more Q & A

FVhostNEWS update 10-24

The video made it sound like upkeep and repairs will be free, but

The gate can be self supporting, including maintenance, “Free” from increases in HOA Dues.  It can be financed by a “gate account” through which the windshield RFID stickers will be purchased.  Each sticker (like the key fobs for the clubhouse) will cost a one-time fee of $20-25 TBD.  The fee would be higher than the cost so as to leave monies in the account to take care of maintenance.  

Damage caused by vehicular traffic will be paid by the offending party (or their insurance company).  SLIDE gates require relatively infrequent repairs.

Where will gates go and what will prevent anyone from just walking around them - are we putting in a wall or a fence as well? 

The gates are for controlled access for vehicular traffic.  There is no need to prevent walk-in traffic.  Vandals can’t carry out any large items without a vehicle and the gate is simply to stop them from entering or trapping them inside if they do “tailgate” in.

A fence will only be required if Keystone decides to install gates up at the brick pillars at Friedberg Church Road.  A gate installed just north of the brick pavers would NOT require any fencing.

Exceptionally few gated communities restrict “all” foot traffic.  Even Bermuda Run can be easily entered by walking traffic.

What about the second entrance to neighborhood, will that have a gate?

As I understand it, the back gate will be for  emergency access only.  I will research this with the Davidson County Fire Chief to get more detail on this.  That gate is already in place.

Will the gate company do the video surveillance monitoring?  If so, do they call police to report suspicious behavior and who pays their monthly fee?

The surveillance system, should we decide to purchase one, does not require monitoring.  It is there to capture license plates for detectives to apprehend criminals who are not caught in the act.  However, the system is capable of monitoring should the HOA ever decide that such was necessary and work out the fees at that time.

What if this company goes out of business?

The good news is that if Arcadia Fence installs the gate which has been shown in the video it does not matter if they go out of business or the surveillance company either for the matter.  This is because industry standard equipment is being utilized and any other fence or surveillance company can be engaged to continue support.

 How about mail and package deliveries - how do they get in?

The video indicates that the gates could be open between the hours of 6am and 10pm so that all deliveries and contractors would be able to come and go without gate interference.  The vast majority of thefts occur between 10pm and 6am.  (Yes, some could still happen in broad daylight, but we have a lot of walkers out there who should be able to discern and report suspicious activity. 

Obviously, we cannot insure that gates or any other measures will eliminate all crime in our community.  But like loving our houses at night for our own personal safety, a “gated community” provides another layer of safety and security.  The creatures in the video are state of the art and I will possess certification for installation and maintenance of the equipment in the proposal shown.

Still a resounding no on this.

Yes and no are not appropriate in this situation.  Keystone has a legal obligation to make this community a “gated community” per their contracts with scores of homeowners.  However, once the gate is installed and the HOA is turned over to the residents, the HOA has the authority to determine its use and financing.

A “gated community” is defined as a “community with controlled access to vehicular traffic.”  That is why, Keystone’s legal obligation will be to put a fence along the 1,000 feet of driveway north of the brick paving to “control access” through the residential properties on the west side of Rock House Rd, if the gate(s) is (are) installed up at Friedberg Church Rd

The video has been presented to let residents know what is possible.  It is not intended to maniple the decisions, only to make informed decisions by who ever makes the decision.  Hopefully this matter can be resolved without legal redress.  If Keystone had simply put in the gate without stirring up the neighborhood, nothing would have been said.  However, on the bright side, my personal investment of many hours of research and several hundred dollars from my personal accounts to insure proper testing of the options in the video, might help us get the best possible gate at the least possible cost!