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The Allandale Burger

The_allandale_burgerJust a reminder that Phil's Ice House opens this Thursday. I was by there tonight and got this snapshot of their menu. You'll notice at the top is The Allandale Burger. They are getting things ready for the big opening including lighting up the neon.

ALLANDALE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT CHALLENGE!

submitted by Patrick Manley

Street_viewAttention Allandale kids: Your neighborhood improvement project could be a winner!

Open to all Allandale school children (K-12)

This contest challenges you to use your creativity and ingenuity to plan and execute a neighborhood project that accomplishes one or more of the following criteria:

  • Improve the quality of life of the Allandale neighborhood
  • Protect and maintain the Allandale environment
  • Showcase the history of the Allandale neighborhood
  • Enhance the quality of life of our elderly Allandale residents
  • Celebrate the diversity of the Allandale neighborhood

Creator of the winning project will receive a new Hewlett-Packard consumer product (such as a digital camera, photo printer, etc.)!

This is an ongoing challenge! Every six months, a new winner will be selected by the Allandale Neighborhood Association Board.

Please submit your entry by writing a short paragraph describing your project and how it enhances the Allandale neighborhood. If appropriate, you also may include photos of your project. Please mail your entry to:

Allandale Neighborhood Improvement Challenge
6200 Woodview Ave.
Austin, Tx 78757  

ANA Executive Committee Meeting 2-22-06

submitted by Kay Newell

Ana_2222006John stated that he, his wife Cynthia, and Phyllis Brinkley spoke to the McMansion issue during the public input phase. There was a general discussion on zoning & replatting.

Tom would like to see the NA articulate what its exact position is on zoning. This will help to eliminate the confusion surrounding what the NA is saying as opposed to one person’s opinion. The suggestion was made that the rhetoric be toned down. 

Continue reading "ANA Executive Committee Meeting 2-22-06" »

Phil's Ice House Opening March 2nd

Phils_ice_house Amy and Steve Simmons of Amy's Ice Creams are proud to announce the opening of their NEW cheeseburger joint called, Phil's Ice House. Phil's Ice House is right next to the Amy's Ice Creams on Burnet Rd. at Northland. Last year, Amy and Steve transformed Otis Hill's 1945 Humble gas station into a magical place for the family with exciting colors and a playscape. Come on by and try one of our cheeseburgers like the "Rosedale", a 1/3 pound cheddar cheeseburger topped with onions, pickles, and sweet Mesquite BBQ on a toasted sour dough bun.Abi and the gang are waiting to serve you, so come on by!

Amy and Steve

Dog Pool Closed

Park_sign

As I was out riding this morining, I noticed a few of these signs at the entry points to the off-leash park along Great Northern. I recalled seeing this post to the listerve last week. I'm guessing  Jerre vet's communication to the City may have had something to do with this.

"We once took our dogs to the off-leash Great Northern park. We permitted our dogs to wade to their hearts' content in the pond until they were both diagnosed with this parasite last fall. Our vet researched it thoroughly including communicating with the city. If you have questions you could probably call them (Allan Veterinary Clinic) at 454-6719.

Such a pity since our dogs love to get in the water. It is difficult to keep them out of the pond if we take them to the off-leash park and let them off their leashes."

Jerre Heaton
Allandale Neighbor

Spring Plant Sale, Saturday March 4th

Sunshine_gardensSunshine Community Gardens, a non-profit community garden, is having their annual Spring Plant Sale fundraiser on Saturday, March 4th from 9-2. If you are looking for good quality vegetable, herb, ornamental and heirloom plants at good prices, this is the place to be! Other gardening items will be on sale and there will be live entertainment by several local bands. For more information visit our website. 

