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Member 27Jan99 |
Steering 22Feb99 |
Steering 22Mar99 |
Member 28Apr99 |
Jun | |
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Member 28Jul99 |
Steering 16Aug99 |
Steering 26Sep99 |
Member 27Oct99 |
Steering 22Nov99 |
Steering 20Dec99 |
GB Notes, 99Dec20 Steering Committee
Asbury Methodist (to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for hosting us month after month after month
Attending: Damal, Donovan, Greenleaf, Kinney, Lind, Vieau, Walker (Absent: Bird, Jones, Lawrence, Rees, Stephenson + 1 vacancy)
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Mini-Editorial You may notice several references in these and recent minutes to Association LETTERS — on a ream of subjects including neighborhood planning, Children's Advocacy Center, real estate ads, development guidelines, the electric substation. Mueller redevelopment, traffic problems, crime problems, uncontrolled dogs, heavy trucks, parks — these letters' even, cooperative tone — their informed content — and their tactical distribution (all concerned parties are copied) — is gaining the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association a very solid reputation around City officialdom — personally I think it one of our strongest lines of advocacy... /Gordon
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1. MUELLER REDEVELOPMENT (Jim Walker). While in a "verbal understanding" the State abjures any further interest in the Mueller site, no written confirmation has come -- nonetheless, site planning now assumes the State will not participate...
2. ANIMAL ANTICS (Gale Greenleaf):
a. Discussion of helpful next steps yielded an idea — to post warnings of dangerous areas (by Flea, email, Web site, and posters) where dog attacks occurr — mention was made of several intersections -- and a property where Rottweilers are kept by an apparently not-too- responsible owner — support was forthcoming IF a letter were to go first to known offenders, and no improvement resulted...
b. Little support was evident though for using Building Code violations to pressure irresponsible dog owners — the case was a household that regularly lets its cat-killing dogs out of its fenced back yard — now they've constructed a 10-ft. high skateboard ramp in that yard — possibly making it even more likely the gate would be left open...
3. HISTORY. The O.N.C.E. Austin History Club next meets January 10. They continue collecting a contemporary archive of Cherrywood photos at century's end — still plenty of time to participate if you'd like... http://asnic.utexas.edu/~bennett/__cwd/is_hist.htm#Schedule
4. PLANNING & ZONING (Mike Damal):
a. CAC — mostly resolved — a recent letter says they rent their house across the street to a UT student, and use it only occasionally for CAC meetings, consistently with SF-3 zoning — Mike's survey of 17 neighboring households got 8 responses, pretty much divided on facets of the issue...
b. DUPLEXES — Mike has prepared a very nice letter to Realtors promoting Cherrywood properties as "possible" or "easy" duplex conversions — pointing out their liability for misrepresentation -- in our neighborhood duplexing requires a 7000 sq. ft. lot, 40% maximum building coverage, a 35 ft. height restriction, minimum setbacks, specific parking requirements, etc. — on many of our lots meeting all these requirements is not at all easy or even possible — hence the sales tactic may be deceptive and unethical...
c. CHILD CARE CENTER on Robinson — dormant — the owner has not yet responded to a City request for details...
5. ELECTRIC SUBSTATION. The proposed site near Maplewood School is dead...
The process of choosing a substitute site generated some heat — one position was that CNA should refine its own criteria, continue working cooperatively with Austin Energy, press them for more information, and hope to influence their expected choice of a site next spring — A competing position was that CNA can hardly refine its own position until AE itself is more forthcoming with just what their requirements are, so we need to go up as high as the Mayor to squeeze out more details — the issue will be moved along at the P&Z Committee meeting in early January, and at the General Membership meeting Jan. 26...
6. TRAFFIC:
a. CALMING — the petition drive continues — January may be required to finish it -- the holidays are taking their toll — Helen has 184 signatures — another 100 or so are on the way — it is obvious the initiative is popular — STILL, PHONING JOAN HUDSON (499-7012,) REMAINS MOST IMPORTANT...
b. IH-35 — fluid situation — Mike McClendon has suggested CNA support sinking freeway lanes not only downtown (neighborhood associations there have nudged this idea into the realm of the possible) but also north past Airport Blvd -- SC members thought this idea intriguing...
c. HEAVY TRUCKS — still a problem on 38½ — a well-put CNA letter goes out to offending firms (http://asnic.utexas.edu/~bennett/__cwd/trucks.htm) — some of them respond favorably -- so, progress...
7. CANDIDATE FORUM? The Mayor and Places 2, 5. and 6 (currently held by Watson, Garcia, Spelman, and Lewis) are up for election May 1 — discussion of a CNA event that would raise the visibility of Cherrywood issues...
8. PARKS (Girard Kinney). This important committee will revive in ‘00
9. COMMUNICATIONS (Bennett Donovan):
a. FLEA — Bennett will edit the next 3 issues before riding off into the sunset — so Vol. 6 No. 1 (Oct '00) will need a new Editor — a critical job for the functioning of CNA — and maybe a new Publisher — Mike Conner has been doing this for 5 years too — and maybe a Distribution Manager — the Editor has been doubling in this capacity -- our Treasurer sells ads...
b. POLICY — Bennett founded the Flea singlehandedly -- his baby has found an essential niche in the neighborhood — but now that "William Randolph Hearst" will retire, the SC discussed the desirability of collectively setting future guidelines addressing name, editorial policy, frequency, etc. — for more on all this, see (what else) the next Flea...
