To Watters Crossing Homeowners

The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) process was a repeated subject at our recent Homeowners Annual Meeting. First, the Board wants to thank all homeowners for continuing to work closely with the Board and the Architectural Control Committee to keep our community beautiful and a place that we can all certainly be proud of and enjoy the multitude of activities to do within the Allen area. Read More HERE.

Easements and Restrictions

Rear Property Easements

507, 509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 1201, 1203, 1205, 1207, 1209, 1211, 1213, 1215

There is no WCHOA Private Common Open Space nor any land in the rear of your property that is maintained by the WCHOA. However, there is an easement which we will outline below.

As shown on the included plat, there are 14 properties governed by a restrictive easement at the rear of each lot. The language of that easement is below and on the attached plat:

“Restricted ten (10) foot area along the rear of lots 1-14, Block P – The subject 10’ restricted area is to be maintained in its current natural condition. No fences, buildings, pavement, or other improvements shall be placed within this restricted area. No live trees shall be cut or removed from this restricted area. The intent of this restriction is to preserve the natural condition of the restricted area.”

While these properties go to the rear property line, live trees cannot be removed nor can anything be built on the last ten feet of the property. The ten foot section then continues on the opposite side of the property line which is shared with either Montgomery Farm or the individual homeowner in back of you. Specific details on this can be found at www.collincad.org in the interactive map link.

To summarize, the wooded area in the rear of these property is a protected easement, intended to remain in its natural condition. The area is not part of the Watters Crossing Private Common Open Space and the HOA does not maintain the area. The protected area is owned by the individual homeowner of the lots called out and are under the restrictions noted.

EXCEPTION: 1215 Riverside Court is included in the protected easement, BUT does have WCHOA Private Common Open Space owned and maintained by WCHOA on the side adjacent to the pond.

Bel Air Drive Homeowners & Westwood Court Homeowners


607, 603, 1009, 1007, 1005, 1003, 1001 Bel Air Drive Homeowners

1000, 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008 Westwood Court Homeowners

The above properties are effected by a Drainage and Utility Easement in the rear of each property. As the attached plat illustrates, each property listed above shares a common property line with one, or more, of the other property owners listed above. Ten feet on each side of that propery line is the Drainage and Utility Easement. There is no WCHOA Private Common Open Space in this area. As such, there is no WCHOA maintained area. Removing fallen trees and keeping the drainage easement open is the responsibility of the individual homeowner(s).

Rear Property Treelines

Irvine Drive Homeowners

406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 500, 502, 504, 506,508, 510, 512, 514, 516 Irvine Drive Homeowners

1235, 1233, 1231, 1229, 1227, 1225, 1223, 1221, 1219 Irvine Drive Homeowners

There is no Watters Crossing HOA Private Common Open Space nor any land in the rear of the above properties that is maintained by the WCHOA. The trees within the treeline are part of the Connemera Crossing HOA Open Space. Fallen trees and/ or any resulting damage should be referred to the Connemera Crossing HOA. Further details can be obtained in the interactive maps at www.collincad.org

Imperial Drive Homeowners

1425, 1423, 1421, 1419, 1417, 1415 Imperial Drive Homeowners

There is no Watters Crossing HOA Private Common Open Space nor any land in the rear of the above properties that is maintained by the WCHOA. The trees within the treeline are part of each individual homeowner’s lot, behind you, in Hamilton Hills. Fallen trees and/ or any resulting damage should be referred to that homeowner. Further details can be obtained in the interactive maps at www.collincad.org

Woodbridge Drive Homeowners

409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419 Woodbridge Drive Homeowners

There is no Watters Crossing HOA Private Common Open Space nor any land in the rear of the above properties that is maintained by the WCHOA. The trees within the treeline are part of each individual homeowner’s lot, behind you, in Hamilton Hills. Fallen trees and/ or any resulting damage should be referred to that homeowner. Further details can be obtained in the interactive maps at www.collincad.org

Landscaping Plans

The ACC receives and reviews landscaping plans from homeowners as all improvements must be reviewed. Plans are delayed and many times declined due to inadequate information being provided. If you are submitting plans for landscaping, please utilize the online form at www.watterscrossing.com in the ACC link. You do have the ability to upload a landscaping plan within the form. Please include:

1. A plat of the property

2. A complete and detailed plan showing:

    a. All existing vegetation
    b. What, if anything, is being removed.
    c. The locations of all proposed new plantings.
    d. The name of all plants
    e. The size (gallons) of all proposed plants
    f. Any area of hardscape (river rock, border edging, etc).
    g. A picture of all proposed hardscape.
    h. All areas of sod being replaced.

