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.
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.
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.
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.
The 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.
Spring is here with beautiful blue skies, warm white sands and the end of Spring Break crowds. Time to enjoy the warming waters and the longer evenings. Time to catch up on neighborhood activities.
Our Carlouel security surveillance system has also been greatly improved again this year. We have replaced our analog cameras with new digital versions, significantly enhancing our perimeter security. The increased detail is remarkable. These cameras feed into a 24/7 surveillance system that is connected to a recorder that retains two weeks worth of detail. The Clearwater Police have access to these recordings so that they can help us keep our neighborhood safe.
We continue to update our website for Carlouel Homeowners. www.mycarlouel.com provides neighborhood announcements, current issues, and access to our Carlouel Directory. We are very excited that you have access to your neighborhood while you travel or reside at your summer residence. Any suggestions for articles would be welcomed. There is a contact email on the website for your convenience.
The Carlouel Boardwalk project began as a a proactive initiative to build up our dunes to stop the beach erosion along our gulf frontage. Unfortunately, the project became entangled in the permitting process and the costs expanded beyond what we thought was viable for our small community. All money donated to the project are being returned. Please see the article on the website for more detail.
There are new plants at the entrance to Carlouel, all the trees in the perimeter have been pruned and cleaned, and repairs have been made to the benches in the access area. We had to successful events this year. The 7th of July party was fun and well attended until the rains came. We thank Gypsy Wind Band for their great music and we were happy to get new Directories at this event. The Golf Cart parade December 22nd brought out the neighborhood on a beautiful evening. Bikes, strollers and walkers joined the fun.
Just a word of caution this time of year… Spring on Clearwater Beach brings an increase in visitors, traffic and crime. Please be aware of any questionable activity or characters seen in our neighborhood and notify the Clearwater Beach police department immediately. They are concerned with the increase of crime and are very willing to investigate your concerns. Remember to lock all vehicles left outside, and secure your homes when away. Neighbors are the best concerned citizens. Let’s all take part in our neighborhood security while “Living in Paradise.”
We need 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.
2014 Carlouel Homeowner’s Association Dues: $150
Carlouel Homeowners Assoc.
61 Baymont Street, PMB#204
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Carlouel Homeowner’s Association dues are collected annually in the spring. Dues for Spring 2014 are $150. We use this money to keep up the costs of the beach access, as well as the camera on the front gate and landscaping around the perimeter of Carlouel.
Board Members:
Deanna Miller – President
Debbie Arnold
Cheryl Copeland
Marion Coster – Treasurer
Mary Ellen Gleason
Contact Information:
Carlouel Homeowners Association
938 Narcissus Ave
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
To obtain a key to the Beach Access and Park, please pay dues and call Marion Coster. To obtain a directory call Deanna Miller and Marion Coster. To update directory listing, call or email Deanna Miller or Marion Coster.
Dues are payable yearly in the Spring – $200
Donations are always cheerfully accepted, just call any board member. The Board meets as needed through out the year.
Contact info: 727.798.9057
Contact Info: 441-4188