The Allandale Reporter

ANA Executive Committee Meeting Announcement – 12/21 @ 7 PM

A meeting of the Allandale Neighborhood Association Executive Committee has been called for Thursday, December 21, 2006 from 7 PM to 8 PM to discuss and/or act on 1) amending the Bylaws of the Association to allow the Executive Committee to enter into executive session for the purpose of considering legal matters, 2) the Association’s newsletter and 3) other issues that may be raised by the President. The meeting will be held at the Yarborough Library on Hancock Drive and is open to Allandale residents and property owners.

ANA Executive Committee Dec 16, 2006

Executive Committee (EC) present - Patrick Manley, Tom Linehan, Linnea Anderson, Kay Newell, Paul Nagy, Gretchen Vaden, Allan McMurtry, and Katie Hansen

Absent - Susan Frank, Jeff Frank, and Joe Reynolds

Neighborhood Planning Co-Chairs present - Ran Hirsh and Kerry Kimbrough. Absent - Steven Zettner

Newsletter - Should we consider outsourcing the newsletter due to the other issues the Allandale Neighborhood Association (ANA) is involved in? 

No vote taken on the Northcross redevelopment

A public protest at City Hall and a well orchestrated series of testimony before the City Council by Responsible Growth for Northcross did not persuade the City Council to vote to stop Wal-Mart. Points brought up by the group regarding improper notification, an inaccurate Traffic Impact Analysis, and need for a conditional use permit for the proposed garden center were countered by City staff. Council members McCraken and Kim asked many questions and were clear about their concern with the development but when time was up no vote was taken. For more on last night's hearing, read today's Statesman, "Austin OKs new rules on big stores," or go to KVUE's web site: "City Council hears Wal-Mart debate at meeting".

ANA's Executive Committee is meeting to discuss the project on Saturday at 11:00 at Yarborough library. Please submit the issues you want addressed regarding this development in the comment section below.

Wal-Mart Delays Plans

Yestderday, Wal-Mart announced it will delay its plans to build a store at the Northcross location for 60 days to allow time to meet with neighborhood groups regarding the Supercenter. More about this announcement in today's Statesman. What questions do you want Wal-Mart to answer regarding the new store? Click on "Comments" below.

ANA Executive Committee Meeting Announcement

A meeting of the Allandale Neighborhood Association Executive Committee has been called for Saturday, December 16, 2006 from 11 AM to 12 Noon to discuss the Northcross redevelopment and possibly some other issues. The meeting will be held at the Yarborough Library on Hancock Drive and is open to Allandale residents and property owners.

Tomorrow's City Council Meeting

From the City's web site: "City staff is scheduled to present answers to questions from Council and the public regarding the development of Northcross Mall at the Dec. 14, 2006, Austin City Council meeting. Austin City Council meets in the Council Chambers of Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St." Here's a link to the City's web page devoted to the Northcross Mall redevelopment. The redevelopment discussion  is item #82 on tomorrow's agenda.

Responsible Growth from Northcross is organizing a noon rally outside City Hall. Here are the details:

We will assemble one of the largest rallies ever held at City Hall at NOON on Thursday, December 14th. Be there!

Here are the details for Thursday, Dec. 14th:

• Come at 12 noon to City Hall (map)
• Bring your yard sign or we have some for you
• Park in the FREE parking garage below City Hall
• Wear red.
• Make signs. (Suggestions: "No Wal-Mart!" "Not a Done Deal!" "Support Local Businesses!" "Responsible Growth!" “Save Our Neighborhoods!” “City Council: Work for The People, Not Wal-Mart.” “City Council: Vote with The People, Not Lincoln Property.”)
• Meet us outside in the plaza on the south side                    
• At 6:00 P.M.  the council will discuss the Northcross issue.
• Register now at one of the City Hall kiosks to show support or to reserve a speaking spot.

Dry Dock Restaurant Opening Dec. 13 (Press Release)

(Press Release) Great fun and even better seafood are coming to the Austin Area in the form of The Dry Dock at the Canary Nest Restaurant at Allendale and Burnet Road. The restaurant features broiled, blackened, sautéed, and fried seafood and catfish. There are also specialty dishes like gumbos, stuffed seafood items, and oysters on the half shell. An exquisite custom dessert bar compliments their fabulous menu.

Northcross on City Council's Agenda

Northcross redevelopment on December 14th City Council agenda. More info on the Responsible Growth for Northcross website. There is also a story in today's Austin American-Statesman regarding the agenda item, "Wal-Mart plan now going under council microscope." At the meeting City staff will review the approval process for the development. You can read the Assistant City Manager's memo to council regarding the site development summary here.