Hope to see you there,
Janet Williams

MOVIE REVIEW - The World's Fastest Indian

One day in 1967, at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats, a 60-something New Zealander named Burt Munro climbed aboard his customized 1920 Indian Twin Scout motorcycle, with no brakes and a wine cork for a gas tank cap, and set a world land-speed record of slightly more than 201 mph that still stands today. A pretty impressive feat, considering he suffered from a dangerous heart condition and a bad prostate, and had almost no money. (continue reading The World's Fastest Indian)

Homebrewing

submitted by Tom Linehan

Intro_to_homebrew_005Cold and wet on a Saturday afternoon. Those are perfect conditions for homebrewing. Eight people attended Jeff Young's very thorough Intro to Homebrewing session held at my house in Allandale. Three had never brewed before and the rest had varying degrees of brewing experience. All came away knowing a lot more about homebrewing. In another 2 weeks, we'll have a keg of Irish Red ready for consumption. All indications are it will be good.

Continue reading "Homebrewing" »

ANA Executive Committee Meeting Notice - 7 pm Wednesday at Yarborough Library

submitted by Paul Nagy

The monthly regularly scheduled Executive Committee meeting is this Wednesday evening beginning at 7 p.m. at the Yarborough Library for about an hour. Look for an agenda to be posted later today.

ANA has the room reserved for the fourth Wednesday of every month but starting times can vary. All meetings are open to anyone who lives or owns property in the neighborhood. There is also a chance at every meeting for attendees to bring up any issue they wish discussed.

Out of 3,000 homes in our neighborhood, only about 15 to 20 people are active on a regular basis. This a volunteer effort and the more, the merrier.

Interim Regulations Pass Council on 2nd/3rd Reading--Working Group Named

I rode the #3 bus, down Burnet Road, to the City Council meeting yesterday. I am pleased to report that the interim regulations on residential construction, adjusted to include duplexes, as well as single family homes, passed on 2nd and 3rd readings. The city council vote was 7-0. (continue reading Interim Regulations Pass Council on ...)

2nd Reading on Interim Development Restrictions Tomorrow Night

Supporters of the interim regulations for single-family development (McMansion ordinance) are needed at tomorrow night's public hearing. It will start at 6:00 at City Hall. There's concern that those opposed will pack the room and work to weaken it. Your presence is important. To learn more about the regulations, the City has set up a web page with links to the interim restrictions, an explanation of the process,  a link to a F.A.R. calculalator, and links to related documents. You can also sign up to get email notifications related to the interim regulations.

More Coverage of SCB Striping Plan

Here's a link to Kerry Kimbrough's report on Monday's LUT meeting regarding the SCB striping plan. It's consistent with Jack Kern's report, however he adds that new sidewalks are on the way for SCB. This is new.

Julie Strong with the City's Public Works department also provided me with a wrapup of the meeting. You will find it here.

Committee Recommends Just Removing the Islands

What follows is a posting to the Allandale Listserve regarding the outcome of yesterday's Land Use and Transportation Committee meeting regarding the restriping of Shoal Creek submitted by Jack Kern. The Statesman also had an article in today's paper about the outcome of the meeting, "Council likely to ax curb islands." At its  February 13th  meeting LUT voted unanimously to recommend to full Council that option three be implemented on SCB.  "Finish removing the curb islands and leave all the striping as is" is a rough quote of the short term instructions to staff.  (continue reading Committee recommends...)

 

More on the Interim Restrictions - McMansion Ordinance

from Felicia Adams, RNA Co-president

Mcmansion_ord_graphicNeighbors,
As most of you now know, last Thursday the Austin City Council voted 6-0 to pass the interim regulations only on 1st reading only.  At the meeting this Thursday, they will continue the public hearing and finalize the ordinance (2nd and 3rd readings).

Here is a graphic that explains the new interim restrictions (McMansion Ordinance) done by the Pemberton Heights NA. (continue reading "More on the Interim..."

SCB on Agenda for Monday's Meeting

LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY COUNCIL LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE WILL MEET ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2006, AT 3:30 P.M. AT CITY HALL, 301 WEST SECOND STREET, IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, AUSTIN, TEXAS

The City Council Land Use and Transportation Subcommittee may go into a closed session under the Open Meetings Act, Section 551.071, of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from legal counsel on any item on this agenda.

