ZNEWS Articles beginning with the letter (p)
parks
The Parks Beat
by Larry Akers
Whoops. We let one slip through the cracks. For four years, ZNA has been behind the Town Lake initiative, working for parkland dedications and contributing to the development of the Town Lake Master Plan. We have formally endorsed the Sector 12 Parks and Recreation Proposals, which embrace the master plan and we reviewed the August draft of the plan with mostly favorable comments. Last fall, we voted to oppose the Aqua Festival amendments, which have since been withdrawn (but not forgotten).
But we never formally voted to endorse the master plan itself, which includes a small-scale Tivoli Gardens-style concept in the Pecan Grove district, a design for a true metropolitan park on the Palmer/Auditorium Shores tract, and significant enhancements to Zilker Park where it borders our neighborhood. With a City Council public hearing to be scheduled March 10, we need to discuss making a formal endorsement of the plan.
Also regarding Town Lake, John Miller, the realtor for the Town Lake Parkland Corporation, will discuss his proposal for parkland acquisition at our March 7 meeting. This corporation was recently chartered to purchase revenue-producing property on the lake, using bonds which could be retired with those revenues. When the debt is paid, then land would be turned over to the city for parkland. Miller is proposing to house city offices in buildings near Congress Ave. at the lowest offered lease rate, with parkland acquisition being a by-product. One scenario for this deal could result in significant parkland acquisition elsewhere on the lake.
And finally, largely due to our efforts in improving Zilker Playground two years ago, the Parks Department has invited the Zilker Neighborhood to be the pilot project for their new Adopt-A-Park program. Sara Bolt from PARD will discuss the idea at our March 7 meeting.
From: 1988_March parks
Parks
Parks and Recreation Issues.
There will be a discussion of parks and recreation issues focused on those issues that affect Zilker Park.
From: 1993_August Parks
pay
3. Pay as You Throw Program. There will be a representative from the City of Austin Solid Waste Services Department to outline the Pay as You Throw Program, a new program for handling recyclables and waste.
From: 1993_June pay
pecan
CHANGES IN PECAN GROVE DEVELOPMENT
The Pecan Grove development at 518 Barton Springs Road, (where Michael's Antiques is located) has been radically downscaled by the developer. The original site plan included one eight- story and two six-story office buildings, which have been eliminated in the new site plan, a reduction of 226,450 square feet. A planned health spa was also scrapped, eliminating another 30,000 square feet. The back (north) 2 1/2 acres at the site will remain a trailer park, accessible from Toomey Road only.
From: 1989_November pecan
planning
ZNA PLANNING COMMITTEE DEFIES DEATH IN MID-WINTER HEROICS
Fighting odds which would have frightened even the most stoic of observers, and weather which has left the rest of Austin shivering in the warm sanctuary of its living rooms and dens, the ZNA Neighborhood Planning Committee (Tom Eisenhour, Larry Akers, and Beth Brown) has drawn up exhaustive maps detailing the current use of all the propertS within neighborhood boundaries. The maps illustrate the zoning cate- gories into which each parcel would fall if~ zoning were made to confov exactly to existing structures and uses. These maps will serve as a valuable tool in visually characterizing our neighborhood, and would t particularly useful in drawing up guidelines for proposed zoning roll- backs, should they ever occur, or for a neighborhood combining distric This physical picture will complement the personal portrait gathered from last summer's neighborhood survey. One remaining task in the neighborhood portrait which does not directly deal with planning is t~ compilation of a history of the Zilker area. There are folks living here who go back before most of the area was built up. Hopefully, these people will help construct an historical document which will be enlightening and entertaining for us all. by Larry Akers on Wright
From: 1984_February planning
police
They Carry a Badge -
We've invited the Austin Police Department to address the recent wave of break-ins, theft and car vandalism we’re experiencing in the neighborhood. They'll give us tips on making our homes and property safer, explain the best way to report incidents, and answer our questions. One of the best weapons we have as a group is keeping each other informed, and keeping our houses and cars locked and secure.
