2005 News
Click on the date below to go to that article
11/28/05-Burn
Ban |
2/14/05 -
Entrance Development |
|
11/17/05-Barker
Cypress Closure |
11/16/05-HOA
Home Business Resolution |
|
10/30/05 -
Mason &
I10 Road Closure |
8/24/05 - BR &
I10 Road Closure |
Burn Ban - There is
currently a burn ban in place
From the Harris County Fire Marshall's Office
(http://www.hcfmo.net/PubEd/burnban.asp)
Background The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is an indicator
developed by Texas Forest Service to allow local governments to understand the
impact of drought conditions. Higher KBDI increases the risk of fire due to
lower fuel moisture. At levels between 400-600, fire intensity begins to
significantly increase and fires will readily burn in all directions. Drought
conditions generally exist when the KBDI is greater than 500. A KBDI over 600 is
often associated with severe drought and intense, deep-burning fires. Live fuels
may also burn actively at these levels.
In past years, a KBDI of 500 has been the Harris County benchmark to prohibit the sales or use of restricted fireworks as defined by Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 352.051.
Current Conditions Over one hundred twenty counties in Texas, including Harris County, have initiated burn bans. Nine counties, including Harris County, have initiated aerial fireworks restrictions. The last time Harris County enacted an aerial fireworks restriction was in the summer of 2002.
The KBDI for Harris County has remained above 500 since September 2, and reached a high of 642 on October 31. Despite rains over the weekend, the KBDI today is 530, and the 14-day outlook prepared by the Texas Forest Service suggests a range of 500-600 for Harris County. Other surrounding counties are also expecting a KBDI in the 500-600 range; Montgomery County is expected to have a KBDI in the 600-700 range.
Conditions of the aerial fireworks restriction Under State Law, the ban would prohibit the sale and use of certain aerial fireworks, specifically "skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins". Any type of aerial fireworks has the potential to start a fire under drought conditions, but these particular fireworks have been the cause of destructive accidental structure fires in the past three years.
During the 4th of July holiday, consumer fireworks caused 90 fires in unincorporated areas of Harris County. Seventy-three of these fires (81%) were grass fires; there were 17 structure fires. Half of these fires were caused by aerial fireworks similar to those that are prohibited under the ban.
The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office will continue to closely monitor the KBDI in the coming weeks. The aerial fireworks ban may be removed when conditions improve.
Citizens are urged to call 911 if they have an emergency involving fireworks. Violations of the fireworks ban and non-emergency fireworks complaints should be reported to the Harris County Fire Marshal's Prevention Division COMPLAINT HOTLINE at 281-999-2200
For more information, call the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office at 281-931-1085, ext. 100.
Judith McGlaughlin
Barkers Ridge HOA
DATE: 11/15/2005
THE DEMOLITION OF THE BARKER CYPRESS BRIDGE OVER I-10
To: Katy Freeway - Web Subscribers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2005
THE DEMOLITION OF THE BARKER CYPRESS BRIDGE OVER I-10 MARKS THE START OF FINAL
MILESTONE
"Total Closures This Weekend at Barker Cypress"
(Houston) - Effective 9AM Friday, November 18, 2005 the Barker Cypress Road
Bridge over I-10/Katy Freeway will be closed for reconstruction. The
intersection is being rebuilt as an at-grade intersection as a part of the Katy
Freeway Reconstruction Program. The total closure of Barker Cypress Road over
I-10 will mark the beginning of the contractor's last major milestone for the
east of SH99/Grand Parkway to west of SH 6 contract (Contract B). The contractor
has been allocated a maximum of 88 days from the time the Barker Cypress Road
bridge is totally closed to reopen and restore cross-corridor access. The
contractor has a $50,000 per/day incentive to get the work done early with a
maximum bonus of $1.5 million. Likewise, the contractor will be subject to
penalties of
$50,000 per/day (with no maximum) if the work exceeds the 88 days. While
Barker Cypress is closed drivers will have access to and from the north side of
Barker Cypress Road via the westbound frontage road. From the
north side of Barker Cypress Road, drivers will need to travel west to
Greenhouse to make a U-turn to access the south side of Barker Cypress from the
eastbound frontage road. From the south side of Barker Cypress Road, drivers
will need to travel east to Park Ten to make a U-turn to access the north side
of Barker Cypress Road from the westbound frontage road. The access lanes/bell
curve along the eastbound frontage road will remain open throughout the Barker
Cypress Road intersection reconstruction; only cross corridor traffic will be
impacted. To view the Katy Freeway website graphic depicting the closure and the
designated detours go to
http://www.katyfreeway.org/Barker_Cypress/Barker_Cypress_Closure.html.
There are a number of additional closures happening this weekend in
association with the demolition of the Barker Cypress Bridge. There will be a
total closure of the westbound frontage road at Barker Cypress from 9 PM,
Friday, November 18 until 7 AM, Saturday, November 19.
