In general, we believe that the draft chapters reflect a lot of work and captures many of the points the community made during the process.  However, there are two very significant omissions because the planning process failed to meaningfully address the Brackenridge and Austin State School tracts in terms of how they fit within our vision for the future of our neighborhood.  Therefore, the draft chapters must be improved if this plan is to help us preserve our neighborhood.  Those of us in the neighborhoods on both sides of MoPac who have been working on the Plan for the last several years have submitted detailed comments and have proposed changes to the  draft plan during the process.  For example, our revisions to the “Transportation” chapter are posted at Neighborhood Stakeholder Revisions to Draft Transportation Chapter _March, 2010_, and our revisions to the “Land Use” chapter are posted at Neighborhood Stakeholder Revisions to Draft Land Use Chapter.

Without attempting to capture all of the details, here are some basic points the City needs to hear regarding the “Vision Statement” and the “Land Use” chapter.

1.  The Staff’s “Vision Statement” language in the Plan — that “new office, commercial, retail or multi-family development should be located along the edges of the neighborhood” — sounds safe enough, but “edges” is too vague to provide a meaningful guideline, and to the extent its meaning can be gleaned from the Plan it includes locations most of us would not want to see new development, such as “Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake and 35th Street,” Lake Austin Boulevard, Lions Municipal Golf Course, WAYA, Johnson Creek Trail, Eiler’s Park and Deep Eddy Pool, “the medical district located between 38th and 31st Street between Lamar Boulevard and Shoal Creek,” and  Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail is the edge of the neighborhood as well as Lamar Boulevard.  We most certainly do not envision “new office, commercial, retail or multi-family development” being located at these “edges.” It is also unclear whether “new” means a commercial or multi-family use on a property not now being used as such or whether it refers to redevelopment of existing commercial sites. We spent months developing a Future Land Use Map to establish the location of future land uses.  Accordingly,  we recommend  that development or redevelopment of existing commercial or multi-family property should be in accordance with the Future Land Use map  adopted by the community.  Any new commercial or multifamily development should  be located on the State School or the Brackenridge properties if they are developed (as opposed to existing residential areas).

2. The current draft of the Land Use chapter is a good first step but it needs to do a more complete job of reflecting neighborhood interest in preventing increased traffic and parking on neighborhood streets and in guarding against potential negative effects of future redevelopment of  W. 35^th Street properties on the abutting single family homes. We also need additional language to more fully express our concern about the impact of  redevelopment of the commercial properties between 34^th and 35^th Street on the school and the neighborhood.  The language in the Plan should be revised to more fully and clearly make these points.

3.  Another major problem with the current draft of the neighborhood plan is that City Staff has not allowed the Brackenridge Tract to be included in the Land Use chapter, and has provided very limited planning options for the Austin State School tract.  In the current draft, the Land Use chapter would appear to allow multi-family along the Exposition side of the Austin State School tract, contrary to the overwhelming weight of opinion of the neighborhood.  In addition, the Land Use chapter entirely fails to address the community’s stated preferences for the Brackenridge Tract.  The first preference is to encourage UT to keep the Lions Municipal Golf Course, West Austin Youth Association, and Field Research Laboratory uses in place with consideration made for additional recreational opportunities on site, and to otherwise comply with the parameters established by the 1989 Brackenridge Tract Development Agreement.  The second preference is that, in the event that the Brackenridge Tract is (re)developed, it should be done in harmony with the adjacent neighborhood, transportation system, and natural resources, as set forth in the neighborhood’s proposed revisions to the Land Use Chapter.

Please attend the Open House to provide feedback on the drafts.  You can also take an on-line survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XQ3GVZ8 where you will be shown a summary of the Plan and given an opportunity to comment.

Bylaws Meeting:  The bylaws for the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan Contact Team will be discussed on Tuesday, February 16th 6:30 – 7:50pm at Bryker Woods Elementary School.

Set forth below are the proposed bylaws for the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Team (NPT).  These bylaws have been prepared based on your template, with additional input from each of the West Austin Neighborhood Group (WANG), Bryker Woods Neighborhood Association (BWNA) and Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association (PHNA) neighborhood associations.  In addition, the attached bylaws have been designed to comply with the City’s Ordinance No. 20080306-073.

Bylaws for

THE CENTRAL WEST AUSTIN COMBINED NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING TEAM

Adopted and effective on ____ 2010

SECTION I

Purpose

The Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Team (NPT):

(1) shall act as an educational resource for residents in land use matters;

(2) shall establish and implement the vision, goals and recommendations of the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan (CWACNP) as it applies to the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Area;

(3) shall review and make recommendations to City Staff, Planning Commission and City Council on all proposed land use cases that may impact the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Area and review and make recommendations for all proposed amendments to the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan (CWACNP); and

(4)  may decide to initiate a plan amendment when appropriate.

SECTION II

Members

Eligibility.

a. Boundaries.  The Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Area is bounded to the north by 35th Street and 38th Street, to the south by Town Lake (west of MoPac) and 24th Street (east of Mopac), to the east by Lamar Boulevard, and to the west by Town Lake. MoPac is the eastern boundary of the West Austin Neighborhood Group Planning Area (Tarrytown) and the western boundary of the Windsor Road Planning Area (Bryker Woods and Pemberton Heights).

b. Qualifications.  Each Member of the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Team (NPT) shall reside in the defined boundaries of the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Area, and there shall be twelve (12) Members of the NPT, including:

(1) Two residential property owners holding homestead exemptions from the WANG Planning Area;

(2) Two residential property owners holding homestead exemptions from the Windsor Road Planning Area;

(2) One business owner;

(3) One non-property owner resident (renter); and

(4) Two board members or officers from each of the following neighborhood associations: West Austin Neighborhood Group (WANG), Bryker Woods Neighborhood Association (BWNA) and Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association (PHNA).

c. Appointment and Election of NPT Members.  The initial composition of NPT is as listed in Addendum A of these bylaws.  The current membership of  NPT is as listed in Addendum B and shall be updated yearly by the secretary.

