Upcoming Changes to all Gates in The Villages
 

I received this in an email. I have not verified the information with District Property Management. Has anyone else heard anything regarding this issue?
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Gary Kadow, fellow Lynnhaven resident who is currently running for Supervisor in Community Development District 5 (CDD 5), seat #5, in the upcoming General election took the initiative for clarifying this issue for us.

10/11/2010 5:38 PM I just had a long conversation with Sam Wartinbee, Director of District Property Management, regarding the upcoming changes planned for the gates here in The Villages. I know that several of our neighbors have raised this issue, and I wanted to be sure they had accurate information.


These changes are in fact a result of a Federal Law that takes effect on January 1, 2011. This law has been adopted by the Florida legislature, and accepted by the counties of Sumter, Lake, and Marion. In essence, the law states that there must be complete traffic control of all "vehicles" entering and exiting The Villages. As a result, the following will be implemented in our community:
All single entrance and exit gates must extend far enough over to leave no more than a 24-inch opening.

All double gates, such as the one at the Bonnybrook exit, can have no more than a 40-inch opening.

These gates must have a red and white striped reflective pattern on them, and the "Welcome Home" can no longer be used on the gate arms. Go figure?

ALL vehicles must be controlled by the gate arms. This includes automobiles, motorcycles, golf carts, and bicycles. The gate at Belvedere "may be an exception" due to it's current design.

Any gate that is unable to detect bicycles or special alloy vehicles will be equipped with electric eye sensors.

Anyone going around these gates may be subject to traffic law enforcement violations.

How will this be paid for?

Districts 1 through 4 on the North side of Route 466 have already had their ACC Committee approve using amenities fee funds.

District 5 will be paid for by the Sumter Landing Community Development District (SLCDD), which in fact will be using the current amenities fees that we pay them. It will not come out of our District Property Assessment fees.

Districts 6 through 10 will be paid for by the Developer.
That's about it for now. Hope this helps.

=

I wounder what the costs were for Washington to make this decision. :boom:

Hi Bogie,
Thanks for passing this along. Do you by chance know anything about new law? It's title? It's purpose? Who sponsored and why? Anybody?

If the information is correct, I'm also curious what it will cost and expected impacts (other than taking longer to get through the gates).

On the surface, it sounds... weird.

I only know what you see in the email.
The cost shouldn't be that much, since the gates are knocked down on a regular basis....just install the longer ones.

I agree, Pt. Once again our legislators are working hard to save lives, cure unemployment, fix the economy and all the other reasons we elected them . . . when I go to the polls I want a box to vote for "none of the above."

Isn't "into The Villages" un-gated anyway?
Any vehicle can go through =on the major roads with no control.

If the Harmeswood gate openings were even close to 24" we'd be delighted.
One must turn sideways in order to walk through

Is a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or pushed bicycle a vehicle?

Hopefully someone will take some action and do a little more research

L and L

At a bike club meeting we were told (by a Sumter County sheriff) that the cost for the new gates is over $1 million dollars.

Will the gates open automatically without the use of a gate card?

golf -- You can't blame everything on Washington. It sounds like this is a Florida legislator decision. Can't even imagine the feds passing a law such as this.

If thats true......some legislator must own a gate company.

Do away with the gates, put up a stop sign and full length speed bumps.

The Feds set highway design standards in the MUTCD ... manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Florida has adopted the national standard.

In 2003, I see a letter from Tampa area inquiring if gates into residential areas are considered traffic control. The fed response at that time was the only gates they addressed were rail crossings and bridges but that they would consider residential gates in future editions of the standard. It looks like the 2009 update to the MUTCD chapter 2B.68 -page 102 in the link below now includes these residential gates as traffic control devices and thus requires them to have vertical red and white striping and extend the full width.

That's the offiicial source, as best I can tell. Does it make sense in our world??? Probably not... Yes it may increase safety but that will be offset by increased delays in getting through the gates and general aggravation on the part of bikers and golf cart operators.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part2b.pdf

It probably has something to do with state adoption of the Federal Highway Administration Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices or something along those lines. Just a guess. Don't know what would have changed and why.

Ooops. V07 just posted that. I'm a day late and a dollar short-- again!

No, everyone will need to swipe their card or press the button.

I wonder what this means for the Shay Gate on the north side! Been using that gate for 4 yrs and there has never been a gate! We just cruise thru and smile and wave back to our "gatekeeper"! There is insufficient room between the gatehouse and the main street to permit the use of a gate! Traffic would be backed up to the hiway if every entering car had to wait for a mechanical gate! Maybe they'll move the gate down to Tarrson? I doubt that!

The language of this standard is so vague I cannot believe The Villages is spending $1 million to comply without other pressures or motives. Is there a public record of the meeting(s) where this was discussed and decided? Who raised the issue and what did they want to accomplish?

ONE MILLION DOLLARS? Wouldn't it be cheaper to ask for a waiver for TV? Especially considering how often the gates will be knocked down by carts trying to squeeze through the mini-gap (or just forgetting they have changed).

