Author: Dave Marshall

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Lap Swimming Access

Dear Association Members:

The Canyon Creek pool will continue its practice of opening the pool exclusively for lap swimming this 2021 season during the designated lap swim hours from 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and from 8 pm to 10 pm daily. If you have previously registered as a lap swimmer, you do not have to “re-enable” your access. Entry to the pool area during these hours is restricted to members of the “Lap Swim” access control group. We ask that you use this time to swim laps or to use the pool for exercise, such as water aerobics.

Members who have not have registered previously are invited to request membership in the “Lap Swim” group by emailing their name, address, and pool access card number to dave.marshall.austin@gmail.com.
Allow up to 48 hours for your request to be processed.

Lap swimmers may not permit others to enter the pool gate using their access card. All swimmers entering the pool must badge in. No tailgating is permitted for non-family members. Lap swimmers are asked to abide by 1 swimmer per lane in the 5 lanes of the pool to achieve social distancing requirements.

In accordance with posted signage at the pool entry, all swimmers agree to wipe down any surfaces they touch, such as the entry gate, handrails, pool furniture, and bathroom facilities, using their own disinfecting wipes and maintain social distance while using the Canyon Creek pool. All swimmers further agree to hold the Canyon Creek HOA harmless in the event of injury or infection with COVID-19. The pool is “swim at your own risk” during lap swim hours.

Sunbathing and water play are not permitted in the pool area during the lap swim hours.

Enjoy your lap swimming time!

Regards,

Canyon Creek HOA Board & Spectrum Association Management

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Canyon Creek Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Newsletter – Spring 2021

  • The CC HOA board is continuing to utilize off-duty Travis County deputy constables to patrol our neighborhood streets to promote awareness that traffic and pedestrian safety is a high priority in our community. These paid deputy constable patrols are in addition to non-paid patrols by other law enforcement agencies such as APD and Travis County Sheriff’s Department. The purpose of any citations is for traffic calming and safer, more cognizant drivers not monetary punishment.
  • The CC HOA board is continuing to utilize off-duty Travis County deputy constables to patrol our neighborhood streets to promote awareness that traffic and pedestrian safety is a high priority in our community. These paid deputy constable patrols are in addition to non-paid patrols by other law enforcement agencies such as APD and Travis County Sheriff’s Department. The purpose of any citations is for traffic calming and safer, more cognizant drivers not monetary punishment.
  • As previously reported, Austin City Council passed a speed limit ordinance (# 20200611-045) that was signed by Mayor Steve Adler on June 11, 2020. The new ordinance restricts speed limits on all Austin neighborhood streets to 25 mph max after posting of new speed signs unless a different speed limit is determined by the City of Austin Traffic Engineer. The only basic exception is for larger neighborhood streets and major arterials (36 + feet wide) such as Boulder Lane. New speed limit signs will be placed on hundreds of Austin neighborhood streets in the 2020-2021 timeframe, but central Austin will get priority on installation of the new speed limit signs. We currently anticipate speed limit sign changes in Canyon Creek sometime later this year (will advise further).
  • The following charts shown below represent speed data from each of the two radar speed units (DSDD’s) recently installed on Chestnut Ridge in January 2021. One unit is installed near the Tularosa intersection and the other is near the Bramblecrest intersection. Surprisingly, the total vehicular count for the period Jan 28, 2021 to April 14, 2021 was significantly higher at the Chestnut Ridge/Tularosa location (39,796 vehicles) than at the Chestnut Ridge/Bramblecrest location (27,130 vehicles). Also of note, was the fact that essentially all vehicles had recorded speeds during this period of less than 50 mph in 30 mph posted zones (no egregious speeders doing more than 40 mph over the posted speed limit like we have seen on Boulder Lane).