(1) NTP Membership terms shall be two years beginning June 1st.  Current NPT Members in good standing may be re-elected to serve consecutive terms.
(2) Elections to replace or re-elect NPT Members whose terms have expired, who have died, resigned, or who have become unable or unwilling to serve shall be held within 90 days after such expiration, death, resignation, incapacity, or unwillingness to serve.
(3) When any NPT Member’s term expires or there is a vacancy, a majority of the voting NPT Members serving at the time of an election shall elect the replacement from a list of no more than 3 nominees provided by the NPT Members serving at the time of the election.

d. Agreement.  By joining, NPT Members agree to abide by the Bylaws herein, and agree to support the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan.

e. Communication with the Public and the Applicant.  NPT Members may not publicly speak or communicate in their capacity as a NPT member outside an NPT Meeting on a matter which is subject to the Purposes set out in Section I without first having such communication approved by vote at an NPT Meeting, excepting emergency requests for postponements.

f. Loss of Eligibility.  NPT Members are encouraged to participate through regular meeting attendance, group discussion, group communication, or other activity in support of the NPT.  NPT Members who do not show evidence of active participation for 6 months shall lose their Membership without further notification.  Such individuals may again become NPT Members in good standing thirty days after communicating to the Secretary their intent to re-join the NPT unless a replacement has been elected.

g. Rights of Members. Only NPT Members in good standing may hold office, introduce motions, or vote.  Each NPT Member shall be provided a copy of the of the adopted CWACNPT bylaws

SECTION III

Meetings and Public Hearings

Agenda.  An agenda for each meeting shall be prepared by the Chair in consultation with the other NPT Officers and NPT Members.  Any NPT Member can place an item on the agenda for discussion, if such item is given to the Chair three days prior to the meeting. Members not meeting this prior notice requirement may discuss any item in New Business.  The agenda must be e-mailed to all NPT Members in good standing not less than one day prior to the meeting.

Quorum.  A minimum of six (6) NPT Members in good standing including one Officer shall constitute a quorum.  Any act of a majority of the Members present at any meeting and constituting a quorum shall be the act of the NPT.

Voting. Members must be present to cast votes.  Proxy voting is prohibited.  All matters shall be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the NPT Members present in person and voting, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

Meeting Records. Minutes for every meeting shall be recorded and maintained by the Secretary.

Regular Meetings. Regular meetings shall be held on a quarterly basis when needed as determined by the Officers of the NPT at 7 p.m. on the last Monday in the months of January, April, July, and October.  The location of the meetings will be at ____________________.

Special Called Meetings.  Special Called Meetings may be called by four (4) NPT Members, one of whom must be an Officer.

Notice of Meeting. A notice giving the date, time, place, and agenda of each Meeting of the NPT shall be given 5 days prior to the meeting if by electronic means or hand delivery to at least the NPT Members in good standing, and 7 days prior if deposited in U.S. mail.

All meetings will be publicized in the neighborhood using whatever reasonable means that are available, for example, but not limited to:  flyers, mailings, newsletters, print publications, neighborhood listserves, neighborhood association website postings, the ANC listserve and the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning on-line calendar.

As technological means become available, the following communication tools may be utilized; the City of Austin Public Information Website and when feasible email lists maintained by the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning department.

Failure to receive a meeting notice does not invalidate the meeting.  However, the provisions of this section must be complied with in good faith. Meetings shall be open to the public.

Annual Meetings. The Annual Meeting for the election of officers shall be held at the date, time, and place of the Regular Meeting in April, or at such other time as may be determined by the Officers of the NPT.  Notice shall be given in accordance with the provisions for providing notice of a regular meeting.

Two Public Hearing Limit Per Meeting There will be no more than two hearings scheduled in any meeting of the NPT. In no case shall a Land Use Presentation Hearing and a Land Use Action Hearing occur at the same meeting for the same property. Scheduling will be first-come, first-served. Applicants who have submitted the materials described in the respective Applicant Requirements sections first and before the deadline will be scheduled first.

Land Use Presentation Hearing.  The purpose of the Land Use Presentation Hearing is to initiate a recommendation in a land use matter or Neighborhood Plan Amendment. Zoning changes are not to be addressed by the NPT, but are instead addressed by the appropriate neighborhood association.  No action will be taken at any Land Use Presentation Hearing. This is a public hearing to collect facts, receive a proposal from an applicant, obtain community input, and to register contact information from interested parties. Land Use Presentation Hearings can be held concurrent with and at the date, time, and place of any Regular Meeting, Special Called Meeting, or Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall collect contact information from interested parties attending the hearing.

Informal discussion with project stakeholders in NPT Regular and Special Called Meetings is encouraged. Such discussions in any meeting that does not qualify as a Land Use Presentation Hearing would still require a future Land Use Presentation Hearing to initiate a recommendation.

Notice of Land Use Presentation Hearing. A notice giving the date, time, place, and agenda of each Notice of Land Use Presentation Hearing of the NPT shall be given 5 days prior to the meeting if by electronic means or hand delivery, and 7 days prior if deposited in U.S. mail. The notice shall briefly describe the action to be considered.  In conjunction with the City of Austin’s noticing department, such notice shall, at a minimum, be sent to:

1) all NPT Members in good standing who have provided e-mail addresses for the purpose of receiving notices;

2) all registered owners of properties falling within 500’ of any affected property; and

3) all residents of properties falling within 500’ of any affected property; and

4) a representative designated to receive such notices from the Department of Neighborhood Planning and Zoning of the City of Austin.

