P & Z Zoning Meeting to hear request on Zoning Change for Montgomery Urban Tree Farm Headquarters

The zoning change request concerns the area on the southeast corner of Alma Drive and Bethany Drive. 

All interested homeowners are urged to attend.  The hearing will be:

DATE:  Tuesday, March 17, 2015
TIME:  7:00 PM
LOCATION:  City Council Chambers, Allen City Hall

2015 WCHOA Calendar of Events

Phase II Pool Renovation

Renovation work on the Phase II pool (Irvine Drive and Newport Drive) will commence 2/16/2015 and run through 3/30/2015.  During that time, the following work will be performed:

• Removal and replacement of south and west wood fence
• Removal and replacement of railroad tie retaining wall
• Demo and replacement of damaged sections of west pool deck
• Replastering of pool
• Landscaping and light fixture replacement

Homeowners in this area are urged to utilize the Riverside entrance of their alley as the Newberry alley entrance will be blocked at various times.

Watters Crossing Clubhouse

Over the past two weeks, the Watters Crossing Clubhouse has been completely repainted, both interior and exterior.  The painters, Fresh Coat Painting, is an Allen company and an outstanding  job was completed.  ( Fresh Coat Painting painted both Watters Crossing swim cabanas in 2013 and has been a regular sponsor of our Spring Party.) 

With the fresh, new appearance of the clubhouse, we would remind all renters of the Clubhouse Rules.  In particular, the following are NOT permitted in the Clubhouse:

• Tape
• Staples
• Helium balloons

The painters removed / patched from much damage caused by staples and tape.  Please do not bring these into the clubhouse for decorations. Regarding helium balloons, the great rooms ceiling fans have been replaced several times with burned out motors due to entangled ribbons and deflated balloons.  Balloons are fine, but not with helium.

Also, like many other roofs within Watters Crossing, the Clubhouse roof will be replaced within the next month or so.

Architectural Control Committee Revises HVAC Concealment Guidelines

The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions of Watters Crossing provides for the concealment of HVAC equipment in Section 4.7.u which reads:

“All mechannical equipment including, but not limited to, HAVOC equipment, shall be located on the side or rear of each Lot and shielded from public view from any adjacent street.”

For a number of years, the ACC has accepted concealment of HVAC units in one of two manners:

1. Fence panel(s), which is a minimum of six feet in height and four feet wide (width is minimum and is dependant upon concealment).  This is the prefereable course of action.
2. An evergreen shrub / landsdcaping that results in complete concealment within one (1) growing season.

Unfortunately, option two has been less than successful in ensuring compliance with Section 4.7.u in many instances.

Due to this and to ensure that Section 4.7.u is equally applied to all, effective 1/1/2015, the ACC will no longer accept new landscaping as a means of HVAC or mechanical equipment concealment.  We will grandfather all HVAC equipment where landscaping is in place to provide for concealment for one additional year to allow for that years growth.  After 1/1/2016, all HVAC equipments that is not completely concealed by landscaping will be considered to be in violation of Section 4.7.u.  The concealment will need to be completed via option 1 above (fencing).

To Recap:
1/1/2015:  New landscaping will no longer be approved by the ACC as a means of HVAC concealment.
1/1/2016:  All HVAC equipment, where landscaping has been installed as a means of concealment, which is not completely concealed, will be in violation of Section 4.7.u

The members of the ACC believe this will improve the appearance of Watters Crossing by satisfying the specifics in Section 4.7.u.  Thanks for your understanding and help in making Watters Crossing such a great neighborhood in which to live.

Architectural Control Committee

Do You have areas where Grass won't Grow?

By NEIL SPERRY
neilsperry.com

"Compared to shade trees and shrubs, ground covers are relative newcomers to North Texas landscaping. Many of us can remember when English ivy and trailing vinca were the only two turfgrass replacements you’d see in our gardens. That was partly because we hadn’t been exposed to the concept, and it was partly because good forms of edging hadn’t come into the marketplace"... (Read More)

By HOWARD GARRETT
dallasnews.com

"The truth about growing grass in the shade is this: You can’t. Trees want full sun and grasses want full sun. Trees win. Thinning the trees helps a little, for a while, but not long term; foliage grows back. Removing trees will work, but that’s usually not the best thing to do. "... (Read More)

ACC is Energy/Water Usage Sensitive

Some comments, questions, on new items presented to the ACC for Watters Crossing within the past year:

YES!
The ACC accepts rain barrel installations.  The prefered location is within the rear, fenced in yard locations.  These will be accepted on the sides of properties when completely concealed by a six (6) foot to eight (8) foot tall, solid fence panel.  The width of the panel is determined as needed for concealment.

YES!
The ACC accepts solar roof panels.  Indeed, the third home, located in Phase III, was recently approved for installation.  Panels will be mounted on rear, or in some cases, side roofs.

YES!
The ACC accepts plans for yard renovations / reconstructions using drought tolerant, low water usage plants, ground covers and more.

As with all exterior improvements, any of the above must be submitted to the ACC for review and approval proior to any construction commencing.  Project submissions now are easy using the online forms and most projects are expedited within the committee via email.  Project forms provide the ability to upload photos, plats, and other supporting documents.

The ACC thanks you for working within the Review Guidelines of Watters Crossing.