ITEM02 C15-2024-0024 PRESENTATION — original pdf

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Presenter and property owner: Christi Lane My dogs, Sophie and Pickles, playing in the exact location of the latest vehicle impact. 2104 Westover Rd Austin, Texas 78703 A little about me: A native Texan, I first moved to Austin in the 90s to attend the University of Texas at Austin. I own 2 businesses. One, Reform Pilates, is a local business established in 2006. I am back at UT studying genetics with the desire to be a part of scientific research. I have lived in my home for about 15 years. I have loved watching Austin grow with the exception of the detriment to my property. I have taken this fall semester off to handle this important issue. I am asking for your help with a hardship variance for my safety and protection of my property. ITEM02/1-PRESENTATIONBackground: In the 1969 plans for Loop 1 (Mopac), 3 streets were considered Type E Separations for the area: Hancock Dr, W. 45th Street, and my street, Westover Rd. Other intersections were classified as redirects. ITEM02/2-PRESENTATIONMy home, built in 1952, is unique in that the property was bisected diagonally leaving the remaining property downhill and exposed to the direction of traffic from the southbound Westover Rd exit ramp. No other property in the area with equivalent downtown traffic has this juxtaposition. ITEM02/3-PRESENTATION185m 183m The problem Another feature of the property is the change in altitude relative to traffic flow. The photo shows readings taken with an altimeter at selected levels of the southbound Westover Rd exit ramp. The difference in grade from the ramp to my property is 13 feet with my home being the lower altitude. . 172m ITEM02/4-PRESENTATIONThe problem: Hazardous airborne debris, often with the velocity of highway traffic. When I leave my house, I shut the doors to all rooms containing north (backyard) facing windows and I block access to the doggie-door. This gives me some mild reassurance that my dogs will be safe when a window breaks. I have experienced a total of 5 breaks located at the back of the house from airborne debris since I have lived in my home. I have also had punctured siding, though I consider this less threatening. I don’t use my backyard when I have an inadequate fence because I fear injury. ITEM02/5-PRESENTATIONJune 12, 2024 After the wreck that took the fence down on April 18, 2024, a temporary 6’ fence was put in place. This photo and all following photos are of debris found inside my property line in just 5 days from June 12-16. Although it is abundant, soft debris (trash) that I do not consider a threat was not photographed or included. ITEM02/6-PRESENTATIONJune 13, 2024 Car parts and trash found on my property . ITEM02/7-PRESENTATIONJune 14, 2024 Car parts, metal and wood shards and unidentifiable machine parts found on my property . ITEM02/8-PRESENTATIONJune 15, 2024 Glass and possibly a piece of granite or marble. ITEM02/9-PRESENTATIONJune 16, 2024 More glass and unidentifiable car or machine parts ITEM02/10-PRESENTATIONThe first wreck. A 6-8 foot wood fence was in place at the time. 9/2/12 ITEM02/11-PRESENTATIONITEM02/12-PRESENTATIONThe second wreck. April 18, 2024. Although both vehicles impacted the property at the same location, this truck did not go through a building. Both drivers did not brake and were therefore accelerating on the slope of the exit ramp leading into my property. One driver had fallen asleep (drunk) and the other vehicle’s brakes failed. I am still in the process of getting insurance to pay for damages. I currently do not use my backyard while this section of fence is missing. It is the same area where airborne debris enters. ITEM02/13-PRESENTATIONTrajectory of vehicles and hazardous airborne debris. Data collected from broken windows, vehicle position upon impact, wreckage, trash patterns and velocity. ITEM02/14-PRESENTATIONSolution: The properties with similar proximity to Mopac have been protected by a wall built around 2017. This is known as a sound wall but it has been reinforced around homes where property was involved in repeat vehicle collisions. The entire length of the residences along the northbound W 45th exit ramp are protected by the wall. The entire length of the residences along the northbound Westover Rd exit ramp are protected by the wall. The entire length of the residences along the northbound Westover Rd exit ramp are protected by the wall. Twice ITEM02/15-PRESENTATIONUnfortunately, the wall falls short at the southbound Westover Rd exit ramp which runs along my bisected property line. ITEM02/16-PRESENTATION(# inch wide) Posts were planted at least 4 feet deep into limestone. Thick enough to slow and redirect a moving vehicle at highway speeds. Using this natural feature instead of digging in soft soil, prevents soil movement. Limestone cement was also utilized to set the posts as it expands and contracts less than gravel concrete with temperature fluctuations. This one reason why my 12’ fence has survived several freezes when shorter fences have failed. Survive temperature fluctuations Experimental height 1 Height 2 Survived 2 major freezes Cement fiber boards significantly lighter than wood and fireproof where installed at 8 feet but did not stop airborne debris. I determined that the elevation difference between my property and the exit ramp needed to be the height of my fence. At this point no dangerous debris was entering my property. ITEM02/17-PRESENTATIONAdd references for collected data ITEM02/18-PRESENTATION