Applicant Requirements for Initiating a Land Use Presentation Hearing. Prior to the NPT scheduling a Land Use Presentation Hearing, an applicant must provide the following written and/or electronic materials no fewer than 30 days prior to the Regular Meeting date at which the case is to be heard:

1) a statement of full intent for the proposal; and

2) a written statement from an employee of The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection and Development Review staff listing all the regulatory processes that will be needed to legally permit and fully implement the proposal; and

3) all supporting materials needed for the application of regulatory processes identified by the statement of the employee of The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection and Development Review; and

4) a data file in a format specified by the NPT Chair including the name and mailing address of all current registered owners of properties falling within 300’ of any affected property as maintained by Travis County Appraisal District; and

5) a map showing building outlines and affected property with indication of the 500’ radius, showing current uses, current zoning, and trees 19 caliper inches or greater located on the property; and

6) a copy of any deed restrictions for the subject tract; and

7) a statement on whether the subject property is a contributing or non-contributing property in the Old West Austin National Register Historic District; and

if for Variance, a complete Board of Adjustment application and supporting plans or documents as requested; or

9) if for Zoning Change, a complete Zoning Change application and supporting plans or documents as requested; or

10) if for Neighborhood Plan Amendment, a complete Neighborhood Plan Amendment application, Future Land Use Maps, both current and proposed, a list of Plan Recommendations obtained from the CWACNP within a radius of 500’ around the property, and supporting plans or documents as requested; or

11) if for Site Plan, or a Site Plan for a Conditional Use Permit, a complete Site Plan application and supporting plans or documents as requested; or

12) if for Historic Zoning Designation, a complete Historic Zoning Designation application and supporting plans or documents as requested. Materials listed in item 5 are not required for Historic Zoning Designation.

Land Use Action Hearing The purpose of Land Use Action Hearings is to act on and issue recommendations on specific proposals presented introduced at a prior Land Use Presentation Hearing. If in the opinion of the Chair, or a majority of the NPT Members present, there are substantive changes to the proposal first heard at the Land Use Presentation Hearing, which render aspects of the prior proposal invalid, then action must be deferred to a future Land Use Action Hearing.

Notice Requirements of Land Use Action Hearing. A notice giving the date, time, place, and agenda of each Land Use Action Hearing of the NPT shall be given 5 days prior to the meeting if by electronic means, and 7 days prior if deposited in U.S. mail. The notice shall briefly describe the action to be considered. In conjunction with the City of Austin’s noticing department, such notice shall be sent, at a minimum, to:

1) all NPT Members in good standing, and

2) all board members of the following neighborhood associations:  West Austin Neighborhood Group, the Bryker Woods Neighborhood Association, and the Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association; and

3) to other parties of interest either registered at the Land Use Presentation Hearing or expressed an interest by other contact.

Rehearings. There are no provisions of a rehearing for any Land Use Presentation Hearing or Land Use Action Hearing.

SECTION IV

Conflicts of Interest

Each NPT Member shall comply with the conflict of interest provisions in this subsection.

(a) An NPT Member may not participate in an NPT decision on a matter affecting a person, entity, or property in which the member has a substantial interest.

(1)     “Interest” is defined, with respect to this Section IV, as an NPT Member or Officer having, either directly or indirectly:

a. Ownership in or an investment in any property before the NPT regardless of the amount of ownership or investment; or

b. A financial or business relationship with any applicant or any person or business associated with the applicant or the property at issue regardless of the amount of or type of financial or business relationship; or

c. Past or present employment by any applicant or any person or business associated with the applicant or the property at issue, including, but not limited to, being a corporate officer or member of the board of directors; or

d. A known or expected future business, employment, or financial interest or relationship related to the applicant, the property at issue, or any person or business associated with the applicant or the property at issue; or

e. Indebtedness to the applicant or any person or business associated with the applicant or the property at issue regardless of the amount of the indebtedness;

f. Any other direct or indirect relationship with an applicant, property at issue, or any person or business associated with the applicant or the property at issue that may hinder an NPT Member’s or Officer’s objectivity in a decision before the NPT.

An “Interest” shall not include being a neighbor of a property or of an applicant.

(2)     ”Substantial Interest” means an interest in another person or an entity if: the interest is ownership of five percent or more of the voting stock, shares or equity of the entity or ownership of $5,000 or more of the equity or market value of the entity; or funds received by the person from the other person or entity either during the previous 12 months or the previous calendar year equaled or exceeded $5,000 in salary, bonuses, commissions or professional fees or $20,000 in payment for goods, products or nonprofessional services, or 10 percent of the person’s gross income during that period, whichever is less; the person serves as a corporate officer or member of the board of directors or other governing board of the for-profit entity other than a corporate entity owned or created by the city council; or the person is a creditor, debtor, or guarantor of the other person or entity in an amount of $5,000 or more except that a home mortgage loan for the person’s homestead or a loan or lease of a personal automobile shall not be deemed a substantial interest in the creditor or guarantor if entered into at a market rate with a commercial lending institution before the previous 12 months.

(3)     “Substantial Interest In Real Property” means an interest in real property which is an equitable or legal ownership with a market value of $5,000 or more.

(4)     “Decision” includes a decision to file an application for a plan amendment and a final recommendation on a proposed plan amendment.

