West Ranch Community

West Ranch offers the rare and limited opportunity to live in a master-planned community in the City of Friendswood, known for its small town charm, tree-lined streets and outstanding schools. This property and 47 wooded acres along Clear Creek will soon become Friendswood’s premiere place to live, shop, work and play. When complete, West Ranch will be home to approximately 1,300 families.

The beautiful 766-acre development is bordered by Centennial Park, Chigger Creek and Clear Creek and will have 68 acres of commercial development in its' master plan, which includes a 23-acre Village Center. More than 60-acres of park space and 100 acres of nature trails extending to Centennial Park will provide another way for residents to enjoy the natural beauty that enhances this community. Two recreation complexes are planned and will feature pools, playground areas and tot lots. Single family homes, estate homes and garden homes will line the streets of West Ranch, which is served by the highly-regarded Friendswood Independent School District. New home buyers can expect a wide variety of housing styles and sizes from some of Houston’s most respected builders.

For more information on the Friendswood area visit:

The City of Friendswood at (281) 996-3200

The Friendswood Chamber of Commerce at (281) 482-3329

West Ranch Community Association , Managed by AMI at (713) 932-1122

UTILITIES:

Cable Comcast (800) Comcast www.Comcast.com

Phone AT&T (888) 834-5631 www.ATT.com

Gas Centerpoint (281) 331-4449

Electric www.PowertoChoose.org

Garbage IESI (281) 331-0810

Water City of Frwd (281) 996-3232

U. S. Post Office (281) 992-2832

Friendswood EMS (281) 996-3360 (Non emergency)

Friendswood Police (281) 996-3300 (non-emergency)

Friendswood Fire Dept (281) 996-3360 (non-emergency)

2010 Taxing Authorities and Rates:

Per $100 ValuationTaxing Entity       Tax Rates                                Homestead Exemptions
Galveston County                              $0.6186                                   
Galveston Road & Flood                    $0.0114                                   value - $3,000
Gavleston County Drainage              $0.14250
City of Friendswood                          $0.5797           
Friendswood I.S.D.                            $1.367                                     value - $15,000
West Ranch Utility District               $0.65
 
Total tax rate                                      $3.37 (prior to homestead exemption)
 
Updated 1/2011. Buyers are urged to confirm information independently prior to purchase.  
Galveston County Tax Assessor (281) 316-9789 or Galveston Central Appraisal District (866) 277-4725

What is the West Ranch Utility District?

The West Ranch utility management district will fund the design and construction of trunk water and sewer facilities, detention, West Blvd. and Falcon Ridge Blvd.  The district will also provide some of the park facilities in the public park along Chigger and Clear Creeks.  The $0.65 tax will fund the debt service on the bonds issued to fund these projects and costs associated with the maintenance of the detention ponds throughout the project. 
 
No maintenance costs will be associated with the water and sewer facilities like there would be in a normal MUD as these facilities will be deeded to the City and the City of Friendswood will maintain those items.

The tax rate is set each year as is any taxing authority.  The bonds that will be issued will probably be 25 year bonds, however, there could be multiple issues, therefore, no one can guarantee a pay off time.
 
West Ranch Utility District would be required to gain approval from the City of Friendswood prior to paying off bonds or changing the tax rate.

Homeowners Association

All homes in West Ranch will be subject to mandatory membership in the West Ranch Homeowners Association, a non-profit organization.
 
Annual dues in 2010 are $1,250.  Dues will be paid in two installations of $625 in Spring and Fall.
When purchasing a new home in West Ranch the association dues are pro-rated from the date of ownership.
 
The West Ranch Homeowners association will fund the maintenance of all private park space, nature trails,
landscaped green reserves and monumentation, along with maintenance of the following recreational amenities:

    Fishing landing                            
    Additional park/landscape maintenance       
    Additional portions of the greenbelt system                               

Future proposed amenities:
    Additional greenbelt trails
    Pocket parks
    Competition-style swimming pool
    Community clubhouse
    Playgrounds
   
West Ranch offers a community intra-net site for residents.  This community website offers 24 hour access to
association documents, news and events and provides capabilities to distribute email messages to all registered
users. 
 
Other association expenses covered by the annual dues include community events, association management
expenses and general maintenance.