Road Closure Information

The road closure is implemented to improve security by restricting vehicle access to certain roads, helping to deter criminal activity. This is done with the approval of the local municipal authority.

Applying for a new road closure—or renewing an existing one—is a costly and time-consuming process. It requires semi-regular renewals, each needing the consent of at least two-thirds of the community. Fortunately, a traffic impact study is not required for renewals.

It's important to note that we cannot restrict the free movement of people or vehicles. If we lock the gates and deny access, we risk losing the road closure entirely.

The value we get from the road closure is:

• Helps foster a sense of community
• Is a visual deterrent and limits criminals escape routes
• Allows for vehicular traffic to be routed through booms with guards, which adds further deterrence

There are a number of concerns that need to be balanced with a road closure.

The Darrenwood road closure is a standard road closure

• Limited control: Gates, booms, and security personnel are permitted to deter crime, but access cannot be denied to the general public.
• You cannot:
  
  • Demand ID or licences
  • Prevent access to public roads
  • Permanently close public roads
• Still public roads: The roads remain municipal property and must be maintained by the city.
• Permit required: These require an application under municipal bylaws and may need renewal every few years.

Full Enclosure / Gated Community (Not Feasible)

We have explored the option of a full enclosure or gated community, but unfortunately, it is not financially viable for us at this time.

What are the benefits of a full enclosure?
It allows us to completely lock gates and deny access to the general public, offering maximum control and enhanced security.

However, this comes with significant responsibilities, as we would have to:

1. Purchase or lease the roads and infrastructure
   
   • Negotiate with the municipality to either purchase or lease the public roads.
   • Legal transfer or servitude registration might be required.
2. Maintain roads and infrastructure
   
   • Potholes, signage, streetlights, road markings—now our responsibility.
   • We would need to appoint contractors or staff for ongoing maintenance.
3. Handle municipal services
   
   • We would need to make special arrangements for waste collection, sewerage, stormwater drainage, and emergency access.
   • Some services may still be offered by the municipality, but they'll insist on guaranteed access.
4. Fund it all privately
   
   • All expenses (security, infrastructure, admin, legal) must be funded through levies or voluntary contributions from residents.
   • No municipal funds will go to maintaining anything inside the enclosure.
5. Liability and legal structure
   
   • The suburb typically needs to register a Homeowners' Association (HOA) or Section 21 company (non-profit).
   • The HOA may bear liability for incidents on the roads or within the enclosure.
   • This often requires public liability insurance.

Have questions or want to get involved with the Darrenwood Residents Association?