(b) An NPT Member who has a substantial interest that disqualifies the member from participating in a decision under Paragraph (a) shall submit a disclosure statement to the NPT describing the substantial interest.  The NPT Member shall submit the disclosure statement when the NPT files an application for a plan

amendment or a final recommendation on a proposed plan amendment, as applicable.

NPT Members and Officers are highly encouraged to disclose any Interests they may have, regardless of how insignificant, in order to ensure the integrity of any decision made by the NPT. If an NPT Member or Officer has an Interest or a reasonable expectation that they may have or will have an Interest, the NPT Member or Officer must:

1. Immediately disclose such Interest to the other NPT Members and Officers. Such disclosure must occur, at the latest, prior to the Land Use Hearing. The NPT Member or Officer with the Interest must also disclose such Interest in any correspondence, contact, or discussion pertaining to the project in which the Interest has arisen.

2. If an NPT Member or Officer has an Interest, the NPT Member or Officer cannot participate in any decision concerning the property at issue, including, but not limited to, the decision of the NPT to submit an application for a plan amendment or the decision to support or not support the project at issue on the property.

In the event that an Interest is not disclosed and such NPT Member or Officer participates in the decision related to the property at issue (including, but not limited to, the Land Use Hearing), then the NPT’s decision related to such property shall be null and void and the applicant must reapply with the NPT for a new decision with respect to the property at issue.

Furthermore, in the event that an Interest arises for an NPT Member or Officer within twelve (12) months after a decision is made, then the NPT may declare its previous decision null and void in its sole and exclusive discretion and take whatever action the NPT deems reasonable with respect to the property at issue. Such decision to negate a previous decision by the NPT shall be done by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the NPT Members at any Regular or Special Called Meeting. The NPT Member or Officer with the Interest is encouraged to attend such meeting to discuss their Interest.

SECTION V

Officers

Officers. The officers of the NPT shall be a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.

Terms of Office. Each officer shall serve a term of one year commencing upon election in April. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Chair. The Chair shall preside over meetings and oversees the running of the NPT, and shall be responsible for the operation of the NPT and its officers pursuant to these bylaws. This shall include conducting meetings, representing the team at official functions, appointing subcommittees, and generally overseeing the business of the NPT.  The Chair shall have the primary responsibility for coordinating with the City of Austin Implementation Planner on the implementation items in the adopted Neighborhood Plan

Vice-Chair. The vice-chair shall assist the Chair in preparing meeting agendas and conducting meetings and shall assume all duties of the Chair when required.

Secretary. The secretary shall maintain all written records as required by the City of Austin, including recording and maintaining the minutes, membership records, and contact information on interested parties, and shall produce all written communications as directed by the Chair, or the NPT Members.  The prepared minutes should only reflect what was done and not what was said at the meeting.  They should not contain the record keepers’ or any meeting participant’s opinions.  The membership records shall include current addresses and voting status of NPT Members.

Election.

A.               The officers shall be elected at large by the NPT Members at the Regular Meeting in April.  All candidates must be qualified NPT Members.

B.               Officers will be elected by the NPT Members, by a majority vote if there are two or fewer candidates, or, a plurality vote if there are three or more candidates.

C.               The secretary will notify the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department in writing of the names of the newly elected officers, their contact information, and the date they are due to take office.

D.              Any elected officer may be removed from office for good cause.  Removal shall be debated by the NPT and shall require a two-thirds vote of NPT Members eligible to vote and present at a meeting of the NPT, providing that a resolution proposing the consideration of the removal has been adopted at a preceding meeting and that notice of the vote for removal has been included in the call to the meeting at which the vote shall take place.

E.               Should vacancies occur outside the normal election process, candidates for the unfilled term shall be nominated from the floor and elected at the next scheduled meeting following the vacancy.  The person elected to the vacated office will serve for the remainder of the term.

SECTION VI

Parliamentary Procedure

Robert’s Rules. When not inconsistent with these Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure. These rules may be suspended at any meeting by a majority vote.

SECTION VII

Prohibited Actions

Political Endorsements. The NPT shall not endorse any candidates for political office.

SECTION VIII

Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws

Adoption. These bylaws of the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Team shall become effective on ___________________, 2010.

Amendments.  These bylaws may be amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the NPT Members at any Regular or Special Called Meeting, provided that a resolution proposing the amendment has been adopted at a preceding regular meeting and that notice of the proposed amendment to the bylaws has been given in accordance with the provisions for providing notice of a regular meeting. ]]> http://westaustinng.com/2010/02/15/proposed-bylaws-for-central-west-austin-combined-neighborhood-planning-team-npt/feed/ 0 http://westaustinng.com/2009/11/11/november-23-2009-central-west-austin-neighborhood-planning-workshop-zoning-workshop-vii/ http://westaustinng.com/2009/11/11/november-23-2009-central-west-austin-neighborhood-planning-workshop-zoning-workshop-vii/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:59:03 +0000 admin http://westaustinng.com/?p=849 Next Neighborhood Planning Meeting:

The next Central West Austin neighborhood planning workshop (Zoning Workshop VII) will occur on Monday, November 23rd (6:30pm to 9:00pm) at Bryker Woods Elementary School (3309 Kerbey Lane).

Topics:  First, we will examine the possibility of changing the current zoning of the office and residential development located at 1717, 1721, 1801, 1803 and 1805 W. 35th from office to zoning that allows office and residential uses. Second, we will discuss the potential to rezone the property at 3402 Kerbey Lane (currently used as an office) from residential to office zoning.

For more information , please visit the Central West Austin Neighborhood Planning website at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/central_west_austin.htm, or contact City Staff by calling Paul DiGiuseppe at 512-974-2865 (paul.digiuseppe@ci.austin.tx.us) or Carol Haywood at 512-974-7685 with any questions (Carol.Haywood@ci.austin.tx.us).

