"Gated" Communities in Cary - why not?

[Wuptdo]

Though out my travels in the U.S. over the last ten or so year, I have noticed a increase in "gated" (manned and unmanned) communities. I wonder why we have no such thing here in Cary. One would think that especially in the "high-end" market that Cary would be full of "gated" communities (Ole' Raleigh Village comes to mind). I know of it has to do with who "owns" the road and such, but can someone enlighten me? Many thanks.

Wuptdo B-)

[Cathy]

Based on some of the comments from some Council members in past meetings, especially when the subject was the Connectivity Ordinance, there is some hostility to allowing gated communities because they are counter to the goals of the ordinance. The goal of the ordinance is to open all neighborhoods to more cut through traffic so the burden on the arterials is relieved without the expense of upgrading the capacity of the arterials. (Side benefit of creating anger at increased auto traffic that might translate into more support for public transit, is also possible.)

Don't you realize, Wup, that as a citizen of Cary, it is your civic duty to surrender the safe harbor of your limited access, cul-de-sac neighborhood to the "Public Good" of dispersing traffic throughout the entire Town??

Cathy

[dhyatt]

Though out my travels in the U.S. over the last ten or so year, I have noticed a increase in "gated" (manned and unmanned) communities. I wonder why we have no such thing here in Cary. One would think that especially in the "high-end" market that Cary would be full of "gated" communities (Ole' Raleigh Village comes to mind). I know of it has to do with who "owns" the road and such, but can someone enlighten me? Many thanks.

Wuptdo B-)

I know of at least 3 proposals for gated communities that were before CTC in the last few years. Each of them was turned down due concerns primarily over 'image' and connectivity. Image was the bigger issue but connectivity was the legal level that resulted in such projects being denied. I do not like gated communities and there is no justification I'm aware of that warrants them in Cary.

[HW]

The concerns that were expressed when I was part of CTC were connectivity, safety, and image. To me (and I think most of the others), a gated community in Cary would further the negative image that is constantly reinforced by media outlets such as WRAL. Of course some of the actions taken by the town do that too! :wink:

HW

[Karen]

The concerns that were expressed when I was part of CTC were connectivity, safety, and image. To me (and I think most of the others), a gated community in Cary would further the negative image that is constantly reinforced by media outlets such as WRAL. Of course some of the actions taken by the town do that too! :wink:
HW

Harold,

You mention a "safety" issue. I'm assuming this has to do with emergency vehicles being able to more quickly get to a, well, emergency. Is this the case???

Personally, I can live without gated communities in Cary.

Karen

[SteveG]

Given that Cary is one of the safest cities in the USA, gates would just be an annoyance. They won't keep the bored teenagers down the street from breaking into your house when they cut school, and they won't keep your kids virgins or off drugs. The value of the accumulated time spent waiting for the gates to open plus the costs of private street maintenance will likely exceed the value of any benefit of access control.

I don't oppose gated communities, but they do reduce street connectivity and make walking and cycling less convenient. As long as the gated community does not create a very large impermeable block, and the surrounding streets perform well for all users, the public impacts of a gated community will be small.

-Steve

[HW]

You mention a "safety" issue. I'm assuming this has to do with emergency vehicles being able to more quickly get to a, well, emergency. Is this the case???

Personally, I can live without gated communities in Cary.

Yep. Slower emergency response was one of the reasons for not allowing the gated communities.

I agree with you. I wouldn't want gated communities in Cary either. There currently are a few that are built with walls and a guard house but no gates. That is about as close as Cary comes to a gated community.

HW