Some notes to consider on your plans:

1. The ACC does not accept brick nor manufactured stone as edging if not mortared. Manufactured stone is acceptable as edging if not mortared only when it is installed with no more than two courses in height.

2. All foundation plantings must be planted and maintained for full, continuous, evergreen type plantings. While perennials, annuals, and tropicals are welcome additions to landscaping, they do not fulfil the evergreen requirement as they are dormant or dead in the winter.

3. Expanded beds within front yards must contain and maintain a minimum of 50% coverage in evergreen type bushes and / or groundcovers.

4. Replacement plans must be planned as five-gallon for primary plantings and three-gallon for secondary (or front row) plantings. One-gallon plantings are accepted as fill-in and edging, such as lioripes.

5. Depending upon front yard sun exposure, the ACC does accept plans for review that utilize xeriscaping and drip irrigation.

Complete plans on your first submission will result in a quick review. The ACC greatly appreciates assistance with this when submitting plans

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 turf grass 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 preferred 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 prior 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.

Satellite Dish Installations Requiring ACC Review

Satellite dishes are popping up in Watters Crossing, many having not been reviewed and currently in violation of the Covenants. If you have a recently installed dish or a dish installed on a side roof, please read further information Click Here

Signs Within Our Neighborhood

Political Signs
Size and types of political signs permitted are outlined in the Texas Property Code. These cannot be installed more than 90 days prior to the election date and must be removed within ten days of the election date.

Realtor Signs
A home is permitted one (1) For Sale sign no larger than five square feet. Realtor guidance on signing is shown in the Realtor link at www.watterscrossing.com Realtor signs and open house signs installed in the entrance monuments will be removed.

Yard Sale Signs
Signs for yard sales, yards, sales, etc. are never permitted within Watters Crossing. We urge homeowners to participate in one or more of the two annual Community Wide Yard Sales which your HOA schedules each year.

Contractor Signs
Signs for all contractors, trades, etc, are never permitted within Watters Crossing and will be removed.

ACC Expedited Review of Replacement Roofs

Please be aware that all roof replacements must be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) prior to work commencing. It is not necessary to wait until the next scheduled ACC meeting for review. Roof replacements are typically expedited by the ACC. Please utilize the Roof Replacement Form at www.watterscrossing.com for expediting a review. Note that roofs planned in the color "Weathered Wood" will be approved within two days. All other colors will require a color photo or link. The online forms permit the uploading of photos with plans.

All contractor yard signs are PROHIBITED by the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions of Watters Crossing. The installation of such signs will result in cancellation of the approval of your project. Please instruct your contractor accordingly.

Dogs, Dog Leashes, and Dog Poo

The WCHOA Board continues to receive complaints concerning dogs. We are asking for everyone with dogs to be aware and considerate of your neighbors. Read more…

Cars, Trucks, Garages, and More

The ACC typically receives complaints, comments, and concerns regarding on-street parking. The Declaration of of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions of Watters Crossing permits on-street parking of licensed motor vehicles. Note that boats, trailers, and recreational vehicles may never be parked on any street within Watters Crossing unless actively loading or unloading.
With that said, we would ask all homeowners to be mindful of their neighbors:

• Avoid parking directly at an intersection, alley entrance, or stop sign which creates blind spots for turning drivers
• Avoid parking directly opposite another car on your street as it creates both blind spots and difficulty for passing vehicles
• Avoid, where possible, parking on Bel Air Drive; this street is heavily traveled by pedestrians (with kids and dogs) using the Hike and Bike trail. It also passes a number of areas of congestion including the Clubhouse, the Clubhouse Pool, the tennis court, three parks, and a school crossing.

We do appreciate everything homeowners do to help keep our neighbor attractive and safe to travel.