Fire Danger, June 27 Large Brush Pickup, and Rule Amendment for Front and Backyard Maintenance

FIRE DANGER IN AUSTIN IS NOW EXTREMELY HIGH! Reminder-Large Brush Pickup on June 27. The Board recently approved an amendment to Rule 32 of the 2011 Rules and Regulations having to do with Front Yard maintenance, and enforced by the Front Yard Policy of 2018 (both can be found under Documents at www.2800Waymaker.com). This Amended Rule 32, which replaces the Front Yard Policy of 2018, reads as follows (amended addition underlined): 32. Maintenance of Limited Common Elements (LCE). As is provided in the Declaration, each Owner is obligated to maintain the limited common element yard areas appurtenant to the Owner’s unit. This obligation shall extend to all portions of an Owner’s front yard area up to the street curb, including all sod, landscaping, and irrigation components located in that area, even though the front yard immediately adjacent to the curb may technically be located within the general common element street right-of-way. The limited common element of an Owner’s unit also includes the sides and back yard areas behind the unit within any existing gates and fences, especially the fence that surrounds the Davenport Rim neighborhood. (From Declaration 5.2, Maintenance of Limited Common Elements): Each owner shall keep all shrubs, trees, grass and plantings of every kind on the Limited Common Elements assigned to such Owner’s Unit cultivated, pruned, free of trash, and other unsightly material. The rationale for broadening this rule to include side and back yards is multi-faceted: a) the intent of Declaration 5.2 above, b) units with relatively neglected backyards that are easily seen from Waymaker Way, by neighbors, and from our Inner Greenbelt, and c) (most importantly) the Rim’s recent Firewise Certification that requires all homeowners to reduce fire danger around their units by clearing broken branches, firewood, and dead trees that could increase the spread of fire and endanger homes. This is becoming more critical with current drought conditions and increased fire danger in the Central Texas and Austin areas (see recent Next Door posts regarding private fireworks occurring this week, and reports of small fires close by). For those of you who do not receive Austin Resource Recovery notices, there is a large brush pick-up scheduled for June 27 (https://www.austintexas.gov/brush). This presents an excellent opportunity for dead branches etc. to be hauled away at no expense to owners. (Sign up for email notices here: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-resource-recovery ) At this time the Board is urging owners to clear their backyards of dead and decaying materials in their side and backyards as soon as possible. Later this summer the Board will announce an initiative and more details regarding this new LCE rule. Please act immediately if this applies to your unit (i.e., if you have side and/or back yards with dead branches or brush). Please notice the above website provides tips for how to prepare your brush for pickup. Thanks for your patience and help in making Davenport Rim a safe and attractive neighborhood. Your Board of Directors