The Austin-American Statesman maintains a web page (http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/local/brackenridge.html) which contains information and articles concerning the future of the Brackenridge Tracts Muny golf course, biological field laboratory, and other portions of 345 prime acres along the Colorado River in West Austin.

In a recent article by Asher Price (http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/10/22/1022brack.html), it was reported that the recommendations from Cooper, Robertson & Partners LLP (CR&P) for the redevelopment of the Brackenridge tract call for denser construction than City of Austin rules would generally allow.  Resolution of the conflict between the City’s rules and the development proposals will have a significant impact on the character and quality of West Austin as efforts are made to encourage growth without destroying the established West Austin neighborhood.

Plans for UT land call for denser building than city allows

By Asher Price
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, October 22, 2009

Recommendations by a consultant for the redevelopment of the Brackenridge tract , the 350-acre University of Texas-owned land west of downtown, call for denser construction than City of Austin rules would generally allow.

The difference draws a line of control between the city and the university over the land and reopens a broader discussion of how to encourage growth in West Austin.

The two plans by the New York-based consulting firm, hired by the UT SystemBoard of Regents, imagine the Brackenridge tract — now home to a municipal golf course, a university field lab, stores, offices, restaurantsand two-story apartment complexes along Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake — redeveloped as a densely built, walkable, close-in alternative to suburban sprawl.

The redevelopment plans call for about half the area as open space and half as development. The city’s current watershed regulations generally allow a maximum of 40 percent impervious cover, a technical term for asphalt and structures.

“Overall, impervious cover assumed under both Plans would exceed that allowed by current City requirements,” according to the report released this month by Cooper, Robertson & Partners LLP.

Under the plans, buildings would also be constructed closer to Lady Bird Lake than allowed in Austin’s regulations. The city’s waterfront overlay regulations impose development setbacks from the lake of between 300 and 400 feet. The Brackenridge Park concept plan proposes setbacks between 235 and 260 feet; the Brackenridge Village concept plan proposes setbacks between 228 and 350 feet.

A 30-year agreement inked in 1989 between the city and the Board of Regents lays out development regulations less stringent than those proposed in the consultants’ plans and those currently on the books elsewhere in the city. Under the Brackenridge Agreement, setbacks are to be 150 to 200 feet, and the areas now covered by two apartment complexes can be redeveloped with up to 75 percent impervious cover, said George Zapalac, development services manager for the city.

It’s unclear whether UT would have to follow city land-use rules when the pact expires in 2019. In the past, UT has argued that it won’t have to because it’s a state entity. The city has argued that its land-use rules would apply to nonuniversity structures, such as condos.

“The Brackenridge Tract is an urban infill site and the plans are consistent with the City’s policies for densification within the City… and the reduction of sprawl in areas outside of the City, particularly environmentally sensitive areas,” the report says.

The plans “seek to preserve natural features on the Brackenridge Tract, but the site, as a whole, does not contribute significantly to the natural systems of the region, to its ecology or habitats, or to the Edwards Aquifer,” the report says. “It is a disturbed site impacted by urban growth.”

Some environmentalists appear unlikely to be assuaged by the trade-off argument: Build here instead of out there.

“It’s not an urban space,” said Mary Arnold, a longtime environmentalist who also serves on the board of the West Austin Neighborhood Group, which counts the Brackenridge tract in its territory and has announced its opposition to the consultant’s recommendations. “More impervious cover means more runoff means more dirty water in our drinking water.”

But Sinclair Black, an architect who teaches urban planning at UT and is not affiliated with the project, said the Brackenridge tract is “very ripe for this kind of development.”

“The maximum benefit to the environment is to have the maximum density as close to the center as possible, thereby reducing the carbon footprint,” he said. “Sustainability begins and ends with location.”

The report recommends specific stormwater runoff strategies, including ponds, strips of vegetation and drainage ditches to “attenuate the impact of increased impervious cover.”

The impervious cover rules are meant to reduce the amount of rainwater runoff from streets and other paved surfaces, which in turn reduces pollutants carried into streams and into the river, Zapalac said.

The setback rules are meant to preserve open space, the character of the shore and access to the river, he said.

Because the plans are proposed and have not been accepted by regents, it would be speculative to address questions about impervious cover, according to Florence Mayne, executive director of the UT System’s real estate office.

“If this were subject to city review,” said Zapalac, “if they’re not meeting normal regulations, we would see what they are doing in exchange, or what public benefit there is to the proposal that can be achieved through deviation from normal standard.”

He mentioned, as an example, a deal reached last year about a proposed condo development on East Riverside Drive. The developer was allowed to build within setback limits of Lady Bird Lake in exchange for donating land to extend the hike-and-bike trail across the site and reducing the project size.

In many respects the development plans for the Brackenridge tract propose an idyll of dense, mixed use redevelopment associated with environmentally progressive cities: The plans call for a network of bike trails and community gardens; energy efficient buildings; widespread rainwater collection; parks; and an extension of the hike-and-bike trail around Lady Bird Lake.

In turn, the close-in development will mean people would take 45 to 50 percent fewer off-site trips than they would in a typical suburban development, according to the consultant. (Members of the West Austin Neighborhood Group have said the spike in population — as many as 8,700 new housing units are planned for the area — is sure to tie up traffic there.)

The consultant was charged by the regents with coming up with plans that, among other things, promote sustainability and environmental friendliness, said Matt Flores, a spokesman for the UT System.

In some places, environmental features of the proposed redevelopment are left vague. The three-volume study mentions “green roof technology” several times, but does not explain what that means exactly, or how the university would ensure builders comply. Rhetorically, too, the report discusses some environmental features in the passive voice, with little elaboration on how they will be implemented.

