April 17, 2016 we gathered at the beach access – with entertainment by gypsywindbamd.com and plenty of food!
New Directories
were distributed and everyone enjoyed meeting old and new neighbors.
Apr 212016
Feb 222016
TripAdvisor just unveiled the United States’ best beaches and guess what, Clearwater Beach was #1. Our beach was also the only beach in the United States to make the top 25 beaches in the world, coming in at #20. There is good news and bad news in this fame. The bad being that everyone else in the world now knows what we know, that we have clear, clean water, sugary sands and friendly folks. The good news is that we are already here and have been enjoying it for some time!
Our security cameras continue to be a positive addition, helping answer questions about comings and goings several times this year. No major problems, only small incidents of unknowns walking the neighborhood and a missing bike. The Clearwater Police have access to these recordings so they help keep our neighborhood safe. There have been only minor incidents this year, with one exception. Late this fall a very large power boat was stolen from a raised dock on Bay Esplanade. Additional boats were stolen from Island Estates, all part of an apparent drug operation. The police have an on-going investigation and report that this seems to be a one-time operation. The lift was hot wired and the boat towed to deeper waters. The owners were not occupying the residence at the time of the theft.
Our website for Carlouel Homeowners www.mycarlouel.com is continually updated, providing neighborhood announcements, current issues and access to our Carlouel Homeowners Directory. This gives you the opportunity to stay in touch with your neighborhood when you travel or leave for your summer residence. You may also send information or ask a question through the website. Check it out now to hear details about our upcoming Spring Fling at the beach access, April 17th – 5:30 – 8:00, with music by Gypsy Wind www.gypsywindband.com New directories will be distributed at this gathering and beach access keys will be available to all who pay their dues.
Maintenance at the beach access, pruning shrubs and trees in our perimeter, updating flowers and shrubs at our entrance, and trying to keep all that dollar weed out of the grass at the beach access has been the major focus this year. The perimeter plantings had to be re-enforced this fall at the end of Bay Esplanade. Vehicles were cutting through, so a new oleander was planted and a new turn sign was installed to fill in the hole.
As we approach hurricane season, please refer to the article on our website describing a program announced by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department. You have the opportunity to apply for a permit that will give homeowners and businesses re-entry during emergency evacuations. Also be aware that the City ordinance regarding monthly rentals is strictly enforced. The City has hired a full time employee to monitor cars parked in driveways, trash removal, and any other signs that monthly rental restrictions are not being observed. Also, police and fire support vehicles need to be able to access our streets. Please be thoughtful when parking cars along the streets, and remind guests to do the same.
Your community needs your support, so please join us in renewing your membership or becoming a new member. Thank you in advance for your share in keeping our community beautiful and safe.
2016 Carlouel Homeowners Association $150.00
1031 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Sue Williams, Secretary
Feb 162016
In an effort to prevent looting and burglary and to keep residential and business properties as safe as possible following a large scale mandatory evacuation, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has created this new program.
Effective immediately, home and business owners are asked to contact their local government to obtain their free permit. Proof of ownership must be provided to obtain permits and registration must be done in person. A total of two permits will be issued per household.
For additional information go to: clearwaterpolice.org
Jun 222015
When the summer comes life slows down here in Carlouel. Time to take care of a few things. Mary Ellen Gleason, our ever alert neighborhood watch chair, noticed that there were quite a few street lights out. A call to Duke Energy worked, and all eight broken lights were repaired. Unfortunately the light over a lovely planter on Narcissus was one of those out and the planter was stolen. A few others have gone missing around the neighborhood, so please keep your eyes open.
Another area of concern is plant waste dumped along our perimeter. The worst place for loose yard waste is the end of Lantana, where weeds sprout and grow and are infested with varmints…the city will pick up there but the waste must be bagged. We can’t ask our grounds keepers to be responsible for that kind of mess.
The Gulf is perfect this time of year, wonderful at the end of a long day. The turtles are nesting, birds roosting, fish jumping. A beautiful place to live.
