The Allandale Reporter

Cap Metro "Dump the Pump" Contest

Allandale residents:

If you started using Capitol Metro's services in 2005 as a result of higher gas prices, you could win something. Capital Metro is seeking stories from riders who dumped the pump in 2005.  Three winners will receive an iPod, a yearlong subscription to the Austin American-Statesman, a $25 gift card to BookPeople, and  a spill-proof coffee mug. Go here for the details. And if you do win, let us know.

ClayWays Pottery Studio and Gallery

The sign out front encourages passersby to "Shop Locally, (preferably here!)." It belongs to ClayWays located at 5442 Burnet Rd just accross from Puett Real Estate. In spite of the small storefront, ClayWays has a lot of space for artisans and artisan-wanannbees to spread out and mold their clay. The  small gallery that visitors enter into fronts a large studio and outdoor kiln area.

Chronicle Coverage of Latest SCB Development

This week's Austin Chronicle reported on the outcome of last Monday's Land Use and Transportation Committee regarding the SCB curb islands. The article "Shoal Creek Frankencurbs Could Multiply, Mutate, "  includes comments from Council Members McCraken and Leffingwell and nighborhood resident  Lane Wimberley.

The Liquor Store Zoning Request

submitted by Tom Linehan

Having one more liquor retail outlet in the area did not appear to be a  strong concern of the ANA board members in attendance at tonight's meeting.  The ANA Executive Committee met with developer Sam Buford and prospective liquor store tenant, Lee Cantrell to learn more about their request for CS-1 zoning.

The 5 Option Plan

from Julie Strong, Public Works, City of Austin:

Mr. Linehan, here is an update on the Shoal Creek issue, per your request:

On September 29, the City Council voted unanimously to remove the curb islands installed early this year along Shoal  Creek Boulevard. The Council also asked Public Works to return to stakeholders for input on how to re-stripe the street after the islands are removed.

Sound Wall Questions Answered

correspondence from Joyce Basciano, president, MoPac Neighborhoods Association Coalition

John,
I distributed your text below to the MoNAC member organizations.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* The Loop 1 / MoPac Project Team is getting up to speed. As mentioned in recent news reports, we plan to construct three sample sound barrier walls this spring at the TxDOT Bull Creek facility for the public to see and study. The walls will have a variety of sample architectural finishes. Next year, we will invite interested citizens to join an architectural advisory committee to help select an architectural theme for the corridor.

Directions for making a candy cane

These are the original instructions from Phyllis Brinkley submitted by Kay Newell:

You will need 2 stove pipe elbows, three straight pieces of stove pipe
and one can of white spray paint. A nice addition is a flood light & extension cord to illuminate the cane. In 1985 the cost of these items was about $25. excluding the extension cord. After spraying the cane, wrap it with 3 inch red plastic ribbon.

Pound a metal pole, or broom handle in the ground about 4 or 5 feet back from the sidewalk at a 45 degree angle. The cane will slide down over it. Some neighbors add a string of lights.

Photo taken on Bullard Dr.

Building Sound Walls

from John Kelly, PE, Loop1/MoPac Project Team

The Loop1 / MoPac Project Team is getting up to speed. As mentioned in recent news reports, we plan to construct three sample sound barrier walls this spring at the TxDOT Bull Creek facility for the public to see and study. The walls will have a variety of sample architectural finishes. Next year, we will invite interested citizens to join an architectural advisory committee to help select an architectural theme for the corridor.

Allandalewood

Well I didn't get any photos of Bruce Willis, Patricia Arquette or Richard Linklater. The best I have is this photo of the film shoot that took place 2 days last week on Wynona accross from Lamar Middle School. BTW, the guy in the picture, a member of the film crew, told me they were filming a butter commercial.  Guess no one told him it was really a movie. Anyway, here's what I know.

ANA Meeting Announcement for Presentation on Proposed Liquor Store at 6800 Burnet Road

A meeting of the Allandale Neighborhood Association (ANA) will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7 pm at the Yarborough Library at 2200 Hancock Drive for a presentation by the developer, Sam Buford, of the proposed retail center at 6800 Burnet Road and the proposed liquor store tenant, John Cantrell.

