A few years ago, the board was inquiring with some of our neighbors regarding whether we should install a security gate at the entrance to the neighborhood. Homeowners would be impacted by a decision to install a security gate and you should be aware of the possible positive and negative impacts of this decision.
All Foxwood Glenn homeowners should take some time to research gated-community issues by visiting these or other websites and by reviewing the pros and cons from two unbiased studies which are outlined below. If you conduct your own research, you should know that information provided by gate manufacturers and real estate agencies often do not discuss many of the negative aspects of security gates. University and/or mortgage company studies are usually based on statistical analysis of validated data and are more reliable sources of information regarding the pros and cons of security gates. Here are some links to get you started:
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/8414515/Gated-Communities-and-Property-Values
• http://popcenter.org/problems/burglary_home/PDFs/Blakely&Snyder_1998.pdf
• http://www.ifpo.org/articlebank/gatedcommunity.html
• http://www.realestateabc.com/insights/gated.htm
Commonly Perceived Benefits of Security Gates
• Increased property value
o This is a wildly accepted perception that remains generally unsubstantiated in most studies (see below for further discussion)
• Increased security
o Added security is a generally accepted perception that is contradicted by comparison of crime statistics collected from similar gated and un-gated communities
• Increased privacy
o This is generally accepted, but it is difficult to confirm given that it is subjective and based on perception
• Reduced through traffic
o Foxwood Glenn has no through streets. Access to any future residential development of the property to the east of us is a legal requirement that will not be reversed by the presence of a gate
Negatives of Security Gates
• High Cost
o High quality, reliable, security gates cost thousands to install and maintain. We have savings that could cover some of these costs but this money is generally considered to be reserved for the long-term maintenance of our roads.
• Equipment Malfunctions
o Automatic gates need frequent maintenance and repair. A permanent service contract will almost certainly be required, resulting in on-going costs which will increase as the gate ages.
• Inconvenience
o Automatic gates open slowly and are controlled by a keypad or remote control that is activated after your car approaches the gate. When the gate is out of service it must be opened and closed manually until repaired.
A study conducted by Washington University for Wells Fargo Mortgage Company (see first web link above) revealed that increased property values in gated communities are mostly attributable to the enforcement and maintenance of neighborhood conformity/homogeneity, design restrictions, and well-maintained roads, rather than to the presence of the security gate. Maintaining the neighborhood conformity/homogeneity means preventing construction of odd structures/alterations and random items visible from the road such as junk, junk cars. Leon County codes currently prohibit all of these unconformities which are easily enforceable by the HOA. It appears that the most compelling possible reason for adding a gate to our community would be to increase our property values, but studies appear to indicate that simply maintaining our neighborhood conformity, design restrictions, and roads will achieve that goal without the addition of a costly entrance gate.