September 2, 2004

RE: New Gate Procedures

Dear Residents:

Judging by the volume of the uproar, I believe virtually everyone is aware that automatic gates have been installed at Paradise Cove. As there are as many concerns and questions as there are people living at the Cove I will not likely hit each and every one in this letter. I will attempt to cover the basics such as how the gates operate and what this improvement will generally mean to residents and their guests.

To begin with, the operation of the gate is fairly simple and many of you have no doubt used a similar system in the past. Each resident with a valid drivers license will be issued a “proximity card” which when held steady less than four inches from the reader will open the gate. When exiting, a sensor in the street will automatically open the gate. Proximity cards will be issued in the office similar to the issuance of windshield stickers. Proximity cards will be issued either to those named on the Rental Agreement or immediate members of the Lessee’s family with proof that they reside at Paradise Cove (drivers license with Paradise Cove address). Additional details on this process will be provided at a later date.

Guests will pick up the handset and punch in the space number they are visiting on the key pad. This will ring the residents home and the resident will open the gate for their guest by punching the number nine on their telephone. This will lift the gate arm and the guest may enter. If the resident is not home there is sufficient room for the guest to turn around and leave without blocking traffic.

Now the fun stuff. For those of you wondering why we are doing this in the first place it is simply because I am a glutton for punishment. As the PCHA Board said in your newsletter we have been working on this with PCHA for some time. The goal is to try to limit access to those who belong since graffiti, theft and other violations tend to be done by those who don’t belong in the Park in the first place. While installation of these gates will hopefully make the Park a little more secure it does not make the Cove a “security park.” It also occurred to us that since we have virtually eliminated the wait to get in on summer weekends we needed to think of another way to inconvenience residents.

Will there be inconveniences and “kinks” to work out as we go? Of course there will. Ironically, the vast majority of concerns that have been expressed thus far are the result of stricter enforcement of the Park Rules and Regulations which will result from the operation of the new gates. The following will address some of those although is not meant to be a complete or exhaustive list of potential issues.

To begin with, how will maids, contractors, workers, plumbers and other service people gain access to the Park? For the most part the answer is that they will get in just as they do now. There will always be a human being staffing the gate although they will now be located just down the hill at the entrance to the main parking lot. Just ask them to first drive down to the gate and identify themselves and the gate attendant will get them in the Park.

What if I do not have my Proximity Card in my possession? This is one reason why we will continue to issue windshield stickers for identification. As long as there is a window sticker on your vehicle you will be let in by the gate attendant. You will have to first drive down to the attendant however.

What if I am not home when my guests arrive or am having guests and do not plan on being there at all? First a reminder about the Park Rules and Regulations. Paragraph 3.C. says that guests are permitted only when the Resident is present. If you are not here to let your guest in then your guest should not be here either.

I am an Absentee Owner (although I have hid this fact from The Kissel Company so far) and am subletting my coach. Can I get a Proximity Card for my illegal sublessee? Since paragraph 9.1 of your Rental Agreement makes it a violation to sublease your coach you should not even ask for a Proximity Card for them. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience sublessee’s have in getting into the Park each day. This is one of the reasons for the strict guidelines for issuing proximity cards. There will be visitor passes issued in the future just as they are now but visitors will always be required to check in at the gate before entering the Park.

I do not wish to give the office my home phone number. There are several problems with this. One, your Rental Agreement requires that you notify the office within five days of receiving a new phone number. Two, it is a good idea for the office to have your home phone in case of emergency. Three, it is the only way your guest will be able to gain access to the Park.

I have a legal renter living with me, how will he/she get in? Unlike with window stickers we will issue a proximity card to them. A proximity card can be cancelled if the renter leaves without turning it in to the resident or office.

Some have expressed a concern about delays entering because they are caught behind a guest who must take the additional time necessary to call the resident to get in. This is unavoidable as far as we can tell but is a worthwhile inconvenience given the benefits of having the gates. Residents can help minimize these waits by encouraging guests to call first rather than just dropping in unannounced. Residents can also make sure they are listening for the phone at the time they are expecting guests.

Others have asked how they are to get into, out of or to park in the main lot when going to the beach or the Café. As it says in the residency package you received when you purchased your coach, “the beach and parking lot are a separate entity and not a part of the Park.” Furthermore, “all access to the beach from the Park is allowed by privilege only and is not a right paid for.” If you are going to the Café then you should get your ticket validated. If you wish to park in the main lot for the beach you will be charged the daily parking fee. There are a couple of reasons for this policy. The first, which primarily applies on summer weekends, is that the main lot frequently sells out to the public. Parking spots taken by residents are not available to the paying public. The second is that ticket dispenser machines have been installed and each ticket issued must be accounted for by gate employees. If a ticket was issued to a resident and no fee collected then the employee will be short at the end of his or her shift. If you wish to drop people or belongings off simply tell the attendant that this is what you are doing and you will have fifteen minutes to go in and out without charge. If health considerations make it impossible for you to walk to the beach then just let the office know and we will make special arrangements. Otherwise, we would appreciate it if you would walk to the beach or use the fire road.

As I said, we know there will be kinks to work out but rather than tear the head off a Kissel Company employee (especially me) or a PCHA Board member, please first call the office or drop us a note with your particular issue, question or concern. I’m quite certain we have not thought of everything and only ask for the opportunity to make the necessary corrections or changes as problems arise.

Your assistance and patience in this matter are greatly appreciated.

Very truly yours,
PARADISE COVE

Steven F. Dahlberg