10. HOSPITALITY. Blake Stephenson was out of town, but all agreed this neglected area of activity holds many potential benefits — we should pursue it sincerely in the new year
11. MAPS. A fascinating discussion unwound in the final minutes — we have the technology to generate a flexible mapping system for Cherrywood — on it could be plotted zoning categories, incidence of crime, dog attacks, traffic problems, location of SC members, location of any other set (like those attending the Vision Retreats), Flea distribution routes, and who knows what else -- might happen...
GB Notes, 99Nov22 Steering Committee
- Attending: Bird, Donovan, Greenleaf, Jones, Kinney, Lawrence, Greenleaf, Stephenson, Vieau, Walker
- Absent: Damal, Rees
- Resigned: Carroll
1. STEERING COMMITTEE STRUCTURE After discussing how to keep the SC informed, and also to let members know who's responsible for what, two decisions were made:
(a)Consider this problem again in Dec -- we have numerous committees, some of them intensely active now, others inactive for months -- several chairs are not on the SC -- other important activities have no committee as such, just volunteers -- issues come and go -- people rotate -- how to keep it all orderly?...
(b)In the meantime, SC members will act as liaisons with chairs and volunteers -- you should contact the appropriate SC member if you're unsure who else to talk to about a subject: (Beautification) Rees, (Communications) Donovan, (Crime) Bird, (History) Greenleaf, (Hospitality) Stephenson, (Maplewood School) Vieau, (Networking/Outreach) Bird, (Nominations) Bird, (Parks) Kinney, (Pets) Greenleaf, (Planning & Zoning) Damal, (Regional Planning) Walker, (Traffic) Lind...
2. OFFICER ELECTIONS (Chair '99-'00) Jim Walker, (Vice-Chair) Jules Vieau, (Secretary, Treasurer) left vacant temporarily until two SC vacancies can be filled in January. Our Secretary, Lisa Carroll, has resigned from the SC; Gordon Bennett will fill in ad interim. Our Treasurer, Rebecca Kohout, resigned from the SC when she expected to move away but now will stay in Cherrywood...
3. PLANNING & ZONING We have preliminary indication the City will offer staff assistance next year to neighborhood planning projects in an area including Cherrywood -- no details yet, but the general approach includes: How a neighborhood fits into the City. Land use. Environmental concerns. Transportation and mobility. Social services. Compact city and sustainability goals. Other City needs and services. Implementation strategy. Other topics important to a neighborhood. More to follow, needless to say -- meanwhile, in the here and now...
With the Vision and derivative "Development Guidelines", in place from last summer, CNA now is able to approach problems and petitions more confidently and consistently. There are potentially several, but three on the front burner are:
(a)Children's Advocacy Center -- the house they bought at 1107 E.32nd is zoned residential but is being used as an office -- this walks a legal tightrope -- they've actually rented it to a couple of residents -- we're trying to determine exactly what's going on there, and decide how to respond...
(b)Request to open a commercial day care center at 2807 Robinson -- the Planning Commission will get this petition in December or January -- CNA has contacted the owner, and sent our "Development Guidelines" -- so far no response
(c)Electric substation -- Austin Energy has not responded to CNA's recent membership vote opposing absolutely any site near Maplewood School -- since it has been three weeks, we will inquire with AE and with Councilmember Goodman's office -- the hope remains that we can cooperate with them in choosing and designing an alternative site...
4. TRAFFIC Helen Davis's initiative to mobilize Cherrywood calls for City help with speeding and other local problems will climax in December as a Cherrywood-wide canvas -- details to follow - - we understand the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program gives priority to areas that phone in the most requests to solve problems -- if the canvass aucceeds, we could jump to the head of the line -- especially if Cherywood gets involved with the neighborhood planning assistance program above...
APD is beginning to respond to heavy truck traffic using 38-1/2 St. illegally -- the relentless- pressure-with-documentation approach now seems likely to bring results...
5. PARKS Dormant for a year, the Committee will meet in December (TBA)...
6. COMMUNICATIONS Deadline for January's FLEA is Jan. 3, but the Editor likes to block out space in advance -- let him know if you're preparing a submission...
7. HISTORY The Old North Central East Austin History Club would love to have you snap photos of your block at century's end -- for details call Sharon 473-2337, or visit http://asnic.utexas.edu/~bennett/__cwd/is_hist.htm
8. BEAUTIFICATION Don't forget Mike Damal's tree planting day, Saturday, Dec. 4 -- he would much appreciate some volunteers -- 478-9622, or Mdamal@aol.com ...
9. CRIME Vigilance, vigilance -- burglaries are currently our biggest problem -- be aware of three types:
(a)amateurs -- unplanned, random, pick up anything they spot not tied down, usually outside
(b)rings -- hit Cherrywood from time to time -- enter several properties in succession for a brief period -- then move on before neighborhood awakens and police respond -- target student residences during Dec-Jan break
(c)con men -- believe it or not, a new mode is posing as movers, backing a up van to a residence in daylight hours, and cleaning it out! -- to neighbors they appear legit
10. DECEMBER SOCIAL? There was talk of various formats -- pot-luck picnic at Patterson pavilion -- gathering at Su Casa -- automous or perhaps joined to Traffic Committee's canvass -- other? -- please make suggestions to Blake Stephenson, 476-1955 -- he'd like help figuring out just what to organize (one SC member suggested a pub crawl -- we need more suggestions!)....
GB Notes, 99Oct27 Membership
Maplewood School, Jim Walker presiding, 26 attending
1. TREASURY (Rebecca Kohout) $1100 on hand. Steering Committee asked to explore wisdom of applying for non-profit status (503-E-4?)