  • Our Canyon Creek neighborhood will get improved high visibility intersection improvements at four intersections (Boulder/Ember Glen, Calavar/Ember Glen, Boulder/Chestnut Ridge, and Boulder/Crossland) near the Canyon Creek Elementary School later this year. A grant application for these intersection improvements was submitted to the city by the TAPS committee last year and our application was approved for funding. This project is now part of the Austin Transportation Dept (ATD) program called “Safe Routes to Schools”. The biggest intersection improvement will be at the Boulder/Ember Glen intersection where significant intersection redesign and construction will take place to make the intersection more visible and safer for both pedestrians (especially school kids) and motorists. Our committee and ATD believe these intersection improvements will offer a strong visual signal to drivers to slow down, watch for pedestrians, and come to a full stop at the Boulder/Ember Glen intersection. This intersection improvement project was originally planned for completion in the spring of 2021, but Covid-19 and other schedule set backs, such as limited availability of crews to perform concrete work, have resulted in an estimated project start date of early June 2021 and completion in July 2021.

Note: Click on the following link to access previously issued TAPS Committee Newsletters:

https://canyoncreek.net/search?q=newsletter

Reminders:

  • Respect the right-of-way of pedestrians in our neighborhood – Note: it is state law that vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians standing at the entrance of or in crosswalks. To yield, vehicles must come to a complete stop and wait while pedestrians enter, cross and exit the crosswalk.
  • Drive within the posted speed limits for safety (trying to save a few extra seconds by speeding is not safe or smart and it can cost you a lot of money). Note speed limits are set based on ideal driving conditions so wet roads, heavy traffic or pedestrian presence warrants reducing speed below the posted limit.
  • If you see someone driving recklessly or if you experience “road rage”, call 911 immediately and report as many details of the reckless driving as possible such as the nature of the event, license plate number, make/model/color of vehicle, location, driver description, etc. Please do not chase or confront the driver.
  • Current Canyon Creek TAPS Committee Members:
    • Randy Lawson – Chair
    • Dave Marshall – Co-Chair
    • Serge Zirojevic
    • Ryan Sullivan
    • Mark Grosvenor
    • Dean El-Baz
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Spring Yard Cleanup and Fixup for 2021

With spring around the corner, it’s a great time to start working on your home’s landscaping. Spring weeds are starting to poke through and our plants are starting to grow again. This cleanup activity will make your home, yard and neighborhood look more attractive. Our HOA provides some guidelines provided below for your reference. Thank you for your hard work, and we look forward to seeing great looking landscapes again this spring! 

Reference:   Spring Lawn and Landscape Compliance Tips (March 2018)

Some tips from our HOA landscaper: Yellowstone Spring Yard Tips

An Owner’s Lot must be kept neat and tidy in appearance. Lawns must be kept mowed, edged and free of weeds and trash. Planters and beds must be kept free of weeds, leaves and other debris. Some latitude is permitted for seasonal leaf shedding. Shrubs and trees must be kept trimmed and attractive. Any dead foliage or limbs must be removed promptly. Nothing on an Owner’s Lot must be allowed to become overgrown or unmaintained.

All visible areas including lawns, flower beds, driveways, sidewalks, curb strips, planters, retaining walls, etc. must be kept free of weeds, grasses or other plants, including within expansion joints, seams, etc. Sidewalks must be kept clear of shrubbery overgrowth and overhanging limbs so as not to obstruct the walkway.

All construction of new beds, relocation of beds, or significant modification of existing beds requires an application to and review by the Architectural Review Committee.

ARC Application form in PDF or download a copy that you may edit in MS Word.

For additional guidelines and frequently-asked-questions on many topics, see our HOA website:  FAQ Index or Governing Documents.

