Beautiful
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Engaged
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Safe
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Thriving |
Spring 2019
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Get a $5,000 Rebate on Your Home
Is your home due for a new roof, fence or foundation repairs? Is the vinyl flooring in the kitchen begging you for an update? Is it finally time to remodel that one bathroom that still has carpet? If you answered yes to any of these questions- we’re here to help! The Great Update Rebate program provides cash back to property owners for eligible home upgrades. Since its inception in 2014, the program has put over $2.6 million back into the pockets of Plano homeowners who collectively have invested over $15.1 million in improvements to their homes.
If you own a single family home, duplex or condominium in Plano that is 35 years or older, you may be eligible for a rebate up to $5,000. In order to qualify, the home’s appraised value must be less than or equal to $336,260, and the property owner must invest at least 10% of the home’s appraised value or $20,000 (whichever is less) into eligible renovations. Eligible renovations must take place
after
the homeowner receives program approval, so be careful not to start any work until you are approved for the program! Both interior and exterior improvements may qualify, with a few exceptions. See a
full list of eligibility criteria and qualifying improvements
. If you are interested in seeing if your property qualifies for the program, visit our
interactive map
and type in your address.
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Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze
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Here are some quick trash and bulky waste reminders:
- Check the 2019 Bulky Waste Collection Calendar to make sure your monthly pick up date was not changed. You can place your bulky trash items out up to 5 days before your collection day.
- Is your New Year’s resolution to be more organized? If you are cleaning out the garage and notice some old paint cans or chemicals you need to get rid of please call Environmental Waste Services at 972-769-4150. You can schedule a chemical collection and Environmental Waste will recycle certain chemicals and paint and dispose of the rest for free. This collection is no cost to you!
- Trash cans often fill up quickly. If you have a large pile of trash, an appliance, toilet, or various other discards you can call Environmental Waste Collection for a paid collection. This collection costs about $10.00 per square yard and this charge is added to your utility bill. This collection is offered any time and they will pick up just about anything.
- Recycling collection happens every other week. Put your green recycle container out every other week with your normal trash can for collection. Please visit the Environmental Waste website for items that can be recycled.
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New Neighborhood Receives Highest Honors
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Forest Creek North III & IV was awarded a Platinum level BEST Neighborhoods designation for 2018. This neighborhood has gone above and beyond to create a community that is Beautiful, Engaged, Safe and Thriving – BEST! This diverse community has adapted an engagement model that is culturally inclusive in their social events and welcoming activities. The HOA extensively celebrates its diversity through numerous ways including their welcome letter, available in three languages – English, Hindi, and Chinese; neighbors are encouraged to display the flags of their country on Flag Day; and residents of different nationalities are invited to bring their favorite dishes to neighborhood events. They have actively improved their neighborhood through two
Neighborhood Vitality and Beautification Grants
to include a Xeriscape landscape and granite signage. They also connected City of Plano resources to the community by inviting speakers to educate its residents on environmental sustainability and fire prevention. In May, they hosted a
Neighborhood Block Party
, and in December, the Board awarded 1
st
, 2
nd
, and 3
rd
place awards in their annual “Best Holiday Lights” event. Forest Creek North III & IV regularly connects with the Mathews Elementary Parent-Teacher Association to share ideas and to plan seasonal events together. In 2019, Forest Creek North III & IV hopes to host a Safety Fair to better educate its residents on bicycle, swimming, and fire safety.
Interested in applying for the BEST Neighborhoods Designation Program?
RSVP
for our Neighbors Connect Workshop on February 20
th
at the Carpenter Recreation Center from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Refreshments and light dinner will be provided.
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I Love Where I Live Neighborhood Spotlight: Park Ridge
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Park Ridge does not have a formal neighborhood association or homeowners association. What it does
have is a strong sense of community thanks to their network of doers. Park Ridge is a small community built during the 1980s that has seen a change in residents moving in from empty nesters to young families. A small crime watch group existed for many years and served the community, but in 2014, when Amanda Redding moved in, the engagement and social events soared. Amanda started small in her passion to connect her neighbors with a small Neighbor’s Coffee hosted in her home. Each year thereafter community engagement grew and the events naturally became larger. Amanda shares that a neighborhood’s “real neighboring happens around daily life” after neighbors connect at large events. Park Ridge residents enjoy opportunities to connect and listen to one another. Neighbors work hard to stay connected through community baby showers, meal trains, pizza nights, neighbor’s coffee, happy hours, fall block parties, Christmas parade, spring crawfish boil and even goodbye parties for neighbors moving out of the neighborhood. Park Ridge residents have made wonderful friendships with neighbors over the last 4 years and will continue strengthening their community bond into the future. Park Ridge is a great example of a Plano community powerfully ENGAGED!
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National Development Week Coming Soon
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As a part of National Community Development Week, the City of Plano will offer several educational workshops related to fair housing, senior services, and community resources during the week on April 22 – 26. We will also be celebrating and highlighting the impact of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships programs in the City of Plano. Stay tuned to the
Neighborhood Services website
for details!
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Grass Season Awareness
Spring is here, and that means the grass is growing higher. Please remember to keep all grass on your property cut to below twelve inches,
per city code
.
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Keep up to date on how to maintain your home with simple tips and tricks in our Property Maintenance Minute. This month learn why it is important to take your Christmas and holiday lights down sooner than later.
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"
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man
".
-Benjamin Franklin
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Interested in including any of this information in your neighborhood newsletter? Email
[email protected]
to make a request.
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