Canyon Creek Traffic and Safety
Committee Newsletter – October 2022
Reported crime in our neighborhood has actually gone down from incident highs reported in both 2020 and 2021 (see incident chart below) which is good news. The following is a summary of neighborhood criminal activity reported in our neighborhood since Jan 01, 2022:
APD has previously committed to increased patrols in our neighborhood to help address this rising crime issue. Our committee has created a Form to Report Burglaries and Theft in Canyon Creek so that our residents can informally make us aware of any incidents so that we can track them and provide that info to the APD and other local law enforcement agencies to help drive future decision making that could make our neighborhood safer. See the attached link to Addressing Vehicle Burglaries and Theft in Canyon Creek. We will communicate info and data updates on these issues to our residents via regular newsletters, e-blasts, our HOA website, social media, etc. We encourage all of our residents who have experienced crimes such as burglaries and thefts to report the crime (or attempted crime) and to call either 911 for an active crime in progress or 311 to report the incident after the fact.
A much needed new fire station combined with a new police station is planned on the west side of RM 620 between our two Boulder Lane entrances. This combined fire/police station is currently in the design stage and will hopefully be fully funded by the city in 2023 with the final completion date in 2024.
The Association will not take the lead on efforts for the establishment of a neighborhood watch program, however, we are willing to provide support through communication and advocacy. If any residents would like to help organize and implement such a program, we would encourage you to do so and we will assist as appropriate.
To ensure that Member pedestrians and cyclists can safely enjoy our sidewalks, crosswalks, common areas and other public spaces, the Association continues to fund periodic patrols by off-duty Travis County deputy constables to provide traffic calming and promote pedestrian safety in our community. These patrols are in addition to patrols by other law enforcement agencies such as APD and the Travis County Sheriff’s Department.
Our committee and the HOA board is closely following development projects in our area along RM 620 and working with city transportation staff and with TxDOT staff as well as developers to ensure that these new developments minimize the impact on traffic and traffic safety in our area. Development projects we are currently following include:
Plaza Volente (apartment complex just south of the HEB at Anderson Mill Rd), 620 Hill Country Center (multifamily units near the RM 620 and Anderson Mill Rd intersection, near Tuffy’s Automotive)
Volvo auto dealership (near the RM 620, Buckner Rd, and Boulder Lane intersection)
Zimmerman Lane multifamily units (near Rudy’s Bar-B-Q on RM 620)
Woodland Greens apartment complex on RM 620 (where the old Woodland Greens Golf Center was previously located)
The 183 North Mobility Project is starting to ramp up for dynamically priced toll lane additions (similar to Mopac Express lanes) between SH 45 and Mopac (click here for schematic and more info:183 North Mobility Project)
620/Anderson Mill intersection improvements are not funded, but the intersection is proposed to have significant reconfiguration within the next few years (click here for conceptual design:620/Anderson Mill Intersection Schematic). Additional info on this project and others along RM 620 can be found here:TxDOT RM 620 Projects
We have experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer. Travis County is currently under a “burn ban”. We would like our residents to review the following wildfire preparedness checklist and take appropriate actions:
Wildfire Preparedness Check List
The more "yes" answers you have, the more prepared you are in the event of a wildfire threat.
The House
Fire-resistant roof i.e. metal, tile, composition?
Non-flammable siding materials?
Home is located down-slope?
Wooden deck facing or overhanging level ground?
Large glass windows, facing level ground?
Deck, porch, vents or house screened to keep sparks out?
Chimney extending above the roofline?
Chimney spark arrester in place?
Roof and gutters clean of debris?
Around the House
A fire defensible space (D-space) zone of 30 – 100 ft?
Adequate clearance of weeds, tall grasses and brush?
Leaves raked?
Trees pruned 10 ft up from base of trunk?
Debris cleared from beneath trees and near structures?
Tree limbs pruned at least 10 ft from roof or within 15 ft laterally from chimney?
House location or address clearly marked (3 inch letters)?
Small amounts of mulch used near wooden structures?
Firewood and other burnable items stored at least 30 ft from the house?
Access
Easy access to home by emergency vehicles?
Road grade less than 15% (not steep)?
Road wide and accommodating to two-way traffic?
Road straight with wide turns?
Large areas for vehicles to turn around?
Short driveway from main road?
Home area level and easily plowed or raked for fire line?
Multiple roads into and out of developed area for safe and easy access and evacuation?
Water Supply
Pressurized hydrants available?
Non-pressurized or dry hydrants available?
Water sources such as ponds or streams accessible?
Power lines buried and not susceptible to fire?
Well pumps maintained with uninterrupted electricity?
Preparing for a Wildfire
Ten Quick and Easy Steps
Cut grass and weeds, rake leaves and pine needles and remove yard debris and branches.
Relocate woodpile and left over building materials at least 30’ from house.
NOTE: It is best to not locate the woodpile directly uphill or downhill of any structure.Signs, address and access are well marked, and visible both night and day. Reflective numbering/lettering that is 3” or larger is recommended.
Prune dead and low-hanging tree limbs 6 to 10 feet from the ground around house. Remove all dead vegetation in brush and shrubbery.
Store all gas, oil and other chemicals away from the house. This includes propane tanks on BBQ pits.
Keep roof and gutters free from leaves and needles.
Enclose spaces under porches, decks, foundations and overhangs, and roof/attic vent openings with 1/8” metal screening.
Have garden hoses connected on all sides of your house.
Place tools (such as ladders, shovels, rakes and hoes) for easy access to fire fighters.
Check driveway for adequate clearance for emergency vehicles. (Both height and width).
For more info on wildfire preparedness, click on this link: Wildfire Preparedness
Reminders Concerning Traffic and Pedestrian Safety:
Respect the right-of-way of pedestrians in our neighborhood. 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. Walk only on the sidewalks and crosswalks, not in the street. Vehicles must not block the crosswalks!
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 “Traffic and Safety Committee” Members:
Randy Lawson – Chair
Dave Marshall – Co-Chair
Serge Zirojevic
Ryan Sullivan
Mark Grosvenor
Dean El-Baz
Notes:
You can contact the committee members directly at the following email address: traffic@canyoncreek.net
Click on the following link to access previously issued Committee Newsletters: