The West Austin Neighborhood Group

invites everyone to our Monthly Meeting on Monday, April 11, 2022

from 6:30 pm until dark (+/- 8pm)

All neighbors are Welcome to attend.

• President's Message - by Holly Reed
• Neighborhood News - by Holly Reed
• - Mayfield Park Event
• - Reed Park Event
• - ASMP Update amendments
• February Meeting Minutes - by Cathy Kyle
• WANG Board Contacts
• District 10 News - link
• HEB Construction - Update
• City of Austin Council Contacts
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Tent Caterpillar
  
• What's Happening around Austin

by Holly Reed

Support for Preserving Lions Municipal Golf Course Grows Exponentially!

Two events benefitting the Muny Conservancy in early 2022 sold out, and revealed massive public support for saving our beloved historical MUNY, for good!

Imagine Muny, an event held at the ACL Live Theater on February 20, 2022 brought supporters from the entire Austin Community along with national and international celebrities. The event highlighted how MUNY, once preserved, will continue to serve our entire community, particularly young people. Beginning with a presentation by Muny Conservancy board member Gigi Edwards Bryant, students from the Gus Garcia Academy, Austin Golf Academy and First Tee Austin took the stage. A film entitled Imagine Muny presented the vision for Lions Municipal as a historical asset to our entire community and an investment in the future of Austin. The plans include Preservation of a Civil Rights Landmark and large open green space, Restoration of the historic public golf course adding amenities for the entire community, and Education through a teaching center, honoring the courage of athletes who fought for equal rights through sports. Please WATCH IMAGINE MUNY, narrated by Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) and Luke Wilson (Twelve Mighty Orphans) and featuring many Austin Community Leaders, to see why people all over Austin and our country are supporting the preservation of this iconic part of Austin’s past and future!

A live auction, online silent auction, plus generous sponsor donations raised over 800 thousand dollars to help the Muny Conservancy preserve and restore Lions Municipal. Guests were treated to fabulous music by Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, Lukas Nelson, Eric Church, and Jimmy Vaughn.

You can see photos from the Imagine Muny Event here: https://www.facebook.com/SaveMuny/photos

The 6th Annual 19th Hole Party benefitting the Muny Conservancy, was held on Friday March 25th, 2022, at the historic Charles Johnson House and Lawn, in our neighborhood. Hundreds of guests came together to celebrate Lions Municipal Golf Course (Muny) and to voice support for letting local leaders and the University of Texas know how important this beautiful green space is to the community. Music by the Peterson Brothers Band and the Ramsay Midwood Band entertained guests. Dinner and beverages were provided by sponsors Maudie’s Tex-Mex, Tito’s, Tequila 512, Austin Rambler, Sweetens Cove, Brown Distributing and Ranch Rider Spirits. In attendance were any members of the West Austin Neighborhood Group, who support Save Muny!

Please visit www.savemuny.com to find out how you can help SAVE MUNY FOR GOOD!

Our bi-annual PRINT newsletter, which is mailed out to the ENTIRE West Austin Neighborhood Group area in May & October includes 5200 residences in Tarrytown, Bryker Woods, Pemberton Heights, and Deep Eddy Neighborhoods. All proceeds support the mission of WANG.

Send us your ads! For rates and specs please email us at Newsletter@WestAustinNG.com

MAYFIELD PARK

Mayfield Park and Preserve will host their Annual Gardening Symposium, “Trowel & Error” on Sunday April 2, 2022 from 9:30am – 1pm at Mayfield Park, 3505 West 35th St. https://mayfieldpark.org/

REED PARK

Reed Park’s new playscape ribbon cutting and family fun kickoff event will take place on Sunday April 3rd, 2022 from 1pm – 3pm, 2614 Pecos St. Please complete the Reed Park Survey and join Friends of Reed Park! The survey is seeking your suggestions and ideas on additional improvements for the park.

CITY PLANNING UPDATES:

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) amendments will be considered at the following upcoming Boards and Commission meetings:

• Zoning and Platting Commission: Tuesday, April 5, 6 p.m.
• Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee: Thursday, April 14, 12 p.m.
• Planning Commission: Tuesday, May 10, 6 p.m.

The ASMP team will continue to take public feedback throughout March on the proposed ASMP amendments. Please comment on both the proposed changes to the ASMP policy document and Street Network proposals using this feedback form.