Makes no sense to me.

Too bad they can't spend some of that $1 mil to make each village more secure for residents.

Excellent questions, Bike and Red is on to something. What it the world would be accomplished. If not much in the way of safety, a waiver would seem sensible. It almost seems at first blush that safety would be compromised. I hope there's more to this than meets the eye.

Found the comments to the notice of proposed rule making NPRM... Sveral states and agencies provided comments on this new section but nothing adverse questioning why it was being done. The only reference to the reason for the change by the Feds was to achieve uniformity with how other mandated traffic control gates (bridges and rail crossings) are used.

Paraphrasing here, it said gate arms must extend the full width to block motor vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic, as appropriate. Seems as though the "as appropriate" leaves some interpretation for applicability.

I sure hope FL, Sumter County, and the Villages property management did their due diligence in seeking a waiver from these requirements where it makes sense to do so.

"Gary Kadow, fellow Lynnhaven resident who is currently running for Supervisor in Community Development District 5 (CDD 5), seat #5, in the upcoming General election took the initiative for clarifying this issue for us."

The Yoder 500 also helps ....

???

I wonder if the CDD, being a government body supposedly at arms length from the developer, put this million dollar project out for bids or did the developer get it in a no bid no competitions contract.

That's a 5 o'clock "Shadow," a.k.a., a stretch. Don't you think? How much would the developer make after he paid for materials and labor? You're gonna have to 'splain this one to me, Shadow.

The pedestrian control part is 'over the top' but unless they put up a screen they can go 'under the bottom'
Seriously, do 'they' really expect to 'control' pedestrians with Railroad/Checkpoint Charlie-style gates?

Maybe the yoga and pilates clubs will grow or the Limbo will come back!!

And what about those rogue ladies on their trikes?
and egads, DOGS!!
Remember NO fences in TV!!

I say better be careful, gate installers, this maverick triker
http://www.drmirkin.com/images/ThunderChurchill.JPG
might turn loose her roadies - even though she can do the head dip and sneak under the boom

Keep us posted

L and L

The Standard says "the closest part of the gate arm and support shall have a lateral offset of AT LEAST 2 feet from the face of the curb or the edge of the traveled way" (emphasis mine). As I read this, it that means the opening COULD BE 3 feet, 4 feet or more.

It looks to me as if TV is using the Standard to justify changing the gates for some other reason than just to comply with this "law". What are the reasons? They should be in the minutes of the meeting where the decision was made.

Now we will need to carry gate passes in the golf cart. Used to just leave them in the cars and never needed one for the cart. So where do I get/purchase extra gate passes? Hummmmmmm, maybe that is the way they will be paid for.

And just think of the revenue in replacing lost and stolen cards. Cards are stolen from the carts all the time now. Imagine what it will be like when everyone begins to carry them in their carts -- lost yours; no problem -- grab a new one at the square.

This is definitely one of those things just doesn't make sense to me. I really get the feeling the cost will become truly exorbitant with broken gates everywhere and non-stop card replacement.

Stop at the exit gates?
 

If the newly mandated function of these gates is to stop all traffic, what is the purpose of the exit gates? I thought they were to give an image of security. Cars never stop at these gates; they roll into the view of the electric eye and keep rolling through as soon as the gate opens. Will everyone now be required to stop at these gates?

Again I ask -- What is the real agenda for these changes?

I have read all of what you have to say and you all have considered this from every angle. There is a small thing added into this, a very small thing that I dislike very much.

It is when we have been out painting, lunching, pickleballing, golfing, riding our bike, cart, car, motorcycle, or when we have driven a gazillion hours or flown from way far away, on our return each and every one of us always felt so nice to read. "Welcome Home".

:agree: My wife and I too like to see the "Welcome Home" signs on the gate.

I read through the minutes of the Villages Community Development District's meetings. There are a few reference that I could find regarding the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the gates in TV.

I am including only a portion of the minutes I found addressing the issue. You can look at the minutes by going to the link I provide at the end of the post and researching the matter if you are interested.

There is a resident of Polo Ridge who has provided the board with the UTCD and brings the issue to the boards attention at several of the meetings. I haven't looked back far enough in the minutes to find the first time it is brought up. But here is what I have found.

April 7, 2010: Page 12 of the minutes, 11th order of business, Gate Incident Report

"Stan Kozloski, Village of Polo Ridge, provided the Committee with a copy of information provided by the Florida Highway Administration pertaining to gates and advised there is direction included in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) pertaining to signage on shareduse paths.

"Mr. Wartinbee advised Staff has located a high intensity red and white reflective tape which will be installed on resident entry and exit gates. The red and white tape will be installed in three sections along the gates. Staff has identified that the blue tape installed on the Southern Trace gate was
an error and the tape will be removed."