2. HOSPITALITY (Priscilla Boston) Volunteers have stepped forward, but Priscilla pleaded for a new Chair who could give sufficient time to the initiative
3. TRAFFIC (Jim Walker)
-I35 — TXDoT is rumored to be changing its design for near-term "bottleneck" improvements, but has not revealed its contemplated changes
-Traffic Calming — the next neighborhoods to get speed humps, etc., will be chosen next spring according to number of problem "segments" (blocks or intersections) phoned in — so savvy neighborhoods will get people to phone in many different segments — Helen Davis is going to organize cherrywood's response in the form of a written petition.
<<MOTION: steering committee should approve Helen's petition language + make other suggestions to maximize cherrywood's chances of being included (passed)
-UT parking on Dancy, Robinson, 28th, & 29th (Stephen Kreger). 3 people have stepped forward — if one will be organizer, Steve will set a meeting time in 2 or 3 weeks
-Illegal Trucks (6 wheels or more) on 38-1/2 — APD is not taking this problem seriously yet, but we're gradually escalating the push for action
-Entry Signs — dormant this quarter with so much else going on, but design and funding options will continue to be explored
3. SECURITY. "Community policing," Chief Knee's ideal, still is invisible in cherrywood — essentially we're a low priority because we're a relatively low crime area — we need to report every burglary — APD only knows if it's reported — there was some new discussion of requesting to join Baker or Edward sector more demographically like cherrywood instead of drug-, prostitution-, and violence-ridden Charlie sector
4. PARKS (Girard Kinney) No meetings this year — too much else going on — but Girard has logs of many communicaations and an creative agenda — newly discovered are historical materials on "Boggy Park" between sycamore and Willowbrook — might we re-create the recreational boating that used to be there?
5. HISTORY. The Old North Central East Austin History Club, whose activities include cherrywood, held a successful history fair Oct. 4 at Asbury Methodiist — their growing collection of photos, recollections, and documentation is impressive
6. PLANNING & ZONING.
<<MOTION: approve name change (passed)>>
-GUIDELINES. The Committee's
guidelines for approving development and improvement projects in cherrywood, passed by the
membership in july, have won praise from City planner Carol Barrett. Remember them?
--architectural compatibility
--porches (CNA to approve variance for front
porches which extend into setbacks)
--protected traditional front yards with
landscaping
--human scale development
--windows to the street
--environmentally responsible development
--quality construction and building materials
--a variety of complementary architectural
styles and building materials
7. ELECTIONS -NOMINATING COMMITTEE Joan Gruszka announced the present committee (Ali Daly, Joan, Susan Mitchell, MarieLine McGhee, Kathleen Haag) would continue next year -- great news -- they have helped CNA enormously
<<MOTION: revise by-laws as proposed in oct. Flea to be fully consistent with electing half a steering committee each year (passed)>>
-STEERING COMMITTEE slate published in oct. Flea elected unanimously (26-0) — next SC meeting Nov. 22, 7p, Asbury
8. DOGS (Gale Greenleaf & Pam Schlumpberger). Much action — and much success to report — especially with dogs with identifiable owners — one interesting new bit of information — Gale & Pam have learned that canine attacks surge in late summer, everywhere, nobody knows why
9. CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER. Their use of a residence across he street for an office seems to be legal by a thread — someone seems to be living there, and arguably has a legal "home office" — a delegation will meet with them this week to clarify the details — CNA's concern is precedent
<<MOTION: instruct SC to
take steps in behalf of the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association necessary to stem the
precedent of nonresidential encroachment on residential properties (substituted)>>
<<SUBSTITUTE MOTION: extend above to all issues of
substantial general agreement on standards expressed in the vision statement
(passed)>> This means the by-laws are changed to grant the SC considerably more
authority to act between quarterly membership meetings. This reflects confidence in this
year's SC, who0 were quite sensitive to hewing close to membership feeling, and would not
act where they felt an action might not be consensual.
10. ELECTRIC SUBSTATION.
<<MOTION: oppose austin electric's siting its new substation next to pato's (passed 18-5)>> the majority were variously concerned that experimental technology near a school, siting such a facility in a central area with nice retail potential, and the utility's failure to share with us their siting criteria and technical requirements. In essence, because you have not reassured us on these important dimensions, we say "no." The minority thought the "no" should be contingent, saying that IF you want your station there THEN you must come up with assurances.
GB Notes, 26 Sep99 Steering
Present: Aaron, Boston, Bruni, Carroll, Daily, Damal, Donovan, Gruszka, Kinney, Kohout, L ind, Walker (presiding) Absent: Porter
1. ELECTRIC SUBSTATION (Judy Fowler, Austin Energy, Public Improvement and Real Estate Services Manager, 322-3671, judy.fowler@austinenergy.com)
A new station is needed in the Cherrywood area to deliver consistently high voltage (which some of us lack) especially with Mueller redevelopment. AE's preferred site is the auto parts warehouse next to Pato's Good Tacos. They have in mind a new- tech Gas Insulated System (GIS) that would go in a 2-story 3500 sq.ft. building, as opposed to outdoors on a 2-1/2 acre lot like the older ones you see around town.
Advantages promised include: (1)unobtrusive, architecturally attractive structure; (2)quiet operation; (3)cleaning out the homeless encampment between the site and Maplewood School; (4)cooperation with CNA in design of facility placement on the site, fences, walls, landscaping, etc.; and (5)in exchange for our endorsement, some financial help with CNA projects elsewhere, such as Reed Park.
Concerns include: (1)AE's initiation of land purchase negotiations w/o consulting CNA; (2)proximity to the School; (3)proximity to an apartment complex; (4)lack of written criteria for their site selection orocess; and (5)incomplete assessment of alternative sites, and in our case, any thought about what we would like to see develop on that very desirable piece of commercial real estate right in the center of things.
