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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.
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"This
system is designed to benefit neighborhoods, and with neighborhood
planning, you've got a guarantee that it will." |
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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."
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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.
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The
advocate idea is yet another way neighbors can ensure that new development
will meet their compatibility standards. |
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