Sarah's Mediterranean Grill & Market

Allandale Welcomes Sarah's Mediterranean Grill & Market to the neighborhood. Here's a note from the owner:

Dear Reporter,

I'd like to introduce my self to the neighborhood. My name is Nasib Naser. Sarah is my three year old daughter. She's the youngest of 5 girls. Sarah's Mediterranean Grill & Market is a Mediterranean fast food restaurant and a full line of groceries. We opened doors Oct 5th. I was amazed by how warm hearted the neighborhood tenants are. Here's our menu.

Hope to hear from you soon..

Best regards,
Nasib Naser

Big News day on Northcross Redevelopment

In an effort to keep you informed on the latest with the Northcross redevelopment, here are links to recent pieces in the news regarding the development. Today's Austin Chronicle had two articles: "Beside the Point: their Northcross to bear, by Wells Dunbar" and "Developing Stories: Northcross Neighbors to Wal-Mart: You don't want us as enemies" by Katherine  Gregor. Fox7 did a piece on Tuesday entitled:  "Council Member Enters Fight Against Mega Wal-Mart. " 

Brentwood Artist Jean Graham Honored As ‘Local Hero’

From the "Keeping up with the neighbors" file:

Artist Jean Graham was honored by the Bank of America as a "Local Hero" during the bank's Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards held November 16 in Austin. Jean is the artist behind Brentwood and Crestview's Wall of Welcome and the inspiration for several Violet Crown projects and events.

ANA's Position on Northcross Redevelopment

On Sunday, December 3rd, the Executive Committee of the Allandale Neighborhood Association met and prepared the following resolution regarding the redevelopment of Northcross Mall - Allandale Neigborhood Association Board Resolution (requires Adobe Acrobat).

ANA Executive Committee Meeting 12-3-2006

Norris Conference Center

Board present - Gretchen Vaden, Susan Frank, Kay Newell, Patrick Manley, Jeff Frank, Allan McMurtry, Joe Reynolds, Katie Hansen, Tom Linehan, Paul Nagy

Absent - Linnea Anderson

Neighborhood Planning Co-Chairs present - Steven Zettner, Kerry Kimbrough, Ran Hirsh

Responsible Growth for Northcross (RG) leadership present - Brigid Shea, Paige Hill, Jason Mittman, Michael Bomba, plus several others

Gretchen - called the meeting to order. We have had email discussions about the redevelopment of Northcross (NC) and need to talk as a group. We have a request from RG for a ten-minute presentation.

 

Northcross Mall Redevelopment in the News

Today's Austin American-Statesman has a front-page article on the need for the proposed big-box ordinance siting the 217,000 sq foot Wal-Mart planned for Northcross as the latest reason. Neighborhoods like ours are being caught off-guard because they don't have to go through public review when the site is already zoned for big stores. Read "Austin big-box debate fires up". And here's a a related Op-Ed piece that specifically addresses the Wal-Mart planned for Northcross: "Wal-Mart has work to do to ease concerns."

Frisco's Update

Received this note from Julia Akin this past week regarding status on Friscos:

Tom:  In an effort to stay in touch, we still do not know anything definitive about the possible sale of the Frisco property to Walgreens.  I am hoping to know something by the end of January.  We continue to be positive about the possibility of a move and we're still thinking it could
be as much as a year before we have to make a transition.  Thank you for your continued support.  I'll keep you posted. 

Julia Akin

Allandale Survey Results are In

Residents of Allandale are most concerned about trees and greenspace, preserving the feel of the neighborhood, and traffic according to the recently completed Allandale Neighborhood survey. Keeping it affordable, quiet, and fortified with community spirit are some of the characteristics residents said would make it better.

What follows is a summary of the results  prepared by Kerry Kimbrough, Co-Chair, ANA Neighborhood Planning Committee. There were a total of 539 completed surveys submitted by the deadline, 139 of which arrived by mail or were dropped off, and the remaining completed online.

ANA Executive Committee Meeting Announcement (CORRECTED)

A meeting of the Executive Committee has been called for Sunday, DECEMBER 3, 2006 (not November) from 3 PM to 4 PM to discuss and possibly take action on the Northcross redevelopment. The meeting will be held in the Live Oak Room at the Norris Conference Center at Northcross Mall.

Link for a map and other info on Norris Conference Center:

http://www.norriscenters.com/austin-maps.tmpl.htm