 Call Meeting to Order
1. Citizen Communication (3 minutes to speak)
2. Staff Update on Design Standards Codification
3. Briefing and Possible Action on the Vertical Mixed Use Interim Ordinance
4. Presentation from the Planning Commission Subcommittee on the Austin 2035 Town Centers Plan
5. Staff Update on the Downtown Plan RFQ
6. Briefing and Possible Action on Changes to Parking Garage Dimensions and Standards
7. Briefing and Possible Action on the Shoal Creek Striping Plan

Adjourn

Councils Passes Interim Moratorium

John_keohane_councilCity Council voted for an interim moratorium on big new house construction last night. The debate carried on past 11:00 p.m. Here is the newspaper's coverage of it.  Builders and neighborhoods were there in force. Allandale was represented by John Keohane. What follows is his summary of the proceedings:

Neighbors, There was testimony from all over the city on the problems with McMansions, and those of us supporting the interim regulations had great support from three sponsors on the council, but among those actually coming to city hall, we were outnumbered, by about 244 to 86.  The pro-unfettered development got to go first, because so many of the before 6pm signins were against any restrictions on how they have been doing business.
   

Continue reading "Councils Passes Interim Moratorium" »

Movie Review - Mrs Henderson Presents

Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins put on a great show 

In the darkest days of World War II, the Windmill Theater in London's Soho district was an emblem for the indomitable British spirit, even as Hitler's bombs threatened to destroy the city. "We Never Closed" became the motto of the theater, proudly declaring that it remained open while bombs fell and other theaters and clubs all closed. This is the backdrop for the story of British grande dame Laura Henderson, played by (who else but?) Judi Dench, a role that brought her a recent Oscar nomination. After all, it would hardly be Oscar night without Judi Dench up for something. (continue reading Mrs Henderson Presents)

More on McMansion Debate

Today's Opnion page in The Austin American-Statesman suggests there will be a lively debate at tonight's public hearing. Here's a link to the Statesman's position on the iterim development moratorium. I've also included links to the opinion page where a number of letters to the editor provide pro and con positions on the matter  (see artciles to the right).

Draft Interim Compatibility Ordinance

Here is the draft of the compatibility ordinance the City has prepared that was sent to the Austin Neighborhood Council listserve by ANC President  Laura Morrison. Remember, there is a Council hearing on this tomorrow at 6pm, Item 35.

Public Hearing on Interim Standards

Allandale neighbors,

At 6pm, this Thursday, at city hall in downtown Austin, is a public hearing on proposed interim standards for building in residential areas of Austin.
   
In my opinion, this is an important hearing, and I hope some of you will join me in being there to either testify, or simply lend your support of those who do.(continue Public Hearing)

City Council Hearing on McMansion Moratorium

According to a story in today's Austin American-Statesman, "City planst to crack down on big homes in small neighborhoods," the Austin City Council will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, February 9th  on interim development restrictions on large home construction in existing neighborhoods. The public hearing, according to the City's website, will start at 6:00.

Movie Review - THE MATADOR

THE MATADOR: Three Oles! for Pierce Brosnan

Anyone who has ever been fired from a job has heard this old bromide: it will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you. For Pierce Brosnan, fired from his comfortable job as James Bond, I believe it's true. In The Matador, a film very well-received at the 2005 Sundance Festival, Brosnan delivers a knock-out performance, supported admirably by Greg Kinnear and Hope Davis. (continue reading  The Matador)

KUT Story on McMansions

KUT did a short piece Tuesday, Jan 31, entitled "School Plan Highlights Density Fears" (audio) talking about the challenge the City faces with trying to create density while maintaining neighborhood character. This is particularly relevant as the City Council considers interim rules tonight on changes to city code to make sure neighborhood development is consistent with existing neighborhoods.  You can also find a short blurb on this in today's Austin Chronicle in "Nake City," (scroll half way down the page to find it).

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