On February 28, 2022, the ASMP team began the second round of public engagement for the ASMP amendments. Staff reviewed all comments received prior to January 30, 2022 (summarized in the Round 1 Public Feedback Report), and updated the draft proposed amendments based on this feedback. These updated proposals can be seen in Round 2 Storymap Presentation of the amendments.

WANG reached out to the ASMP Team with questions and comments in Round 1, and was sent a new presentation, as well as the Round 2 feedback form. (Comment Period closed March 31, 2022)

One concern that came up frequently was the change of Level 1 streets to Level 2 streets. The ASMP Team said this change was proposed because the streets had bicycle facilities planned. Neighbors were very concerned that the City would need to take private property to expand the roadway (to 84’ in some cases) in order to make improvements. After public input opposed the suggested ROW, the ASMP team made modifications and stated:

“The City will not acquire right of way in established neighborhoods to build bicycle facilities or add parking. Any future improvements to established neighborhoods would be made within the existing pavement without acquiring additional right of way. The updated ASMP draft will keep street levels within established neighborhoods as they were adopted in 2019 in order to address the community’s concern. “

A list of ASMP presentations to City Boards & Commissions and the videos of those presentations can be found on the website at AustinTexas.gov/ASMP.

The ASMP website has been updated to reflect their appearances at these board and commission meetings, and City staff have also uploaded more information on this process.

This includes:

• A full ASMP document with changes tracked
• An Amendment Log reflecting the changes we’re proposing to the ASMP document
• An updated draft of the proposed Street Network Amendments and ASMP maps
• A copy of the presentation the ASMP team will be giving to different Boards and Commissions
• A report on the feedback the ASMP team heard during the first round of comments on this amendment process

Concerns about ASMP Amendments in the WANG Area continue to be:

· Designation of parts of 35th St., the Mopac Ramps, Exposition, Westover and Enfield as “Transit Priority Network.” Very dense land use is linked to the TPN in the ASMP policy document, Chapter 2.

· Designating Bicycle Lanes on the 35th St. bridge over Mopac without signals is extremely dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists “of all ages and abilities.”

· Enfield Road between Mopac and Exposition needs a safe crosswalk at Kent Lane to access the bus stop. Speeding is a terrible issue on this stretch of Enfield.

Proposed Vertical Mixed Use (VMU) Ordinance Changes.

On Friday March 18th (during Spring Break) City staff released a Draft Ordinance amending City Code Chapter 25-2, Subchapter E, Section 4.3 relating to Vertical Mixed Use buildings, to be considered by the Planning Commission at their meeting only 3 days later, on March 22nd This left the public little or no time to review the so-called VMU2 Ordinance, which allows 30’ additional height for VMU buildings (up to 90’) if the building meets certain affordability requirements.

Neighborhood Groups across the City are opposed to this version of the ordinance for the following reasons:

• · Blanket City-wide change to the VMU criteria without individual case by case notification and evaluation
• · Blanket height increase to 90’ regardless of surrounding properties
• · Removal of compatibility standards
• · Removal of zoning change notification
• · No required on-site family friendly affordable housing (fee in lieu allowed)

Please call / write to the Mayor and Austin City Council before their April 7th meeting and ask that they postpone approval of the VMU2 Ordinance until the Community has had time to evaluate the impact on their neighborhood areas.

City of Austin Loses Appeal Over Controversial Rezoning Plan

(From Community Not Commodity, March 17, 2022)

We have a major victory to announce! On March17, the state’s 14th Court of Appeals ruled against the City of Austin in a landmark case over its rewrite of our community’s land development code.

The 14th Court unanimously affirmed Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer’s 2020 ruling, which upheld protests filed by thousands of Austinites impacted by the city’s plan. The appellate court agreed that the city violated state zoning laws and upheld Judge Soifer’s injunction, prohibiting local officials from violating your notice-and-protest rights in the future.

We’ll provide further details soon.

Congratulations, neighbors. Together we can build an Austin for everyone!

West Austin Neighborhood Group

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES

Monday, February 7, 2022

These are the minutes of the meeting of the West Austin Neighborhood Group Board of Directors held Monday, February 7, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., by Zoom videoconferencing.