“The prevailing winds, blowing from the southeast to the northwest, can be captured for natural ventilation and reduce energy demands,” reads one passage. “Green roofs will be incorporated to reduce both the heat island effect and the HVAC energy demands. Within the park system, renewable energy generation technologies, including solar, wind and biomass, will be employed to generate power and shared within the building sites and common areas.”

Meanwhile, other parts of the report are quite specific. Bicycle lanes along city streets will be 5 feet wide. A multiuse trail will be 10 to 16 feet wide. Live oak trees will line Lake Austin Boulevard. Palm trees, cedar elm and red oak trees will line parks, promenades, plazas and the developed portions of the lakefront. At least 80 percent of the “plant palette” will comprise native and adapted plants well-suited to the area.

asherprice@statesman.com; 445-3643

The next Central West Austin neighborhood planning workshop will occur on Monday, November 2nd (6:30pm to 9:00pm) at The Sanctuary, 2600 Exposition Boulevard (we will be meeting in the chapel).

Topics:  First, we will examine the possibility of changing the current zoning of the condominiums located at 3111 Windsor Road (known as Tarry Court Condominiums) from office to multi-family zoning.  Second, we will discuss the potential to rezone properties at the intersection of Hearn Street, 7th Street, and Pruett Street that have single-family and multi-family residential uses from retail to single-family and multi-family residential zoning.  Please see the map below:

For more information , please visit the Central West Austin Neighborhood Planning website at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/central_west_austin.htm, or contact City Staff by calling Carol Haywood at 512-974-7685 with any questions (Carol.Haywood@ci.austin.tx.us).

The City of Austin is creating a new Comprehensive Plan for Austin which will set forth the city’s policies for growth and development.  The existing Comprehensive Plan (the Austin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan (ATCP)) was developed during the 1970s and adopted in 1979, but even with various amendments and updates, the ATCP remains a product of its time and does not address many contemporary issues facing the City such as sustainability and climate change.  The lack of a contemporary, community-based vision for the City’s future has lead to many “ad hoc” policy directives.

An overview of the Comprehensive Plan process for the next two or so years is available, including a recent “Comprehensive Plan Kick-Off” Event.

The City has posted a survey to obtain citizen input on some of the questions from the October 12 Kick-Off Event concerning what makes Austin great and what could be improved.  Survey answers will form the foundation of the first Community Forum Series, the week of November 9.

In addition, Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Task Force is being formed.  The application form for the Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Task Force is available for download.  Interested in serving, or know someone who might be perfect for the task force? Fill it out or pass it on. Instructions for submitting the application are included.

Sign up to receive all email updates from the Comprehensive Planning Staff at NPZD: <http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/contact_info_ncp.cfm>.  Please help encourage city-wide participation in OUR Comprehensive Plan
by forwarding this information.  Individuals’ involvement can be minimal or extensive — but the sooner
they tune it, the more sense it will make as we proceed…

Additional information is posted at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/compplan/.

Brackenridge Tract Position Statement (August 25, 2008)

Having heard from stakeholders through public testimony, surveys and numerous meetings since the University of Texas System announced that it would consider redevelopment of the Brackenridge Tract, the 345 acre tract of land located in the heart of Tarrytown and West Austin, the West Austin Neighborhood Group Executive Committee advocates the following position:

General Propositions:

Any potential redevelopment of the Brackenridge Tract:

• Must preserve its invaluable urban greenspace and its remarkable trees;
• Must preserve waterfront land and recognize the City of Austin’s Waterfront Overlay;
• Should not increase traffic in the Tarrytown and Deep Eddy neighborhoods;  (If additional traffic volumes are generated as a result of redevelopment, such traffic should be directed away from our existing residential neighborhoods.  There should be no street access to such redevelopment along Enfield Road between Lake Austin Boulevard and Exposition Boulevard that would promote the use of adjacent and nearby neighborhood streets as arteries.)
• Should comply with all City of Austin codes and ordinances as well as its zoning and land use regulations; and
• Should be limited to and not exceed the parameters established by the 1989 Brackenridge Tract Development Agreement negotiated in good faith by the University of Texas Systems, the City of Austin and the Austin community.

Specific Tracts:

• The Lions Municipal Golf Course (141.38 Acres) should remain an affordable, public golf course in perpetuity with consideration made for the addition of non-golfing recreational opportunities on site.  We actively support the acquisition of this tract by the City of Austin utilizing any available means including cash and non-cash alternatives.
• The West Austin Youth Association Tract (14.56 Acres) should remain under the control of this nationally recognized, privately funded, non-profit organization that provides positive recreational opportunities through 30 separate programs for more than 4,000 youngsters annually from throughout Austin.
• The University of Texas at Austin Brackenridge Field Laboratory (81.97 Acres) should remain at its current unique and irreplaceable location.
• The Colorado Apartment and Brackenridge Apartment Tracts (74.24 Acres) should be redeveloped to include denser graduate student, doctoral candidate and faculty housing as well as neighborhood retail/neighborhood mixed use development, the latter at a level and in a manner that does not exceed the terms of the 1989 Brackenridge Tract Development Agreement for non-university purposes.
• The Deep Eddy Tract (16.42 Acres) that includes the Gables Apartments, CVS Pharmacy and 7 Eleven, if chosen to be redeveloped, should be redeveloped in such a way as to maximize the protection of the Deep Eddy neighborhood adjacent by mitigating the potential for related cut-through traffic and overflow parking.  Further, any new construction should transition away from the residential portion of the adjacent neighborhood.
• The Boat Town Tract (2.58 Acres) including Oyster Landing should remain unchanged.
• The Park Street Tract (13.21 Acres) that includes the LCRA and ancillary surface parking should remain unchanged, unless sufficient free public parking remains on site to meet the parking demand of the Boat Town Tract as well as any additional development.
• The Randall’s Tract (2.64 Acres) should remain under its current land use though reconfiguration of the site itself might be beneficial.
• Any potential redevelopment of the Lions, Park Street or WAYA tracts should be compatible along Enfield Road with the adjacent Tarrytown neighborhood.