From: 1996_March police
President
Kinney Avenue Baptist Church has begun a major building improvements program and ZN~ not be able to use the meeting hall until after May. Because of their central location but especially their cooperation--ZNA has had an exce place to meet in the past two years. The church and its pastor--Rev. Mr. Charles Stewart--l certainly been good neighbors. We want to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Kinney Avt Baptist Chu rch for thei r help in the past and wish them success with their cu rrent bu i Idi ng prog ran Any ideas for future meeting places are welcome.
From: 1983_September President
president
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK At a Bouldin Creek Neighborhood meeting on 1/9/84, architect Sinclair Black presented his versionof a Convention Center Complex to be located between Barton Springs~Road and the River, between South First Street and South Lamar. The Zilker Neighborhood turnout for the m"eeting ~as 20-25, which is very good representation for such short notice. dhatever Convention Center plan is adopted will have many effects on the surrounding neighborhoods - from Travis Heights to Zilker. The Mayor ·ndorsed Black's plan on 1/19/84, and has asked the neighborhoods for their opinions. We cannot be passive about it. Bring your ideas, ~pinions, and modifications to our February 13th meeting. We will con- solidate them into a workable list to present to the City Council.
Your letters to the City Council on the proposed Zoning Ordinance are being received and will have some effect. The City Council wants to have as much input as possible before the final vote. The current version (as of 1/19/84) is not specific about what the City must do with a project that generates too much traffic. Please write again telling the Council that a project which will generate too much traffic be denied or scaled down. The Special Permi~:granted to the Lost Canyon Condos is now two years old and will expire soon. The owners are applying for a one year extension, and to change the "foot-print" of some of the buildings. The request goes to the Planning Commission on February 14th. ZNA wil discuss the changes at the February 13th meeting. State elections are coming. ZNA hopes to rent the Zilker School Audi- torium for the March/April meeting and have another Candidates' Forum for seat 51. The Forum could be designed around several specific issi which we want the candidates to address. Any suggestions on good questions are welcome.
From: 1984_February president
president
Message from the President by Charles Whitford
HELP!
It's been almost a year since I became President of the Zilker Neighborhood Association. The year has been dominated by three primary issues: the Lamar bridge, which we were able to help preserve (along with many others); the Barton Springs Road raceway, which has been put on hold and a much more people - and business -friendly option proposed; and finally, the noise problem from surrounding commercial businesses and restaurant! bars - a continuing aggravation.
A number of other issues have been brought up over the year that took a back seat to the big three but which are no less important. For example, the disagreeable zoning request change that our La Casa Street neighbors have worked for months to stop.
Lack of attention to these other issues is due primarily to lack of time of the Association's officers who have other demands on their time.. .jobs, family, and peace of mind. To be an effective neighborhood association and to help preserve and defend the "Austin" we enjoy (might I say revere), we need volunteers to coordinate neighborhood business, to attend various city-wide meetings regarding roadways, traffic, environment, education, and many quality of life issues.
The recent City Council elections have given us the most pro-people and quality-of-life Council we have had in years and we need you to help us guide them in what is best for the future of our "Austin."
Please call Kaye Trybus, our new volunteer coordinator at 447-4437. THANKS!!
From: 1997_June president
president
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK:
1) The March meeting
Twenty of the 23 candidates for City Council were at the March 21st meeting ... we also had a good turnout at the polls ... please remember what the various candidates promised ... we might need to remind them of their promises in the future.
The best thing about our last meeting was that the candidates considered this an important neighborhood--important enough to come and visit...please VOTE in the runoff on 4/30. EVERY V0TE COUNTS.
2) Zilker Playground Facilities
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department recently contacted me to suggest that neighbors might be interested in the programs at certain "supervised" playgrounds in the city. The two closest to ZNA we BARTON HILLS and GILLIS. One of the reasons for a PICNIC at Zilker School is to point out to ourselves
how useful the grounds can be:
What improvements do we want? Restrooms? Fence on Bluebonnet? Benches and Tables
Families?
