Wood Glen
Official Publication of the Wood Glen Property Owners Association
April 2013 - Volume 7, Issue 4
Howdy Wood Glen! While I write this article, the Social Committee is planning for the Spring Festival and the neighborhood garage sale. I hope everyone had a good time at the Spring Festival. Neighborhood events contribute to making Wood Glen a wonderful community. They are fun, and they allow us to meet our people that may not live right next door. Additionally, polls have shown that social events are one of the top ways homeowners associations improve property values. However, these events take planning and effort to pull off and we need volunteers to help. A big thanks to all the volunteers that helped with the Spring Festival. This reminds me of something I heard recently. A single bee will produce less than a teaspoon of honey over its entire lifetime. But a hive full of bees can produce several pounds of excess honey in a year. While we all have busy lives and many other demands on our time, if we all pitch in a little where we can, we can do big things for our neighborhood. The Board has been talking about parking lately. In some areas of the neighborhood, parking on the street has created problems. I was informed that back in September there was a bus that was delayed due to difficulty turning a corner because of cars parked on both sides of the street. Having the kids get to school a few minutes late is inconvenient, but delaying an emergency vehicle for a few minutes could be a matter of life and death. We all have garages and driveways that should provide our primary parking. However, there are times when parking will overflow into the street. When this happens, be mindful of your neighbors and the flow of traffic. I want to remind everyone that there are sections in the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, which are available through the website (www.woodglen.org), that address issues related to parking. Article X, Section 32 relates to garages and states “garages shall be maintained to allow the requisite number of usable enclosed parking spaces”. Additionally, Article X, Section 10 discusses the storage of boats, trailers, recreational vehicles, commercial use trucks, etc. Article X, Section 10 also states “no vehicle shall ever be permitted to park on a driveway at a point where the vehicle obstructs pedestrians from use of a sidewalk.” The Board will be working to articulate a parking policy over the next few months. I hope to provide a draft through the website when it becomes available. In the meantime, we welcome your comments related to parking. Also keep in mind that the City of Round Rock has parking regulations that are spelled out in Chapter 42, Division 11 of the Round Rock City Ordinances which are also available online (www.roundrocktexas.gov). This includes things like maintaining at least 10 feet of the width of the roadway for traffic when parking on the street and not parking vehicles Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.
in the street for washing, repairs, or displaying for sale. The city has the right to designate areas where parking is not allowed when parking would cause a hazard or unusual delay in traffic. This relates to the incident with the school bus that I mentioned. If problems like that continue to occur, the city may decide to restrict parking to one side of the street in some areas. Also, there are restrictions on parking vehicles or vehicle/trailer combinations in excess of 20 feet on a residential street for longer than 5 minutes or between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Also, you can’t park a trailer on a public street that is not attached to a motor vehicle. Be mindful of these ordinances as Round Rock Police Department could issue parking citations if they aren’t followed. Another issue that has come up recently is disposal of animal waste. As you take your pets for a walk, either along the sidewalks or through the greenbelt, please pick up after them if they go to the bathroom. There are elevated trash bins conveniently located at trail heads for disposal. This is another area where the city ordnances play a part. Article VI, Section 8-137 tells us it is unlawful to allow animals to defecate in public areas or private property other than your own, unless the feces is immediately removed and disposed of. Also, Section 8-138 tells us we need to maintain our own property so as not to create an unhealthy, unsanitary, dangerous or offensive living condition. During the February Board Meeting, the board formally adopted a forced mow policy that we have been working on for several months. The forced mow policy is intended to address issues where yards are not properly maintained. The policy is necessary due to a state law passed in the 2011 legislative session and has been posted to the website. When yards are not properly maintained, such as when the grass has not been cut for an excessive period of time, weeds are uncontrollably growing, or trees are overhanging the sidewalk, the management company sends out notices of violations. Hopefully, that is sufficient reminder for problems to be addressed and it goes no further. However, if 30 days after the second notice is sent the issue has still not been addressed, a fine will be assessed. At this point, the new policy outlines a process by which the Association can have a professional address the issue and the cost charged to the owner. The policy we have created ensures that a decision to do so involves a deliberate process, and provides the homeowner the opportunity to discuss the issue with the board and/or address the issue first. If you have a neighbor that is having difficulty maintaining their yard due to some hardship, lend a hand. Like the bees, if we all can help out just a little bit, big things can be accomplished, keeping the neighborhood looking nice and strengthening our community. Wood Glen Property Owners Association Newsletter - April 2013 1