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Recycle Your Holiday Trees Curbside in Canyon Creek

Starting December 26, the City of Austin curbside customers can recycle their Hanukkah bushes, Christmas, and holiday trees by leaving them at the curb on their regular collection day. Do not dispose of trees in greenbelt areas. All other residents can drop trees off at Zilker Park. The tree drop-off option is provided as an annual partnership between Austin Resource Recovery and Austin Parks and Recreation Department and is offered two weekends in a row at Zilker Park in an effort to keep thousands of trees out of the landfill and give them a second life as mulch. The mulch is then offered for free, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Web page: austintexas.gov/treerecycling

Holiday Tree Recycling will be hosted at Zilker Park Jan. 2-3 and

Jan. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mulch will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis beginning January 14 at 9 a.m. (date and time subject to change due to weather).

Austin Resource Recovery

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  • 2020-12-25 (dm): Initial posting.
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Clean Up After Your Pet

Many people in our neighborhood have pets that they love to take on walks in our community. This is good for both the pet and for the owner.  While getting fresh air outside, dogs love to defecate and urinate while on their walks. Owners should pick up after their animals to keep the surrounding areas clean and sanitary. Feces on the sidewalk or adjoining grass is unsightly and unpleasant to neighbors that walk or live nearby. Owners should carry “poop bags”, pick up their animal droppings, either place them in containers that the HOA has provided along Boulder Lane, or place this trash in their own trash containers, not in the neighbors’ down the street. The HOA board believes this is a simple thing to request of our homeowners and asks that all of us comply with this request. We appreciate your compliance and your neighbors appreciate it as well.

This applies to our nature trails too. And please do not leave a loaded poop bag for someone else to remove.

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  • 2020-04-23 (jmw): Page moved to WordPress platform.

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Yard Cleanup and Fixup

With spring arriving and the weather warming up, it’s a great time to start working on your home’s landscaping. Spring weeds are poking through and our plants are starting to grow again. This cleanup activity will make your home, yard and neighborhood look more attractive. Our HOA provides some guidelines provided below for your reference. Thank you for your hard work, and we look forward to seeing great looking landscapes again this spring! 

Reference: Spring Lawn and Landscape Compliance Tips

An Owner’s Lot must be kept neat and tidy in appearance. Lawns must be kept mowed, edged and free of weeds and trash. Planters and beds must be kept free of weeds, leaves and other debris. Some latitude is permitted for seasonal leaf shedding. Shrubs and trees must be kept trimmed and attractive. Any dead foliage or limbs must be removed promptly. Nothing on an Owner’s Lot must be allowed to become overgrown or unmaintained.

All visible areas including lawns, flower beds, driveways, sidewalks, curb strips, planters, retaining walls, etc. must be kept free of weeds, grasses or other plants, including within expansion joints, seams, etc. Sidewalks must be kept clear of shrubbery overgrowth and overhanging limbs so as not to obstruct the walkway.

All construction of new beds, relocation of beds, or significant modification of existing beds requires an application to and review by the Architectural Review Committee.

The ARC form is available here.

For additional guidelines and frequently-asked-questions on many topics, see our HOA website  FAQ Index or Governing Documents

Canyon Creek Architecture Review Committee.

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  • 2020-04-23 (jmw): Page moved to WordPress platform.

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Canyon Creek Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Newsletter – Fall 2019

The Canyon Creek Traffic and Pedestrian Safety (TAPS) Committee has completed a survey of city sidewalks that includes sidewalk issues reported by our community residents. This survey resulted in the documentation of 80 significant city sidewalk safety issues with sidewalk mismatches noted up to 4.5 inches. The survey found significant sidewalk issues on 26 different streets in our community. A list of these documented mismatches was submitted to the City of Austin the week of Nov 11, 2019.

Our committee has been notified that a city official will be coming to our neighborhood in the near future to observe and confirm our noted sidewalk issues. We expect the city to repair these noted issues after an assessment and a written plan is developed to mitigate these issues. Our goal is to make the use of our city sidewalks safe for all pedestrians and to offer a safe alternative to jogging on our city streets, which is not only unsafe but also illegal when a sidewalk is available.