Apr 062015
Easter weekend this was the beach at the end of the walk from the beach access. .. deep holes, grass used for decoration and an abandoned ripped tent. This is a dangerous, ugly and destructive. When the high tides come our beach is easily eroded by having these holes. People walk the beach at night and could be seriously injured. And who is suppose to fix this? Please fill in holes when leaving the beach. Please remind your guests and renters to respect the beach and put it back the way it was before leaving each night.
Dec 182014
The golf cart parade will be back this year! It was hard to find a date for the parade so it was cancelled for this year. BUT, many neighbors called and said they wanted to have one. So here is the good news…it is now going to be Monday, December 22 at 5:45. No prizes, no competition, just come and have fun. BYOB
Come party with your neighbors, or stay home and wave as we pass by your home. Golf cart, bike, wagon, skateboard, anything that moves is welcome. Decorate as you see fit. See you there!
Oct 292014
I just checked with the City of Clearwater about legal construction hours after an inquiry by a home owner.
Start up time is 7am, ending time is 6 pm. This is primarily for noise abatement. If you experience a problem with construction noise before or after these times, you call the police and make a report. Do not call the city.
We have not been having a problem with this issue, but as the drier months begin, it is a good reminder of the rules.
May 302013
We have some bad news to report on this project. The permitting process became very complicated. This was primarily because we have no structure on our property and so do not qualify for permits for additions. Your committee is not qualified to pursue the exceptions needed and the technical data required to go for variances for this project. That means we have to hire representatives for that help. In addition, the original estimates for the project were for a walkway that did not reach the beach. When the added length was calculated, the cost doubled. We, as your officers, do not think we can justify spending $85,000 for the project at this time.
We have 48% of our members who have made donations to the project, about $23,000 and we proposed to return those donations. If, in the future, it becomes possible to revisit the project we will make a new appeal for support. We are all disappointed. The following articles continue to be important reminders about how to protect our beach.
Here is a reprint of an email from the Clearwater Beach Association emphasizing why sand dunes matter. It is followed by a list of things you can do to protect sand dunes.
CBA Newsletter January 17, 2013: Research has demonstrated that dune vegetation is sensitive to damage by human disturbance. Dunes are vulnerable to wind erosion once the anchoring vegetation is damaged or destroyed. Without effective conservation measures we stand to lose an already limited resource. To protect these fragile ecosystems, we need to become aware and sensitive to the vulnerability of these important coastal features.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication: 
3 Things you can do to Protect Sand Dunes:
Use Dune Walkovers and Designated Beach Access Points to Cross the Dunes. Without dune vegetation, sand dunes become unstable. Dune plants tolerate harsh beach conditions including wind, salt spray, storms, scarce nutrients, limited fresh water, and intense sunlight and heat. However, they cannot with stand the pounding of feet and vehicles.
Restore Damaged Sand Dunes. Established sand dunes provide a strong defense against storms. When sand dunes are damaged, you can help speed their recovery by installing sand fences and planting native dune vegetation.
Learn More About Sand Dunes and the Ways You Can Help Protect Them. If you are not a good steward of the coastal environment, who will be? Tell others about the importance of the dunes. You don’t have to be an environmental expert to help protect sand dunes, you just have to care.
May 292013
We can see clearly now…all it took were new digital cameras! Two Axis mega pixel cameras with low light intensity viewing were installed at the Carlouel Gate. These cameras make it easier to see the color and make of the vehicles at night. That was not available with the previous cameras. We also can zoom the camera in to see the license plates now. Also, not previously available with old system. A new 125ft digital cable had to be laid. That was accomplished with the help of the Carlouel Yacht Club. Thanks to the supervision and coordination by Mary Ellen Gleason, the upgrade to our new camera system is now complete.
May 292013
We welcome 6 new neighbors. The following addresses have new residents as of September 2014:
936 Bay Esplanade
973 Mandalay Ave.
1015 Mandalay Ave.
1021 Mandalay Ave.
1025 Mandalay Ave.
1031 Mandalay Ave.