Background and Comment

The West Austin Neighborhood Group has taken a very active role in this process over the two years since the Board of Regents announced their intention to reevaluate the Tract’s status. The Regents are under pressure from some in the public sector to make better use of their vast assets, one of which that just happens to be the Brackenridge Tract.  They also are being approached by those in the private sector who seek monetary gain from the redevelopment of the Brackenridge Tract.  We feel strongly that any opportunity on this Tract, for University purpose or private gain, should be weighed against any adverse impact that it might have on West Austin and its citizens.

Colonel Brackenridge gave the University this Tract “for the purpose of advancing and promoting University education.”  We realize that the Brackenridge Tract, as a whole, represents a significant opportunity for both the University of Texas and the community, but that opportunity does not lie solely in its purported development potential.

Brackenridge Field Laboratory

One of the University’s most highly acclaimed and nationally ranked programs is tied to the Brackenridge Field Labs.  The unique character and proximity of this tract as well as the established research history cannot be replicated elsewhere.  The facility currently is underutilized and accessibility to and facilities for the public is poor.  To address this deficiency, advocates for the College of Natural Sciences have begun the process of planning for a biodiversity institute as well as public facilities that would engage and interact with the public and other educational institutions.  Furthermore, such an institute might deliver research that could generate ample revenue for the University of Texas to further its mission.

Graduate Student Housing

The reputation of colleges and universities are dependent on the reputation and work of graduate students and doctoral candidates.  Graduate student housing is an attractor for these top tier students.  Most highly ranked peer universities have such housing.  This environment cannot be replicated with voucher programs, which notably can be changed or eliminated thus offering no assurances to these students.  Neither can the proximity to campus, the strong sense of community nor many of the amenities enjoyed by this unique, diverse and highly educated population.  Further, meeting a need for affordable housing in an increasingly unaffordable city, these apartments are critical to the advancement of the mission of the University of Texas to be a world class university.

It is worth noting that the University does receive rental income from these properties, the difference in pricing when compared to market rents being that there is neither a land component nor a real property tax component in the calculation of rental rates.  For the West Austin community, the primary benefit of student housing is that these students are inclined to take public transportation thus minimizing the negative impact of additional traffic and congestion on our residential streets.

Lions Municipal Golf Course (Muny) and West Austin Youth Association (WAYA)

Consistently, we have advocated for the preservation of both Muny and WAYA.  Both of these facilities provide unique recreational opportunities for University students, faculty, staff and their families as well as the Austin community as a whole.  Our recent survey showed overwhelming support among users and non-users of both Muny and WAYA to preserve these two facilities.

In simple terms, the current uses for both tracts are not economically the highest and best use.  However, both stand as irreplaceable community assets.

Historic Lions Municipal Golf Course is the only public 18 hole golf course west of Interstate Highway 35.  It is affordable thus providing access to folks throughout the community, including the University community.  It is inclusionary rather than exclusionary, as some private schemes would be.  It is very heavily used and does generate fee income for the University of Texas System.  Muny is also a unique urban greenspace, something that is highly valued by Austinites and that is an attractor for people and businesses wanting to invest in Austin.

WAYA serves over 4,000 youngsters throughout Austin each year enriching their lives and that of their families by providing safe, engaging, and structured recreational opportunities.  Furthermore, WAYA has tapped in to the University of Texas as a resource for its primary teaching mission.  The value of WAYA can’t be measured in dollars and its impact can’t be quantified.  Lessons learned and benefits gained by participating children will simply continue to resonate throughout our community.

Traffic & Congestion

Any redevelopment of any part of the Brackenridge Tract and its viability are going to be limited by traffic issues.  The Tract is bounded by 2 east-west neighborhood arteries in Enfield Road and Lake Austin Boulevard and 1 north-south neighborhood artery in Exposition Boulevard. At times during the day, these three streets already are impassable.  The two key points of ingress/egress to the Tract with MoPac/Loop 1 are at Enfield Road and at Lake Austin Boulevard   TxDOT has no plans at this time and to the best of our knowledge has committed no resources, nor has any resources available, to the redesign and reconstruct these intersections. Cost estimates casually range from $50 million to $150 million.  It is not feasible to consider the reconstruction of these interchanges, and as a result, the scale of any redevelopment should be limited to the existing arterial capacity.  Furthermore, cut-through traffic and overflow parking, as a result of redevelopment, into the adjacent residential neighborhoods is unacceptable as it denigrates our neighbors’ quality of life, safety and security.

Water Quality

Most of the land in the Tract lies within either the Lake Austin Watershed or the Town Lake Watershed and is within our Drinking Water Protection Zone.  Degradation of same is adverse to the environment as the well being of the citizens of Austin and those downstream from Austin.  Even within the framework of the 1989 Brackenridge Tract Development Agreement, adverse consequences could be expected because impervious cover would exceed the 30% allowable in the suburban watershed under municipal codes.

