Community Events

The HOA Board received suggestions for different community events. In an effort to offer various opportunities to strengthen our community, we’re looking to add an event, which inspires and celebrates the rich cultures demonstrated within our community. Of course, it will center around food so look for more information in the coming months.

Common Violations of Deed Restrictions 

Raintree Village is a deed-restricted community aimed at ensuring there’s aesthetic uniformity between residential properties and that certain other activities are limited. If you intend to do anything to the exterior of your home, you must complete an application for home improvements and modifications form. This includes installing a storage shed in your backyard. 

There’s also an expectation that all residents will maintain their yard and general appearance of the home. Common violations include overgrown yards, mold on homes, trashcans visible from the street and disabled vehicles. Our management company, KPM, drives through our community at least once a week assessing compliance with the deed restrictions. Any violations are communicated in a letter along with a picture of the violation (date & time stamped).

It’s understandable that issuing or receiving such letters can be perceived as a nuisance. Yet, it’s necessary so that all of us remain on the same page of what constitutes a well-kept community (i.e. deed restrictions). In general, the Management Company and HOA Board understand residents are busy. Therefore, you are encouraged to contact the management company (KPM) when a violation cannot be addressed within stated timeframes noted in the letter.

It cannot be emphasized enough that communication is the key if you do not understand a violation. Again, contact KPM or attend our HOA Board meetings for additional clarification.

Volunteers Needed

• Pool Committee (organizes Official Pool Opening Party & monitors activities during pool season)
• Newsletter - submit articles
• Yard of the Month - select section winners

We also need volunteers for the listed community activities. Volunteering is an opportunity to make Raintree Village a better community for all the residents. If you’re interested in volunteering for any of the noted events or committees, contact Walonda Hollins at hollinsw@sbcglobal.net. 

Driving In Raintree Village

Our community has grown significantly over the past year. Moreover, our community has numerous homes along our main street, Raintree Village. With such growth, it’s important that we’re more cognizant of our speed while driving through Raintree Village and parking on community streets.

I’m sure everyone has noticed increased congestion along with cars parked along various streets within our community. However, it’s important that all of us adhere to the speed limit and encourage others to do the same.

1. Drive the speed limit - 35 miles per hour 
2. Do not block your neighbor’s driveway
3. Make sure you park in the direction of traffic when parking on the street
4. Make sure you park within 18 inches from the curb
5. Remain mindful if the street is narrow, street parking impose greater limitations for emergency vehicles

Finally, we must be mindful that emergency vehicles are wider than personal vehicles. Some community streets impose greater limitations for emergency vehicles when there’s street parking. Although residents have the right to park on the street, let’s be mindful of the aforementioned tips. 

Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Burglary

It cannot be stated enough of the importance of minimizing our exposure to crime. Our contract deputies stated that certain vehicles have increased exposure to theft, specifically the tires and rims. The vehicles commonly targeted are Ford F150, Dodge Chargers and Chevy Tahoes. Although these vehicles have rim locks, another safeguard is to park your vehicle in the garage or close to another vehicle. Anyway, you can either slow down or cause attention will help reduce the risk of theft.

You need to be mindful to breakdown bags and boxes of large purchases, if possible place in trash bins or bags. Although it’s time consuming and burdensome, it doesn’t call attention to such items in your home.

1. Take the time to meet and know your neighbors. Let them know if you notice anything unusual such as cars or people at their homes.
2. Make sure to close garage doors when at home & away.
3. Don’t keep garage door openers in the car, take them in the house with you; a garage door opener makes it easier for someone to enter your garage or house to remove personal property.
4. Keep car doors locked and take valuables either in your home or ensure the items are not in plain site; remember to take down the attachment for your Garmin too, as it alerts individuals that something valuable may be in the car.
5. If possible, keep a car in a driveway as it gives an impression that someone is home.
6. Keep all shrubs and plants at a level low enough that passing by officers or other residents can see if someone is lurking in those bushes! Shrubs should also be trimmed high enough to show “feet” of someone hiding in them.
7. Have keys in hand before leaving the store, house or office, avoiding standing by the car searching for them. 
8. Don’t leave ladders on the side of the house or in the back yard. Ladders provide easy access to open second floor windows and no one will be able to see.
9. Make sure you close blinds when you are inside at night with the lights on, potential burglars can see right inside and know who is at home.
10. Use sensor lights outside the home. It deters criminals by “spot lighting” their efforts to enter your home.
11. Use double key locks: locks that require a key from the outside and from the inside.
12. Repair any broken areas of your fence, reducing the access of potential burglars or mischievous kids.
13. When on vacation, let your neighbor(s) know so they can keep an eye out for suspicious activity. You can also inform the Harris County Deputy’s Office serving our area. The Storefront Office is located 19818 Franz Rd., Katy, TX 77449, 281-647-9371. The storefront hours: 9 AM - 5 PM.
14. When on vacation, keep yards mowed and trimmed, burglars spend a lot of time in a neighborhood looking for their next targets. Overgrown yards are a sure sign no one’s home.

