Planning CommissionOct. 25, 2022

04 Public Correspondence.pdf — original pdf

Backup
Thumbnail of the first page of the PDF
Page 1 of 14 pages

Meredith, Maureen To: Subject: Barbara Mink RE: Case Number: NPA-2022-0028.02 From: Barbara Mink    Sent: Monday, October 24, 2022 4:54 PM  To: Meredith, Maureen <Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov>  Subject: Fw: Case Number: NPA‐2022‐0028.02    *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Case Number: NPA‐2022‐0028.02  Contact: Maureen Meredith  Public Hearing: October 25, 2022 Planning Commission   My name:  Barbara P. Mink   Address affected: 1208 Somerset Ave.  Austin 78753   Daytime phone number:  512‐415‐4090   Date: October 24, 2022   Comments:   I object to this amendment            My property is directly across the creek from the proposed project.  We had the developers out recently to  our neighborhood association meeting.  They did not present information on any details of this project.  They  just want the re‐zoning and then then they said they would tell the neighbors any details about what they  intend to build there.  The presentation was basically a “trust us, it will be lovely” approach.  We have gotten  differing information as to the number of units, whether they will be for purchase, for long term rental or  short‐term rental, etc.  “They will be lovely” is all the developers say.  LOTS more details are needed.   Legally they cannot build within a certain distance from the center of the creek. But they provided no  information about how they intend to protect the creek and not have contamination of the creek.  That creek  and the areas around the creek have a stand of huge trees and has been the natural habitat for generations  for owls, hawks, possums, armadillos, coyotes, foxes and many song birds.  The developers say that the area  along the creek will be ‘parkland’ without any details of how they intend to leave this natural area as the  wildlife refuge it has been for generations.  They seem to be using a loophole… they have to designate a  certain portion of their land as ‘parkland’, so they are just saying that their ‘parkland’ will just be the area  where they cannot build anyway.   1 Neighbors on this side of the creek have dealt with folks walking through our property to get to the wooded  area and the creek.  We have had to watch our children in our own backyards because of others trying to get  to the property across the creek.  If the area across the creek now becomes ‘parkland’, the amount of folks  from outside the immediate neighborhood seeking access to this area will only increase.   The developers need to be much more forthcoming with detailed plans.   Dr. Barbara P. Mink Dean | School of Leadership Studies Fielding Graduate University Thank you,  Barbara  | fielding.edu CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 2 From: Barbara Mink Sent: Monday, October 24, 2022 4:50 PM To: Chaffin, Heather <Heather.Chaffin@austintexas.gov> Subject: Case Number: C14-2022-0085 *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Case Number: C14-2022-0085 Contact: Heather Chaffin Public Hearing: October 25, 2022 Planning Commission My name: Barbara P. Mink Address affected: 1208 Somerset Ave. Austin 78753 Daytime phone number: 512-415-4090 Date: October 24, 2022 Comments: I object to this rezoning. My property is directly across the creek from the proposed project. We had the developers out recently to our neighborhood association meeting. They did not present information on any details of this project. They just want the re-zoning and then then they said they would tell the neighbors any details about what they intend to build there. The presentation was basically a “trust us, it will be lovely” approach. We have gotten differing information as to the number of units, whether they will be for purchase, for long term rental or short-term rental, etc. “They will be lovely” is all the developers say. LOTS more details are needed. Legally they cannot build within a certain distance from the center of the creek. But they provided no information about how they intend to protect the creek and not have contamination of the creek. That creek and the areas around the creek have a stand of huge trees and has been the natural habitat for generations for owls, hawks, possums, armadillos, coyotes, foxes and many song birds. The developers say that the area along the creek will be ‘parkland’ without any details of how they intend to leave this natural area as the wildlife refuge it has been for generations. They seem to be using a loophole… they have to designate a certain portion of their land as ‘parkland’, so they are just saying that their ‘parkland’ will just be the area where they cannot build anyway. Neighbors on this side of the creek have dealt with folks walking through our property to get to the wooded area and the creek. We have had to watch our children in our own backyards because of others trying to get to the property across the creek. If the area across the creek now becomes ‘parkland’, the amount of folks from outside the immediate neighborhood seeking access to this area will only increase. The developers need to be much more forthcoming with detailed plans. Thank you, Barbara Dr. Barbara P. Mink Dean | School of Leadership Studies Fielding Graduate University On Tue, Oct 18, 2022 at 10:07 AM Angèle Davidson < > wrote: Hi Amanda, Happy to make time to discuss my request and concerns. I'll detail out my concerns below, but I'm also happy to have you out to the property to show you some of the reasons for my (and my neighbors in the 1300/1400 block) concerns first hand. I truly appreciate all that your client has already done to clear out the area. It has helped improve things significantly, and that's part of the reason why I'm inclined to support the zoning change with some additional commitments I've already