Rumors: Fact or Fiction?

Question:
When is the next opportunity for a shredding truck in Lake Highlands?

Answer:
On Saturday, March 14th  from 10 am until 2 pm, Ebby Halliday Realtors will sponsor a shredding truck as well as a Goodwill Truck.  Paper clips and staples are fine.

See JPG Flyer

Question:
What is the latest on the Murchert Army Reserve?

Answer:
Please see the attached .DOC.

Question:
What exactly is a Community Prosecutor and what do they do?

Answer:
To find out click on http://www.dallascityattorney.com/Comm_Prod_Sec.html.

Question:
It seems that the city code violations department is concentrating heavily on the Skillman corridor between Church and Royal. Are there plans in the area for demolition and development of new homes/town homes or multifamily communities?

Answer:
Answer from Bob Curry, Director of Code Compliance, Northeast Dallas-Code and the City Attorney’s office are always pursuing substandard issues on apartments. There is no special focus on properties along Skillman. When we pursue enforcement actions, our goal is to get the properties improved to comply with property and license inspection standards.

I am not aware of any efforts by individuals to acquire the properties for development. Most often, developers will first contact a private zoning consultant, the Planning Department, or the Council Member.

Question:
I’ve noticed that a number of paper recycling bins around Lake Highlands are suddenly gone, such as the ones at Northlake Elementary and Forest Meadow Junior High? Are these being pulled out of the neighborhood for some reason?

Answer:
Dallas Ordinance Affects Campus Recycling

Due to a new City of Dallas ordinance, all Abitibi recycling units were removed from RISD’s Dallas campuses. Richardson and Garland campuses saw no change.

RISD enrolled all Dallas campuses in the “Too Good to Throw Away” program sponsored by Dallas Sanitation Services. This program provides a single stream recycling solution with a “Big Blue” dumpster at each school. The Abitibi containers were paper only; the “big blue” units provide recycling of paper plus plastic containers (numbers 1-7), glass bottles and jars of any color, aluminum, tin, and steel containers, office paper, window envelopes, magazines, phone books, catalogues, paperback books, and brown paper bags, with no need to separate. The City of Dallas will pay 25 percent of the revenues generated from the sale of recyclables collected from each school. Until the new bins arrive, please recycle at your house or give to other RISD schools which still have the yellow and green bins.

Question:
Does the utility company have the authority to trim my trees without permission?

Answer:
Yes. If your trees are interfering with their lines they have a right to trim them, and it may not be the way you would want them trimmed. To be on the safe side, if you have concern about your trees, or see other trees in the neighborhood being trimmed, engage your own tree trimmer and have done to your specifications.

Question:
We have street lights out in our neighborhood. How do we go about getting them fixed?

Answer:
Please contact Oncor, www.oncor.com/streetlights, Phone: 1-888-313-4747

Most repairs are made within 15 days. If you are not satisfied with the work performed contact: Mr. Allyn Giles, External Customer Relations District Manager for Oncor, 214-466-2074, allyn.giles@oncor.com

Question:
Who is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and curb in front of my house?

Answer:
DALLAS — Fast Fix is a new 100% resident-funded sidewalk replacement program introduced by the city of Dallas which allows citizens the option to pay for residential sidewalk repair/replacement without having to wait. The property owner pays 100% of the repair work, cash & carry, that is, prior to the work being done through an existing City of Dallas price agreement with a contractor. This program also includes replacement/repair of curb and gutter, drive approaches in addition to the installation of barrier-free ramps.

"There are several advantages in using this program," says Rick Galceran, Director, Public Works and Transportation. "The property owner doesn't have to wait nearly as long or go to the trouble of selecting a 'reputable' contractor and secure a building permit. All you do is call 214-948-4287 and ask for Fast Fix. The work requested will be done in a few weeks after payment."

The other program available to residents is the traditional Cost Share Program where the City partners with residents to share 50/50 in the cost of replacement of sidewalks. Also included in this program is drive approach replacement which is 100% property owner cost with curb/gutter replacement and the installation of barrier free ramps being 100% City of Dallas cost. The City hires contractors for this program as well; however, funding for the City’s share of the cost is limited which leaves residents having to wait for some time until funding becomes available. Repairs are made on a first-come, first-serve basis until City funding is depleted. The City’s portion of the funding is allocated from the Capital Bond program or general funds approved by Council.

It is important to note that by City ordinance when a sidewalk, drive approach, or any appurtenance becomes defective, unsafe or hazardous, the abutting property owner is responsible for repair/replacement.

Source: City of Dallas

Question:
Can you tell me if there are still plans to redevelop the Shoreview/Ferndale corner?

Answer:
This just in from owner Stuart Jones, “Land assemblage and professional planning continue. Consultation with area leaders is ongoing. The interim use of the property remains retail and services."

Question:
It appears that the town home development on Timberleaf Lane and Abrams is back on track. Do you have any details?

Answer:
Glen Christy with Ebby Halliday is happy to report that town homes are once again for sale thanks to the redevelopment efforts of Franklin Pacifc Finance. Two new model homes are open and the completely renovated homes and price points are attracting great new neighbors to Lake Highlands.

Question:
Do you have any information about the Shell Station closure at Northwest Highway and Jupiter?

Answer:
Our sources are saying that it will become a 7-11.

Question:
Is there a way to find out what is going on when I hear sirens or see the police helicopter in my neighborhood?

Answer:
Yes! Go online to www.dallaspolice.net and click on “Active Calls” where you will find a call/response log for the entire city.

Question:
When will work actually begin on the Lake Highlands Town Center?

Answer:
The official ground breaking for the Lake Highlands Town Center was held on Thursday, November 8th.

For more details, visit http://www.prescottrealtygroup.com/index.php?id=256