“OUR VISION HAS BECOME A REALITY!!!”
The Gate is here……FAQ’s concerning our future
* How does the new gate system work?
It is easy…you simply pull in the south driveway at the lakefront and you scan your card at the post near the gate. The gate will open and you can proceed through the entrance.
* Is the process for leaving the lakefront the same as entering?
Leaving the lakefront is as easy as pulling up to the gate and it will automatically open. There are ground sensors buried so once the gate opens please tread lightly (especially on an ATV/UTV!) on your way through.
* Will I still get a yearly paper beach pass to hang from my rearview mirror?
You will no longer get paper beach passes. Your card will now be all you need to get into our lakefront. Phasing out the beach passes will save Lakewood roughly $590.00 per year….the cost of the beach passes, printing and mailing them out.
* How many cards will I get?
Each home (not each lot) will receive one (1) card.
* Will I get a new card every year?
No, you will not get a new card each year. The card you receive will be activated every year as long as you have paid your dues by March 31st each year. Should dues not be paid by the deadline each year, your card will be deactivated until dues are paid in full.
* If I have not paid my dues by March 31st each year and my card gets deactivated, how long will it take to reactivate my card?
Please allow three (3) weeks to reactivate your card.
* Can I get more cards for other family members?
Each home (not lot) may request up to an additional two (2) cards. Each card will cost the homeowner $30.00 each plus $4 mailing fee. The cost of each pass is non-refundable. Homeowner must be in good standing when requesting the additional cards. Payment must be received prior to issuing additional cards. Please allow 3 weeks to process request.
* How do I request “extra” cards?
There are three (3) ways to request additional cards…..please choose one of the three ways to process your request: 1) fill out the “contact form” on our website at www.lakewoodpoa.org 2) send us any email at talktous@lakewoodpoa.org OR 3) request via snail mail. Requests will not be accepted via Facebook, IM/PM or verbally. Thank you for your cooperation.
* If I request “extra” cards, how long will it take for me to receive them?
Please allow a three (3) week turn around time to receive your card. Please plan accordingly.
* How many “extra” cards can I get?
Each home (not lot) can receive an additional 2 cards at the cost of $30.00 per card (non-refundable) paid in full by the homeowner. No home will be allowed more than 3 cards.
* What is the turnaround time for getting “extra” cards?
Please allow 3 weeks to process your request. Please plan accordingly.
* Is there a cost for me to get more cards for family members?
Yes, there is a non-fundable cost of $30.00 per card. No home will be allowed more than 3 total cards.
* What should I do if I lose my card?
Contact talktous@lakewoodpoa.org OR use the “contact form” on our website (www.lakewoodpoa.org) immediately! We will then deactivate your card. If you have more than one card, we will need to know which one was lost or all of your cards will need to be deactivated. There is a number on the card so it would be prudent to keep a list of the numbers if you have 2 or 3 cards. Should that card be found, we can then reactivate it (as long as you are in good standing). If you lose a card and need to replace it, there will be a non-fundable charge of $30.00 to replace it.
* Is there a cost to replace my lost card?
Yes, there is a non-refundable charge of $30.00 to replace your lost card. Please allow 3 weeks to reissue another card.
* What should I do if I have found the card that I previously had lost?
If you find your lost card, please let us know and we will reactivate it as long as you don’t have more than three (3) cards (the total amount of cards allotted per home)
* What should I do if I find a card that someone else had lost?
Contact talktous@lakewoodpoa.org OR use the “contact form” on our website (www.lakewoodpoa.org) immediately! We will reference the number on that card and contact the homeowner to return their lost card.
* If I sell my property do I need to return my card(s)?
Yes, upon selling your property all cards must be returned to Lakewood. Please contact us at talktous@lakewoodpoa.org OR by using the “contact form” on our website at www.lakewoodpoa.org. Failure to return all passes will result in a charge of $50.00 per card collected at the time of closing.
* Will I get my money refunded for additional passes when I sell my property?
No, you will not. All charges for additional and/or lost cards are non-refundable and all gate cards are property of Lakewood Property Owners, Association and must be returned at the time of sale.
* Can I lend my card to family/friends to access our lakefront?
Yes, however remember that each homeowner is responsible for each person/parties entering the lakefront (as well as the card) using their gate card.
* If I own multiple lots, will I get a card for each lot?
No, you will not. Each home (not each lot) will receive only one (1) card. This is the same system as we have used in past years when issuing paper beach passes. We will still encourage “car-pooling” when visiting our lakefront. Due to the cost of the gate cards, each home will only receive one (1) card as opposed to the two paper beach passes in past years.