Sooo, now we're talking with AE, our Planning & Zoning Committee is charged with thinking through the question ASAP, and they are expected to bring a recommendation forward to the full membership on October 27 (next quarterly meeting). For more history and documentation on this issue, call Girard Kinney 478-5042...
2. DOGS WHO HUNT CATS, AND DOG OWNERS WHO AREN'T HELPING (David Smith, Animal Control Program Supervisor, Animal Services Unit, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Dept., 708-6077)
David is the "new sheriff in town" at AC (he came from Phoenix just two weeks ago) and promises to give more help to Gale & Pam and other Cherrywood neighbors working on this problem. He supports more active AC officer response, trapping, and tranquilizer gun use (controversial because the darts use a controlled narcotic). Anyone who would like to join their "Ride Along Program" (with AC officers) is welcome.
AC needs from us: (1)names, addresses, and/or phone numbers of irresponsible dog owners; (2)sworn affidavits (form available from Municipal Court) describing dogs that are loose and/or attack -- these formal complaints give AC more basis for action; (3)homeowners in the French Place / Concordia / Giles E. 38th St. areas, where most attacks have occurred, willing to have traps placed on their property, and to monitor them.
The carnage this summer has reached nearly 40 pets, and CNA is making a full-court press to stop it. Pam 474-2165...
3. STEERING COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS (Ali Daily, Joan Gruszka, Susan Mitchell, MarieLine McGhee, Kathleen Haag)
This committee has put considerable energy and dedication into identifying candidates and proposing a slate of 7 new SC members to be voted on by the membership Oct 27. Details coming in the October FLEA...
4. PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE (new name) — Mike Damal 478-9622
a. The Children's Advocacy Center's acquisition and use of a house across the street (at 1107 E. 32nd) continues to generate issues — negotiations continue. .. b. "Zoning 101" — Mike Damal's highly regarded 1-1/2-hour "course" putting City Code provisions in understandable terms will have another session in late October TBA... c. A hearing is scheduled by City Council in early October on a Code amendment that would allow 7,000-sq.ft. SF-zoned lots to have detached duplexes (currently lots like this in Cherrywood are limited to attached ones). CNA has not discussed the issue, and so will take no official position at the hearing, but I know of at least one member (Girard) who plans individually to support the change.
d. A strategy is being devised to qualify Cherrywood for City assistance with traffic calming. Bennett Donovan has learned that one (frankly, silly) criterion is number of streets from which requests originate — 1 call or email each from 20 streets in a neighborhood counts more than 40 calls from 1 street. Mark Lind is preparing an action item for the October membership meeting that hopefully will bag us some signs, humps, chicanes, circles, etc. like the ones sprouting up all over Hyde Park. See Oct. FLEA....
GB notes, 16Aug99 Steering
Attending: Boston, Bruni, Damal, Donovan, Gruszka, Kinney,
Lind, Walker
(Absent: Aaron, Carroll, Daly, Kohout, Porter)
"Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can make a difference. Indeed, it is the only thing that has." (Margaret Mead -- lifted from Treefolks web site)
1. SAFETY Discussion pondered that WHILE safety is mentioned first in our vision statement, it is less active as other projects ... — marshal bruni will step up as interim chair ‘til a regular volunteer is found — needs include maintaining liaison with APD, alerting folks to crime statistics, following up on CNA interest in a problem property on giles, and following up on the growing homeless encampment next to maplewood school ....
2. CNA COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES Discussion reviewed progress in effectively dividing responsibility among SC members and committees working on airport redevelopment, clean-up, communications, history, hospitality, land use & zoning, nominations, parks, planning, school liaison, and traffic (initiatives are afoot in each area -- more neighbor-power is always welcome) — in full bloom, the chair will make sure a steering committee is in touch with each CNA initiative — committee chairs should structure and publicize their activities — committee members should be encouraged to participate regularly
3. CHERRYWOOD AND AUSTIN The city's dealings with neighborhoods are evolving, experimental, and often hard to get a fix on, but CNA's sophistication in this area is maturing: — the CNA "development guidelines" passed in July are being edited and readied for distribution (mike damal) — mike's "zoning 101" short courses are well attended, and attracting wider interest; he plans quarterly repetitions — jim has identified areas where we might spring matching funds — in the longer run, we are slated to get staff help in planning steps
[] MOTION PASSED [] the words "and exemption" should be added to paragraph 2 of the guidelines so that it reads " ... approval for a zoning change, variance, conditional use permit, or exemption ...."
4. HOSPITALITY Priscilla has several ideas, and some volunteers to help — look for a Sunday meeting soon at Su Casa
5. TREASURY We have $800 on hand
6. NOMINATING COMMITTEE Three weeks remain to declare your own interest, or to nominate a neighbor, for next year's steering committee (Ali Daly, chair, wdailey@io.com)
7. TRAFFIC Several initiatives are in progress regarding: a. illegal truck traffic on 38-1/2 (jim) b. residents' parking permits for blocks near ut (steve kreger) c. gateway signs alerting fast drivers to our residential character (ben & helen davis, 474-9571. benhelen@texas.net) — ben has drawn some interesting draft designs that help focus on what we want these signs to do d. preliminary steps for cherrywood traffic control plan — first, inventory of existing problems and controls (steve kreger) e. ask city to trim vegetation on airport blvd and elsewhere that impedes visibility at intersections (otherwise there may be more talk of "ninja trimmers") f. next traffic committee meeting 30aug (check web calendar for place) g. next february the city will undertake a major traffic calming project in one central neighborhood, depending on volume of calls from the public — we could be competitive — more to follow, the person to contact is joan.hudson@ci.austin.tx.us
8. CLEAN-UP Much cherrywood email on of late has been on this topic — the city may budget a new program to help with neighborhood cleanups — meanwhile several neighbors are acting effectively on their own — mike damal's monthly "litter avengers" + "adopt an intersection" effort (several adopters have stepped forward) bennett donovan regularly fills his pickup with neighborhood debris, chuck herrick's efforts around robinson — jack newman offered good advice by email this week on howto deal with the departing messy tenant problem ...
