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Hancock Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 16,2019

President Mark Harkrider welcomed members and
called for a vote of the nominated officers. By
acclamation Mark Harkrider was elected President, Ann
Tucker was elected Vice president and Bruce Fairchild
was elected Treasurer.
Alison Young, Friends of Shipe Pool, reported that the
pool should be opened by June or July at the latest, in
addition, the Friends of Shipe Pool raised $60,000 for
the renovation of the log cabin. Alison is also a member
of the Friends of Ney Museum and reported it is
preparing a landscape plan for the Museum & raising
money for this activity.
John Hewlett, principal of Lee Elementary, introduced
himself & explained that due to the construction of the
new school building, the parking lot will be disabled and
there will be a need to find thirty-five parking spaces for
the teachers in the near-by neighborhoods. He is
particularly looking for parking permit holders to donate
one or two permits. Several members did so.
Hewlett also said the City will place a pedestrian beacon
at Harris and Red River, which the Lee SCHOOL PTA has
been working for.

Officer Gavin Smith introduced himself as the new night
shift patrol officer for the area from 12th street to 38th
Street. Officer Morrison will continue to patrol 38th &
North. Officer Smith said Hancock was one of the safest
neighborhoods in Austin which was very surprising to
him given the neighborhood is so near I-35 and the
homeless population has spread out. Smith said there
had been 49 car break-ins in the neighborhood and
almost all were because car owners didn’t lock their
cars.
Jen Dillahunty, chair of the Local Historic District,
reported that she had a new job and could no longer
be the chair of the LHD; the LHD Committee is having a
meeting Saturday, the 19th to decide on next steps. Terri
Myers reported that almost all the neighborhood streets
have been surveyed by residents, but much work is
needed.
Members agreed the LHD was a priority.
Hugh Bender, Zoning & development chair, reported
there had been one demolition permit application of a
1950s single-family home at 1023 East 45th, near the
railroad line. There was no mention of fighting the
demolition permit.
James Stroud, who represents the neighborhood on the
City’s “sound” committee, reported he had attended

two meetings which mainly focused on the disturbance
to the hotels caused by downtown music venues. He will
attend a February 2, meeting and mention that
our neighborhood was still concerned about the noise
traveling through Waller Creek.
Bart Whatley stated CANPAC has been responding to the
requests for height variances in West Austin. He also
said that the development community and the City was
prepared to see the neighborhoods near UT become
more like West Campus: dense and with high rise
buildings on Guadalupe & maybe Red River.
Carolyn Palaima reported on the recommendations for
the use of the $434,000, which was given to HNA in the
2007 Concordia settlement and which, by a resolution
agreed upon by HNA & Eastwoods NA adopted in 2007
must be used for parkland and open space in Hancock
neighborhood. At two engagement meetings, not at
HNA meetings, projects were proposed for the use of
the dollars. See attachment. There were questions
about the need for and height of the proposed netting
along 38th street to protect traffic from golf balls. Also
about a proposed “marque sign” on 38th & Peck. HNA
will have an opportunity to review any proposed
project.

These projects were proposed at engagement meetings,
these projects have not been adopted by HNA
Membership.

January 2019
Agreed upon list of expenditures that came out of 2 HNA public engagement meetings for funds
held at the Parks Foundation (from Concordia settlement). The HNA Parks Committee also met
on 3 occasions with PARD on project feasibility and estimated costs. The HNA Parks
Committee will begin implementation of the work items below.
1. Marquee sign at the intersection of Red River and 38th = ~$10K
2. New netting along 38th Street to protect traffic from golf balls; 1/2 HNA and 1/2 PARD.
Need estimate.
3. New netting along Red River to protect traffic from golf balls; 1/2 HNA and 1/2 PARD. Need
estimate.
4. New ADA ramp and grading improvements = ~$20K; 1/2 HNA and 1/2 PARD
5. Add lighting (2 watchman) to existing parking lot = ~$20K; check with PARD on location
6. Hancock monument signs (at least 4) = ~$50,000
7. Resurface trail along Peck and up 41st to bridge; spot maintenance along 38th. Check with
Park Foundation about contractor.
8. PARD has discussed improvements to the entrance and parking for the Hancock Recreation
Center. There are no definite plans at this point, but HNA Parks Committee initiated
discussion that the design include protection for the large oak trees / critical root zone.
9. $100,000 will be retained in Park Foundation fund for ongoing maintenance of trail;
maintenance to be scheduled every two years.