Quarry in Cedar Park (Austin, Canyon: renting, home, neighborhood)

[JandJB]

Good Morning,

After renting for about 4 months now, we're really trying to find the right area to buy in. We want to stay in the NW Austin/Cedar Park area. We've been through the Buttercup Creek, Cypress Canyon, Cypress Creek areas, but the fact that there's a live quarry so close (esp. to Buttercup Creek) is scaring us away. How far from the quarry can you hear/feel blasting? We're worried about buying in that area and possibly have to deal with damage, and especially dust, causing health problems. Is Cypress Canyon (Checker Drive, Zappa Drive in particular) far enough away to not deal with it? Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

[Acuda]

I live over in Buttercup Creek and never hear anything, nor have to deal with any dust (well, other than my useless neighbor's undisciplined mutt).

[10scoachrick]

This past week would be a good indicator of the amount of dust you might expect regularly. With the fairly strong winds from the Gulf, anyone north of the active sections of the quarry would be affected. At this time last year, construction started on a new neighborhood directly to our southeast. The dust was of extreme concern...so much so that TCEQ actually issued citations to the contractors. I would imagine a quarry would have strict controls on the amount of dust that they can 'create', but anything within 1/4-1/2 mile downwind could suffer some consequences.

If you can inspect the home right now, it should reveal a fair approximation of a 'normal' amount of dust you can expect. Now, if we have the kind of relentless wind and dry conditions we had for MONTHS last year, you can extrapolate to 'imagine' the dust effect. Even if you aren't in the 'line of fire' by being downwind to the prevailing breezes, you still must be aware of the potential dust effect when the winds switch and come from a front originating northwest of us.(This is once in a blue moon according to our experience of the past 4 years, but it does still happen)

I think I'd get some boots on the ground and talk with neighbors or find a way to spend some time in the neighborhood during 'quarry hours'. Zappa Dr. is within a half-mile or so, your concern is certainly valid. You would be out of the prevailing wind problem zone with a fair buffer between you and the quarry.

Also, you didn't ask; but if you need to leave the neighborhood headed toward 620 and then 183, the road improvements have helped but that's not a quick exit. School zones, stop signs, traffic congestion make it a bit tougher than the map might indicate. Anderson Mill Rd approaching 183 from there can be just plain dumb.

Good luck!

[Breezerboat]

I live in Cypress Canyon and the Quarry has ZERO effect on the neighborhood whatsoever.

[briannasmomma]

I am kind of near the quarry in Anderson Mill West and the only thing I find annoying is all the trucks coming through up Anderson Mill from 620.