Conclusion

The University of Texas is one of the wealthiest educational institutions in America.  It and the University of Texas System have millions of acres of land and a $25 billion endowment.  The UT System recently approved the forward sale of $1 billion in oil and gas revenues.  In Travis County alone, they own hundreds of parcels with an aggregate land value exceeding $1 billion. Many of these parcels are underutilized. Some parcels are being held for investment purposes.  Despite declining State support for higher education, which we strongly oppose, the University and the System have ample assets at their disposal without the need to destroy these community assets and adversely impact one of the City’s most cherished residential neighborhoods.

In regard to the possible establishment of a medical school in Austin, Interim University of Texas Chancellor Kenneth Shine was recently quoted as saying, “A lot of it depends on the ability of the community to come up with resources as opposed to going to the state or other places.” “Support would be needed from hospital systems, the health district, the business community, philanthropists and potentially the City of Austin and Travis County,” he added. While the benefits of such an institution could be significant and desirous for Austin, such assistance to the University should come with a price.

In addition to the millions and millions of dollars already generously given to the University of Texas by the people of Austin and for filling up its stadiums year after year, perhaps it is time that the University of Texas and the University of Texas System gave back to the citizens of Austin for all we have done for them.  Preservation of Muny and WAYA in perpetuity and the sensitive redevelopment of the remainder of the Tract to meet the terms of Colonel Brackenridge’s gift befit a university of the first class where what happens “changes the world.”

Monday, September 21, 2009, 09:50 AM

The University of Texas’ Brackenridge tract in West Austin would be transformed into an environmental science campus under a proposal to be presented today by a panel of faculty members.

The five-member faculty committee is calling for enhancing an existing biological field laboratory by housing the university’s extensive plant and natural history collections, currently stored on the main campus, in a new science center that would serve as a museum, a research center and a public outreach site.

Additional space on the 350-acre tract would be set aside for a technology transfer center, where researchers could work on biofuels, biotech, clean energy, environmentally friendly architecture and other initiatives with a goal of moving breakthroughs at the lab bench into the marketplace.

“It basically gives UT a large environmental sciences campus along Lake Austin with public outreach components, commercial components and academic components,” David Hillis, a professor of integrative biology and chairman of the panel, said in an interview this morning.

Hillis is scheduled to outline the committee’s recommendations at a Faculty Council meeting this afternoon.

The proposal by the Faculty Council panel differs dramatically from two conceptual plans developed by a consulting firm hired by the university’s governing board and outlined in June. Those plans call for downsizing or relocating the Brackenridge Field Laboratory, eliminating a municipal golf course and developing a dense residential and commercial neighborhood.

The faculty members’ proposal defers a decision on the Lions Municipal Golf Course until closer to 2019, when the city’s lease for the parcel expires. The faculty committee is recommending against residential development.

“It doesn’t fit UT’s mission,” Hillis said. “We have a lot of need for space to enhance UT’s academic programs.”

The faculty panel’s proposal is similar to those advanced by Cooper, Robertson & Partners LLP in some ways. For example, a hike-and-bike trail would be extended into the Brackenridge tract, and and retail space would be leased for shops such as cafes and bicycle stores.

In addition, the faculty panel wants to expand the university-owned Gateway apartment complex, just off the Brackenridge tract, to accommodate some students living in apartments on the tract. The Cooper firm recommended eliminating all apartments on the tract, but the faculty members are calling for eliminating some and deciding later about the rest.

Hillis said funding for his panel’s recommendations needs to be worked out. “The financials I think are still somewhat unclear on everybody’s proposals,” he said.

President, West Austin Neighborhood Group (WANG) Board of Directors

July 1, 2009

West Austin Neighborhood Group Deplores Brackenridge Tract Planners’ Suggestions

Neighborhood Organization Continues to Seek Best Use for Core Suburban Spaces

“WANG, as the only organized neighborhood association serving as a voice for and protecting property owners in the immediate area of the Brackenridge Tract and as one of the key community organizations that has worked tirelessly to provide guidance and input before and during the planning process, adamantly opposes Cooper Robertson’s master plan recommendations.”

“WANG calls upon the University of Texas System Board of Regents to reject both master plans submitted by Cooper Robertson & Partners.”

“WANG is pleased that Chairman Huffines has expressed an earnest desire to continue dialogue on this sensitive matter.”  

“WANG is grateful that Chairman Huffines stated resolutely that the leases to the City of Austin for Lions Municipal Golf Course and to the West Austin Youth Association for its youth sports and educational complex as well as the 1989 Brackenridge Tract agreement will be honored until their expiration in 2019.” 

“WANG recognizes that both the Village Plan and the Park Plan dramatically fail to propose truly sustainable redevelopment of the Brackenridge Tract in a manner that will benefit all while retaining and protecting the existing character of the surrounding core suburban community and its invaluable open space.  Instead it proposes residential densities as much as four (4) times that of the award winning Mueller Redevelopment.  Mueller is recovered industrial land adjacent to two (2) major arterials, not parkland and lower density residential, retail, and academic tracts located in a core suburban neighborhood served by three (3) neighborhood collectors. The overall size, scale and thrust of the Cooper Robertson & Partners master plans are entirely inappropriate in proposing an incredibly massive mixed use, residential and commercial project.” 

“WANG is dismayed at Cooper Robertson & Partners’ failure to address the overwhelming traffic problems that would be created by either Plan, both plans’ lack of compatibility with the adjacent core suburban neighborhood, significant open space, deference to the distinguished history of the Tract, and consideration of public sentiment.  Both plans also fails to address the detrimental effect the project would have on the reputation of The University of Texas at Austin.” 

“WANG looks forward to continuing its work with the University of Texas System Board of Regents, the University of Texas at Austin, the City of Austin and other key stakeholders to arrive at a mutually beneficial and sustainable solution for the Brackenridge Tract.”

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Contact:  August Harris    august.harris@westaustinng.com       512-320-8808