Inspections are opportunity to show pride

  • Published
  • By Col. Stephen Shea
  • 60th Mission Support Group commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  Team Travis - Thank you for your efforts to improve our housing's appearance. In my short tenure here, we have dramatically improved the first impression of our installation! It is time once again to put forth another good push. Yard inspections occur the third Tuesday of every month and the next opportunity to show our pride is Thursday. 

As the inspection process matures, we will make course corrections as needed to ensure we continue to improve base appearance while enforcing a reasonable, fair standard. Our first few such changes are detailed below:
8 We realize there are a number of stand alone [away from house] bushes that have grown unchecked over the past couple of years. Do your best to ensure these present a neat and professional image. 

Shrubs should be trimmed to between 4 and 5 feet, but again the goal is a neat appearance, not a strict enforcement of an exact height.
Bushes in front of windows can cover approximately 25 percent of the windows to increase privacy. Remember, bushes may not touch any part of the house and should present a neat appearance. 

Trying to give residents maximum privacy while ensuring we are good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars, we will only check backyards if front side yard inspection gives reason to believe the back yard is not adequately maintained. For example, if the weeds are coming through/over fences or there is strong pet odor smells. Also, if the unit shows neglect, for example [front/side yard failures] or neighbors complain then there will be a backyard inspection. 

It is important to remember, that you are responsible for ensuring the backyard is in good condition regardless of whether we inspect it or not. Please care for your backyard to the same standard you care for your front and avoid this complication. 

Our Housing Team is supporting our efforts to improve the installation and they want to be helpful. If you have a known problem area please contact the Housing Office. We will come out, document the problem and work with you to identify a coordinated corrective action plan. Thank you and let's continue to make Travis a great place to live!