Re: Cost
 

I don't know how they came up with the $1M price tag. But perhaps it takes into consideration that every time a gate is broken by a vehicle, instead of replacing the broken, shorter, arm onto the gate, they have to buy a new one.

Gate Standards
 

If you read the Mutcd - it is not a LAW it is a standard for traffic control devices and signage. It states the arm should be long enough to effectively restrict motorized vehicles. Does not say we can not have the Welcome Home sign. It does say the mechanism must be at least 2ft. behind the edge of the curb. Read the MUTCD


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

Red,

The third paragraph states that it started with mandate from Washington!! I thought there were a whole lot of hot topics on their plate in D.C.

Yup, you be right, I be wrong. Amazing how something done to protect idiots from running train crossings has become such a royal mess for others (and I can't believe this is just an issue for TV). It would be so nice if common sense would prevail once in awhile.

Hey Red, since we already have our black t-shirts, badges and sticks, maybe Gracie, you and me can beat some common sense into 'em!

Don't forget anonchick.

Yeah I got my Gatling all loaded up and ready for some serious knee-shootin fun! YAHOO!
:pepper2:

TV and common sense? Think that may be a dichotomy (anything run by committee usually lacks common sense IMO). Gotta be a little cooler to wear that black shirt, though, but I'm game to try. Gracie?

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:

Maybe it's my pc, but that was the end of your post. Is there something missing?

Bill

Just my humble opinion, but I say it is time we take down the gates. They are only decorative in nature and are of no effective value.

I beg to differ. They can be a deterrence for the uninformed. They still intimidate my wife.: )

They also slow down traffic which is one of the main reasons for having them. For some, it's a great reminder they're entering a residential area and they. actually. slow. down!

What she said.

Speed bumps slow traffic down too, and are much less costly to maintain.

In Boston we use potholes to slow the traffic and save money on road repairs.

Who do you expect to intimidate with gates? The criminals who are going to find a way in anyway? They are a nuisance and a waste of money. Ever have to stick your hand out the window to punch a button in the rain?
And as for slowing vehicles down. Just how long do you think it takes to speed up once through the gate?
But back to the why of the new laws regarding the gates; I think a reasonable explanation is that most gates that impede traffic on a public road are found at train crossings. Ever see someone foolish enough to go round the end of the bar to cross over the tracks? Many, many accidents are caused this way. Therefore, we now have a generic law mandating the length of the bar-probably to keep the impatient ones from getting killed.

Atjack and redwitch -
I agree with you that the gates are a deterrence for the uninformed and do slow down traffic.
However, I have always felt that TV's advertising as a gated community is a misnomer. Because the streets are owned by the county,
there is no way the gates can be completely secured. If the developer had chosen to maintain the streets, our current amenity fees
would probably be doubled.

I have reservations about what our security will be when our population reaches 100,000+.
I moved from a community where the gates were manned by two officers and no one was permitted without the authority of the
property owner. The owner would call in guest's name and guest would pick up a pass at a designated spot to gain access so
I was shocked when I moved to this "gated" community. I would have welcomed the amenity fee for that security.
Hopefully TV's security will increase as the population increases.

I disagree with those who want to no longer have gates whatever their lengths. Something is better than nothing in today's world even in The Bubble.

Since I do not know. Where in advertising for TV do they portray TV as a gated community?

Yeah that's confusing to me too. As someone who doesn't live there yet, I consider it a master-planned active retirement community, not a gated community. Technically, it isn't even a retirement community, since many residents work. It isn't -really- even a senior community, because there are sections reserved for employees and their minor children to live.

It's a community that has gates, but it is not a gated community. My mom's development is gated - you cannot enter without having either a bar-code sticker on your window, or the guard at the gate verifying your authorization to be there.

My grandmother lived in Century Village - THAT is a gated community. A gated community means something specific, and The Villages doesn't meet that criteria.

I want them to replace the gates with big (at least 16 feet tall) wrought iron ones that open as you approach because they recognize the chip in your car.

I would also like to have those guys like Queen Elizabeth has that blow their horns. A curtsy or two would be nice...but hey, it ain't bad the way it is.:1rotfl:

Can someone explain to me the function of the exit gates?