Westbound frontage road traffic
will be detoured to Park Ten to Park Row. There will also be a total
closure of the I-10/Katy Freeway eastbound and westbound main lanes in the
vicinity of Barker Cypress from 9 PM, Saturday, November 19 until NOON,
Sunday, November 20. Eastbound traffic will be detour onto the
frontage road exiting at Greenhouse and re-entering west of Park Ten. Westbound
traffic will be detoured onto the frontage road by exiting Barker Cypress and
re-entering east of Greenhouse.
For more information on the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program including
up-to-date information regarding other lane closures along the I-10 corridor,
please visit the Katy Freeway website at
www.katyfreeway.org or contact the Katy Freeway Public Information Office at
281-589-5924.
Barker's Ridge HOA Resolution on Home Business (Click HERE for the complete document)
The Association has defined the basis and extent to which it will enforce the provision of the Restrictions relating to operating a business from a Home as set forth in article III, Section 1 of the Restrictions, (referred to hereinafter as “Incidental Business”), and has identified those activities which will be deemed to constitute a noxious, offensive, or nuisance activity under the various Restrictions and, as such, will be deemed a use of the property not residential in nature. To that end, this policy resolution addresses Incidental Business and the intentions of Association as follows:
1. INTENT
The Incidental Business must:
a. Be compatible with residential uses;
b. Be secondary to the use of the Homes as a single family residence;
c. Be limited in extent; and
d. Not detract from the residential character of the neighborhood.
2. DEFINITION
An Incidental Business is defined as any business or commercial activity that is
conducted from Homes which are subject to the Restrictions of the Barkers Ridge
Homeowners Association.
3. ELIGIBILITY
a. No person other than a resident of the Homes shall be engaged or employed in the Incidental Business.
b. The Home where the Incidental Business is conducted must be the principal or primary residence of the provider of the labor, work, or service provided by the Incidental business.
4. CONDUCT OF THE INCIDENTAL BUSINESS
a. There shall be no exterior indication of the Incidental Business or variation from the residential character of the Home.
b. The use shall not require additional off street parking spaces for employees, clients, or customers of the Incidental Business.
c. The Incidental Business shall not create greater vehicular or pedestrian traffic than normal for other Homes in the Barkers Ridge Subdivision which are not conducting Incidental Business.
d. The business shall not require any continuing deliveries or pickups other than what might normally occur at Homes in the Barkers Ridge Subdivision which are not conducting Incidental Business.
e. No advertising display signs indicating or suggesting that an Incidental Business is being conducted on the site will be permitted, whether on the site itself or on any vehicle at the site.
f. Any advertising of the business elsewhere shall only carry the name and telephone number of the Incidental Business.
g. Other than business cards, no advertising shall indicate the residential address of the Incidental Business nor refer to the Barkers Ridge Homeowners Association or the Barkers Ridge community in any manner.
h. There shall be no use or storage of tractor trailers, semi trucks, heavy equipment such as construction equipment, trailers or food vending vans/vehicles used in an Incidental Business.
i. No toxic, explosive, flammable, combustible, corrosive, etiologic, radioactive or other restricted materials used by or for the Incidental Business shall be used or stored at the Homes.
j. The Incidental Business shall not produce offensive noise, obnoxious odors, vibrations, smoke, fumes, heat, or dust detectable to normal sensory perception beyond the premises.
k. No equipment or process shall be used which creates visual or audible electrical interference in any radio or television receiver or any other equipment beyond the premises or cause fluctuation in line voltage beyond the premises.
l. No more than fifteen percent (15%) of the Home nor Thirty percent (30%) of the floor area of the garage shall be utilized for the Incidental Business.
m. The Incidental Business shall not require any external alterations to the residence nor provide any visible evidence from the exterior of the Home that it is being used for any other purpose than that of a residence.
n. No portion of the yard surrounding the Home and visible from the street, or observable from adjacent property, shall be used for storage of any materials related to the Incidental Business.
o. Other than the resident’s personal transportation or employer furnished transportation, there shall be no vehicles or equipment on the property associated with the Incidental Business which would not normally be found at a residence. No sign that lists the address of the Incidental Business shall be on any vehicles owned by the resident.
p. Nothing in this document is intended to relate to or encourage garage or yard sales which are regulated by the State of Texas.
q. Any modification to the Home, whether or not related to the Incidental Business, may be subject to the prior approval of the Architectural Committee of the Association. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to submit any plans for such modifications and obtain any required approvals in writing prior to commencing such modifications.
r. No animals, livestock, or poultry of any kind shall be raised, bred or kept on any Home, except, that dogs, cats or other household pets may be kept provided that they are not kept, bred, or maintained for any commercial purpose.
s. No spirituous, vinous or malt or medicated bitters capable of producing intoxication shall ever be sold, or offered for sale, at the Homes or any part there.
t. No Home shall be used for illegal or immoral purposes.
u. The Incidental Business shall not generate any more, or type of, garbage or trash than would normally be created at a Home where no Incidental Business is being conducted.
