, which does not include squares entertainment).

Abbreviated gory details: There may be a law enforcement issue having to do with golf carts crossing Rolling Acres. Lady Lake authorities, including the police chief, have been notified. In the meantime, there is absolutely no sentiment to closing the entrance. Committee members had the attitude that if outsiders are using the entrance to golf cart to Spanish Springs and to possibly spending their dollars there, that is a good thing. It was also noted that the existing golf gate on the north side of the historic side is owned by the developer, not by the district, so you shouldn't think of it as a precedent as to how to proceed. It was also noted that there is no power or fiber to the area of the Palermo entrance, so installing a gate there would be expensive. Finally, one of the people who lives next to the entrance got up and described 17 years of (at best) annoyance or (perhaps closer to) hell. While I would think someone buying next to a cut-through (which this is) should expect traffic at weird hours, his experience did seem to be more than one might reasonably expect. He did not leave the meeting a happy man.

[DonH57]

So in all seriousness where are the numbers showing all these people from outside sneaking into the villages by golf cart to use our amenities. It would be easier for them to bring their cart on a trailer, pull into a shopping plaza, drop down the cart and drive all over the villages. Who would know an outsider from a resident?

[tophcfa]

Bottom Line: The golf entrance will stay as it is.

Slightly longer explanation: The committee did not see that there was an issue that affected it (that is, outsiders using the entrance to get access to amenities -- defined as things supported by amenity fees, which does not include squares entertainment).

Abbreviated gory details: There may be a law enforcement issue having to do with golf carts crossing Rolling Acres. Lady Lake authorities, including the police chief, have been notified. In the meantime, there is absolutely no sentiment to closing the entrance. Committee members had the attitude that if outsiders are using the entrance to golf cart to Spanish Springs and to possibly spending their dollars there, that is a good thing. It was also noted that the existing golf gate on the north side of the historic side is owned by the developer, not by the district, so you shouldn't think of it as a precedent as to how to proceed. It was also noted that there is no power or fiber to the area of the Palermo entrance, so installing a gate there would be expensive. Finally, one of the people who lives next to the entrance got up and described 17 years of (at best) annoyance or (perhaps closer to) hell. While I would think someone buying next to a cut-through (which this is) should expect traffic at weird hours, his experience did seem to be more than one might reasonably expect. He did not leave the meeting a happy man.

Thanks for the update, wish I could have been at the meeting. I think everyone will be happy with the access path staying as is except for a neighbor or two in the area. As someone who uses the path periodically, I have rarely witnessed anything other than one other cart using the path at the same time, and usually I am the only cart. Although I feel for the neighbor at the meeting, as you stated, he should have known there would be golf cart traffic there when he purchased. One persons poor decision should not become a problem for the masses.

I always thought there was no way non Villagers could access the Lady Lake recreation facility via golf cart on Rolling Acres Road. I was surprised to learn people are illegally crossing such a busy road in order to get access to the Villages. Hopefully, the Lady Lake law enforcement will step up and put an end to that dangerous and illegal activity.

Thanks again : )

[UsuallyLurking]

So in all seriousness where are the numbers showing all these people from outside sneaking into the villages by golf cart to use our amenities. It would be easier for them to bring their cart on a trailer, pull into a shopping plaza, drop down the cart and drive all over the villages. Who would know an outsider from a resident?

The person who brought up the issue said one of the residents on Palermo reports that shortly after 9 PM that a bunch of golf carts head out the Palermo exit to destinations unknown to them. There are also other anecdotal reports of people crossing Rolling Acres. They appear to be enjoying the entertainment and other attractions on the square, which are not amenities as the term is used by the AAC.

[tophcfa]

The person who brought up the issue said one of the residents on Palermo reports that shortly after 9 PM that a bunch of golf carts head out the Palermo exit to destinations unknown to them. There are also other anecdotal reports of people crossing Rolling Acres. They appear to be enjoying the entertainment and other attractions on the square, which are not amenities as the term is used by the AAC.

Sounds like a good time for the Lady Lake law enforcement to set up a trap to catch and fine the alleged cart drivers illegally crossing Rolling Acres Road. A heavy fine, with the threat of a larger penalty for repeat offenders, should do the trick. If no one is observed crossing the road, then the resident might be just blowing hot air?

[MrChip72]

Are they trying to solve a legitimate problem, or are they just trying to make it look like they're doing something for the same of doing something? I don't understand what problem they are solving. Seems like they're creating more problems by doing this. An outsider on a golf cart still has no access to any amenities that people in TV pay for. Someone could much more easily drive their car to a pool and "sneak in".

[mraines]

I read the same article and found the proposal very disturbing. In addition to access to the wood shop, access to the seasonal farmers market (the Spanish Springs farmers market has been permanently moved to Brownwood), driving range, golf instructors who give lessons at the range, and the dog park (membership only), would all be choked off. This would be a serious blow to both the lifestyle of many Villagers living in the area as well as the business that operate out of the Lady Lake facility. Many part time Villages residents periodically fly to their Villages homes throughout the year, ourselves included, and rely exclusively on our golf carts for transportation (no car available). We would be completely shut out from those facilities if the access path were closed.

I have already reached out to our Districts representative to the Ammenity Authority Committee regarding our concerns. I suggested exactly what Villagetinker suggested above, installing a gate with no red button that can only be opened with a valid resident gate card. If the AAC can fork over approximately $1.5 million for a storage facility to be used by subcontractors at Mira Mesa, surly they can install a gate that benefits many amenity fee paying Villages residents.

I would strongly suggest that other residents who would be affected by the access path closure also reach out the AAC with their concerns.
Installing a gate will not solve any problems. There is a gate at Paradise and non Villagers use it all the time. Also, this issue has been resolved. They voted not to block access.

[DonH57]

The person who brought up the issue said one of the residents on Palermo reports that shortly after 9 PM that a bunch of golf carts head out the Palermo exit to destinations unknown to them. There are also other anecdotal reports of people crossing Rolling Acres. They appear to be enjoying the entertainment and other attractions on the square, which are not amenities as the term is used by the AAC.

Hhmm . Ok. I guess if people are in fact crossing rolling acres road on golf carts they're taking the chance of being struck by an automotive and the chance of being caught by law enforcement are slim to none because my guess is it is not being reported. You are correct the entertainment, restaurants, shopping, and bars are open to the public and not amenities.

[Bilyclub]

Are they trying to solve a legitimate problem, or are they just trying to make it look like they're doing something for the same of doing something? I don't understand what problem they are solving. Seems like they're creating more problems by doing this. An outsider on a golf cart still has no access to any amenities that people in TV pay for. Someone could much more easily drive their car to a pool and "sneak in".


Residents pay for the upkeep of the Multi Modal Paths so you can call those an amenity that outsiders can use with their golf carts.