  • The CC HOA board has approved a 2020 budget that includes doubling the frequency of paid deputy constable patrols starting in January 2020 from one patrol every two weeks to one patrol every week. These patrols have been taking place since November 2018. This should result in further traffic calming and should promote awareness that traffic and pedestrian safety is a high priority in our community. These paid deputy constable patrols are in addition to patrols by other law enforcement agencies such as APD and Travis County Sheriff’s Department. On average, 3-4 vehicles are ticketed per patrol for speeding and other moving violations.
  • Many of you may have noticed two new radar speed signs (officially called “Dynamic Speed Display Devices or “DSDD’s”) installed on Chestnut Ridge Rd. These DSDD’s are temporary and will be removed after collecting speed data for around six weeks. After these DSDD’s are removed, Austin Transportation Dept (ATD) personnel will analyze and evaluate the data. Our TAPS committee and the HOA board will be given access to this data and a decision will likely be made by the 1st quarter of 2020 on whether future additional traffic calming measures are justified. The purchase and installation of two permanent DSDD’s on Chestnut Ridge Rd is one possible outcome. However, the TAPS committee and HOA board will solicit feedback from homeowners concerning issues such as acceptance and possible placement locations before proceeding with any additional DSDD’s.

Reminders:

  • Respect the right-of-way of pedestrians in our neighborhood
    Note: it is state law that vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians standing at the entrance of or in crosswalks. To yield, vehicles must come to a complete stop and wait while pedestrians enter, cross and exit the crosswalk.
  • Drive within the posted speed limits for safety (trying to save a few extra seconds by speeding is not safe or smart and it can cost you a lot of money). Note speed limits are set based on ideal driving conditions so wet roads, heavy traffic or pedestrian presence warrants reducing speed below the posted limit.
  • If you see someone driving recklessly or if you experience “road rage”, call 911 immediately and report why it was reckless and with as many details of the vehicle as you have such as license plate number, make/model/color of vehicle, location, driver description, etc. Please do not chase or confront the driver.

Page Revision History:

  • 2020-04-23 (jmw): Page moved to WordPress platform.

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Fall Is Here, Time to Give Your Landscaping Some Attention

Fall is finally here and the heat of summer is a thing of the past. Now is the time to address issues you may have had with your landscaping during the summer. Some of us have burned out spots in our lawns due the lack of rain and the intense sun of the summer. This could be due to sprinklers not being adjusted correctly or not working at all. Now is the time to correct these issues.

Watering restrictions also make watering a challenge, but it’s not impossible to keep your landscaping alive. Our Austin water restrictions (http://www.austintexas.gov/department/water-restrictions) do allow you to keep your lawn watered once per week. In fact, we recommend that you water twice in the same day – once, say at 2 a.m., and then again at 9 p.m., the same day of your watering day. This amount of watering will keep your lawn alive, though not thriving. See our lawn and landscaping compliance tips on our website blog Spring Lawn and Landscape Compliance Tips.

Remember that our DCCRs (Sections 3.19 and 3.20) require homeowners to keep their lots neat and tidy in appearance. Lawns must be kept mowed, edged, and free of weeds and trash. Planters and beds must be kept free of weeds, leaves, and other debris. Some latitude is permitted for seasonal leaf shedding. Shrubs and trees must be kept trimmed and attractive. Any dead foliage or limbs must be removed promptly. Nothing on an Owner’s Lot must be allowed to become overgrown or unmaintained. Owners with xeriscaping are reminded that “low-maintenance” does not mean “no-maintenance.” Xeriscaped beds must be equally maintained, edged, and kept free of weeds, leaves, and other debris. 

Sufficient water must be applied to the landscaping, in accordance with any mandatory watering schedule in effect, to maintain the sod and plantings on the Lot. Landscape irrigation systems must be kept in good working order. Sod must not be allowed to die due to lack of water. Bare spots are not allowed, although some latitude is permitted in heavily shaded yards where sod is difficult to grow. In this case, it may be more attractive to create a bed and to mulch or use shade tolerant plants. Be aware that construction of new beds requires an application to and review by the Architectural Review Committee.