9. TREES Treefolks http://www.treefolks.org/ will plant 100 trees in patterson park in mid- January.
10. OCTOBER FLEA DEADLINE 1 Oct. for the next issue
GB notes, 28Jul99 Membership (38 attending)
1. COA ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Spokespersons explained what they do http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/health/hlehs.htm
2. MUELLER INTERIM USE. The City will use parking space and hangars along Airport Blvd for interim storageand other uses, including parking some 40 garbage trucks. A neighborhood police station may become permanent, but the rest should not.
3. TREASURY The CNA account has $850. <<MOTION* CNA should invest $400 in studying the feasibility of and designing permanent signs at neighborhood gateways, so the public knows when they enter and leave Cherrywood. *PASSED>>
4. ILLEGAL HEAVY TRUCKS ON 381/2. Chuck Marezsky has assembled a decade of photo-documentation of violations. <<MOTION* CNA should organize this evidence and use it end the illicit truck traffic. *PASSED>>
5. HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE. Priscilla Boston’s proposal to form one met with approval. Such a committee would welcome new families moving in, express sympathy to families who suffer losses, and organize garage sales and other social events.
6. CONGESTED PARKING NEAR U.T. AND BUS STOP. Scott James (COA, Public Works and Transportation, Traffic Division), who administers the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program, and quite possibly is the most charming administrator in the world, explained how the program could start and work for Cherrywood residents on affected blocks.
9. VISION. <<MOTION* Adopt vision statement gazetted in July ‘99 Flea.*PASSED>>
10. NOMINATIONS FOR STEERING COMMITTEE:
a. STAGGERED TERMS. <<MOTION* Elect half each year instead of all 13 (text in July ‘99 Flea). *PASSED>>
b. SLATE vs. LIST OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. <<MOTION* Nominating Committee work up By-Laws amendment, for October vote, that would make clear we want this Committee to work up a slate corresponding to the number of positions to be filled. *PASSED>> Since the Steering Committee is supposed to represent our diversity, Committee work is necessary to work out balances. Nominations from the floor at voting time would still be accepted, though.
11. SC VACANCY. <<MOTION* Elect Joan Gruszka to fill a vacancy that has occurred on this year’s Steering Committee. *PASSED>>
12. ZONING:
a. DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES. <<MOTION* Approve the 8 guidelines gazetted in the July ‘99 Flea, amended slightly (text below). *PASSED>>
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES FOR CHERRYWOOD 1. Architectural compatibility --porches (CNA to approve variance for front porches which extend into setbacks) --protected traditional front yards with landscaping --human scale development --windows to the street --environmentally responsible development --quality construction and building materials --a variety of complementary architectural styles and building materials 2. Clean, well-kept property 3. No more traffic or cars regularly parked in the street than would be expected from a couple of families living there. The intent here is to have as little on street parking as possible. 4. Cars parked out of site/not parked in front yard for required parking space --however, if cars need to be parked in front yards, the front yard should not exceed 45% impervious cover 5. A use of the property, that, like a residence, has the structures occupied most of the time. The intent here is to not have businesses that are vacant for long periods of time, giving a ôghost townö feel. We want businesses that are compatible and serve the needs, both day and night, of the neighborhood. 6. Activities at the site which are responsible, quiet, non-disruptive, and non-polluting. 7. Involved and caring occupants (whether as residents or workers) who want to play an active and partner role in our neighborhood. 8. Resolutions which provide positive precedents that can be used to deal with similar cases in the future. |
b. <<MOTION* Authorize the Steering Committee to pursue enforcement of these guidelines in the following spirit. *PASSED>>
| These guidelines are how we wish to have the
neighborhood develop. Realize that an individual building under the current zoning and
building code does not have to follow these guidelines. However, someone wishing a zoning
change, variance, or conditional use permit is normally asked by the city to get
neighborhood approval. By adopting these guidelines we are saying that if you wish for
neighborhood approval we are requesting you follow these guidelines. Approval of the surrounding property owners is the second and very important part of CNA’s development guidelines. We feel good development should be communicated to surrounding property owners at all times, but especially when variances, zoning changes, and/or conditional use permits are required. A signed request form (example provided) of 75% of the property owners within a 200-ft. radius of the property in question agreeing to the proposed development is required. Neighborhood representatives will follow up on these forms for quality assurance. (It should be noted that the 200-ft. radius requirement is the same used by the city for zoning changes--we are using this as an interim measure for determining the appropriate definition of surrounding property owners. It is the zoning committee’s intent to have another definition more appropriate to our neighborhood to be approved by the membership in the future.) CNA will give approval of a project under the following conditions: --if a developer satisfactorily addresses the eight development guidelines and has the required 75% surrounding property owners approval CNA will oppose a project if: --no attempt was made by the developer to abide by the guidelines or seek surrounding owners approval --the project does not adequately address the eight development guidelines and does not have the required 75% surrounding property owners approval If a project meets the guidelines and does not have property owners approval, or does not meet the guidelines and has surrounding property owners approval, this becomes a more complicated issue. We feel such issues should be taken to the general membership for a vote to determine if CNA should or should not support the project. However sometimes there are time constraints imposed by the city which required a decision before the next general meeting. In these cases, the Steering Committee should seek to solve the problem through mediation, and failing success either decide itself or elect to hold the question for a membership meeting. |
c. <<MOTION* Authorize the Steering Committee to deal with complaints of Building Code violations in the following spirit. *PASSED>>
| In addition to the above proposals, neighbors have brought to the attention to the zoning committee possible zoning and building code violations in the neighborhood. It is not the intention of the zoning committee to be a "vigilante group" or the "zoning police." However we are asking for approval of the general membership that the steering committee have the authority to act on citizen concerns of possible zoning/building code violations of new construction in the neighborhood. This action will most likely involve trying to contact the owner of the property concerning the alleged violation, and possibly writing a letter to the city asking for enforcement of the current laws. |
13. COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE SITE. <<MOTION* Accept Su Casa Restaurant’s offer of its parking lot for the purpose. *PASSED>>
14. TRAFFIC. <<MOTION* Authorize $400 for study of and initial design steps toward erecting "Entering Cherrywood" signs at neighborhood gateways. *PASSED>> It is understood that this idea requires a lot more work, but should get started. While clearly identifying our blocks as a residential neighborhood with a conscious self-image might have some traffic-calming effect, there would be other benefits as well.
