03-9: Member Survey and Results on Neighborhood Developments — original pdf

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8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 David Kinsey <davidkinsey2011@gmail.com> REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 2 messages Holly NA <hollyneighborhoodassocation@193250530.mailchimpapp.com> Reply-To: hollyneighborhoodassocation@gmail.com To: davidkinsey2011@gmail.com Mon, Aug 12, 2024 at 7:13 PM View this email in your browser Holly Members, The board and development committee of The Holly Neighborhood Association has identified two development items in our neighborhood in which we would like to poll our members before taking a stance on the projects. As a non-profit seeking to represent our neighbors, we are asked time to time by various parties to express an opinion related to a development. In many cases we abstain, and instead do our best to share information with our members so that their inclinations can be expressed privately. However, we believe these two projects are impactful enough that taking a collective stance on the development would be beneficial to the residents of Holly. Below, we have a link to a quick survey and detail surrounding both projects - we’d love to get your feedback! Start Survey! EV Charging Stations Voltera conditional use permit appeal to City Council to allow for commercial electric vehicle charging stations https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=fa5d35766f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1807229135023140212&simpl=msg-f:180722913502314021… 1/5 8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 HISTORY: EV charging company Voltera is seeking City Council support to build charging stations for commercial vehicles on their properties at 2711 E Cesar Chavez and 2730 E Cesar Chavez. In April, Voltera's initial application was denied by the Planning Commission, citing the lack of fit a charging station would have in our neighborhood, and resident opposition. The vote was 7-3-3, seven opposed, three in favor, and three abstaining. Following this ruling, Voltera initiated an appeal of the Planning Commission decision. CONSIDERATIONS: The Holly NA board has expressed concerns over the degree of fit a commercial charging port has in our neighborhood, the persistent on-site lighting and potential noise from the generators, the quoted/expected number of vehicles to pass through the site daily, the upkeep of the landscaping over time, and the small number of public charging spaces currently available. Here is a short presentation from Voltera on the proposed sites, and this link details a California project designed by Voltera for trucks (Cesar site for sprinter vans or smaller only). ADDITIONAL DETAIL: Following the Planning Commission hearing, Voltera has proposed changes to their project plans to include two public EV charging spaces, a Metrobike station, a combined drinking water and hand-washing station, a community seating area, and educational signage. These changes are included in the design linked above. The stations would include 24/7 security with overnight downward lighting and enhanced landscaping of the sites. The included equipment will generate a hum (not louder than the sound of a refrigerator or a passing car). Voltera’s projection for vehicle trips added to the intersection/roadways surrounding the development is approximately 100 per day. Statements made by https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=fa5d35766f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1807229135023140212&simpl=msg-f:180722913502314021… 2/5 8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 the Planning Commission regarding their votes, as well as a statement from the law firm representing Voltera, can be found in the Austin Monitor article linked above. Expedition School Boat Dock Proposed dock for use by The Expedition School in the lagoon at Edward Rendon Park HISTORY: The Expedition School, founded in 2006, has provided the community at large and the Holly Shores neighborhood safe, fun, and transformative outdoor experiences and safety training classes for Austinites of all ages and ability. The School offers free and/or low cost programs to low socioeconomic status (SES) populations, AISD, non-profits, youth, elders, and adaptive participants. The School originally operated their SUP, canoe and kayak programs in the shared space with the Lorraine Grandma Camacho Center dock and shoreline. The School was (temporarily) moved to the Nash Hernandez boat ramp in 2020, and now seeks a permanent home on the western edge of the lagoon. Information on the proposal can be found here, which includes a more detailed history of the site planning process, a comparison to The Texas Rowing Center, and site plan detail. CONSIDERATIONS: The Holly Board has expressed concerns related to the commercialization of the park and concession allowance, the proposed size of the dock, the environmental impact and additional traffic to the area, and ownership rights to the dock should the Expedition School go out of business. The https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=fa5d35766f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1807229135023140212&simpl=msg-f:180722913502314021… 3/5 8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 board also expressed concerns over the process by which the city decided to amend the Holly Shores plan, and the fact that the construction of the dock may make parts of that plan unrealizable. The board takes care to note that the construction of the dock has neighborhood support from the Holly coalition, and that The Expedition School has been operating for many years in the Holly neighborhood at a nearby location to the proposed dock. ADDITIONAL DETAIL: The dock, as we understand it, would allow for residents of Holly to rent SUPs, kayaks, or canoes during School operating hours. Residents may launch their own watercraft from the dock during operating hours - as long as there are no reserved programs that are currently utilizing the space (adaptive programs for intellectually developmentally disabled, blind and visually impaired, programs for youth, etc.). No motorized boats will be operated or are being added. No food concessions are being added, and no alcohol will be sold. The dock would also not be accessible outside the Expedition school's operating hours due to theft and vandalism - all challenges they have faced historically throughout the night in the area. City Council voted in 2019 an ordinance authorizing a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake for The Expedition School and to amend the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon, Sr. Park Master Plan. The amendment was to indicate the location of The Expedition School’s boating concession given 1) The support for this project by Holly residents at the time; 2) The School being the only boating rental in the north shore, Eastside; and 3) The positive, sustainable, and impactful mission and community benefit of the School continues to bring to the area. Copyright (C) 2024 Holly Neighborhood Association. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you shared your contact information with the Holly Neighborhood Association team at a meeting or though a marketing campaign. Our mailing address is: Holly Neighborhood Association 823 Congress Avenue, Suite 150 Box 31 Austin, TX 78701 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe David Kinsey <davidkinsey2011@gmail.com> To: lobrien@ftportfolios.com [Quoted text hidden] Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 8:03 AM https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=fa5d35766f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1807229135023140212&simpl=msg-f:180722913502314021… 4/5