Month: July 2015 - page 2

Parking Permits and Unauthorized Parking

Posted on by Don Ryan - 3 Comments

In the week or so since we mailed out the information about the new Parking Permit program, we have not had many residents come in for an application.  We had expected a much higher response. As one resident told us, it’s cheaper to rent a spot than to get their vehicle back from the towing company ($300 each time). We will keep the application period open until the end of July 2015.  

We have issued many notices for well over a year to all properties detailing the impending enforcement of our Visitor Lot parking rules. It is totally unfair to all residents to let a few break the rules and get away with it, as they have done for a while. I guess they think we will not tow their vehicles; well, they are wrong. We have been towing from our Visitor lots this month and will continue to do so.

Any resident who knowingly and willingly parks their vehicle(s) in Visitor Parking without displaying the Parking Permit will be deemed an “Unauthorized Vehicle” and will be towed. 

 

Visitor Parking

Expired Stickers in Visitor Lots

Posted on by Don Ryan

We are doing periodic patrols throughout the subdivision looking for any vehicles with expired Inspection or Registration.  The following comes from the TxDPS  website: (emphasis added)

New Timelines for Inspections

Prior to Feb, 29, 2016, you must have a passing vehicle inspection at the time you register or renew your vehicle’s registration.

If your inspection expires before your registration, you are required to get your vehicle inspected before the inspection expiration date.

After March 1, 2016, you must pass a vehicle inspection within 90 calendar days prior to registration or renewing your vehicle.

The towing company tells me they have to give someone 10 days after tagging their vehicle for expired stickers, according to State law. However, if we tag your vehicle or call it in, there is no 10 day grace period, primarily due to the fact that the Visitor Lots are located on private property. Secondarily, we have Parking rules in place that do not allow any vehicle with expired registration (tags) or inspection to park in these visitor lots, so we are towing these expired vehicles off the property.

Each Visitor Lot is well-marked with signs, so it’s not like people have not been warned.

Information, Visitor Parking

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Pool Passes,Unauthorized Swimmers and Pool Closed for Maintenance

Posted on by Don Ryan - 1 Comment

Pool will be closed Monday, July 20, until further notice for maintenance. Pool is open today, Sunday, July 19th

We are re-instituting Pool Passes following large numbers of people using the Pool whom we cannot verify are actual residents, renters or guests.  We have had several instances of MANY people showing up and saying they are the guests of some address, when the people that live at that address have never heard of them.

Residents who have already paid their $5 can come to the office and pick up a pool pass sometime next week. We will be putting out notices to properties that have already paid.

These passes are the key chain type, and are numbered. We will keep track of which pass is issued to which property. If you or your guests do not present this pool pass, you will not be allowed to use the pool. We may also rethink the number of guests allowed per pass since that has also been abused by some people.

The large number of people using the pool has caused a lot of problems with pool chemistry. Moreover, since some of these people are not residents, renters, or actual guests, you and I are paying for the added chemicals to keep the pool as it should be. We are having enough people use the pool that the water gets cloudy almost daily.

Due to the chemistry issues, we will keep the pool closed next week so we can drain part-way and refill it.

 

Information, Pool

Stored or Wrecked Vehicles Under Carports

Posted on by Don Ryan - 2 Comments

Last week, we send notices to every resident who has a stored or wrecked vehicle under their carport.  Just so we are clear, here’s what the rules are:

Carports
a. Wrecked cars and inoperable vehicles are not allowed in any carport. (includes expired inspection stickers and expired license plates).
b. No car will be allowed to be up on jacks or blocks, or permitted to be parked with flat tires.
c. No tractors or trailers may be parked in carports.

The notices we sent out are a courtesy warning; the last thing we want is for this subdivision to look like a wrecking yard. A stored vehicle, under a tarp or other cover, is NOT an operable vehicle. If it was, it would be driven regularly, which they are not. Inoperable vehicles are also a violation of GP Codes, and can result in a visit from Code Enforcement.

Some properties have had stored or wrecked vehicles on their properties for months, if not longer.  We are now addressing this and will resort to fines and other enforcement actions if required.  It is not fair to those who follow the rules to allow others not to.

Information, Stored Vehicles

Visitor Parking and Towing

Posted on by Don Ryan

Since April of 2014, we have been telling residents that only Visitors can use the Visitor Parking lots. This rule was put into place over 10 years ago, but has not been fully enforced.  Anyone parking in the Visitor lot that is not an actual Visitor will be considered as “unauthorized” and will be towed at the owner’s or operator’s expense. For far too long we have had residents who continually abuse the visitor lots and that time is coming to a close.  We have been warning our residents for over a year, which is more than reasonable.

If your car is towed, it is your own fault.

Visitor Parking

GP Pipeline Direct

Posted on by Don Ryan

New Fire Station No. 10
City officials broke ground on July 2 for a new Fire Station Nov. 10 located at the corner of Balboa and Grand Peninsula Drive.  The $5 million, 12,000-square-foot facility will house 18 firefighters and paramedics, and feature four truck bays.  Architecture for the building will be a nautical theme with a tower element resembling a light house.  The new station is scheduled to open in May 2016.

