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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 08 12 Regular Item H COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM H REGULAR X CONSENT INFORMATIONAL 12 August 1996 Meeting MGRIf11"1 /DEPT -!)~ Authorization REQUEST: The Fire Department requesting the City Commission to review information relative to public safety access into gated communities in the City, and to adopt a policy for access standards for existing and future communities, PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to provide sufficient information to the City Commission from which to adopt a policy for access standards into gated communities for public safety purposes, CONSIDERA nONS: · During the recent budget discussions the Commission requested staff to provide information regarding improved access to gated communities for public safety purposes, . The first gated community in the City was Dunmar Estates, This community originally provided the Police and Fire Department with a transmitter (garage door opener type device) that would open the gate into their community, There was also the ability to open the gate with a keypad code at the entrance to the community, This procedure has worked well, however, from time to time the community changes the keypad codes as well as the transmitter code because of security reasons, This transmitter code change process involves the Police and Fire Department changing the codes in approximately 40 units, · The second gated community in the City was Bear Creek Estates. This community for some time in the beginning operated on the same transmitter codes as Dunmar Estates, However, when Dunmar Estates changed their transmitter code, the transmitters that were purchased by Dunmar Estates were changed to that community's code, This left the Police and Fire Departments to either enter the community via the keypad code, or purchase additional transmitters for that community. August 12, 1996 AGENDA ITEM "H" Page 2 · As additional gated communities have been built the City has required them to provide additional transmitters, however, currently there are 8 gated communities, with an additional 7 proposed gated communities in various review stages, If each community had a different transmitter code then each City vehicle would require 15 different transmitters for entrance into these communities, · The difference between entering a gated community via the keypad code and the in-vehicle transmitter is time, When you use the transmitter, as you approach the gate, the vehicle operator pushes the transmitter button. This in turn transmits a radio signal to the gate opener receiver device, that activates the opener, and opens the gate for approximately 30 seconds, The transmitter procedure is done without delay in entering the community, · The keypad entrance code gate opening procedure many times requires the vehicle operator to park and exit their vehicle, and enter a specified code to activate the gate opening device, Each gated community currently has different keypad entrance codes for security purposes, The keypad entry procedure is further complicated during inclement weather, and requires the operator to memorize different keypad functions and community codes, ISSUES: · Is there a problem with the current procedure for entering gated communities? Staff agrees that there is a problem with the current procedure, 1. With multiple transmitters in a vehicle it gets very confusing to which device opens that particular community, 2, Each community also maintains a separate entrance keypad code that requires continuous monitoring for code changes, Notification by the community of keypad code changes often does not occur and it is discovered during routine community patrols and fire hydrant testing, 3, Large vehicles, such as fire and rescue units are unable to get close enough to the keypad to enter the code without exiting the vehicle, This can cause delay and in some instances vehicle operators have to position a person at the keypad until the unit clears the gate path, because the time allotted for closing does not allow the operator to fe-enter their vehicle and pull through the gate opening before it starts closing, August 12, 1996 AGENDA ITEM "H" Page 3 AL TERNA TIVES: 1, Leave the system for access as is and require the communities to provide the City with the keypad entrance codes when changed, This option will not cost the communities anything additional for implementation, This option however does cause delay in access to the community by emergency services, 2, Require each gated community to provide the City with transmitters with the frequency code for their community for each City vehicle, The community must also provide the City with the proper keypad entrance code, This option will cost the communities approximately $800 with the number of City vehicles that would require the transmitter, This option is not desirable because of the number of transmitters per vehicle, and battery replacement. It also could be confusing with the number of transmitters to which unit opens what community, 3. Require each gated community to install the E,Y.AC. (Emergency Vehicle Access Control) system, This system is an discriminatory RF (Radio Frequency) that could not be duplicated by other RF transmitters now or in the future, This system would be for public safety access only, the gated community would still be required to maintain their non-discriminatory RF system for the residents of that community, The community must also provide the City with the proper keypad entrance code, This option is recommended for implementation and would cost the gated community approximately $350 per entrance into the development. 4, Require each gated community to install the S,O,S, (Siren Operated Sensor) system, The siren detector senses the "Yelp" sound produced by emergency vehicle sirens, When this sound is detected for more than two seconds, at a short distance from the gates, the gate is caused to open. The community must also provide the City with the proper keypad entrance code, This option would cost the gated community approximately $650 per entrance into the development. This option is not recommended because some public safety access must be done in the silent response mode, and sirens only lead to excitement in many cases, Some investigative vehicles also do not have sirens installed, 5, Require the gated community to install a transponder type gate opening system. This system uses a transponder similar to the E-P ASS system on the expressways for toll collections, When the vehicle with the transponder is within 10 feet of the gate the gate automatically goes to the open position, The community must also provide the City with the proper keypad entrance code, This option would cost the gated community approximately $5,000 per entrance into the development. This option is not recommended because of the high cost to the community, August 12, 1996 AGENDA ITEM "H" Page 4 FUNDING: No additional funding is requested, Each community would be required to install the gate access devices for public safety at the communities expense, The installation for each gate is estimated to cost $350,00, Vehicle transmitters are estimated to cost between $20 to $30 each and would become an operating expense for each Department that required the opening transmitters, RECOMMENDA TION: The Police and Fire Department recommend that the City Commission consider adoption of policy Alternative 3, and to direct staff to prepare an Ordinance providing for the following: All gated communities in the City of Winter Springs shall install on each access gate into the community an E. V.A.C. (Emergency Vehicle Access Control) system, The E. V.A.C. system shall be installed and maintained at the communities expense for the purpose of public safety admittance into their development. The E. V.A. C. system shall be in addition, and separate, from the gate opening system that is provided for the residents. The installation of the E. V.A. C. system shall be done with a vendor of the communities choice. Each gated community shall also install at each access gate a keypad code entrance device. The keypad entrance code must be supplied to the Fire Department in writing upon installation, and written notice must be made when any changes are made to the code. It shall be a requirement in the design of any gate that, in the event of a power failure to the gate, that all gates automatically go to the fully opened position. Entrance and exit gates must allow a minimum of twelve (12) feet of roadway clearance when in the open position. Existing gated communities shall have one hundred eighty (180) days after adoption of this policy to come into compliance with this requirement. New communities must come into compliance with this requirement before any Certificates of Occupancy for that community will be issued by the City. August 12, 1996 AGENDA ITEM "H" Page 5 NOTE: It is the intent to insert the proposed terminology in the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9, Land Development, Article III, Design Standards, Division 3. Streets and Alleys, Section 9-157, Private Streets., Subparagraph (b). The existing wording in this section will become subparagraph (a). ATTACHMENTS: Attachment "A" List Of Gated Communities COMMISSION ACTION: .; . Attachment "A" City of Winter Springs Existing Gated Communities · Arrowhead at Tuscawilla . Bear Creek Estates . Dunmar Estates · Eagles Watch · Grand Reserve . Howell Creek Reserve · Public Storage . The Reserve at Tuscawilla Proposed Gated Communities . Golf Terrace Apartments . Lake Jesup Property . Seville Chase · Tuscawilla Tract 15 - Parcel 3 · Arrowhead at Tuscawilla Unit 3 · Arrowhead at Tuscawilla Unit 4 · Arrowhead at Tuscawilla Unit 5, including the existing Woodstream Subdivision