HPNA Minutes - November 2003

N eighbors strolled through the autumn evening to attend the monthly meeting of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association. These fun and informative meetings take place the first Monday of each month at the Hyde Park Methodist Church on Speedway.

Co-Presidents Pam Whittington and Glen Coleman presided over a giant but gentle agenda unusually free of bad news.     Central Colombia Project: Hyde Park resident Gloria Avila addressed the meeting briefly to invite neighbors to become involved in the Central Colombia Project. Efforts are underway to gather clothing, toys sporting goods, educational games and even musical instruments to assist the children and families of Colombia. Internal conflict in that country has displaced over two million families and orphaned hundred of thousand of children. Anyone wishing to learn more is asked to call Gloria at 451-8612 or email avilagloira@mail.utexas.edu. See more at the webpage that HPNA voted to support: 200311colombia/200311colombia.html.     New APD Representative for Hyde Park: attended his first HPNA meeting and appeared to have survived it. Mike Crumrine introduced himself, heard neighbors concerns, most notably about speeding and petty theft in the area, and expressed his good intentions to work with Hyde Park. Officer Crumrine can be reached at 974-5342 and prefers email at michael.crumrine@ci.austin.tx.us.     Wal-Mart Lurks, Austin Cringes: Long time neighborhood activist Susan Moffatt addressed neighbors about Wal-Mart's plans for Austin. The world's largest company had selected Austin for saturation. Susan informed the association that Wal-Mart's plans were causing alarm both in the environmental community and the Chamber of Commerce. Apparently concerns about predatory pricing, the flight of capital and the long-term loss of sales revenue for the City have joined perennial concerns about big box development. At Susan's request neighbors passed a motion

requesting that the City Council undertake an economic impact study to learn more about how Wal-Mart has affected the economy of other cities and how they may affect Austin.     Architects' Award for HPNA: Hyde Park Planning Chairwoman Karen McGraw had good news to share. The Texas Society of Architects has awarded Hyde Park a citation in honor of our efforts preserve the historic character of our neighborhood. Karen presented neighbors with framed proof of such and mentioned that suggestions for a place to hang it would be welcome.     . NCCD Update(s): Neighbors, realtors and developers who seek to tread the labyrinth of Hyde Park's many structural codes will soon have few threads to guide them. Many of the rules and design guidelines that, ideally, govern the size and shape of structures in our neighborhood are now available on our website, www.hydepark-na.org/archives.html. The Hyde Park Planning Team is moving closer by the week towards a draft of the final NCCD (Neighborhood Combining and Conservation District) and volunteers are needed now more than ever. Karen went on to announce that developer Michael Rodes who is planning a mixed-use development on Continued on page 6

Welcome to Earth Dept.: A hearty "Welcome Aboard" is due to one Eliza Jean Echols Piche, who made her planetary debut on November 12, weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 oz., and measuring up at 21". To her, to proud parents Cathy Echols and Steve Piche, and to "terrific" big sister Tessie, our congratulations and best wishes.

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