Stay secure this summer

As summer heats up in Arizona, many residents are preparing to leave for cooler climates and restorative vacations. Preparing one’s home to be vacant for any period can be a stressful addition to the joy of leaving town. The Community Patrol and Gate Access team is available to ease some of the stress with proactive and responsive patrol services to ensure the wellbeing of the community including:

Garage Door Alerts Community Patrol will call and email residents with open garage doors between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Vacation notification Community Patrol conducts perimeter checks while residents are away. Submit the form on DCRanch.com.

Living with snakes and mosquitos

Throughout Arizona the warming desert land brings all varieties of snakes out of hibernation, and monsoon showers create a perfect breeding ground for mosquitos. These desert dwellers are some of Arizonans least liked native dwellers but are also avoidable by following some easy guidelines.

The most common venomous snake encountered in the Valley is the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, which is known for residing in native desert habitats and in neighborhoods nearby. These snakes may be found on trails, the Reata Wash, in community parks and even golf courses. To remain safe, stay on designated paths and trails, keep ears and eyes engaged with your surroundings, stay calm and contact Community Patrol at 480.397.9659 if you encounter a snake.

Mosquitos of multiple varieties are abundant in Arizona, ranging from aggressive biting mosquitos that increased in population over the last few years, to the less populous genus that carry disease. Remove all standing water, keep yard clear of debris, and treat any standing water that cannot be drained with a larvicide to keep these flying fiends away from your home.

Packages Deliveries can be accepted at manned gates; check with the gatehouse for exceptions.

Car service Residents should inform Gate Access of a pick-up appointment and ensure that the driver has the resident’s first and last name or address for pick up. At unmanned gates, the driver will be permitted entry by the resident. For drop-offs at manned gates, residents must show gate staff their four-digit verification code, or the resident must present their photo ID to prove residency.

Supplementary guidelines around car services are being implemented in DC Ranch to ensure the wellbeing

Many homes in DC Ranch have landscaping requirements that complement the design of the community. The most common requirement is streetscape trees. The type of tree may vary by neighborhood but creates a consistent street view and visual barrier between the street and residence. Streetscape trees are a requirement based on the Environmental Site Plan (ESP) and help to maintain the natural transition into the Sonoran Desert landscape.

Community Standard DCRL-17 sets the specific Streetscape Trees requirements in DC Ranch, with some neighborhoods requiring unique streetscape trees. Generally located six to eight feet from back of curb, or between the curb and sidewalk, these trees help emphasize the character and beauty of the community.

In Desert Camp and Country Club, these trees are owned by the homeowner whose lot on which they are situated. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining irrigation to the tree(s) along with trimming, removal, and replacement as needed at the homeowner’s expense. In the Silverleaf neighborhoods of Arcadia, The Parks, and parts of Horseshoe Canyon, streetscape trees are owned by the homeowner whose lot on which they are situated. The Ranch Association is responsible for maintenance, replacement and irrigation (when needed). All related expenses are neighborhood expenses. In some neighborhoods, streetscape trees are owned by the homeowner, who is responsible for irrigation, removal, maintenance, and replacement; however, routine clearance pruning is provided of all residents and property. Uber, Lyft and other car delivery services will be given only a one-time pass for entry behind any gate. Due to the independent contractor business model around delivery services, residents will be restricted from adding Uber, Lyft or other delivery services to their permanent list on GateAccess.net. For security purposes, it is strongly suggested that residents put their verification code in the notes section of their phone for quick access to show the guard when in car service vehicles, which ensures the verification code is not announced in front of ride-share drivers. Visit DCRanch.com to learn more. by the Ranch Association and paid for in the neighborhood assessment. The maintenance, replacement, and irrigation of other landscaping situated on the homeowner’s lot, other than trees in the streetscape, is the responsibility of the homeowner in all neighborhoods.

Additionally, all homes in DC Ranch are required to maintain both a front yard and backyard tree, which follows the general rule of 1 tree for every 1500 sq. ft. Homeowners own and maintain these trees and are responsible for tree trimming that meets Standards for Landscape in DCRL-18. Contact a Community Standards Specialist at 480.513.1500 before removing or planting a streetscape tree, or with any questions regarding maintenance. For more information, view the Landscape Design Guidelines on DCRanch.com.

Community Standards Corner: DCRL-17

Streetscape Trees