What is the policy for vehicles driving back on the greenbelt? There are several different Pickups on different occassions that drive back on the greenbelt. I ask because I am tired of headlights streaming through my window, sometimes at 11:00pm or even 2/3am.
Hi,
The PCW HOA doesn't own the greenbelt. That land belongs to the Parks and Recreation Department of the city of Austin: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/parkmaps/images/walnut_creek_northeast.jpg
I strongly doubt that their ideas of responsible recreational use include driving pickup trucks back there. However, most of the greenbelt that I'm familiar with is inaccessible to large vehicles. Where have you seen these lights?
Best,
dan
My house is on Timber Heights, South of Musket Valley. I don't know what you call it but there is a concrete runoff where there is typically a pond (dry weather permitting). Trucks (as well as 4 wheelers, motorcross dirtbikes, etc.) usually head back towards the farm land. Trucks some times with pets or not, stop at the pond and just park. I believe the 4 wheelers and bikes run underneath the powerlines as there is a long stretch of dirt road perfect for that sort of thing. The 4 wheelers and bikes have pretty much come to a halt, but there is probably a sighting of a pickup at least once a week, not always the same one. If I get a chance I will say something to whom ever is back there, in general it doesn't bother me so much except when it is late at night. Just thought I would mention it.
Thanks
Ahh, now I understand. Presumably, these people are using the undeveloped land past the large pond at the end of Musket Valley Trail. Some of that property is owned by the city of Austin, I think. We want to encourage Austin PARC to put that to recreational use in the long-term future (maybe playing fields). For the near future, however, it seems the best we can do is to talk to the folks who are driving there. Because the property is adjacent to our neighborhood, it seems reasonable to ask them not to use it late at night.
Dan,
There was an incident on Friday (February 13th) where I stopped a four a gentleman (mid-late 20s) and a younger kid (12 years+/- on a four wheeler driving on the street). There was also 2 dirt bikes on the greenbelt behind Timber Heights Dr. at the time of the incident. I wasn't able to talk to the two guys on the dirt bikes because they drove off. I also had tried to stop two guys who were on a dirt bike and a four wheeler, whom were on the Green Belt behind Timber Heights Dr. about an hour earlier than this incident, but they took off as I approached.
During the incident in quesiton, I told the gentleman I had stopped, it was illegal to drive on the street and he couldn't be driving on the greenbelt. Not only was that Austin City property but it was loud and annoying to those of us who live adjacent to the green belt. I have spoken with a few residence on and they have expressed an annoyance to the dirt bikes and four wheelers driving back there also. The gentleman began to argue with me, saying he wasn't doing anything wrong and told me to contact the HOA. I told him I would contact the police first he said go ahead because I couldn't stop him. I proceeded to get in front of his vehicle, and call the police. He did by the way learch forward telling me I couldn't stop him. The police did finally come, and diffused the situation. I was released first from the situation and the police officer I believe just gave the gentleman a warning.
It is illegal to drive on the street on unlicensed vehicles (dirt bikes, four wheelers, etc.). I have contacted officer Glicke previously about this problem but have not heard back on what signs should be put up, and futher action. I did want to make sure this land is not PCW property. The map you sent regarding the Parks and Recreation Department is for the property located behind the PCW neighborhood South of where we live..Northern PCW community where the pool is. I am pretty sure the Green Belt behind Timber Heights is Austin property, but if it is not and is PCW property then PCW HOA needs to do something about it (posts signs, send message in the newsletter, etc.). This way either way, when the police are called they can approched the situation with more leverage.
I hope we (PCW) can work more proactively with Parks and Recreation and the local authorities (Officer Glicke) to do more. I am tired of having to go out and tell the "riders" to go some place else. Their actions are a noticeable disruption, on a consistant basis, to the quality of life for those of us living adjacent to the Green Belt. I feel more people need to get involved, especially because I have seen an increase in frequency of the riding, especially in the warmer weather. The vehicles are not only riding on the Green Belt behind Timber Heights Dr., but also around the neighborhoods. I have been told by the police to call it in every time I see it, and have tried to, but calling these things in are just a band aid to the problem. I have also walked the neighborhood to a small degree to let people know there is a Neighborhood watch and a forum (PCW website) to discuss their concerns. Of note, none of the residents knew of either of these. I wanted to ask that the HOA make this a priority to present a welcome letter to the new home owners or renters for that matter?
The leadership of the HOA seems to be more residentially loacated to the area South of the Pool division (located just South on Dessau)? The troubles over here seem more prevelant than down in the Southern section of PCW to include the Bungalow division. Most recently the vandalizm at the pool and this problem, and the female items found in the Bungalow area, not to mention the speeding in the Bungalow area, are all prime examples. I think the communication commity and neighborhood watch commity need to get together and get involved. I don't want to have guys stalking me because I am the only one saying something (and found subsequently my wife over heard the gentleman speaking on his cell phone getting my license plate and vehicle description while I was talking to the Police officer), and feel community involvement is a much greater influence than just a handful of residents yelling out there door. I have asked on several occassions when meetings would occur but have gotten no inclination when this might happen. I realize my letter is exasperating and nobody wants to have to deal with this, but I/we the community have been living with this the whole Year+ and don't want to anymore.
Thank you
Dear Resident,
I understand your concern. As board president and resident in the south section, We also have a greenbelt that lends itself to possible abuse from outsiders as well. The property you speak of may still be in the hands of the developer and therefore private property. I do not believe it has been deeded to the City yet. Eventually it will and thus become City parkland. Regardless, no motorized vehicles are allowed on City greenbelt use for maintenance purposes. I have worked with Parks and Rec for a few years now. That is how we got trash cans and "Mutt Mitts" installed. We have offically adopted the greenbelt along Walnut Creek and as pretty much expected to help with maintenance and clean up. We are continually looking for volunteers to organize these efforts. If you are so inclined, we would like to talk with you and others about this. We will soon be having a meeting(s) for the recreation/landscape committee and the neighborhood watch group in March. Be on the lookout for this notice right here on our website.
Thank you for bringing these matters up, and I look forward to hearing from you. You can e-mail me if you like or call.
Mike