Be Sure Address is Clear From Street

County officials want to remind residents of the Ordinance 5.3 requiring that addresses or building numbers be legible and visible from the street. The section states the numbers must be in Arabic numerals at least four inches in height and clearly visible. The number should be placed on, above or at the side of the main entrance so the number is clearly visible from the public right away. Whenever a home entrance is more than 50 feet from a public right away, a number should also be placed at the end of a driveway or property entrance.

Satellite Dishes

It’s come to HOA’s attention that the installation of satellite dishes on some homes violates the deed restrictions. Satellites are expected to be installed out of sight of public view. The Association appreciates residents taking the time to ensure compliance.  

Raintree Village HOA Website

WWW.RAINTREEVILLAGE.COM 

We encourage you to visit our community website. The website includes a link to review current crime statistics for our community (www.crimereports.org) and pictures of Yard of the Month winners. As a fellow resident, you’ll have access to critical information regarding the HOA budget and annual meeting minutes. 

The aforementioned information can only be accessed by establishing a log-on user name and password. A request for an email address during the initial signup process will enable residents to receive alerts of upcoming events or critical notices. If you have any suggestions, please contact KPM Management Office at 281-685-3090.

Harris County Leash Law

Animals that are not properly restrained pose a threat to all our residents. While you may know your pet is friendly, an animal running at someone who is walking by is very scary for that person. Many children are afraid of animals and become frightened, which could result in the child getting hurt trying to avoid the animal.

Harris County Animal Control advises, “All dogs and cats must be kept under restraint while in the unincorporated areas of Harris County, Texas. The custodian of a dog or cat is not authorized to have, harbor or keep any unlicensed dog or cat, nor to allow any dog or cat to become a stray.”

1. When it is controlled by a line or leash not more than six (6) feet in length, if the line or leash is held by a human being, who is capable of controlling or governing the dog or cat in question 
2. When it is within a fully enclosed vehicle
3. When it is on the premise of the custodian and the animal does not have access to sidewalk or street.”

While it may be nice to have your animal out in the yard while you work or play, it is against the law, unless the animal is properly restrained.

Let’s all help keep our community a safe and comfortable place for all our residents by being responsible pet owners. This will not only protect anyone who may be walking or bicycling in the area, but also the pet owner who could be held legally responsible or possibly sued for failing to properly restrain their pet.

To make a complaint or report an animal that is not properly restrained please contact:

Harris County Precinct #5, Contract #87: 281-463-6666 

Harris County Animal Control: 281-999-3191 

Harris County Health Department, Rabies/Animal Control Section

 2223 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77027-3588

www.countypets.com 

The Standing Rules fot Raintree Village

HOA BOARD MEETINGS

The Board of Directors feels it serves you best when the Board meetings are conducted in an orderly manner. The HOA Board Meetings are held to conduct Association business. Your cooperation in this regard is requested. Parliamentary Procedure is followed at this Meeting.

There are two sessions at the HOA Board Meetings, an open session when members may be present and an executive session when no members are permitted.

Board Meeting will begin with the open session at 7 PM until 7:15 PM when that time slot has been filled, members must wait until the next month’s meeting to be placed on the agenda.

1. If you wish to address the Board, please contact the Board at least 10 days prior to Meeting to be added to the agenda. You also have to state the topic to be discussed and stay on that topic only.
2. Any Member wishing to address the Board shall speak no more than two (2) minutes.
3. No Member may speak more than once on the subject and no more than two (2) minutes, until all Members who wish to speak have done so.
4. Members of the audience shall not be permitted to interrupt nor question any speaker.
5. After the speaker has finished addressing the Board, the Meeting Chairperson will recognize the next Member to speak.
6. Members in attendance are not permitted to engage in private discussions during the open session and must remain quite or leave the meeting room.
7. Violations of these Standing Rules will not be tolerated. Violators may be requested to leave the Meeting.

Street Lights

We want all of our streetlights to work. A lighted area is a safer area. If a streetlight is out in your area, please go to www.centerpointenergy.com and report it. Once on the website, click on “electricity” then “residential.” On the left side, you should click on “report a streetlight outage” to enter the required information. Each light pole should have a number on it. When reporting the out or malfunctioning light, give them the pole number, closest street address, contact information, an email address and the number of street lights you would like to report.

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