* If I have guests visiting, how can I get multiple vehicles through the gate?
Allowing multiple vehicles in your party through the gate is as easy as heading to the lakefront as a group and scanning your card per each car entering through the gate. They can leave as they want as the gate will automatically open upon leaving.
* Will I be able to access the lakefront if I don’t have my card?
No, you will not be able to access the lakefront if you do not have your card. Please plan accordingly to make sure you do not “forget it.” A lanyard hanging from your rearview mirror is an easy way to ensure that you will have it with you….however, never leave it in an unlocked vehicle for it to get stolen.
* Why do we now have 2 entrances to our lakefront?
The south driveway will now be the entrance and the north driveway will now be the exit. Please follow and obey the posted signs to ensure a smooth traffic flow.
* Will I be able to access the lakefront 365 days a year?
Absolutely! The electric gate will be functional from April 1-the Sunday after Thanksgiving. From the Sunday after Thanksgiving through March 31st the electric gate will be in the open position with the electric turned off and the original old steel gate will be closed and locked for the Winter. As always, if you wish to access the lakefront in the Winter you may purchase a key for $5.00 by contacting talktous@lakewoodpoa.org or by filling out the contact form on our website. If you choose to do so, you will have to sign off on the key release form that states your responsibilities. Also, be aware that you enter the lakefront “at your own risk” as we do not plow or maintain that area during Winter months.
*Why will we be using and locking the old gate during the Winter months instead of the electric gate?
It would/could be detrimental to the electric gate to be opened and closed through ice and snow since. This is a safety issue to ensure longevity of the life of our gate.
* When must annual dues be paid each year?
Our fiscal year is April 1-March 31, meaning that your annual payment is due each year no later than March 31st. Should we not receive full payment by our “grace period” of April 30th, your card(s) will then be deactivated and the lien process on your property/properties begins. Your card will not be reactivated until full payment has been received AND cleared the bank and any/all liens have been rectified.
* If I currently have a lien(s) on my property/properties will I still receive a gate card?
No, you will not receive a gate card. Per our Lakewood bylaws, you must be a homeowner “in good standing” to be able to partake in and utilize our amenities. Even if you are paid in full for the current year, any outstanding payment(s) and liens will prohibit you from receiving a gate card.
* When will I receive my gate card?
We hope to have all gate cards sent out by the beginning of May 2019. We are currently waiting for the final process of the gate installation, which is the electrical hook up. The card that you will receive will be a “forever” card…..meaning that as long as you are a Lakewood homeowner, that card that you will receive in 2019 will gain you access to our lakefront year after year as long as you are a “homeowner in good standing.”
* What happens if my yearly payment hasn’t been received by March 31 of each year?
March 31st is our deadline to receive dues each year and if we have not received your payment by then, your gate card will be deactivated effective April 1st. It will not be reactivated until payment is received in full.
* Can I still access the lakefront if my yearly dues haven’t been paid?
Your card will be deactivated each year on April 1st if full dues are not received. Per our Lakewood bylaws, covenants and restrictions, you must be a “homeowner in good standing” to utilize our amenities.
* Why do we need a gate at the entrance of our lakefront?
Over the years our lakefront has experienced vandalism, theft and misuse. As a Lakewood homeowner, we buy our property with the added extra of having our own private lakefront access for Lakewood homeowners only. With the influx of Northern Bay, Sand Valley and other areas of Adams County, our little piece of real estate is attractive to outsiders because of the beach, the pier, playground and pavilion areas. Protecting our beach and lakefront is a necessity and making that area “gated” only adds value to our investment!!! Additionally, the investment of this gate system will save the association roughly $590.00 per year (the cost of producing and mailing the beach passes)!
* Will the gate make our annual dues increase in the future?
This gate was strategically planned for and has been a work in progress since 2013. Since that time we have saved enough to purchase and install it and still have a “cushion” for future upkeep of the gate.
* How was Lakewood able to afford an electric gate for our lakefront?
While keeping our promise to not increase annual dues or have a “special assessment”, we raised ALL funding for this project through diligently collecting on liens dating back to the 1990’s, selling advertising/business directory listings on our website, Lakewood t-shirt sales, picnic raffles and selling 50/50 chances at our annual meetings and picnics, as well as vigilantly staying within our proposed budgets from 2015-2018 and having a surplus of revenue (at the end of fiscal year).
* How long did it take Lakewood to save up enough money to afford the electric gate?
We opened a dedicated “gate fund” account in July of 2014. Since that time we were able to grow and increase that original deposit by $261.00 to a total of $26,290.27 by the end of the 2018 fiscal year!!! Not too shabby for a 4 1/2 year endeavor ;D