These are the minutes of the meeting of the West Austin Neighborhood Group Board of Directors held Monday, February 7, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., by Zoom videoconferencing.

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by President Holly Reed. Board members in attendance were Holly Reed, Cathy Kyle, Mary Arnold, Joyce Basciano, George Edwards, Bob Hamilton, Heidi Gibbons, Blake Tollett, Brady Pedneau, Joe Bennett, Sarah Cain.

Not present: Craig Lil; Mike Cannatti.

Neighbors in attendance: Michael Curry, Sara Madera, Marianne Baker Bolduc, Brad Parsons, Mark Weiss, Nancy Neavel, Kelley Cooper McClure, Jennifer Virden, Flo Ann Randle, Barbara McArthur.

II. Project Connect Presentation—Vikram Sinha, COA Transportation Dept.

A. Austin is experience a significant increase in population, which is expected to continue. The City can address its transportation woes by encouraging people to use different transportation modalities (bike, bus). Engineering drawings are available, but only at 15% right now (no drainage or utilities are included yet) https://publicinput.com/Customer/File/Full/7acc3ea6-0c56-492a-aa29-a47b0c91ba4c.

The City hopes to begin construction of orange line in 2024, to be completed in 2029.

B. Guadalupe—The City is hosting a workshop at the end of the month addressing the proposal for the Drag. The Transportation Dept. has contacted some businesses and property owners, and is in conversation with property owners, particularly at the intersection with 29th St. The City is presenting two options: (1) no vehicles on Guadalupe, but would make it feasible for buses to operate on the ROW; and (2) a configuration allowing buses, pedestrians, and cyclists, but this option might include a dedicated bike lane. The Transportation Dept. strongly prefers the first option without busses. The cost of sinking the transit line below ground is very high. There is no plan to widen Guadalupe. Traffic volumes are low enough so that either option will not affect east-west traffic. The plan provides for two tracks, similar to the current bus service on Guadalupe. Implementing the plan will require a cultural shift requiring people to use other modes of transportation.

C. The City is hosting a Town Hall 2/8 and 2/12 http://projectconnect.com/groups, and we can give feedback@capmetro.org. ASMP accurately reflects the current plan.

III. 2021 ASMP Amendments

A. Cole Kitten (mgr), Dan Brooks(planner), Kelsey Vizzard (planner). The City did not hire an outside consultant.
B. ASMP adopted 4/11/2019
C. Comment period opened 10/1/21, street network map released 11/15/21, and feedback closed 1/31/22. The City will present a preliminary draft in February, with an updated draft to be published in March, with more opportunities for feedback and presentations to City boards and committees. By May, the City will publish the final draft, which will be presented to the Planning Commission for its recommendation, followed by public hearing before the City Council public hearing.
D. Transportation Plan for Imagine Austin. Objective: 50/50 mode share, so that by 2039, 50% of population will use a modality other than cars to get to work. The street network to allow ROW acquisition at the time of new development.

1. Most changes in ASMP Street Network are considered technical corrections. This was not intended to be a planning exercise; instead, they are using adopted city documents, and do not represent planned projects. For example, they are aligning street designations with the 2014 Bicycle Plan, the 2021 Transportation Criteria Manual, and ASMP. The ASMP does not mean an immediate change is occurring, but are reserving space for ideal future conditions. Only new development or intensive redevelopment triggers a dedication of ROW. SF developments do not require ROW dedication. For Capital Infrastructure Projects, the required ROW from the street network is used as a reference, as the project undergoes its own project development process, including public engagement to identify the necessary amount of ROW for the project.
2. The goal is not to acquire ROW in established neighborhoods that are not changing.

B. ATX Walk Bike Roll is the plan that is in process to be adopted in 2023, to replace the 2014 Bicycle Plan. He cannot assure us that the Transportation Dept. actually considered the topography.

C. Input is currently open at AustinTexas.gov/ATXWBR, and the map can be accessed at https://asakurarobinson.mysocialpinpoint.com/atxwbr/map#.

D. New roadways are being added to the street network through the subdivision process to reflect what’s been platted. Some streets, such as Red River through the UT campus, are being removed from the ASMP.

E. Transit Priority Network (TPN). We have concern about disconnect between CapMetro and the plan. People in East Austin have complained about the decrease in frequency of busses because of the increase in west Austin routes that have very low ridership. The primary purpose of identifying TPN is to identify transit priority treatments to improve transit performance, to increase the number of people living within a ½ mile of public transit[HR1] .

