First up was a presentation by members of the
City of Austin's Clean Water Program Team regarding a serious problem with
wastewater pipelines in the general area between 39th and 40th streets and
Avenues G and H. The wastewater lines need to be
replaced, and due to constraints on setbacks, access,
and buildings in the easements, they made a proposal for doing the work in
the front yards rather than in
back of the homes affected. The presentation elicited a
lively discussion from the affected members present;
everything from guns to roses was included in the response. Front yard and
back yard proponents stated their agreement or disagreement, and the outcome is
that the members of the city team will meet with all
property owners who are interested and that group
will reach a consensus about how to proceed. Bill Moriarty is the Program
Manager for this project
bill.moriarty@ci.austin.tx.us and Crispin Ruiz will be
setting up the meeting. She said that anyone can call
their hotline anytime of day at 684-3204. If it is after 5
pm or before 8 am, leave a message and the call will
be returned the next morning.
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Susan Moffatt then spoke about a citywide
initiative she's been working on regarding "big-box retail"
or retail establishments that are larger than 100,000
square feet. This initiative has resulted in a resolution
that calls on the Austin City Council to establish
the requirement for a Conditional Use Permit for all
proposed large-scale retail developments that will include
an impact analysis demonstrating the set costs
and benefits to the community. The impact analysis
will be paid for by the applicant and will include the
possibility of negotiated exactions to mitigate substantial
costs; if substantial costs cannot be mitigated,
the city will have the right to deny a building permit
for a proposed project. She is meeting with various
neighborhood associations and other civic organizations to
enlist support for this new planning tool
for future development. By doing so, it will demonstrate to
the City Council that there is broad support.
A motion was brought before the Association that we
support the resolution, the members present voted
unanimously in favor of its support.
The status of the venerable but now defunct Brown's Flower Shop site was next on the agenda. Stan Kozinsky reported that Steve Zadowsky of the City of Austin recommended the site for historic zoning. The city is looking at the history of the property to see if there is any connection to any notable Austin resident, or to some of the old historic nurseries such as the Ramsey nursery. It was likely built before 1935, as it is listed on the 1985 Austin register that included properties more than 50 years old. Stan and Joe Janasco inspected the existing buildings and don't think that they can be saved due to structural issues with the building and greenhouse.
The next item on the agenda was a graffiti update. Elaine Meenehan, the new volunteer Chair of the graffiti committee, introduced herself and issued an invitation to join the Hyde Park Graffiti Committee. The committee is planning a big cleanup day in the near future in the neighborhood. (See related article on page three of this issue.) To volunteer to help identify graffiti areas or to help with cleanup, please contact Elaine at 323-9772 or via email at emeenie@austin.rr.com.
| -- | Denise Girard HPNA Co-Secretary girard.d@att.net |
