Gate access for guests and deliveries
 

Hello everyone. I have a rookie question. My wife and I will be moving to TV next year. I am curious how your guests get access through gates, as well as deliveries. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

The majority of the gates have an access button on the post where you would scan your entry card - just press that and the arm will raise

My guests and deliveries have never had a problem. They go to the Visitor lane and ask to be let in and away they go.

I have never been present to hear the actual conversation.

If the gate has a visitor lane, then the visitor (and delivery person) will go through the gate from that lane. The person at the gate will lift the gate arm and you go right on through, no conversation necessary. These aren't security gates. They're traffic control and hospitality gates.

Most villages do not have a gate but there is a red button you press to get in.

Most gates have a visitor lane, most gates have a red button. There are a few gates that don't have either, the main one I'm thinking of is for golf carts only. There are probably others, but most of them allow entry.

The Villages is not a gated community. It is pretty much free access to all.

All the answers are good.
Wanted to share a web site with a wealth of info about The Villages.
Village Community Development Districts

Thank you everyone that responded. I appreciate the education.

The Red button
 

From what I understand, your license plate will be photographed as you pass thru the entry !

Since TV have to pay road taxes to Lake, Sumter, and Marion; access cannot be restricted

Public Roads?
 

My understanding is that the streets in TV are public roads and maintained by the county. I'm not sure about the streets where the houses are but the "security gates" allow anyone who wants to enter - just press the red button.

I also understand that some of TV residents object to the current situation - some say that the security gates should be improved to really keep out outsiders and some say they're a waste of money and should be removed.

If the streets are indeed county streets, then they have to be open to the public. Does anyone know for sure if they are county roads/streets?

Press the red button. Gate opens and picture taken of car.

They are mostly county streets. The streets in the villas and in Marion County are private roads, but the county has been contracted to maintain them. Apparently Marion County has refused to accept ownership of the streets.

If you think The Villages is a gated community, you need to think again! It is not! Anyone can push a red button and enter. Some villages, like LaBelle, even have an entrance with nothing....Justbturn in!!!! I moved!!!!

Face and plate get photographed

Yes, we are a gated community. It is just that we are a high tech gated community that does not normally restrict access to the roads. However, each vehicle is photographed as it enters or leaves and can be checked. Also, the public does not have access to parks, recreation centers, trails, etc.

While everyone normally has free access to the roads, that can change in an instant. The entire gate system and Community Watch are connected to the 9-1-1 system and the police can patch in to to the security cameras at any time. If needed, traffic can be shut down completely and nobody let in or out until the emergency has cleared. Granted, the PVC poles on the gates aren’t much of a barrier, but neither are they in other gated communities.

Of you want find out how secure our gated community is, try being a bad boy and starting a ruckus.

We are better known as a "community with gates."

Just hit the button going through the visitors gate and it will open

Theyre not security gates. Just drive into the visitor lane. Wave to the guard and he opens the gate. If no guard, just push the red button on the box near the gate. There are no security gates in the villages though some feel extra secure when they see guard booths n gates

Really? That's the first I heard of this.

Push red button

The gates really aren't security gates. Anyone can get in. Photographs are taken as vehicles pass through, but all they have to do is press the button and the gate arm rises.

Anyone can come through the gates. Pull up push the button and the gate will open. If there is a guard you can drive through the visitor section and I’ll probably have the gate open before you get to it. All roads are public. Solicitors do not pay attention to the rules I’ll be prepared for people knocking on your doors.

Go online and watch; The Villages Gate Damages.

The roads in TV are public roads. Anyone can use these roads. The gates are simply for traffic control, not security. Many villagers don’t understand that. The roads are public roads not private !

Somehow I just don't believe this.
BTW did you move to another village? Another community?

To the OP, if a secure gated/guarded community is what you are looking for there are many of these communities near/around the Villages. Do your homework and explore what there is available. 55places dot com is a great resorse to check out.

There are 2 lanes at each gate opening: 1 on the right side for residents with a key card and 1 on the left side gate for visitors who must push a button to lift the gate

The red button on the enter pad, you don’t have call or notify anyone. But there are security cameras at every gate entrance so you, and your cars license plate have video and hard copy on file. FYI golf carts have stop signs at every gate crossing cars are not to stop and wave carts through you can get a ticket, remember your on video at every gate entrance. Use of the Multi use paths have the same rules as the road. If you want to stop get in the grass, you don’t stop your car in the middle of the road to take pictures or visit with someone. Stop means stop, yield, and one way mean the same on the paths just as they do on the road. The sheriffs do have golf carts and motorcycles the monitor the paths and do hand out tickets. You can also get a DUI for driving a golf cart under the influence.

The gates are just for show, not security. Anyone can get in by pushing the red button.

suspect local govt's don't accept tv streets is they don't meet specs,,, base thickness, compaction density levels, asphalt mix design, width, etc

Sadly, that is correct. TV is the "illusion" of a gated community, not an actual gated community. No one really needs a gate card even. Gates are only to slow down traffic.

it is a joke not safe at all

Villages gates
 

Push the red button. We are not truly gated access.

Some gates have only on lane. All gates have a button.

Agree, don't wave them thru, however, no ticket is involved for doing this.

In the 17 years we have been here and before, it was never claimed by TV to be a gated community.

Unfortunately those uninformed assumed it was a gated community because they saw "gates".

TV was never intended nor presented to be a gated community.

I am always amused by the few who bad mouth the "fake" gated community...a want in their mind only.

The gates are strictly traffic control....activity between golf cars and full sized automobiles...nothing more.

Yes some have cameras...mostly to record a collision incident...most of which is the crashing of the gate(s).

:bigbow:

Correct. So why are we paying to build and maintain gates?