SRCC unofficial meeting notes - 5/5/2008

1. amendments to the mcmansion ordinance and compatability standards: danette chimenti
the original mcmansion task force members are in the midst of a lengthy review process to address problems and loopholes discovered since the ordinance was put in place. during the last meeting the remaining members were not present as a last minute council member addition was added without review to allow for review by the RDCC to grant waivers. currently all waivers require review by the board of adjustments and are granted based on hardship, this addition skirts that process. this change puts the compatibility standards at risk, standards that were the foundation of neighborhoods' acceptance of the new VMU standards. this case will be heard by the planning commission on may 13th and by city council on may 15th. WHAT CAN YOU DO? contact city council with your input.

2. status of drainage problems with st eds: jeff kessel – not present

3. proposed light rail for riverside drive to the airport: toni house
you can learn more about this proposed route by visiting www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown , scrolling to the bottom and clicking on "urban rail" for a presentation. at a recent meeting there were 2 options presented for this project, option1 is a route from the airport to riverside to congress bridge, option2 is for a "commuter rail" instead of "light rail" with shorter route, faster route from the airport to airport drive to east 7th. toni house explained what she felt the benefits of option2 were which included the simultaneous development of the rail system in conjunction with the development of the route (which currently has more undeveloped acreage than the option1 route) versus disrupting the existing development bordering the option1 route along riverside. option1 also violates the EROC plan. WHAT CAN YOU DO? participate in the survey found at the website mentioned above (the survey has been determined to be very biased) or contact city council directly with your thoughts.
MOTION: for SRCC to draft and send a letter to council supporting option2 = PASSED

4. stop sign for travis heights bus:
after walking many block to find a bus stop it was discovered that a bus stop sign on travis heights blvd was removed at the request of the spec house developer. the developer said they would reconsider asking the city to add the sign back if they received a written formal letter requested the sign. matt curtis, now working with capital metro, was present to explain the situation and how to get the sign added back. the contact information for mary helen mccarthy was offered – 369-6231 maryhelen.mccarthy@capmetro.org as someone to email prior to an upcoming meeting wednesday the 7th.
MOTION: SRCC write 2 letters – 1 to the owner and 1 to capital metro asking for the sign to be added back = PASSED

5. treasurer's report: bob drew

6. newsletter deadline and subjects to be covered: helen valdez – not present
please have your newsletter submissions in by may 20th

7. 4th of july plans: cile montgomery – not present
betty weed was present to provide some information about what needs to happen for the upcoming event. SRCC previously allocated up to $1,200 in funds to support the event but we still need to work to get the permit waived and the pool hours extended. a flyer will be added to the newsletter with all the relevant information. if anyone would like to volunteer to organize activities to raise money at the event, please step forward as we are looking to generate enough cash to fund each year's event with the previous year's income.

8. committee reports / other:

a. reagan signs got a 30 day extension for approval of their new site plan.

b. the woodward case involving 3 houses has been withdrawn.

c. 1811 south congress has a new offer, this is the funeral home across from fran's and might possibly be up for historical designation.

d. 500 east monroe is going to planning commission for historical designation.

e. 1815 travis heights is applying for historical designation.

f. 1613 brackenridge is requesting a variance to change the setback on drake from 20' to zero to build a detached garage.

g. st eds vice president is looking to inform SRCC about a proposed new building on the north west corner/area of the campus and to discuss the continued flooding problems experienced by residents living in sherwood oaks as well as the increased erosion in blunn creek/stacey park. hopefully talks will also include the city's proposal to increase the size of the storm drains throughout all of sherwood oaks that will invlove neighborhood streets being dug up and construction equiptment and noise present for an extended period of time. this construction proposal is a result of st edwards refusal to deal with their water issues on site as they would rather force taxpayers to cover the cost and neighbors to experience the inconvenience.

h. the norwood house meeting will take place soon to discuss an affordable plan for restoration, acquisition of materials and labor and collection of documents for historical designation. a few years ago someone requested to view the official file and did not return it so much work is needing to be done.

i. early voting has been moved from HEB to the bank of america across congress at the intersection of long bow next to gardner betts.

j. an open forum was held at st ignatius to discuss the current election and was attended by 800-900 people.

k. a police commander's forum will be held at grace methodist church next tuesday the 13th at 6:30 to discuss all police related matters.

l. some neighbors are participating in a pottery show may 8th-11th at the E4 gallery on 3307 east 4th street – "sharing a passion for clay"