At the last Board Meeting a motion was made to put up a fence blocking access to the rear of the Cove Clubhouse. After much discussion, it was tabled for more study. The reasons for putting up this fence were that the back lawn was being damaged by trucks, golf carts and dirt bikes. The proposed fence would cost approximately $1000.
As a board member, I would like to get input from residents what they think about putting up a fence to block access to the rear of the clubhouse from the road on the north side. There would be a gate for foot traffic and a locked gate for vehicular traffic. Getting into the fenced area with a vehicle would require getting a key from the POASC Office.
Do you think it would add to looks of the Clubhouse? Is there a safety issue since the playground equipment has been moved to the beach area behind the Clubhouse? I would appreciate your response by adding a comment on this website or emailing me at vicnjudyd@gulftel.com.
Judy Deeter, Board of Directors
Tags: Fence
We don’t think a fence is needed, and it is $2000 that shouldn’t be spent at this time. Also, at the August meeting, we thought that is was suggested that signs be erected saying “No golf clubs or no dirt bikes” Any signs yet? We also don’t think there have been any complaints about the grounds looking bad next to the clubhouse, therefore, no need for a fence.
You’re right, not everyone follows the rules here. That’s why there’s a fence safe guarding the pool area. Hours are limited & access is restricted (physically). If someone were to be injured/drowned (after hours)…the community (theoretically) could be held liable (depending on circumstances). The tennis court & pier are common areas to, so there may be some liability issues to be worried about here also. Instead of 24/7 access, perhaps the hours at the pier/tennis court should be (physically) restricted also.
Yep, and the new one would probably need to be replaced during the next major storm, too. When the unauthorized vehicles go on the clubhouse property, where do they go? What do they do? Surely they don’t go down the hill. That would be suicide. Can’t they get to where they’re going from the path to the south of the pool? Do we put a fence there, too? If the sprinkler heads are going to be next to the building, they will not be in danger. I agree vehicles should not be traversing around the clubhouse, but I don’t think a fence is necessary. Enforce the rules!
I learned today that prior to Ivan, there was a fence across the front of the CH property. Then I found some old photos of Ivan cleanup efforts, that showed the fence buried under Hurricane debris. The fence at that time was a split-rail type with 2 rails. Presumably it was removed along with the rest of the debris?
I agree with Jenny on this particular issue. It has already been established that many of the fisher-people using our pier do not live in the Cove, so why furnish water for them. Does this make me a Scrooge? Lets use the Bay water!
Jenny, Apparently the health pros advise that the best way to avoid speading disease is to wash your hands frequently. It’s also said that touching the area around your nose and mouth while in public increases your risk of catching something
(nevermind the fish). Given the current concern about H1N1 (i.e.,swine flu), I think a wash basin at the pier should be seen as a public service. It would also be useful for first aid (washing hook wounds etc..).
When do you plan on putting your fence climbing skills on display by scaling the pool fence as a demonstration?
Henry, If one is going catch nasty fish in the nasty bay, it seems the bay water is good enough to wash nasty bait off the bait table. Many sanitizing hand wipes are on the market. How long do you really think it would take to knock a gate down, climb over it? I could scale one in a heart beat. So now, may I suggest one of those wrestling cages that go waaaay up in the air and have a top.LOL all kidding aside, A fisherman will find a way to fish no matter what we do. A bucket tied to a rope is not so expensive to replace and nice people will use it.
Lets face it, bay water isn’t that great for sanitation & washing hands. And, with the sewer plant discharge area nearby, you’ve gotta wonder how effective a dipping bucket will be. Hepatitis (A) is one bacterium/virus which comes to mind.
I’ve heard Motorized vehicles gaining access to restricted areas around the pier isn’t a significant problem. Apparently, the larger issue has to do with people fishing there when maybe they’re not authorized to do so. If a car in the pool lot doesn’t have a neighborhood sticker that’s easy to identify, but if folks are walking over from the KOA or elsewhere…that’s not so easy.
Security is likely around only every few hours, so why not just have an additional gate accessed by an electronic key. It’s better for everyone…all around.