5. ENFORCEMENT
a. The Association will take steps to legally enforce including, but not limited to, the commencement of legal actions on the basis of nuisance, if necessary, any reported violations of these Incidental Business rules of the Association which are violated and not promptly corrected by the homeowner.
b. The Association will pursue full and prompt enforcement of any state, county or city laws, ordinances or other directives related to the conduct of Incidental Business conducted from a Home, or any other cause, which affects the Barkers Ridge Homeowners Association.
c. The Association will advise and cooperate with any law enforcement agency that determines that any Incidental Business is, in fact, illegal.
d. The Association will notify the appropriate law enforcement agrency of any violation of parking ordinances or laws.
e. All other provisions of the Restrictions to which the Homes are subject will continue to be enforced by the Association.
f. Except as herein provided, no Home shall be used for anything other than residential purposes.
g. Failure of the Association to enforce, in any instance, any of the policy provisions herein shall not diminish or negate the authority of the Association to require strict compliance with these provisions.
h. No prior deviation from the policy provisions herein shall alter or negate the intent and authority of the Association to fully enforce these provisions with respect to Incidental Business.
i. With respect to these provisions, the then current Association Board of Directors shall serve as the final authority in any dispute that arises under these provisions.
Click HERE for the complete document)
A new release from the Katy Freeway Public Information Office. Be sure to check out this site, where you can post feedback/questions as well as receive electronic updates.
Mason Road Advance Notice to Katy Freeway
Subscribers
Tuesday, Oct 25th, 2005
Mason Road Advance Notice to Katy Freeway
Subscribers
Effective Tuesday, November 1, 2005 the I-10 overpass structure at Mason Road
will be closed for reconstruction. The intersection is being rebuilt as an
at-grade intersection as a part of the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program.
Closure of Mason Road over I-10 will mark the beginning of the contractor's next
major milestone for the SH 99 to SH 6 contract (Contract B). The contractor has
been allocated a maximum of 105 days from the time the Mason Road bridge is
totally closed to reopen and restore cross corridor access. Additionally, the
contractor has a $50,000 per/day incentive to get the work done early with a
maximum bonus of $1.5 million. Likewise, the contractor will be subject to
penalties of $50,000 per/day (with no maximum) if he exceeds the 105 days.
Drivers will have access to and from the north side of Mason Road via the
westbound frontage. From the north side of Mason Road, drivers will need to
travel west to SH 99/GrandParkway to make a u-turn to access the south side of
Mason from the eastbound frontage road. From the south side of Mason Road,
drivers will need to travel east to Westgreen to make a u-turn to access the
north side of Mason Road from the westbound frontage road. The access lanes/bell
curve along the eastbound frontage road will remain open throughout the Mason
Road intersection reconstruction; only cross corridor traffic will be impacted.
To view the Katy Freeway website graphic depicting the closure and the
designated detours go to
http://www.katyfreeway.net/Mason_Road/Mason_Closure.html.
For more information on the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program including
up-to-date information regarding lane closures along the I-10 corridor, please
visit the Katy Freeway website at
www.katyfreeway.org
or contact the Katy Freeway Public Information Office at 281-589-5924.
Judith McGlaughlin
From one of our Barkers Ridge block captains ..
*****************************************************
Williams Brothers Construction is scheduled to close the I-10
westbound frontage road ramps that lead to and from the I-10 overpass at Mason
Road effective 9AM, Tuesday, September 6, 2005. The closure of the ramps is
necessary to allow the contractor to begin construction of the new westbound
mainlanes in the area. A diagram of the designated detours can be viewed on the
Katy Freeway Program website at
http://www.katyfreeway.org/Fry_Detour/Fry_Road_Detour.html.
This closure will be in effect for approximately 1 month in preparation for the
total closure of the Mason Road overpass for reconstruction of the intersection,
targeted for early October 2005.
Additionally, Williams Brothers Construction is scheduled to close the I-10 westbound frontage road ramps that lead to and from the I-10 overpass at Barker Cypress effective 9 AM, Tuesday, September 20, 2004. Again, the closure of the ramps is necessary to allow the contractor to begin construction of the new westbound mainlanes in the area. A diagram of the designated detours can be viewed on the Katy Freeway Program website at http://www.katyfreeway.org/Fry_Detour/Fry_Road_Detour.html. This closure will also be in effect for approximately 1 month in preparation for the total closure of the Barker Cypress Road overpass for reconstruction of the intersection, targeted for late October 2005.
All closures are subject to change due to weather, emergency work, or other events. For more information on the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program including up-to-date information regarding other lane closures along the I-10 corridor, please visit the Katy Freeway website at www.katyfreeway.org or contact the Katy Freeway Public Information Office at 281-589-5924.
http://www.newsrouter.com/NewsRouter_Uploads/56/
Additional notes from the Barkers Ridge HOA:
We have contacted the developer of the planned retail gas station/McDonald's/dry cleaning facility, and will meet with them to view their plans & to discuss our concerns about the dry cleaning facility. That meeting should occur this week, if scheduling can be worked out. We will keep you updated of any information that we learn.
-Judith McGlaughlin