Barrier Island Re-Entry Program

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

Summer News – Good and Sad!

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.

 

 

Respect our beautiful sand beaches

Apr 062015
 

beach holesEaster 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.

Golf Cart Parade Monday, December 22, 5:45, Beach Access

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. BYOBOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA20131222_173356_resized20131222_175959_resized

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!

Construction Reminder

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.

Dune Walkover – Project Cancelled

May 302013
 

sand dunes 4 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:  Image 5

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.

Security Cameras – We Can See Clearly Now!

May 292013
 

downloadWe 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.

New Carlouel Residents

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.

Welcome New Neighbors

Mar 052013
 

CHA_Art_800WThe Carlouel Homeowners Association and Board members would like to welcome you to the neighborhood.  We certainly hope the neighborhood appeal is what attracted you to Carlouel.  Ask anyone who lives here and you’ll soon find out we are the best kept secret on Clearwater Beach.  Who would expect to find a quiet little spot so secluded at the end of the island?

We are fortunate and blessed to have our own private beach access within casual walking distance of all our homes.  During the year it is available for relaxing, enjoying the sunsets or having a party.  As a group, we hold two annual parties at the access, one in the Spring and another in the Fall, weather permitting.  At Christmas we meet at the beach access for a lighted golf cart parade.  Those with only two wheels are encouraged to decorate their bikes and join in the fun.

The Homeowner’s Association is a volunteer group who strive to make our neighborhood an exceptional one.  A few years ago the CHA voted to refurbish the entrance and add video security to the columns.  To the best of our knowledge those columns are historic, having stood as a welcome to Carlouel since the 1950’s.  In today’s time we are proud to have the tradition of a neighborhood dedicated to keeping history alive.

Since we are volunteers it takes all of us to keep things attractive and in the end, the entire neighborhood benefits.  Once you have a chance to settle in, we encourage you to join us.  The fees are very nominal ($150 a year).  The dues are used for expenses such as lighting, recycled water, lawn maintenance, landscaping, and security cameras.

So since you were fortunate enough to find our little “piece of paradise” please introduce yourself and join us.  We really are an exceptional neighborhood and we welcome the opportunity for you to become a part of it.

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