I really do not see the need for a fence on the north side of the clubhouse. I am in favor of our enforcing our regulations with a large fine if someone brings a motorized vehicle alongside or behind the clubhouse. I think this is an example of overstating a problem. There is an employee in the clubhouse for a good portion of the day who could call security if someone violated the rule. Security is now only making two trips through The Cove per shift, they could, and should, check the clubhouse and Pier area to enforce the no vehicles rule and keep unauthorized people from using the pier.
RE: the water line to clean the bait station on the pier. Who would we like to run down there to make sure the faucet is turned off? How often? How about a small bucket tied to rope to dip bay water up to rinse the bait station. Can’t we take some personal responsibility here and not expect someone else to clean up after our messes allllll the time? Maybe in a perfect world?
Personaly, I think a small white picket fence is preferable to MORE signs in the Cove.
I agree with Wally. I hate to intrude on the view from the road. I know a 3-foot fence won’t eliminate the view, but it would detract from it, in my view. That’s one long stretch and if you are going to have a walk-in gate and a drive-in gate, how could you plant anything that would look appropriate? How big a problem? Who sees the culprits that abuse the space? Surely they are not driving around there at night. Signs first, notice in the Update and then let’s see.
If motorized vehicles are a problem then I believe a fence would be appropriate. The first question is: How often do motorized vehicles drive in that area? Since there is nothing posted suggesting that it isn’t permitted I think the first course of action would be to post a few signs that state: “Motorized vehciles of any kind are prohibitted in this area except those with written permission from the Operations Manager.” If that doesn’t solve the problem then I think a plastic fence is the best choice.
Penny and I have had a plastic picket fence in front of our home for 13 years and it has proven to be a good investment. It was not expensive to buy or install. It never needs to be painted. Penny tells me (she does it) it cleans easily with a garden sprayer, Simple Green, bleach and a garden hose. It has suffered one broken picket which I easily repaired with PVC cement. Before purchasing it I made some inquires about life expectancy and the manufacturer of our fence had at that time, 13 years ago, a fence standing standing at the office site for over 20 years and it looked terrific.
In summation, give me data that says we have a problem. (Anecdotal evidence of one won’t do.) If so, try some signs and enforce it. If ineffective, put up a pastic fence.
Sandra and I are now on “opposite sides of the fence!”
Thanks a lot Judy!
I really like it without the fence [the way it is now]. Why fence it in?
It won’t enhance children’s safety since 3 wheelers, or golf carters, for that matter, would be able to drive down the path to the pier and cut over to that area. Except for the yard sales and shrimp boil occasions I haven’t seen any vehicles in that area anyway.
If it’s not essential or accounted for in the budget, leave it as is.
I think it is OK too if it matched the pool fence (three foot tall).
The cost is minimal for running a plastic waterline out to a “bait cutting board” area at the pier. Simply include a water valve near the source so it can be shut off for storms. The maint. people can handle the valve while the pool people occasionally hose off the benches & rails. The current fence at the pool is plastic, so adding a few more sections wouldn’t be too costly. Also, the proposed gate for entering the pier should be similar to the one at pool…which requires electronic pass keys.
If we indeed have a problem with golf carts and other vehicles tearing up the lawn, this seems a reasonable approach. I don’t think wind loading will be a problem. They’re looking at installing a three-foot high fence. I would like the PDM folks to also consider an aluminum baluster-style fence, however. I think aluminum is more durable and just looks better over time. Having walk-thru as well as drive-thru gates will afford good access. Depending on the style selected, it would actually be decorative, especially if flowers or shrubs were planted alongside.
Another thing to be considered was the idea of a water line down in the pier area, There were $500.00 plus water bills for those that had water lines down to the water front that were not shut off before storms hit.
One thing that needs to be considered, is the wind loading of the fence, due to the force of the wind coming in off the bay during storms, we have had to repair the pool fence due to wind damage, this just adds to the operating course.
I’m in favor of a small white picket fence on the North side of the CH. I believe it will enhance the appearance of that side of our property(looks like an open field!)and provide a degree of security and control. Access to the beach is easier on the South side, anyway.
I don’t see safety as much of an issue, with an adequate number of keys provided to security and activities, etc. In a worst case scenario(fire, medical), simply knock the fence down or remove a section from it footings. 1 section is easy to replace and not expensive.