Hays WCID 2

Greenbelt and Open Space Areas

Apr 10, 2023

Belterra Residents,

We are providing a reminder that greenbelt and open space areas owned by the WCIDs are not for personal use. Unfortunately, the WCIDs have observed an escalation of unauthorized activity in these areas over recent months, including use for storage of materials, parking of heavy equipment, disposal of debris and refuse, project staging, contractor access to resident property and personal landscaping projects. As a result, enforcement of WCID rules and regulations concerning use and access of these areas will be increased moving forward. Residents in violation of WCID rules will be fined and required to remove unauthorized items from greenbelt areas. If these items are not removed, the WCIDs will remove them and charge the resident for the cost of removal. Unauthorized contractor access will be halted, and the resident will be charged for repair and revegetation of any disturbed areas.

Please also note that residents are not permitted to plant or remove trees or other vegetation in greenbelt and open space areas. In addition to fines, any trees or other plants that are installed without authorization will be relocated at the resident’s expense. Likewise, any trees or plants that are removed will be replanted at the resident’s expense. Our open space and greenbelt areas are maintained for the benefit of the community as a whole, and personal landscaping projects must be contained within the boundaries of each resident’s property. If a greenbelt tree in your area of the neighborhood appears to be in need attention or removal, please contact us to address the matter.

In addition to providing recreational and aesthetic benefits to the community, many of the greenbelt and open space areas also include irrigation facilities, engineered grading, buffer areas and facilities that are utilized by the WCIDs in providing utility services to our community in accordance with State laws and TCEQ rules and permit requirements. Although the WCIDs have occasionally granted requests for contractors to access resident property through greenbelt areas for construction projects, we have recently encountered increasing administrative difficulty and expense related to repair of damaged facilities and revegetation of disturbed areas. In consideration of these factors, and the possibility that seeing contractors in these areas leads residents to conclude that personal use is permitted, the WCIDs are very unlikely to grant similar requests moving forward.

We appreciate all residents joining the effort to preserve and maintain the natural appeal of the Belterra greenbelt and open space areas, while also minimizing the costs associated with repairing and restoring WCID facilities located in these areas.