[Zeke]

I've worked in many gated communities. Not in any order:
Fire and police have a bypass but they wait for the gate as you do. Same with mail, etc. although there may be a main mail box at the entrance.
Service people call the house where they have an appt and the owner opens the gate remotely with their phone.
A "clubhouse" would obviously be private and only serve on accounts, no cash.

What this does is keeps tabs on the houses. It would be difficult to case the place. And, no door bell ringers and throw away porch flyers and papers.

I don't like working in such places. It's not uncommon to see a line of trucks full of gardeners and trades at the gate at 7:00 am. Takes a while. And that's one more benefit, no one works before the gate lets them in. Some don't open until 7:30 and don't allow noise until 8.