Subcommittee shelves SCB ballot in favor of new pilot project

submitted by Kerry Kimbrough

On Monday afternoon, the Land Use and Transportation subcommittee of the City Council again took up the SCB striping issue. The ostensible purpose was to review the input from stakeholders that came out of the October meeting and balloting conducted by the Public Works staff. But that’s not exactly what happened. When the full Council voted in September to remove the curb islands, they directed PW staff to consult with stakeholders and come up with some options for what to do next.

Update on Zoning Hearing held 12/6 on Proposed Liquor Store at 6800 Burnet Road

The Zoning and Platting Commission again postponed action until January 17 on the zoning change request to allow a liquor store at a proposed retail center to be built at 6800 Burnet Road. This allows time for the developer, Sam Buford, and the liquor store owner, John Cantrell, to meet with the Allandale Neighborhood Association (ANA) Executive Committee, neighbors and other interested groups.  Look for an announcement for a meeting to be scheduled for a week to ten days from now.

Sound Walls Along Mopac

There is an article in today's Austin American-Statesman covering status on constructing sound walls along MoPac. The article by Ben Wear says there is progress being made on the initiative but don't expect anything soon. Click here to read "The Sound of Movement on MoPac's Walls."

Zoning Request Tomorrow Night

A developer has applied for a zoning change to allow a liquor store at a proposed retail center to be built at 6800 Burnet Road at the Addison intersection. The property begins a half block south of the Justin/Pegram intersection with Burnet Road and is directly across from the newly relocated Mazda dealership.

 

The Allandale Neighborhood Association (ANA) Executive Committee recently voted to oppose the zoning change request to allow a liquor store primarily because of the proximity to Northwest District Park just a few blocks to the west down Pegram. Also located within walking distance of this property are Brentwood Elementary School, Brentwood Park and Pool, Austin Korean Presbyterian Church, Lamar Middle School, Gullett Elementary School with adjacent ball fields and AISD's Professional Development Academy at Read Elementary.

 

At the zoning hearing in November, a postponement on the zoning decision was granted at the request of ANA. The second and final hearing on this zoning request is tomorrow evening, Tuesday, at 6 in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Anyone wishing to speak must be there to sign up prior to 6. Free parking is available in the basement garage.

 

The agenda is posted at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/agenda/2005/zap_120605.htm

 

Please contact me with any questions by email (preferred) or at 452-4497. Also, please forward this message to any group or person you think may be interested.

 

Paul Nagy, Treasurer

Allandale Neighborhood Association

City Meeting on SCB tomorrow at 3:00

from Julie Strong, Public Works Dept., City of Austin:

Please be aware that we have posted several documents on the Shoal Creek web site, including Citizen Comments from the Shoal Creek Ballot/Questionnaire, the ballot results, and a description of the Stakeholder Input Process, for your information.  You may access this information at http://www.cityofaustin.org/publicworks/shoalcreek/.

Also, the agenda for the December 5 Council Subcommittee Meeting on Land Use and Transportation has been posted on the City’s web site.  The Shoal Creek issue is first on the agenda.  The meeting convenes at 3 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers.  Anyone interested in speaking to the issue may sign up for Citizens’ Communications before the meeting begins at the desk upon entering the chamber. Free parking below City Hall.  Enter from Guadalupe   Street.

Thank you.
Julie Strong
Public Works
974-1413

December 2005 Newsletter

If you haven't opened your December Allandale Neighborhood newsletter, here's what your missing. A summary of how Allandalel Neighborhood Association works for you - the list is long. Notes from the last ANA general meeting, a piece on preparedness by Caroline Reynolds, Quaker parrots in Allandale, learning about Brown Recluse spiders, notes from the August ANA Executive Committee meeting,  minutes from the October MONAC meeting, and more. And don't forget about our neighborhood sponsors.

From our Rosedale Neighbors

The note below is from Chris Allen, Rosedale NA, regarding outcome of 12/01/05 City Council Hearing on proposed zoning change for construction of a 5 story medical office building on Medical Parkway:

Thanks to the help of your neighborhood association (and a few others) and the incredible stamina and patience of the 118 brave souls who showed up and waited 5 hours last night, we prevailed 4-2 on first reading sometime after 12:30 AM.