Newsletter - September 2008

Volume 9, Issue 2

Annual HOA Picnic

The Annual Home Owners Association (HOA) picnic is scheduled for October 11, 2008 from 2:00 – 6:00 at the pecan tree (the large field off of Palmetto). All homeowners are welcome to attend. The picnic is a good chance to meet your neighbors and have fun. The HOA will provide all food and drinks. Please call Alan Proctor at 972-517-8407 if you plan on attending to make sure we have enough food and drinks.

HOA Improvements

As a result of the annual meeting, held in February, the HOA has made the following improvements this year.

Planted 10 trees along the creek area to start replenishing those that have fallen over the past 10 years. The trees are Live Oak, Chinese Pistachio, Cedar Elm, and Red Maple. We also installed bubblers at the trees to make sure they receive enough water to survive.
Installed 8’ high wrought iron fence above the creek along Legacy. This is to reduce the amount of ‘cut through’ traffic. The gates, a 14’ drive through gate to meet City of Plano requirements and a walk through gate, are scheduled to be installed by 9/30/08. Both gates will have locks installed with combinations. The combinations will only be given out to homeowners who request them. For the combination, call Barb Yass at 972-517-5533.

Dog Owners

Please clean up after your dogs. It is a City of Plano ordinance.

Crime Watch

To keep our HOA and our respective streets safe, please remember the following:

Newspapers, trash or debris on driveways, lawns – people with criminal intent see this as someone not being home and an opportunity to break in! To stop receiving the “briefing” on Wednesday through Saturday, simply go to the web address and complete the short form. www.dallasnews.com/briefing
Open garages, doors and windows – people with criminal intent see this as a great opportunity to grab and dash.
NO SOLICTATION signs – Did you know that if you have this in plain sight (i.e. front door), companies are not supposed to solicit or leave cards, etc.? If they do, then you have legal grounds to go after them.
Watch out for each other – Let’s be neighborly and keep an eye out for each other’s property as well as the entire HOA. An example of this is the graffiti that was written with black paint on two brick walls on the Barton Creek / Alma Exit. The HOA spent 2 weekends and $70.00 renting a power washer to get the graffiti off. If you see something like this happening or see anything suspicious, call 911!! Coming to the picnic is a great way to meet your neighbors so please plan to join us October 11th.

Deed Restrictions

Homeowners and residents of the CREEK TRAILS Subdivision have specific responsibilities and restrictions regarding the exterior appearance of their homes. These are documented in the “Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions” which is the legal document filed in the Collin County Courthouse and applies to every lot and house within the CREEK TRAILS Subdivision. Below is a list of items that are often forgotten:

Trash Can / Recycle Bin must be stored 'out of sight' from the street within 24 hours of pick-up. (The City of Plano Ordinance states that trash cans, recycle bins or bulk trash can not be out more than 12 hours prior and 12 hours after scheduled pick-up day.)

Boats / Trailers / Mobile Homes/ Large Trucks are prohibited from the neighborhood. This includes in/on your driveway, on the street or in your yard (if visible from the street).

Fences must be maintained. You are not required to have a fence, but if you do have one, it must be in good condition.

Yards (including lawns, trees, and shrubs) must be maintained, this includes edging the sidewalk and no weeds in the flower beds or yards.

Antennas and Satellite Dishes on the front of the house are prohibited. This means visible from the street.

Window Air Conditioners are prohibited.

Homes in Disrepair must correct the problems within 30 days. This includes missing shingles on roofs, blue (or any color) tarps on roofs, faded, chipping or mismatched paint, etc….

For a complete listing of restrictions, see your Deed Restrictions. If you do not have a copy, please contact a board member and one will be provided to you.

Violation of any deed restriction may result in a fine. This is being enforced in our HOA to keep our home values from declining and to attract the best prospective home buyers.

www.creektrails.org

The HOA often receives information from the City of Plano and other organizations that you may find useful. Since the newsletter is only published twice a year, the HOA web site www.creektrails.org is a great place to find new information.