outlined in my original email to Maureen. There are still a few other large and trash dump sites that are on the south side of the creek (and some falling into the creek) which is part of a lot that is a buffer between our back property lines and the creek itself. This property is not your client's responsibility, but we haven't had success with the property owner to clean them up, so these sites pose a concern for the property owners on the south side of the creek when folks who cross the creek from the north side and onto private properties, because they are filled with all kinds of stuff people shouldn't be trying to walk through. As I mentioned before there is no public access to the creek from the Applegate Dr side, but because there is a water easement that looks like a sidewalk that people frequently mistake as a trail (you have to walk through undeveloped lots or peoples yards to get to this because it doesn't connect to the street). Some of us have posted signs around our property stating that it's private, but it's not stopped a good portion of people who think it's just access to the greenbelt. We want to make sure if this becomes dedicated park land that it's publicized how to get in and out of the park. We just don't want people trespassing and getting hurt, which is why having a fence/barriers to make it harder to cross the creek (and for less trash to make it into the creek) would be helpful. And I think for people coming across from the north side of the creek (which is very steep) having some signage letting them know they aren't just walking off into the woods but actually into our backyards. Hoping that might keep some of that traffic from coming through the dump sites and into our yards. Thanks for your time, Angèle From: Amanda Brown < Sent: Monday, October 17, 2022 1:58 PM To: Meredith, Maureen <Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov> Cc: Sosebee, Jonathan < >; Chaffin, Heather <Heather.Chaffin@austintexas.gov> Subject: Re: FW: Case: NPA-2022-0028.02 HI Maureen, Thank you for forwarding. Yes, please give her my information. We would like to chat with her about the security of the park. Please let her know that the new owner, our client, has worked with APD to clear the creek of all people experiencing homlessness and has been out twice to clear all the debris. I think they cleared out 4 truck loads of stuff. If she is still having issues, then we will certainly go back out. From: Angèle Davidson Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2022 10:14 AM To: Meredith, Maureen <Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov> Subject: Case: NPA-2022-0028.02 Hello, I'm writing because I received the notice for public hearing for 10600 Jonwood Way. I will be unable to attend the hearing in person on October, 25th, but I would like to send my comments. I'm in favor of the project under the condition that that the developer works with the city to fund barrier or fence around the edge of the north side of Pole Cat Creek. The edges are unsafe and littered with sharp and dangerous debris from past homeless camps that dot the area. I'd suggest that a clear entrance and exit to the park area is marked and information about where those locations are shared with the local community as the exclusive ways in and out of the park. Additionally, it would be appreciated if there are signs posted on the north side of the creek informing folks in the designated park area that all the property on the south side of the creek is private and not to be crossed over onto. We have frequent issues with trespassing and gun use in this area behind our properties on E Applegate Dr, so I'm happy for this development to take place, but I want assurance that it won't cause more trespassing from folks trying to get into the park as there will be no public access from our side of the creek. Thank you, Angèle Davidson 1400 E Applegate Dr Austin, TX 78753 Heritage Hills/Windsor Hills Neighborhood Plan Contact Team Austin, Texas 78753 October 20, 2022 Hi Maureen, This is a letter concerning NPA and zoning case (NPA-2022-0028.02 and C14-2022-008) and the property on Jonwood Way. There are two neighborhoods that will be directly impacted. From meetings I attended, there are concerns about the rezoning. • Both neighborhoods would prefer to see fewer houses in the current greenspace. Currently this • • greenspace hosts an abundance of wildlife, many resettled from the developments on the east side of Dessau. Parkland dedication. Everyone appreciates the parkland dedication of this parcel prior to zoning approval. However, we the neighbors would like this land kept as a wild place, with no park improvements. There is a lack of visibility for the entire development. (Figure 1) This zoning request is being made so that this lot can be included in the 30-unit build planned for the adjacent lot. We have not been presented with an overall plan, and have several related requests/concerns: o Can we have confirmation that construction will not cause future flooding to neighbors adjacent to the property? o The developers promised a vegetative barrier will be installed between the properties on Jonwood and the new housing development. We would like commitment on that. o The developers promised to build the primary entrance to the site on Dessau, particularly during the construction phase. We would like commitment on that. o Could the parkland dedication be extended to the adjacent property as well to protect the entire creek (Figure 2). We appreciate that the developers worked hard to meet with the neighborhood leaders. However, it would be good to understand how the entire planned development will impact the neighborhood. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Thank you, Gina Rosenthal HHWH Contact Team Member 9405 Dallum Drive 512.850.9769 Figure 1: Adjacent Parcel Figure 2: Adjacent Parcel Parkland Request