11 foot asphalt with cement curbs trail on my property line (Austin: apartment complex, rentals)

[tibbar]

The city is looking at 4 plans to extend the Violet Crown Trail Project. The favorite plan will have it going in the greenbelt but butting right against my back property line. We don't have a fence since we love the view and wildlife we see from our patio and windows.

What will an 11 foot wide asphalt path with cement curbs do to my property value? Would any of you buy a house with this path 50 feet from your back door?

[TexasHorseLady]

Depends on your buyer. Some won't like it, some (those who like to use the trails) will find it an absolute plus to have it so readily accessible.

[ScoPro]

Don't know the answers to your questions, but if you had to put in a fence maybe one of these would preserve most of your view:



But anyone who backs up to a greenbelt should take the words of the CoA or the developers about the future prospects of that land's use with a grain of salt.

When my brother built his house in Balcones Village off 183 North in 1971, the developer assured him the raw land between his back yard and the highway would remain a green belt. By the end of the '70s there was a massive apartment complex built there, and his green belt view was changed to asphalt and multiple two & three story apartments.

So bro built an 8' privacy fence and planted a double row of ligustrums (sp?). It took about 6 or 7 years before his shrubbery & trees had grown up enough to block the unsightly view and restore some semblance of back yard privacy, but he had to endure years of parking lot & party noise, plus trash, used condoms (parking lot lovin'?), cans, etc. thrown by the apartment dwellers & their friends over the fence. Once he even found three porn videotapes, so all was not lost.

[tibbar]

ScoPro, I probably would put in a more solid fence because my "view" would now be of an asphalt road. I guess we wait and see what happens with the petition going around. Our neighborhood association is working toward them using a less invasive option for the trail.

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by tibbar

The city is looking at 4 plans to extend the Violet Crown Trail Project. The favorite plan will have it going in the greenbelt but butting right against my back property line. We don't have a fence since we love the view and wildlife we see from our patio and windows.

What will an 11 foot wide asphalt path with cement curbs do to my property value? Would any of you buy a house with this path 50 feet from your back door?

I would consider it a big asset that I could go right out my back door to walk or bike. If it was real hot out, I would probably set up Igloos and enjoy visiting with hike and bikers that needed to hydrate. Others would be freaked out by a real or imagined risk of theft from their property or by a reduction in privacy.

Don in Austin

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by Don in Austin

I would consider it a big asset that I could go right out my back door to walk or bike. If it was real hot out, I would probably set up Igloos and enjoy visiting with hike and bikers that needed to hydrate. Others would be freaked out by a real or imagined risk of theft from their property or by a reduction in privacy.

Don in Austin

Same here. Much better than a back neighbor's 2-story home looming over the yard.

It won't devalue your property at all. If you put in a gate to access the trail, most would consider it an awesome "plus" for the home. Depending on where you are along the trail, it will probably mostly be runners and cyclists using it.

What neighborhood are you in?

Steve

[atxcio]

I'm guessing this is Circle C, or near there, and he's referring to the phase 2 of the Violet Crown trail:Violet Crown Trail - Phase 2 | Hill Country Conservancy

There was a district 8 ANC meeting yesterday and I heard a lot of people were upset about the asphalt and concrete they want to use on certain parts of the trail. But man, having a trail from your home to Zilker park (without taking any roads) can only increase the property value I would think. You could ride your bike to ACL!

[ppp38]

Originally Posted by atxcio

I'm guessing this is Circle C, or near there, and he's referring to the phase 2 of the Violet Crown trail:Violet Crown Trail - Phase 2 | Hill Country Conservancy

There was a district 8 ANC meeting yesterday and I heard a lot of people were upset about the asphalt and concrete they want to use on certain parts of the trail. But man, having a trail from your home to Zilker park (without taking any roads) can only increase the property value I would think. You could ride your bike to ACL!

Yeah exactly this, I can't wait until its built.

[austin-steve]

Looking at the map, it looks like the southbound P2 pops out of Barton Creek greenbelt near Sams.

Then crosses the busy intersection at Hwy290/Brodie, then follows Brodie until it cuts west at Home Depot Rd, then south thru some undeveloped land behind those apartments on Mopac, then across Williamson Creek, along Mopac frontage rd (N of Wm Cannon, northbound side) and then crosses under Mopac bridge westbound at Wm Cannon, then piggybacks on that trail that goes around Costco, then follows Convict Hill Rd before cutting south to Dick Nochols Park, then eventually across Slaughter to Wildflower Center.

The point being, it doesn't seem to be a dedicated, protected trail upon which a family with kids on bikes can safely travel 5 or 10 miles. It looks like it crosses some big intersections and, unless tunnels or extremely expensive pedestrian bridges are built, will require traversing some pretty busy surface street intersections.

I cross some busy intersections on foot often while running, and it can be hairy sometimes. You really have to watch out for drivers who are not paying attention. I'm not sure how great this trail will be for those unaccustomed to navigating busy intersection on bike or foot.

Steve

[verybadgnome]

This reminds me of the new boardwalk and what has transpired in regards to some of the property owners. One of the most eastern complexes used a lawyer to fight against the boardwalk being so close to the edge of their property. They of course lost and got no concessions. Now that same property advertises boardwalk apartment rentals with a big vinyl sign facing the boardwalk. They finally saw it as an amenity that makes their property more desirable and not something to fear.