Well.  Summer has certainly made a splash! And a crash!  What a mess. I know we are all sad to see our trees, homes and parks damaged. And have seen enough rain for a while. Enough already!  

As you can see, the trees in our medians also took a hit.  They are maintained by The City of Plano and we are "on their list".  The City has shared that all yard debris will be collected in two phases.  The first phase is expected to take between two and four weeks.  Plano will not collect any yard debris that is not properly staged - piles must be no larger than 6 ft x 4 ft x 4 ft and placed at the curb or regular collection point at least 2 feet from trees, fences, utility boxes, gas meters and vehicles.  The second phase will begin in July and again, will only include properly staged debris.  If you have hired a contractor to cut down limbs, please encourage them to haul off the debris on their own vs. leaving it for the City (they have a lot to handle!).

Our neighborhood got a big headstart on the clean up thanks to the efforts of Paul McKinney and the crew from Aventura. They have cut, collected and neatly stacked the median debris so it wouldn't interfere with all the planting and improvements we had just made. Paul has resigned as Beautification Director and has left us with big shoes to fill. He has done an outstanding job in the role and we are very appreciative for his service. If you would like to submit your name for the position or would like to serve on the Beautification committee, please email Jennifer Johnson - secretary@efchoa.com.

MORE on Beautification...saving the best for last!  The City of Plano has awarded The Neighborhood Vitality & Beautification Grant to Estates of Forest Creek HOA! The grant provides up to $20,000 (including 30% HOA matched funds) to go toward improving our entrances and medians and enhancing the irrigation to support those areas.  The project will begin in the fall when temperatures are more conducive to planting. The program includes the opportunity for HOA volunteers to make donations of time & labor (at approximately $30/hour per volunteer!) so stay tuned for ways to help later this year!!

Just a quick note on the stickers. We made a first pass at placing 2024 stickers on members' yard signs. We will be starting on our second pass, walking around replacing the peeling stickers we see, but if we miss you and you'd like a new one, please email me - president@efchoa.com.

Finally - something fun!  As I mentioned in an earlier newsletter, we'd like to introduce more opportunities to get to know our neighbors and stay connected to our community.  So please join us for "Chips & Chat" at Rusty Taco on Taco Tuesday, June 25th from 6-8pm for a super casual, come and go, come as you are evening to just hangout with your neighbors.  Pick up your own tab and share a table with friends or meet someone new.  You do not need to RSVP, but if you do plan to attend please let us know here (https://forms.gle/wjvEJ5Q9HJzmGi7A6) so we can try to give Rusty Taco a rough headcount.  I hope to see you there and put some faces to names!!

Erica Tuscano
President, EFC HOA Board
president@efchoa.com
http://www.efchoa.com/

POTHOLES IN THE ALLEYWAYS OR STREETS, SIDEWALK OR CURB REPAIR, TRASH OR RECYCLING CART REPLACEMENT … OH MY!

These are just a few of the non-emergency services managed by the City of Plano through their Fix-It-Plano website or app. Check out the link https://www.plano.gov/1096/Fix-It-Plano. See how you as a neighbor, friend and homeowner can proactively improve our Platinum Level B.E.S.T. neighborhood.  People like you and neighborhoods like ours, make Plano a City of Excellence!

You can also find links on our website (EFCHOA.com) to Fix-It-Plano as well information on Who to Call for common neighborhood concerns. Click Community Information on the Home Page for this information.

U.S. 75 HOV Lanes

Began Friday, June 7 through Fall 2024
9 pm-5 am, weeknights

The northbound HOV lane will be closed for approximately 15 months as construction continues on the new center barrier. Median lighting will remain functional until the new high mast lighting is turned on.

This $58.8 million Texas Department of Transportation project focuses on managing congestion along U.S. 75 by changing up the HOV lanes. It addresses north and south mobility as our traffic demands increase. 

Once open, the Technology Lanes can be used by anyone for 22 hours per day. Changeable message signage during peak hours will identify when the lanes are restricted to specific types of motorists.

Parker Road-Independence Parkway intersection

Monday, June 17
overnight 9 pm-5 am
weather permitting

Lanes in every direction will be closed. A single lane in each direction will route traffic around the center of the intersection. For everyone’s safety, this construction work will be blocked off while we continue to work on the water line replacement project. You will drive over steel plates for 24 hours while the concrete cures.

In July, concrete street repair begins. Next summer an asphalt overlay will be applied.

Learn about other City projects at
Plano.gov/RoadConstruction

As Erica said, the City of Plano is actively working on collecting storm debris from the recent severe weather. Residents can view the status of collections in their neighborhoods through the Residential Debris Sweep map online.

How to read the map: areas highlighted in yellow have completed the first stage of debris cleanup but have not had the second sweep. Once an area is highlighted in green, all debris collection has been completed. Areas without a highlighted color have not been swept yet. 

If you live in an area marked yellow but still have debris, please leave your debris at the collection point to be collected on the second sweep. 

Visit Plano.gov/StormRecovery for more detailed information.

Damaged Trees and What to Do With Them

You can find helpful information about assessing your trees for damage, how to hire a contractor and much more on the City of Plano Urban Forestry Page.

REMINDER!

Beginning April 1, the City of Plano asks you to water lawns and landscapes only two times a week. Avoid watering between 10 am and 6 pm, and when rain is in the forecast.  

Use the last digit of your home address to follow this schedule:  

• Even digit (including zero and homeowners associations): Monday & Thursday  
• Odd digit: Tuesday & Friday  

Though it's tempting to set the sprinkler system to automatic, it's always best to run it manually. To keep from over-watering your lawn, sign up for a friendly reminder at WaterMyYard.org. 

Learn how to make minor sprinkler repairs and to save more water outdoors.

Did you know the HOA has a subscription with the Plano Metro Rotary Club to place American Flags at our two main Coit entrances on seven holidays, like tomorrow's Flag Day. Not only does it celebrate our country and beautify our neighborhood, but the Rotary Club uses proceeds from these subscriptions  to support local organizations. The Rotary Club also offers this subscription to homes and businesses. If you are interested in having a flag placed between the curb and sidewalk near your front door, you may find more information on EFC's website here.