Traffic & Safety Committee: July 2021

Heavy Traffic—With summer season upon us, we can expect more visitors than any other time of the year and our Mariner gate attendants will be swamped screening and processing folks. Fortunately, the names on our guest lists will promptly be issued a pass and allowed to enter our community. Unfortunately, there are times when a guest or service name does not appear on the host’s guest list. Typically, our attendant would try to work with the potentially rejected individual and contact the resident host. This effort to extend a courtesy can cause a heavy backup in the line waiting to enter. On occasion the frustrated visitor has lost composure while the attendant attempted to contact the host, and the entire screening process was ground to a halt causing traffic to backup further. It has happened that lines at the gate extended to Niguel Road and sometimes blocked the flow of traffic on that street.
New Gate Procedure—To expedite the flow of traffic at the Mariner Gate, a change of procedure has been implemented for those whose names are not on our guest lists: During busy times, our attendants will direct prospective guests or service providers not on a guest list to turn around and resolve any confusion with the prospective host while out of our traffic lanes.
How Can We Help?—We can avoid much of the conflict at the gate by ensuring that our guest lists are current and updated as soon as we learn that a guest or service person is scheduled. The surest and preferred method of updating the list is via the computer and logging in to our Dwelling Live system through the Niguel Shores website niguelshores.org or at dwellinglive.com. Of course, we can phone the Mariner Gate and speak with the attendant or leave a message at (949) 487-4185.
Should you decide to host a special function involving ten or more outside guests, provide the office with a party list at least 24 business hours before the event. This allows for screening and printing of passes for the guests before their arrival and thereby expedites the flow of traffic.
Fourth of July—Be extra cautious as there will be traffic congestion with folks flocking to the clubhouse to enjoy the always popular Men’s Club Breakfast. The best little Fourth of July parade in California will also be staging in the neighborhood, and early birds will be arriving to ensure they get one of the truly great hot dogs served by the Women’s Club. Spectators will be lining the sidewalks to cheer for friends and family members in the best and most patriotic parade held anywhere. And, after all of this, the real partying starts. A lot of folks will head down to the Bluff, but only cars with resident parking stickers will be allowed into the area. This is the one day each year vehicles with guest passes or guest stickers are not allowed into this area.
Dogs and the Fourth of July—Remember the Fourth of July and corresponding fireworks equate for the worst day of the year for our dogs. If you can secure them in a Thunder Vest, medicate them if possible, and stay with them in your quietest room, you will be their hero.
—God Bless . . . Tim Murphy