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.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITY: WANG invites all neighbors to please donate blood at the Tarrytown Neighborhood Blood Drive on Sunday, April 6 (8am-noon) at Tarrytown United Methodist Church. Sign up for a time with the QR code (below) or at this link:
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
Upcoming WANG Board Meetings:
West Austin Neighborhood Group
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 7, 2025, 6:00 PM, Howson Library
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of board meeting minutes for February 11, 2025 and December 10, 2024
III. Neighbor Communications –
IV. New Business –
A. Board Member Eligibility Requirements
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- “Persons eligible for appointment shall be members in good standing.” Sections 6.2, 6.5, 6.11.1(b)
- “Only individuals who are over the age of eighteen years, reside within the defined boundaries, and consider such residence as his or her homestead, may apply for a family or household membership and include all other adult family members of the household, and shall become a member in good standing thirty days after receipt of his or her application accompanied by payment of the required annual dues.” Section 4.1
B. Officer Elections
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- Office Eligibility Requirements – “The officers of the Association shall be Members in good standing for a period of no less than eight (8) months prior to their nomination.” and “The officers of the Association shall also serve as members of the Board, and each shall have voting rights on the Board.” Section 7.1
- Nominating Committee Recommendations for President Elect (Sarah Cain) and Secretary (Cathy Kyle)
- Officer Elections for President Elect (Sarah Cain) and Secretary (Cathy Kyle)
V. Committee Reports and Appointments:
A. Communications Committee Report: Chair (Vacant) — Update on newsletter, website, email server
B. Membership Committee Report: Mike Cannatti (Chair) – Update on Butterfly Milkweed sale event in Mayfield Park. Neighbor invite letter template
C. Nominating Committee Report: Mike Cannatti (Chair) – President-Elect and Secretary Nominations
D. Transportation Committee Report: Craig (Chair?)
E. Zoning Committee Report: Blake Tollett (Chair)
VI. ANC Report (Heidi Gibbons) – Requesting feedback on ANC Resolution on Legal Status of Neighborhood Contact Teams
VII. Treasurer’s Report (George Edwards)
VIII. Next Meetings – 4/7/2025 @6pm, 5/5/25 @6pm, and 6/2/2025 @6pm
IX. Adjourn Meeting
Petition
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
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.
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
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.