text only

Search

What's Happening?
News
Calendar

Light Rail Transit
What is it?

Videos
Road Myths

Light Rail Progress
Articles

Join us
Register for e-list
Donate
Volunteer

Links
Austin Community
Light Rail
Transit

Austin Light Rail Proposals
Austin Home Page
Where will it run?The issues
Voter registrationProfiles
Support
Neighborhoods
En cuestion




Vote Yes Nov. 7
 

 

Light Rail will enhance neighborhoods

The Following articles will keep you updated on how neighborhoods will be involved in planning to ensure Light Rail meets the compatibility standards with their community.

Capital Metro Passes Resolution for commitments to neighborhoods (see full text)

City commits to neighborhood plans along LRT corridors

City approves neighborhood advocate position

Neighborhood groups to play part in station art/landscaping and business mitigation.

City commits to neighborhood plans along Light Rail Corridors
Each year the City Council defines which neighborhoods will get planning staff assistance and money devoted toward developing their neighborhood plans.

The plans define how the neighborhoods will grow and preserve their unique character--including specific guidelines for transportation (roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic calming, transit stations, etc) and development, both commercial and residential. The can then institute zoning changes as well, with City Council approval.

 

"This system is designed to benefit neighborhoods, and with neighborhood planning, you've got a guarantee that it will."

This year the city is proposing to allocate planning funds to 10 neighborhoods along the proposed Light Rail corridors under the "assumption" that Light Rail will pass on Nov. 7, according to Austan Librach, director of Austin's Planning, Environmental & Conservation Services Department.

The process will ensure that neighborhoods can plan for Light Rail, including what kind of stations and accompanying development they would like along the lines. "The process--which is supported by Capital Metro--shows that rumors from rail opponents about high-rise buildings from Light Rail destroying their neighborhoods is baloney," said Rob D'Amico, a volunteer for Light Rail Now! "This system is designed to benefit neighborhoods, and with neighborhood planning, you've got a guarantee that it will."

The neighborhoods receiving assistance in this year's budget are defined by planning areas, not neighborhood associations, and include: Wooten, North Shoal Creek, Brentwood, Allendale, Crestview, Rosedale, East Congress, West Congress and South River City.

Each neighborhood will create a committee made up of homeowners, businesses and other groups for each area, which will then work with city staff to gather input and develop the plans.

"Neighborhood planning and input works," D'Amico said. "Just look at the Triangle development. Without any real power, neighbors were able to shape the State of Texas' land use plan from a disgusting strip mall into a remarkable mixed-use development with a focus on residential living. It wasn't a matter of density, like everyone always talks about, it was a matter of uses and compatibility. Just think what neighbors with real power over land use can do."

 

City approves neighborhood advocate position
City Councilmembers approved a request from local activists asking for a neighborhood advocate position. The position--housed in the City Manager's office--will act as a liaison between city government and neighborhoods with an emphasis on keeping communities informed of developments that could impact their lives.

The advocate will mediate disputes between the city and neighbors and act as a neutral party. The advocate idea was proposed by activists Sabrina Burmeister and Cathy Echols, two principal negotiators for neighbors in the former Triangle dispute with the State of Texas.

The advocate is yet another way neighbors can ensure that new development will meet their compatibility standards.

The advocate idea is yet another way neighbors can ensure that new development will meet their compatibility standards.

Neighbors would help pick public art and landscape projects and work with contractors to minimize construction impacts.


Neighborhood groups to play part in station art/landscaping and business mitigation
The Capital Metro Board approved a dozen "Mitigation and Enhancement Pledges" at it's Sept. 18 meeting. Included were pledges to include neighborhood groups in business advisory teams, which would work with contractors to ensure construction projects cause the least disruption possible to businesses and residences.

The Board also pledged to fund $50,000 worth of public art and landscaping projects at stations. Neighborhoods and Capital Metro would form a committee at each station to decide on projects and designs for funding.

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

contact get involved features vote news about us home contact get involved news about us Light Rail Now! Home