Dear Highwood Estates Neighbors and HIGHWOOD ESTATES IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC, Board Members, I

Written: July 22, 2024

Dear Highwood Estates Neighbors and HIGHWOOD ESTATES IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC, Board Members,
I hope this letter finds you well. I want to start off by saying that I am not on anyone's "side." I think freely for myself and do not represent the views, thoughts, or opinions of anyone else. There have been some very unpleasant things happening lately, and fortunately, I have not been involved in them. I want to make it crystal clear that I do not support such behavior from anyone.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on our community and the changes we’ve been experiencing, especially with the clubhouse. While it’s great that our facilities are attracting so many visitors, it’s also causing some challenges for us, the residents. Our weekends, which should be a time for relaxation and enjoyment, have become crowded and hectic due to the influx of people from outside our neighborhood. Of course, this year has been particularly odd because of the flooding, so perhaps all of this might be water under the bridge, literally.
This situation raises some important questions for me: What’s the ultimate goal of making the clubhouse so popular to the public? Is it just to generate revenue, or are we aiming for something bigger? I understand that the revenue helps us maintain and enhance our current land and facilities, but is there a larger vision we’re working towards? Could we use this money to develop new amenities or improve our infrastructure?
I have a few thoughts on how we might balance the needs of our community with the benefits of public interest. Perhaps we could set specific hours on weekends when the beach and park are available to the public. We could also consider hosting resident-only events to strengthen our community bonds.
Shockingly, we do have the right to manage access to our beach area because legally, the public only has rights to the high-water mark where the waves no longer cover the sand with water. Beyond that point, the land is considered private property. This means we can limit access to certain parts of the beach, potentially restricting public access except for a designated areas. This is a real option we have to help manage overcrowding and ensure residents can enjoy the beach.
Additionally, it might be beneficial to allocate some of the profits from the clubhouse to enhance private facilities just for us, such as pavilions for gatherings. Setting a two-year goal for the development of new private venues and infrastructure improvements could be a great step forward. This way, we ensure our community continues to grow and benefit from the clubhouse’s popularity without sacrificing our own enjoyment and access.
If next year the water goes down and the public leaves, then we can reassess and adjust as needed. But I think it’s important to start thinking about these questions now. How are we going to grow if the clubhouse maintains or gains in popularity?
I’m not fixed on any one solution, but I truly believe that by working together, we can find a balance that makes everyone happy. I encourage everyone in the neighborhood to talk about this issue and share your thoughts, and bring any and all suggestions to the table. There are a lot of people looking for answers, you might have them.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and obviously now, for your ongoing commitment to our community.
Best regards,
--dan
P.S. The secret to winning an argument is you don't water a dead plant.