May 12, 2010: Page 10 of the minutes, the 8th order of business:
Gate Arm Length and Stop Signs

"Mike Tucker, Chief, Villages Public Safety Department (VPSD) advised Staff has been communicating with law enforcement in an attempt to identify what actions the District can take to ensure proper traffic flow when gate arms are inoperable and have been advised by law enforcement the stop signs installed on the barrels are not enforceable; however, the District has been commended by law enforcement for utilizing the signs and barrels by warning residents of the need to stop.

"Staff will continue with the placement of the barrels.

"Sam Wartinbee, District Property Management (DPM) Director, advised Chief Tucker and he have identified the gate arms at an exit gate will not be less than 36 inches. In regards to the entry gates the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) effective January 2011 will be adopted by
Sumter County and the Town of Lady Lake. Staff has not been able to receive confirmation from Marion County at this time.

"The MUTCD states that a gate arm shall completely block a lane of traffic
except for a 24 inch opening for pedestrians; however, in some instances the pedestrian opening may increase to 36 inches. The District will comply with the MUTCD which will require all vehicles, inclusive of bicyclists, motorcycles and golf carts, to stop at the gates to utilize their gate card or the
push button.

"Mr. Wartinbee advised the MUTCD also requires alternating 16 inches of red and 16 inches of white tape on the gate arms which Staff will apply manually.
Chairman Lambrecht requested confirmation if the “Welcome Home” stickers would be removed. Mr. Wartinbee stated the “Welcome Home” stickers would have to be removed.

"Mr. Wartinbee advised the Committee the cost for replacement gate arms will increase depending on the number broken by golf carts."


July 14, 2010: Page 12 of the minutes, the 12th order of business: Administrative Policy Pertaining to Length of Gate Arms and Timing of Gates at Entries and Exits.

August 11, 2010: , Page 19 of the minutes, the 21st order of business:
Committee Member Comments



http://www.districtgov.org/aac/aac.aspx

Another gate problem created
 

Implementation of new gate regulations without sufficient research and input would create a bigger problem than whatever it is proponents and uninformed bureaucrats are trying to solve. The Bridgeport Lake Sumter gate comes to mind. Because of the design of the gate, a poor one at that, golf cart traffic would have to exit the cart path, go out to Buena Vista where operators without street legal status would be breaking the law, and re-enter through the access on the island which extends to Buena Vistaa. You see, the gate access reader is between the cart path and Buena Vista while the gate is between the path and the village. This maneuver or any shortcut to circumvent it, would be extremely dangerous as two way cart traffic co-mingles with fast traffic coming off Buena Vista and would compete to enter the same access amd gate. I can hear the crunching of metal on fiberglass already. I know that there must be other gates with similar design issues.

Of course the Sumter County Sheriff can set up a manned booth and write summones for all those gate violators who break one law to satisfy another. Great revenue stream for the county.

I wonder if the people who create these dictates considered the cost implications of the redesign efforts necessary to implement the new restrictions safely? Who will pick up the redesign tab? Heck.....on the plus side it will create jobs for someone.

Bravo, Cabo35 and thanks to bcunningham for the info on CDD minutes.
Has the POA taken any stand on this issue? Perhaps we need a class-action lawsuit to prevent implementation of these ill-advised changes.

Gate changes
 

I find it mildly interesting that there should be such concern over this. Most folks think there is not enough security. If I had a vote I would say the more security the better.

They cannot stop anyone from coming into the Villages because these are public roads. There are a few roads around the Villages that have it posted that they are "private" roads.

This will just make more of a headache for gatekeepers and people waiting in lines at the gates.

It is also very probably that many more gates will get broken by people trying to go around them in their golf cart. I must see someone going around gates in a car or truck about twice a month at least.

007 -If there is no concurrent adjustments to the "press the button and let anyone in policy", what will longer gates accomplish? I agree with you that we need more security. We differ on the consequences gate extensions will have on multi-modal traffic flow safety and....its dubious impact on security.

Perhaps a consolidation of efforts reviewing and combining security and traffic safety interests would be more in the interest of Villagers. The gate extension by itself is a band-aid that will not enhance security without an overhaul of the current security efforts or lack thereof.

It does not increase security in my opinion...only slows traffic
 

maybe.

As far as having your gate card with you, there is really no need for that. Just push the button like everybody else that left their card home or is not a resident.

This sounds like another one of those conference room decisions made without real knowledge to solve a problem that is most likely minimal in proportion and anfter the spending of the money and changes made, NOTHING WILL HAVE CHANGED except the longer gates and spending the money.

What needs to be ferreted out is the prime mover/motivation for this to become an issue in the first place. And with sufficient urgency to spend what will wind up being more than $i million dollars.

btk

PS is it not impressive the number of hits some subjects get!!!!

It may have been said before, and might get said again.....
Would it be possible a gate contractor could stand a chance to benefit?

We had someone going around to stores , offices, and shopping centers citing people for ADA accessibility infractions and it just so happened his brother was in the business of construction

Then there are some political types that blame certain governmental actions, declarations, and projects on the revenue.

That is not the business of this forum

We just agree it's a waste of effort and money to put so much into those gates.

On the other hand, there's enough iron and steel in the Gate at BV and Avalos to build a ship


L and L