Neighborhood Enrichment Team
The city of Grand Prairie Neighborhood Enrichment Team (NET) is a collaborative effort between city departments focusing on nuisance and chronic problem properties that have not responded to traditional methods of compliance.  the Police Department, Code Enforcement, Fire Department, Housing and Neighborhood Services, Building Inspections, Environmental Services, Public Works, City Attorney and parks, Arts and Recreation Department are all part of the NET.

To be considered a “Nuisance or Chronic Problem Property,” the property must exhibit repeated non-compliance, constitute a long term public nuisance, or is of such a severe nature that the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens and businesses of the city of Grand Prairie is at risk.

To report a complaint or concern, call 972-237-8296 for assistance.
New Development
The city has approved the site plan for a new 190,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter east of State Highway 161 between Arkansas Lane and Pioneer Parkway.  Walmart’s coporate office is still in the scheduling phase.
Construction is scheduled to begin soon on a new Aldi grocery store at Great Southwest Parkway and Bardin Road.
QuikTrip will begin construction soon on a gas station and convenience store on Lake Ridge and Interstate 20.
Emerus is opening a 29,332-square-foot emergency hospital on Kingswood and SH 360.  The hospital will provide emergency care services and nursing care for patients who require an overnight stay of longer than 24 hours.  Construction is scheduled to begin soon.
Uplift Academy will expand its downtown Grand Prairie campus with a new 63,000-square-foot high school building north of Church Street between 2nd and 4th Streets.
State Farm will open an office on Lake Ridge south of Grand Peninsula just south of the memory care center.
Construction is set to begin on the 247-unit Reserve at Grand Prairie Apartments at the northeast corner of SH 360 and Outlet Parkway.
A new 304-unit Timberview Ranch apartment complex is under construction at SH 360 north of Crossroads Church.
The first phase of the 199-unit Enclave apartments at Mira Lagos East is under construction at the southeast corner of Grand Peninsula and Balboa.  A second 108-unit phase is also planned for this site.

Construction will begin soon on the 334-unit Quadrangles apartments at the southeast corner of I-20 and Endicott.

A new 249-unit Villas of Grand Prairie apartment complex is planned for Arkansas Lane and SH 161.
A 302-unit Residences at 3000 Bardin condominium development is planned at the northwest corner of Endicott and Bardin.

 

Grand Prairie Services, Information

New Pool Monitor !

Posted on by Don Ryan

We have a new Pool monitor starting tomorrow.  Her name is Shawn and she will be working the second shift (afternoon to closing time).  Tiffany will open the pool for the morning shift.

Let’s remember to follow the pool monitor’s instructions so you don’t have to leave the pool or get banned for the rest of the season.

Information, Pool

Fire Lanes, Municipal Codes, and Towing

Posted on by Don Ryan - 4 Comments

We are still having problems with people parking in the Fire Lane. Yesterday, someone had a party and many of their guests decided to park in the Fire Lane, when there was plenty of parking available in front of the Office but they were apparently too tired to walk a short distance. A number of cars were parked on both sides of the Fire Lane and several tow trucks were called, resulting in a few cars being towed; others were only released after the owner paid a “drop fee” of about $130.00.   The full tow charge is around $300.00.

Excalibur Towing has stepped up random patrols throughout the subdivision and is closely monitoring things. If you park your vehicle in our Fire Lanes, you do so at your own risk and at your own expense.

The City’s Municipal Code states:

No person shall park, stop or leave standing any non-emergency vehicle, either attended or unattended, within any portion of the fire lane. 

Unless you fit into one of the following three conditions, you are NOT an emergency vehicle and will be towed at your expense:

a. Vehicles assigned to the fire department that are engaged in emergency activities.

b. Police department or other law enforcement vehicles on official business.

c. Ambulance vehicles on emergency calls.

Fire Lanes, Information

Pool Rules, a Reminder

Posted on by Don Ryan

Anyone arguing with a pool monitor or any other GPMCHA employee about pool rules will be asked to leave the pool area. We will ban individuals who cause disturbances of any kind.

We will also be checking addresses and making sure that people who try to use the pool actually live here or are guests of a resident. We have had a lot of people using our pool who do not live here; this is a Private Pool paid for by HOA dues.

If you are allowing your guest(s) to use the pool, you need to come to the pool with them.  There is a maximum of 4 guests allowed per property.

 

 

 

Pool

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Visitor Lot Parking Permits and Rules

Posted on by Don Ryan

We sent another notice by mail to all property owners detailing the new Visitor Lot Parking Permit program and Rules.  Only property owners can apply for a Permit and permits will be issued based on several requirements. Not all who apply will be approved for a permit and there are a limited number of permits available.

Here is a copy of the mailing sent out this week    Parking July 2015

Anyone who continues to park in the Visitors Lots who are not actual visitors and who do not have a Parking Permit will risk being towed at their expense. The approximate cost of this is $300.00 per vehicle, per tow.

Information, Visitor Parking