Demise of Gated Communities

There are things in life that deserve to go by the wayside. Is the gated community one of them? In this economy, are they sustainable and do they discriminate against some members of the development? With the exception of the top one percent, most people are concentrating on basic survival.

At one time, people of all incomes lived peacefully within its gates. But, there is a new attitude lately, one of denial and desperation. Why pretend that the economy has no effect on members, that more rules and regulations and higher fees will keep a community an exclusive development, and that this generation will be able to carry the financial burden?

Maybe the concept of the few making the decisions for the many has run its course. Catering to the top percentile is their only remedy to avoid bankruptcy. More residents are not paying assessments. They are surrendering unimproved lots or forced to relocate. Some communities have chosen to make extensive improvements and renovations requiring special assessments to pacify a select group of property owners.

Rules and regulations are enforced by excessive control and intimidation. The Board makes the rules and regulations without member’s permission. Many of these rules are absurd and intrusive. I have personally been advised that security witnessed me feeding the wildlife.

There are remedies to the survival of the gated community in this economy. But it would require reassessing the concept of everyone co-existing without discrimination. If the affluent are “embarrassed” that the clubhouse needs renovation, change the clubhouse and golf course to a for-profit corporation, separate from residential, allowing golfers this luxury without the entire development paying. This would drastically reduce assessments and maintenance fees.

The Board should not have unlimited control. A community vote should be required if a decision by the Board is unreasonable or discriminatory.

Relax the rules and regulations. It doesn’t matter that there is too much silt in the lakes, that the geese are trespassing, or the deer consumed their annuals.

The new philosophy of the gated community is based on the Golden Rule. “He who has the gold makes the rules”. This will also be its demise.

Connie W. Maros
Brevard