SRCC general
membership meeting notes - august 6, 2007 [from
Garret Nick, SRCC co-secretary, as posted to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthRiverAustin
on 8/15/07]
1. treasurer's report: aside from the usual accounting details of which terry has the specifics, it is worth noting that the molly ivins bench has been paid in full and will be installed in the park before long.
2. little stacy and other water and wastewater report: this report was provided by the AustinCleanWaterProject - which is a citywide project for fixing problemed sewage pipes. there are 100 projects on the todo list which will be worked on during 9-4 hours monday through friday. this is an EPA mandated program to fix problem areas (backups, line breaks, clogged lines...) and these segments have been determined, through video examination, to be priority spots. all the details of lane closures, reroutes and other inconveniences will be posted on the yet-to-be-created website and there will be a meeting with the neighborhood and contractors prior to commencement to answer whatever questions we have. until then we don't have any real details to offer except that the blunn creek portion of the project will reroute traffic from alameda to alta vista and work on riverside will close some lanes for eastbound traffic for up to 4 months.
3. 222/300 riverside update by richard suttle: richard suttle showed us the latest rendition of the project (1 project or 2 projects? - apparently listing it as a single project would have prompted a traffic impact study that could require additional measures for the increased traffic produced by 715+ residents merging onto riverside each day) and answered *some* of the questions asked of him.
The questions and answers are:
a. # of units is 715
b. they will comply with 2-star
rating of Austin Energy's
c. 30 apartments will be *affordable* at 80% of the Median Family Income for 10 years
d. they plan to "dedicate" approximately 2 acres for park land.
i guess the main point here is that they purchased the property knowing of the restrictions and now they are saying they can't make money unless they get a variance. it stands to reason that you should not buy property you can't turn a profit on without breaking the law. the alternative that richard suttle proposes if he cannot get the variance is to leave the existing structure and just develop the part he is legally allowed to develope but this is obviously not as profitable or else he would bypass the hassle and do it. the precedent it would set by allowing the variance will set the stage for the rest of riverside to be developed with the same lack of respect for the law as this project is proposing. the next step in the process is an august 14th subcommittee meeting at 5:30 and then on to the parks board on the 28th at 6pm in the city hall boards and commissions room across from the council chamber. we will have further discussion of this at the executive committee meeting august 20th - anyone looking to be involved is encouraged to participate.
they informed us that they paid college students to survey the people on the trail and ask if they would like to have the trail extended and to sign a petition to show support for the extension without showing how it relates to the rest of the development.
4. payload pass update by david todd: this is the property next to walmart that agreed to adopt as-good-or-better water quality controls as what was agreed with walmart but due to a poor engineering study the geological composition of the site was not properly diagnosed and the water retention ponds are not operating correctly. percolation studies need to be done and the problem fixed before the developer can get city approval and get its bond money back.5. st edwards drainage update by david todd: given the fact that thedevelopment on the st edwards property is directly contributing to the flooding issues in sherwood oaks and erosion issues in stacey park, the city proposed paying to sink the new practice soccer field along st edwards drive so it would retain stormwater just like it used to do before it was a soccer field but st edwards seems to be teetering on declining the offer in favor of holding on to that spot for a parking lot in the future. the st edwards board of directors will be voting on this this month and we encourage everyone to call them to voice your opinion on their recent behavior that seems to conflict with their moto of "learn to think" and their mission statement available to read at http://www.stedwards.edu/mission.htm - which states, among other things, their dedication to "analyze problems, propose solutions and make responsible decisions." contact information can be found on their website. the end result of their decision to decline will mean the installation of a larger drainage pipe through sherwood oaks that will dump the stormwater directly into blunn creek causing even more erosion downstream to be paid for by us.
6. VMU (vertical mixed use): the VMU option was given to the neighborhoods during the neighborhood planning process along with the option for expedited residential permit parking but now the city seems to be blocking attempts for permits to be issued.
MOTION: to write a letter saying we will opt out of all VMU options until changes deleting the parking permit option are clarified = PASSED
the ANC (
MOTION: write a letter of support for ANC position = PASSED
7. east SRCC: we are still opposing the rezoning of the Time Ins.properties because it conflicts with the EROC plan, the proposed project does not comply with single family compatibility standards, even though it is to be developed as a VMU project, and the I-35 tracts are already under a contract of sale.
MOTION: write a letter to city council stating concerns with rezoning case and that we still oppose the changes = PASSED
8. historic district: $5,000 is
needed for the initial windshield survey of homes to determine what % of the
homes qualify so boundaries can be determined. non-profit
status is being saught through the
MOTION: SRCC support of the project = PASSED
9. july 4th: despite the rainy predictions and cancelled event, 200+ people showed up for the event along with many vendors and it would appear the whole thing was a success. thanks to everyont that participated.
10. tutoring: neighbors are encouraged to volunteer a couple hours a week to help tutor travis heights elementary school students in reading or math.
11. labor day fandango: don't forget about the labor day fandango on labor
day - more details as the date approaches.
garret
co-secretary