15. HISTORY. The "Old North Central East" (ONCE) History Club, working with the Austin History Center, is assembling a growing collection of written and photographic materials. They will put them on display next Saturday, Oct. 16 at a "History Fair" from 2-4pm at Asbury Methodist. This Club meets at Asbury Methodist the first Monday of every month (moving occasionally for holidays) from 6-7:30pm.
GB notes, 28Apr99 Membership
| Announcements |
1, ZONING 101. May 22, site TBA. A one-hour info session with a City official explaining how City building codes apply to Cherrywood -- what you can and cannot build?
2. MUELLER AIRPORT. (a) In late May Council will appoint an Interim Citizens Review Commission to oversee creation of a Redevelopment Corporation. Neighborhoods are to have 3 members. (b) Even if the State pulls out of its plan to purchase 40% of the site (threatened but not yet certain) similar redevelopment probably would occur. The planning process would be put back about a year. One might view loss of the State negatively because they would employ 20,000 people, their employees would be of mixed income brackets, and they would supply some up-front redevelopment infrastructure investment. Or one might their loss positively because they would generate heavy traffic (3 times as many daily trips as now), and they have a history of not cooperating with Austin.
3. I-35. (a) May 15 CNA+Wilshire
Woods+Delwood II will meet with TXDoT to discuss the "Bottleneck Project." Plans
are to start later this year to close central Austin bridges across the freeway, close the
off-ramps at 32nd St. (northbound) and Manor Road (southbound), add a lane in each
direction for through traffic, and improve the frontage roads for local use. Some details
may be open to neighborhood negotiation.
(b) Long-term improvements would involve purchasing more
right-of-way on the east side to add HOV lanes. A danger for us is a new down-ramp
emptying before 38-1/2 St. Probably CNA will want to advocate ramping down instead to
Manor Road, which does not slice through our neighborhood, and has no school. Moreover the
City might want 38-1/2 to be a bigger-volume cross-town route, which would burden
Cherrywood even more.
4. Burglaries. We don't have very many, and precisely because we are the lowest-crime district in our precinct we get the least Police attention. Be careful! Break-ins occur day and night. Recently three trucks have been burglarized for tools.
5. 37xx VINELAND. The Steering Committee is resolved to press Travis County officials to foreclose on this tax-delinquent problem property. Official records still show it enjoys disability and homestead exemptions even though the qualifying person no longer lives there.
6. Y2K. The City Office of Emergency Management is compiling a list of households needing help in case of public emergencies, including Y2K failures. Contact Mike Aaron.
7. BILLBOARDS. The Public Storage folks at 40th and I-35 near Sears want to heighten and quadruple the size of a billboard, which would require a variance from present rules. Girard Kinney urged CNA to oppose this variance in order to avoid setting a precedent for other billboards closer to us. **MOTION** opposing a variance passed unanimously with one abstention.
| Reports |
1. TREASURER. The Flea is turning a profit from advertising. Balance $658 on top of $500 raised for the Vision Retreat Saturday.
2. ZONING. Committee will soon meet again to consider further developments at the Children's Advocacy Center.
3. NOMINATING COMMITTEE forming for this summer's brief but critical task of proposing a slate for Steering Committee in October. If you would be interested in serving on either committee contact Ali Daily. 3213 Dancy. 476-8914 . 454-7758 (fax). wdailey@io.com. Bennett Donovan spoke well of how rewarding Steering Committee membership has been for him this year.
4. PARKS. Many opinions of having community garage sales in Reed Park were voiced. The Parks Committee will work on a proposal for the July quarterly membership meeting.
5. BEAUTIFICATION. The monthly first-Saturday cleanup, normally from10-11, this Saturday will start at 9 because of the Vision Retreat.
6, MINUTES of January quarterly membership meeting. **MOTION** to approve passed unan. with one abstention.
7. VISION RETREAT. 38 people have rsvp'd favorably.
8. HISTORY. Saturday, May 1, 10-3, Asbury Methodist Rm 26, the Austin Historical Commission will photograph anything of historical significance Cherrywood residents bring in (and you can have a free copy). The History Committee is a little upset the Vision Retreat is scheduled for the same time, and that announcement of its photo event was not published in the Flea. Apologies were made, but everyone recognizes this oversight as an embarrassing snafu.