Please come and discuss these at the picnic on 4/30.
We should plan to have ZILKER as a "supervised" playground in the future .
3) Zilker Burglaries:
Several houses have been Burguled in the past few months ... is it the same Burglar? Are the victims similar? Have the police been notified? Have the police been helpful?
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ZILKER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION YEARLY MEMBERSHIP IS $3.00
Richard Gravois , President $1.00 for Senior Citizens (65 and over)
1402 Kinney Avenue Name _ _~ Phone~
aiictin Teuaz 78704 Address
IYC VV 3. CUILVI - [3t;LII UI VVYII, LLVV U~i V ~I Il~,'t~ I - I JV I
irculation -- Paulette Gravois, 1402 Kinney 441-3430
From: 1983_May president
president
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
With more being planned, there has been some construction started along Barton Springs Road which will affect the Zilker Neighborhood. Significant areas to be developed soon are the Pecan Grove and Barton Springs Trailer Parks. They represent many acres of beautiful and valuable land between Barton Springs Road and Toomey Road. We hope to have a discussion of the plans for this development at the next meeting.
The big lot at Oxford and Lamar, formerly occupied by Rue's Antiques is now vacant due to the recent fire. Many of us bought furniture at Rue's, and we hope any new construction there will also rye the neighborhood well.
The most pressing issue concerning the property mentioned above, and which concerns air properties in the city (both residential and commerical) is the proposed new Zoning Ordinance. Engineers may be able to put a 30 story building on a small lot, without considering the impact of building on the surrounding lots. The Zoning Ordinance reflects the desire of the City to ensure development is compatible with existing land use.
P. O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:
This letter concerns the proposed comprehensive revision of Austin's zoning ordinance, wl am told will be coming before the Council for consideration in the near future. In terms of the f quality of life in Austin neighborhoods, this is perhaps the single most important decision the Cc will ever make. For this reason I am writing you, with the help of my neighborhood associatic urge you to include the following provisions in the revised zoning ordinance.
1. Height. Maintain the present height limitation on property zoned Office (Ist H & r translating that property to Local Office which has a three story height limitation. Maintain the present height limitation of three stories on property zoned Residence District (Ist H & A).
2. Downtown. Limit the boundaries to the north of the river and west of IH 35 by def the CBD as the contiguous property zoned 4th H & A. Keep downtown parking from affecting adjoining neighborhoods by restrie the Special Parking Requirements Area (Sec. 5755 to the CBD and DMU).
3. Highway Development. Reserve intense development primarily for the downtown by limiting the Highway Commercial Services District to the intersection of state n tained highways (excluding scenic arterials such as Loop 360 and MoPac) as propose the 12/7/82 revised draft of the proposed ordinance.
4. Neighborhood Preservation: Provide a mechanism for protecting older neighborhe by adopting a neighborhood Conservation i3ombining District provision.
5. Compatibility: Assure that new development is compatible with surrounding residi by: Retaining the set-back requirements for multi-family and commercial deve ment as set forth in the 1217182 revised draft. Making the traffic impact analysis provisions applicable to both commercial residential development and tightening up the requirements by adding a new categor streets with a pavement width of less than 30 ft. and by reinstating the peak c requirements. Requiring compatibility with both "use" and "zoning."
6. Full Permit: Permit a full review of site plans and conditional use applications by a ing appeal of a Planning Commission decision on these issues to the City Council. This is but a brief summary of provisions which are deemed absolutely essential for ir sion in the new zoning ordinance. There are other provisions, too many to list here, were necessary for the protection of our residential neighborhoods. My neighborhood representatives are prepared to discuss all of the issues in greater detail with you, if have not done so already. I would ask that you give careful consideration to their views the opinions expressed in this letter.
Sincerely:
Address:
From: 1983_December president