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Gate Lock Prompts Debate

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By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

WESTCHASE - A request for an electronic lock on a community gate turned into a lengthy discussion about access and expense at a recent Westchase Community Development District meeting.

The Home Owners Association for The Vineyards neighborhood asked the CDD for permission to change the lock on its walking gate to the neighborhood. The gate currently requires a key and the neighborhood wants to switch to an electronic key-code system.

Although the association owns the neighborhood fence, it needs permission to change the gate lock because the gate is owned and maintained by the CDD. That means the CDD has to record the item as an expense and then get reimbursed from the association.

Supervisor Greg Chesney said he had no problem with the request since the association was paying the full cost. But Supervisor Mark Ragusa said the CDD shouldn't be so quick to approve the request.

"I want to make sure the community is behind the request," Ragusa said. "We don't even know the cost. I think we should look at the expense before we approve it."

Since the CDD owns the gate, questions also were raised about whether the CDD is responsible for those roads in the gated neighborhood. CDD attorney Erin Larrinaga wasn't sure but was going to research the issue.

Whether the roads are maintained by the CDD or the public could raise legal issues regarding access for the public. Larrinaga said she didn't anticipate a problem since the neighborhood wasn't changing the level of access, just how they lock the gate.

The supervisors for Westchase CDD East, the group that oversees the Vineyards, voted 4-1 to approve the new lock as long as the association pays the full cost and the residents are behind the request.

In other action, supervisors:

• Welcomed Supervisor Brian Ross, who beat incumbent Anthony Sanchez in the CDD Seat 2 race. Ross was sworn in and will be officially recognized at the December meeting.

• Considered adding a consent agenda to expedite the process during meetings.

• Approved a 6 percent raise for Doug Mays, the field supervisor. Mays received a superior evaluation. His staff will receive 5 percent raises.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-1523.

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