Adjourn 8:30 --/gb
GB notes, 22Mar99 Steering Committee
(Absent: Bruni, Carroll, Daily, Kinney)
1. CANDIDATES FORUM
Held this same evening at Ridgetop Elementary, 6-8pm,. Relatively high neighborhood turnout was was good for candidates, almost all of whom made an appearance, to see. Definitely "good for us down the line," as Chairman Jim Walker put it.
2. FLEA CONTUINUES TO DOMINATE NEIGHBORHOOD JOURNALISM
Treasurer Rebecca Kohout reported brisk demand for ads, and the Flea now supports itself and occasionally turns a few dollars profit. Editor Bennett Donovan can always use volunteers to help with quarterly (and occasional special) distribution.
3. WEB SITE RECOGNIZED
A New York Times article about neighborhood web sites was reprinted Saturday in the Austin American-Statesman. Ten local sites were mentioned, Cherrywood=s among them.
4. ANOTHER U.T. STUDY OF CHERRYWOOD
We are becoming quite popular wity UT=s Community and Regional Planning program in the School of Architecture. Samantha Mott outined a GIS project that will involve a quality-of-life survey and graphical presentation of findings. More to come . . .
5. "VISION THING" GROWS LEGS
It's going to happen May 1 (on Election Day)! Afterwards internecine squabbling over what we=d like Cherrywood to become in a few years will never be the same. Priscilla Boston and Pauline Porter=s committee have arranged a day-long VISIONING EXERCISE as important as anything CNA has done: Little question! The 5-hour exercise will be run professionally by Pat Grigadean & Associates, and should raise CNA a level. Think seriously about contributing to this historic undertaking
Saturday, May 1, 10:00 am - 3:00 pmConcordia University Student Center (Parking, cafeteria available) N end of campus, enter from access road |
6. CRACK HOUSE
3709 Vineland commanded vigorous discussion. In a nutshell, 4 non-cooperating family members inherited the property a few years ago and have not paid taxes on it. Two live out of town, two are in jail. Apparently the house is occupied by squatters. APD regards it as a crack house, but not one of their most pressing situations. Immediate neighbors would like the property to become residential and normal. The County has been slow to seize the delinquent property because it has (or previous owners had, and no change is yet recorded) both a homestead exemption and a disability exemption.
**MOTION** CNA should write the Travis County District Attorney=s Office, cosigned by Officer Carlos Casas, requesting resolution. Either the present owners should pay their taxes and take responsibility for the property, or the County should seize it. 7-aye, 1-nay, 1-abstention. PASSED
7. I-35 CHANGES
We hear informal rumblings C nothing announced C that TxDOT may be fast-tracking its "Strategy-5 Design-Alternative-E" calling for new construction of one extra lower- and higher-deck lane, and conversion of one lane in each direction to HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) or HOT (high-occupancy toll) status. The 26th-(Keeton)-St underpass, and 32nd-St bridge might be closed, and a down0ramp might be built between Manor Road and 38-1/2 St. The SC seemed resolved to monitor these developments closely. CNA, Wilshire Woods, and Delwood II are joined in a coalition for the purpose.
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GB notes, 22Feb99 Steering Committee meeting
1. CANDIDATES= FORUM focusing on Mueller redevelopment issues
March 22, 6-8 pm, Ridgetop Elementary (51st & Airport)
Elections are May 1 for Places 1, 3, and 4 (Slusher, Goodman, Griffith). We may be able to arrange a neighborhood forum.
2. CRIME STATISTICS
Burglary remains Cherrywood's #1 problem. APD now posts annual crime figures for 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 by census tract (Cherrywood has three).
See CNA | Projects | Security | Links | Crime statistics
3. APD "NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING"
Promotion to the contrary, no one has seen much evidence of it. S.C. members debated whether apparent APD neglect of Cherrywood may be due to other neighborhoods' more severe problems, or to our not squeaking loudly enough. Our Security Committee will explore more aggressive approaches.
4. CRACK HOUSE?
Great concern has arisen over the house at 3709 Vineland, near the eastern end of Giles. For years coming and goings there have given the appearance of drug trafficking. No taxes have been paid on the property since 1994, a County court issued a judgment against the owner in Dec97, and one owner has been jailed on an unrelated charge. But the wheels turn slowly, and this property remains a sore. The Security Committee will explore more aggressive approaches to this problem too.
5. FIESTA
Paulline Porter will draft a CNA letter to tne Store Mgr thanking them for being our partners in some matters, and requesting a meeting with a CNA delegation to discuss problems such as parking lot trash and wandering grocery carts.
6. FLEA DEADLINE 1APR
Editor Bennett Donovan previewed forthcoming articles, and solicited new contributors to submit pieces of neighborhood interest.
7. MUELLER UPDATE
Robert Mueller Airport will close at midnight, Monday 3May. City Council is expecting a redevelopment Master Plan from its consultants any day now. The State has finally issued a plan for its part of the site; which for some reason it is making public only grudgingly (CNA has obtained a copy).
8. "VISIONING"
Plans are moving forward with energy. The Committee is preparing a short list of facilitators to invite, possibly for an honorium. They aim to begin with a one-day session after the April membership meeting. A Flea article will have details.
People who have experienced well-facilitated "visioning" marvel at how beginning with shared values and shared language allows wading into areas of significant disagreement with promise of finding more consensus than by any other method. The end result should be working agreement about what Cherrywood should look like in the years ahead, and how CNA should contribute to that "vision". Stay tuned! Better yet, come join the fun.
9. ZONING
The S.C. will invite City zoning expert Greg Guernsey to bring it up to speed on zoning and building code issues relevant to Cherrywood. After the next Flea and April membership meeting, a similar session will be arranged for everyone interested.
Two interim letters expressing CNA S.C. concerns about individual requests for setback and other zoning variances met with general approval. Full policy on these issues awaits the visioning process.