F. The purpose of ASMP was to focus on new neighborhoods at the front end of new development, but most of the concern has been from established neighborhoods. The goal is not to take ROW from established properties—the City does not have enough money to do this. They did not conduct a land development overview, but the plan is in place if development occurs; if development does not occur, then the ROW is never triggered.

IV. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the December meeting tabled.

V. Neighbor Communications/Announcements

A. No neighbor communications were discussed during the meeting.

VI. Land Matters

A. 2501 Enfield Place. [HR2] Owners want to scrape the lot. There is a verified petition opposing the demolition. HLC has recommended for historic zoning.

VII. Membership

A. New members are joining

B. IRS letter giving our EIN, identifying us as a tax-exempt organization, to give to Google for our email server. Our contract with GoDaddy has expired, and they no longer support our group emails

C. Sidewalk on Enfield: most neighbors support the sidewalk; we have not heard complaints. It’s improved pedestrian safety

D. Crosswalk on Westover: Neighbors are supportive of the new crosswalk.

E. Pedestrian crosswalk on Enfield will be placed near Kent so that drivers can see the beacon. We do not have a final word on whether the crosswalk will be installed.

F. Crosswalk on Exposition by Howson now has an island to slow traffic.

G. Officer Grayson encourages all of us to drive slowly to encourage compliance by pass-though traffic

VIII. ANC

A. At the 1/26 meeting, Fred Lewis discussed the former Statesman site. He raised concerns about increased cost of infrastruction.[HR3]

B. ANC discussed the ASMP—adding streets to TPN and upgrading level of the streets.

C. Daniel Yannis—City is proposing toxic waste facility in east Austin like the Tank Farms.

VIIII. Treasurer’s report

Checking $ 13,802.77

July 4th $ 507.88

Oak Wilt $ 1,211.04

TOTAL $ 15,521.69

X. Old Business

A. Save Historic Muny: SHM will meet on 2/26/22 at 2 pm, at the Clubhouse with masks. The agenda will be posted 72 hours in advance.

B. Muny Conservancy. The“Imagine Muny” fundraiser will be held on Feb 20 at Moody Theater with Asleep at the Wheel, Lukas Nelson and Eric Church to perform. The event will include a live auction, a silent auction, and dinner event. Tables are for sale now. Tickets and more information are available at savemuny.com. Fundraising is going well—over $25 million has been securely pledged. There may be a reduction in the original cost if some of the Brackenridge Tract can be dedicated as parkland.

C. President Reed submitted a FOIA request, and obtained emails related to zoning proposal. The main documents were our position paper and Joe Bennett’s work providing an overview. Most emails supported Muny[HR4] and WAYA.

D. Next meeting: 3/14/2022, hopefully at Muny in person, but we may have to move the time. Howson still is not allowing meetings.

Organized 1973......"To preserve our neighborhood and protect it from deterioration"

• President: Holly Reed President@westaustinng.com
  
• Secretary: Cathy Kyle Secretary@westaustinng.com
• Assistant Secretary: Blake Tollett AsstSecretary@westaustinng.com
• Treasurer: George Edwards Treasurer@westaustinng.com
• Past President: Cathy Kyle PastPresident@westaustinng.com

All Current Members (click on name to send email)

• Holly Reed ............................member since 2015 (President)
• Cathy Kyle ............................member since 2010 (Secretary)
• Blake Tollett .........................member since 1994 (Asst Secretary)
• George Edwards ..................member since 2004 (Treasurer)
• Mary Arnold .........................member since 2006 (Muny Tract)
• Michael Cannatti .................member since 1999 (CWANPCT)
  
• Joseph M Bennett ...............member since 2001 (Membership/E-Newsletter)
• Craig Lill ...............................member since 2017
  
• Joyce Basciano ...................member since 1999
• Brady Pedneau ................... member since 2019
• Bob Hamilton........................member since 2020
• Sarah Hawthorne Cain.........member since 2020 (Advertising)
• Heidi Gibbons.......................member since 2020 (ANC Liason)

Honorary Committee Members

• Honorary Mayor Steve Adler
• Honorary Alison Alter
• Honorary Kathie Tovo

REMEMBER TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES... ON LINE & DRIVE-UPS, AND THROUGH DELIVERIES....

IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT NOW... MORE THAN EVER.....

PRINTED NEWSLETTER MAILED OUT TO OVER 5000 HOUSEHOLDS TWICE PER YEAR

E-NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST SENT TO OVER 700 ADDRESSES....MONTHLY

Click HERE for rates and more information or email us at....

They didn't make it in 2021 (2020 won) understandably but we are hopeful for 2022!

WANG reached out to HEB on the progress of their construction schedule....

Thanks for reaching out! We’ll be posting store updates to the Lake Austin H-E-B webpage on our newsroom at https://newsroom.heb.com/h-e-b-lake-austin/. Right now, we still have plans to open late summer 2022, but will be sure to reach out to WANG if we have any additional updates.

Also, we’d be happy to present at upcoming WANG meetings as we get closer to an opening date.

Construction has made great strides since November and the structure is visible from Lake Austin Blvd & Exposition.

Contact your City Council Representatives:

(click on name to send email)

• Mayor: Steve Adler 512-978-2100
  
• District 1: Natasha Harper Madison 512-978-2101
  
• District 2: Vanessa Fuentes 512-978-2102
  
• District 3: Sabino Renteria 512-978-2103
  
• District 4: Jose "Chito" Vela 512-978-2104
  
• District 5: Ann Kitchen 512-978-2105
  
• District 6: Mackenzie Kelly 512-978-2106
  
• District 7: Leslie Pool 512-978-2107
  
• District 8: Paige Ellis 512-978-2108
  
• District 9: Kathie Tovo 512-978-2109
  
• District 10: Alison Alter 512-978-2110
  

Email All of the Council: Entire Council and Mayor

________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Forest tent caterpillars cause damage in the larval, or caterpillar, stage. Caterpillars are a greyish- brown color with bright blue and yellow stripes running down the sides of their body. The back of the caterpillar has white shoeprint/ keyhole markings. Larvae also have fine white hairs over their body but are not a stinging caterpillar.

These caterpillars, although called tent caterpillars, do not make an actual tent like others in their group. Other tent caterpillars make a web between two branches where they join or split from each other. Forest tent caterpillars make a silken mat on the tree trunk or large branches where caterpillars gather in groups between feedings.

Forest tent caterpillars appear once a year, typically in April. In some years outbreak populations can occur and numerous caterpillars can be seen in certain areas. They chew foliage of trees, usually deciduous hardwoods. Even though the caterpillars eat foliage, many trees can withstand 20% loss of foliage without being harmed. Concern should be when other stressors are apparent along with the caterpillars, such as drought or disease.

If the need to manage forest tent caterpillars occurs, less toxic active ingredients that can be used to treat foliage are Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) kurstaki or spinosad. Another option would be to treat the silken mat with a pyrethroid product when the caterpillars are resting there.

For more information or help with identification,

contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.

Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

This work is supported by Crops Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program [grant no. 2017-70006-27188 /project accession no. 1013905] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal access in its programs, activities, education and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Click on the link City Stage photo above

(Austin Center for Events)

for more info of everything happening around Austin !!!!

Wear a Mask in large groups & Social Distance when recommended

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Join the West Austin Neighborhood Group

on the First Tuesday of every month

STAY INFORMED on local topics and issues that

effect you and the Neighborhood!

• · The City of Austin Land Development Code Rewrite
• · The Brackenridge Tract Development
• · Transportation – Austin Metro
• · Lion’s Municipal Golf Course
• · Redbud Trail Bridge Project
• · Mayfield Park & Preserve
• · The Austin State School
• · Deep Eddy Pool & Park
• · Neighborhood Parks
• · Walsh Landing
• · Camp Mabry
• · District 10
• · And more…

Fire......................................................911

Ambulance (EMS) .............................911

Police Dept.......................512-975-5000

Casis Elementary School.............512-414-2062

Austin High School.......................512-414-2505

O.Henry Middle School...............512-414-3229

Texas Gas Service.............................1-800-700-2443

Grande Communications...................512-220-4600

AT&T (new service)...........................1-800-464-7928

Time Warner Cable (Cust. Svc)...........512-485-5555

Austin/Travis Hazardous Waste.........512-974-4343