Also, more information is available in our Frequently Asked Questions for Mowing and Landscaping section on our website.

Good luck with your efforts to improve the looks of our neighborhood in the coming months.

Regards, Your HOA Board of Directors

Page Revision History:

  • 2021-03-02 (jmw): Corrected permalink to CoA watering restrictions.
  • 2020-04-23 (jmw): Page moved to WordPress platform.
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Architectural Review Committee Guidelines

Our community covenants state that improvements to residences shall not be started until a plan is submitted to and approved by the Architectural Review Committee. What needs ARC approval? Things that you add or change to the outside of your property. Examples include new landscaping, decks, sheds, pools, house additions, solar panels, and house painting or roofing if it’s a different color or material. The only exceptions are routine maintenance – replacing your fence or deck, or driveway as long as the materials, color, and location are the same as what is currently installed in your home. Additionally, all of our DCCR’s are available in the Governing Documents library.

 In order to provide some guidelines, here are some of the items that the ARC frequently encounters:

  • Maintenance of existing landscaping does not require architectural review.
  • All new or changed landscaping requires architectural review. This includes: new trees, planting beds, vegetable gardens, brick and rock borders, fencing, fountains, ponds, and lighting that shines beyond your property lines.
  • Professionally installed irrigation systems do not require architectural review. Please be positive of your property line prior to installing.

Basketball Goals Guidelines:

  • The goal must be positioned a maximum of 8 feet from the garage door.
  • The goal must be facing on the property in such a manner that errant balls will fall beyond the backboard into the yard of the resident owner of the goal, and not onto the neighboring property.
  • The goal itself must be kept well maintained.
  • Temporary or moveable goals are allowed but must not be left in the street or blocking the sidewalk when not in use

Satellite Dishes: Small (18”) satellite dishes are automatically approved for usage in Canyon Creek.  However, you must make a written application of the location of where the dish will be placed on the property.

  • Preferred placement for Satellite dishes are locations where they are not visible from the street in front of the house. These locations include:
    • Mounted below the fence line on the side or back of a home and not visible from the public thoroughfare(s).
    • Rear roof.
    • Behind the chimney
  • With south-facing homes, placement may require some street-side visibility. In these cases, the ARC will work with you to find the placement that minimizes street-side exposure such as:
    • Below the fence in the back of the house
    • High on the back side of the roof near the ridge line
    • Places blocked by vegetation, roof gables, chimneys or other visual impediments
  • Exterior attachment cables should be attached in a neat fashion, as far from the public thoroughfares as necessity allows
  • Please note that most satellite dish installers are contractors and will put the dish in a place most convenient for them and that this placement frequently is not acceptable. Please get ARC approval before installing the dish!

Where is the ARC request form?  The Architectural Review Committee Approval Request Form is located at:

Architecture Review Form

Residents can also send email messages to board@canyoncreek.net to reach all the directors at once. 

The CCHOA property manager Denise Johnston can be contacted at (512) 834-3900, or Manager@canyoncreek.net. 

Your ARC Committee members are:

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TxDOT Presentation made at the Canyon Creek Town Hall Meeting on Sep 16, 2019

RM 620 CORRIDOR Refinement Study.

This presentation was made by Bruce Byron, Public Information Lead, of TxDOT and explains some plans for improving mobility on and around RM 620. The main takeaways from this presentation are:

  • The 620/2222 bypass road is planned for completion in late 2020 and will relieve some traffic congestion on both 620 and 2222 when completed
  • RM 620 is already stretched way beyond its original design vehicular capacity, especially near the 620/2222 intersection and the 620/Anderson Mill intersection
  • The 620/Anderson Mill Rd intersection improvement project is now funded and construction of an overpass is planned to start in late 2023 after engineering and purchase of right-of-way properties are completed

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