10. AISD AND MAPLEWOOD
Maplewood Elementary would be little affected by boundary changes Trustees are proposing.
In the longer run, AISD seems to be suffering a leadership crisis. 1-No Superintendent has been recruited. 2-Several top administrators have resigned. 3-Just as Trustees need more money to beef up the East Austin minority-impacted schools that are about to appear, Austin will have to give money to other school districts under the new "Robin Hood" plan. 4-A tax increase is all but inevitable. 5-If, as expected, overcrowding and under-funding continue, pressure may grow to close small, inner-City, "under-utilized" schools like Maplewood.
Soon Maplewood=s new drop-off driveway will be open, probably yielding traffic congestion on 38-1/2 until a new flow pattern emerges. Be prepared.
11. TRAFFIC
CNA h as joined with Wilshire Woods and Delwood-II in an I-35 coalition to represent neighborhood concerns in the freeway improvement design process.
Girard Kinney urged everyone to park on the right side of the street (as opposed to the side facing traffic). Wrong-facing parkers can be dangerous to other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
12. 22MAR S.C. MEETING
Because of the Candidates= Forum that same night from 6-8pm, the S.C. will meet from 8-10, as usual at Asbury Methodist.
GB notes, 27Jan99 General
Membership meeting
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** Officer Casas urged calling 9-1-1 if you see "MALIK." Tell the Operator (who
might not think it's an emergency) that "Officer Casas, our Neighborhood
Representative, told us to call with this info." They have a name and address for
"Malik" but still no evidence of burglary. Casas was accompanied by Officers
Jovita Lopez and Bryant Armstrong whose beat is Cherrywood.
** MUELLER REDEVELOPMENT. Master Plan for public comment expected in late Feb or early Mar
** "ZONING 101" session where City person will explain to interested neighbors
how the Building Code applies us. Basics on our Web site:
Navigate: CNA | Projects | Neighborhood planning | Links | "Zoning 101"
** Y2K AD HOC COMMITTEE, Steve Barney 478-3653. Next Jan 1 when some computers will
interpret "00" as 1900 instead of 2000. No one really knows whether we will lose
power, traffic lights, timer-driven appliances, etc. Call Steve if you would like to share
with others interested how to prepare, or how to assist neighbors who might be vulnerable.
Steve recommends a booklet "Citizens
Action Guide" (also at bookstores), and a paperback Time Bomb 2000.
** MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL. (1)The driveway exiting into 38-1/2 should be complete in February.
Be prepared for some confusion when the new traffic pattern begins. (2)The Science Lab
project still needs volunteer engineering help -- see the Maplewood page on our Web site.
(3)Maplewood kids will be fund-raising soon with Valentine's candy. Consider killing two
birds with one stone by shopping Mustang!
**HISTORY. The "Old North Central East (ONCE) History Club" is meeting
regularly. Call Sharon Edmonson 473-2337
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** _MOTION_ to approve Minutes from 25Oct98 Membership meeting. Passed
** COMMITTEES. There was considerable discussion of how to divide tasks and
responsibilities. Probably the Steering Committee will have it worked out by April's
meeting. (1)The PARKS committee has an active agenda even though it has not met recently;
Chairman Kinney simply has been thickly involved with airport redevelopment issues. (2)A
NOMINATING committee, which is supposed to be Standing, needs to organize. Steering
Committee member Ali Daily, 476-8914(h), 454-7745(w), volunteers to lead the way. Please
give her a call (3)The ZONING committee chaired by Steering Committee Mark Lind is trying
to deal with zoning cases that arise before CNA arrives at a policy on these very issues.
They have written one letter, with reference to 1105 E. 32nd (a lot with strange split
residential/commercial zoning), expressing some general principles, but have not supported
or opposed any petition.
** _MOTION_ to endorse the above-mentioned letter. Passed
** _MOTION_ for Steering Committee to follow these principles in dealing with another case
at 3715 Robinson (petition to build a carport closer to the street than setback
requirements allow). Passed
**NEIGHBORHOOD "VISIONING" -- WHAT IS IT? WHY DO IT. I won't try to summarize
Priscilla Boston's well thought-out and informative presentation, just her conclusions.
(1)"visioning" is a tried and true way to build consensus among a group,
especially where there is much disagreement to begin with. (2)It builds up from common
(often very general) views, stresses positive and shared meanings, and introduces specific
disagreements only after steps 1 and 2. (3)Not every disagreement may disappear, but at
least the ones that are left are real, not imagined or "read in" to use of a
term. (4)The end product should be a VISION for the future of the Cherrywood neighborhood,
and a MISSION for its Association. Then and ONLY THEN will be able to contend with
specifics of density, duplexes, zoning variances, etc.
** _MOTION_ giving the green light to a Steering Committee subcommittee (Priscilla,
Pauline Porter, Steve Barney) and others interested to plan such a process for Cherrywood,
hopefully to occur in May. Passed. Contact Priscilla at 478-1867 or peboston@aol.com
** _MOTION_ Raise the price of a business-card-size Flea ad tp $35 if the market will bear
it. Passed. Treasurer Rebecca Kohout reported we have $234 in the treasury.
** _MOTION_ for CNA to join Delwood II and Wilshire Woods in a coalition to represent our
common views of I-35 redesign. Passed. TxDOT timetable is online
** __-MOTIONs_ to support preservation of the original Mueller terminal building as an
historic building, and to include an indoor pool on the redeveloped Mueller site (perhaps
these two objectives could be joined). Both passed
** _MOTION_ to invite candidates for City Council election in May to a Cherrywood
candidate forum. Passed
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