Under Lifestyles on The Villages website:

Our residents say it’s like being a kid again: golf, recreation, shopping, dining, medical and professional services – everything you need to live life to the fullest – just a golf car ride away, in a beautifully designed and gated community.
You’ll make friends, you’ll make memories, and you can ultimately make yourself a happier, healthier person too!

Lowers the temptation to drive through in the wrong direction.

S - L - O - W you down around the cart crossing areas.

bike42, u understand now right?....gn

I don't think TV is advertised as a gated community. That would be false advertising. Everybody knows what a gated community is, and TV isn't one.

They look like gates to me!

exit(gate) strategy
 

While not as controversial as Watergate, in a real world, exit gates, like emergency exits that cannot be opened from the 'outside', are there to block entry.

If there were no exit gate, a (very rare) driver could head into the 'secured' neighborhood in the opposite lane

Just be glad they don't have a 'severe tire damage' spikeplate on the ground.

If 'they' make the Harmeswood gate-end-to-curb opening 24", we'd be utterly delighted
Anyone other than Twiggy has to turn sideways to enter on foot.
L and L

Flashing Lights Too?
 

I'm in favor of keeping the gates I believe they are an effective deterrent to unwanted and "cut-thru" traffic for non-residents.

Just wondering though, if promulgated in a law including railroad crossings, can we get those alternating flashing red lights on the top of the gates, they're pretty cool.

But the exit gates come AFTER the golf cart paths.

Not All
 

Cart trail along Buena Vista across Talley Ridge; Coming from Saddlebrook under the tunnel and turning right along Buena Vista; Morse Blvd. toward 441 and/or downtown, just to name a few.

Since there are so many different variations of gates, how are they going to come up with one consistent design that works for all? How about the entrance at Belvedere just past the high school? Last year they created a separate lane for golf carts so they could go by the gate arm, because golf cart traffic is so heavy there that cars were backing up to block the high school entrance. Are they now switching back to make the carts use gate cards?

A Federal Law just for The Villages?
 

Re: changes in Villages gates: "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."
How did this law come to be? Who proposed it? What is the motivation behind it?

the gate keeper

Good one. lol

:blahblahblah:
The PRIMARY GOAL of The Villages is selling homes. When most of us first visited here to consider our future retirement years in FL, we saw all the gates and gate houses and were convinced in was a super secure, "gated community." I believe it's all part of the marketing show. As long as the roadways are publicly maintained and county tax dollars are used for them they have to be accessible to the general public. The gates will not deter those entering for illegal doings. There is camera monitoring at all the gates south of Rte. 466 but I wouldn't count on any of them to provide any photo quality good enough to use as identifying a speficific vehicles or persons. I feel a lot of our amenity monies are used for a lot of show for a lot of dough!

There is no such law. There are federal guidelines (MUTCD) for gates, IF they are used at places such as parking lots, military bases, private communities (which TV is not). The guidelines do not require any gates. They do not state how wide the opening must be (if a gate is used).

The Amenity Authority Committee is using the federal guidelines as an excuse to punish bad behavior of a few bicycle/motorcycle/golf cart drivers in a way that will inconvenience everyone, create a hazard for cyclists, and use EVERYONE's amenity money for a totally unnecessary project. If you want to complain, address the AAC at http://www.districtgov.org/aac/aac.aspx

There is a link near the top of the page that will send an email to each of the six committee members: AACboard@districtgov.org

Bike42... Have you or others from the bike club gotten the official stance from the Villages public safety or property management folks? Are they using these guidelines to implement a change they want to do? The expense doesn't seem worth it and this change, requiring golf carts to stop at the gates, is sure to slow down traffic flow.

My reading of the MUTCD and the opinion of a retired FHWA engineer is that the Villages would have a good case to request an exemption from the new guidelines. Our situation here is unique enough not to fall within the intent of the new guidelines.

Villages07-- Mr. Sam Wartinbee, the Director of District Property Management, seems to be trying to figure out ways to make the new gates as safe as possible (new electric eyes, etc.). However, the decision to install the gates has been made by the AAC and Mr. Wartinbee must carry it out.

The bike club president and several members gave statements at the last AAC meeting but the AAC members made it clear that they had made up their minds.
Now it seems all we can do is wait for the changes and see how they actually work out.

I hope everyone will REPORT ANY INCIDENTS that occur at the new gates. If enough problems occur, the gates could easily be cut back to their original length. (There IS NO LAW dictating gate length.)