Preserving and Protecting West Austin

The West Austin Neighborhood Group (WANG) is a non-profit organization of residents with the shared goal of preserving West Austin and protecting it from deterioration. WANG is concerned with community development, ecology, safety, and any other matters that indirectly and directly affect the quality and character of the neighborhood and the City of Austin.

WANG Meetings

Our regular monthly board meetings are hosted at Howson Library, and the upcoming meetings will be on February 11, March 3, and April 14 at 6:00 PM.  However, please note that occasionally we convene at different dates and locations. Additional details are provided at the “Upcoming Events and Meetings” link.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Contact Us

Let us know about neighborhood issues and concerns! You can reach us at wang-board@westaustinng.com

WANG Newsletter

Sign up to receive our E-Newsletter! Please send an email to newsletter@westaustinng.com Latest Issue: WANG October 2024 Newsletter

Special Events

West Austin Neighborhood Group
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6:00 PM, Howson Library

I.     Call to Order (Mike)
II.   Approval of Minutes from board meetings on January 14, 2025 and December 10, 2024
III.  Neighbor Communications/Announcements

IV.   New Business — Tarrytown Blood Drive Support and Donation – Sunday April 6thfrom 8am – 12 noon at Tarrytown United Methodist church (Craig Lill)

V. Committee Reports and Appointments

A.  Communications Committee: Chair (VP)

  • Appointments: Sarah Cain and Mike Cannatti
  • Newsletter Update (Smore.com account and transfer pending)

B.  Membership Committee: Mike Cannatti (Chair)

  • Appointments: George Edwards and Heidi Gibbons
  • Current Membership: 96 paid members (including board members)
  • Rebuild Membership Database from Paypal and bank accounts

C.  Nominating Committee:  Mike Cannatti, Holly Reed, President-Elect

  • “At Large” Appointments: August Harris and Steven Swogger

D.  Transportation Committee: Chair (?)

  • Appointments: Holly Reed?

E.  Zoning Committee : Blake Tollett (Chair)

  • Appointments: Darcy Gardiner
  • Proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance
  • Administrative Approval of Site Plan at 2614½ Exposition (SPD-2024-00435D)

VI.  ANC Report (Heidi Gibbons)

VII.  Treasurer’s Report (George Edwards)

VIII.   Next Meetings – 3/3/2025 @6pm, 4/7/2025 @6pm, and 5/5/2025 @6pm
IX.        Adjourn Meeting

Petition

  • Forever Green Tournament 2023

    The Forever Green Tournament was held on Sept. 15th at the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course. This beloved annual tournament benefits the Muny Conservancy and its mission to Save Muny for Good! The 4 person scramble with 8 AM and 1 PM shotgun starts was followed by a party with BBQ dinner and music at at the Muny Clubhouse and Patio. Visit https://themunyconservancy.com/ for full photo gallery.

    The future of the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course is still uncertain. Through events like Forever Green and Imagine Muny, the Austin Community is coming together to send a message that saving this historic Civil Rights Landmark and beloved open green space from development is the highest and best use of the land. The Muny Conservancy is a non-profit organization of citizens, formed to actively engage the University of Texas Board of Regents, City of Austin officials and Austin citizens to help facilitate the preservation and restoration of all 141 acres of Muny as a historic 18 hole public golf course, FOREVER!

Land Development Updates

  • New Year, New Planning

    Happy New Year to our West Austin Neighborhood Group members and neighbors. Please join us for our first meeting of 2024, on Wednesday January 10, 6 PM at the Howson Public Library. 2023 presented many challenges for our growing neighborhood and City. We hope to continue working with City policy makers to encourage more COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT as a stronger part of City Planning this year.

  • “Home” Ordinance

    On Dec. 7 th the Austin City Council passed the “HOME” Ordinance which will allow up to 3 buildings on every single-family zoned lot in Austin. WANG’s proposed amendments to “HOME,” to encourage smaller housing, less displacement, less demolition, less loss of tree cover, less stress on infrastructure, less environmental damage, by limiting the size of the buildings, were ignored by the majority of Council in their deliberations. Only Council Members Alison Alter and MacKenzie Kelly voted against the “HOME” Ordinance as proposed. You can view the draft ordinance here:

    https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=420018
    What does this mean for single-family zoning in neighborhoods?

    • Phase 1 (approved Dec. 7, 2023) will allow up to 3 units to be built on any single-family zoned lot with a minimum lot size of 5750 sf.
    • Properties that redevelop with 2 and 3 units are not subject to the McMansion
    • Ordinance and will be allowed .65 FAR (floor area ratio,) for 3 units and .55 FAR for 2 units.
    • Garages 200 sf and under do not count toward FAR
    • City front setback for 3 units is 15 feet (formerly 25 feet)
    • Restrictions on number of unrelated adults living in a housing unit are removed

  • “HOME” Ordinance Phase 2

    Phase 2 of the “HOME” Ordinance will be considered this spring and proposes changing the minimum lot size of single-family zoned property from 5750 sf to 2500 sf, as well as removing limits on building impervious cover and height.

    WANG will continue to advocate for growth that aligns with our Neighborhood Plan and encourages more affordable housing without destroying historic neighborhoods and our tree canopy.

    Please stay in touch with us. We are here to help with your concerns.