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hancock neighborhood association newsletter
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www.hancockna.org
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december 2012
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PROGRESS ON HUFFSTICKLER GREEN
Construction has begun on Huffstickler Green, a green space at the corner of 38th and Duval. The space will have Huffstickler Green is a joint project of Hancock and Hyde native landscaping and limestone hardscape elements Park neighborhood associations working with the City of with approximately one-half Bermuda sod and one-half Austin.
decomposed granite. Existing trees will be maintained and two Chinquapin oaks will be added. Irrigation will be installed.
JANUARY OFFICER ELECTIONS
All HNA members who wish to vote in the January officer elections must pay the $5 dues before the meeting January 16 at 7 p.m. at the Hancock Recreation Center. You may pay at the meeting.
Wednesday Janurary 16, 7:00pm
Next HNA Mtg
Hancock Recreation Center
The slate of nominees: President none Vice President -- incumbent Rafi Anuar and Reed Henderson Secretary incumbent Julie Reynolds Treasurer incumbent Bruce Fairchild Please plan to attend this important meeting. The officers you elect will guide HNA through the challenges before us in the coming year.
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PRESIDENT'S LETTER HNA Officers
President . . . . . . . . . Mike Hirsch Vice President . . . . . Rafi Anuar Secretary . . . . . . . . . Julia Reynolds Treasurer . . . . . . . . . Bruce Fairchild CANPAC Reps . . . . . . Bart Whatley & Mike Hirsch Neighborhood Council Liaison . . . Linda Guerrero
Dear Neighbors, It's been a busy year for the Hancock Neighborhood Association. We began the year facing the potential loss of our golf course. Thankfully we've gained a three to five year reprieve while the city looks to improve its finances. Development questions regarding the Perry Estate continue. A recent survey of neighborhood residents have helped us formulate a response to the most recent proposal for the estate. Fears have recently been raised about the possibility of three stealth dorms being built across from Lee Elementary School. Vigilant neighbors there are monitoring this development. And after many years of effort Huffstickler Green is finally coming to fruition on the northeast corner of 38th and Duval. Ours is a dynamic neighborhood, both in its richness of community and the attraction it has to outsiders who wish to change us. Maintaining what we've grown to love is a constant challenge. I thank all of you who work to preserve the best of us. Please continue your support for our neighborhood. Neighborhood dues are $5.00 household/ year. Please join us at the first meeting of 2013 on January 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Hancock Recreation Center. Have a wonderful holiday season! Mike Hirsch, President, HNA
Please visit our website for email addresses
hancock newsletter is published by the Hancock
Neighborhood Association [HNA]. HNA meetings are held bi-monthly beginning in January, at 7pm on the 3rd Wednesday at the Hancock Recreation Center located at 41st & Red River. Editor . . . . . . Layout . . . . . . Advertising . . Webmaster . . Carol Moczygemba Bart Whatley Kathleen Strong--kstrong@wt.net George Wilson
The Hancock neighborhood extends from 32nd to 45th Streets and Duval to I-35.
HANCOCK WINS HABITAT CHALLENGE THIRD PLACE
Hancock Wins Third Place in Habitat Challenge HNA, with 8 newly certified wildlife habitats, has won third place in the citywide competition sponsored by Wildlife Austin for most new habitats established. Prizes will be awarded in February at a celebration banquet for the top three neighborhoods. Wildlife Austin promotes the creation and conservation of wildlife habitats through community-wide collaboration and public education, and helps bridge existing city initiatives that encourage a well balanced and healthy urban environment for people and wildlife.
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HARRIS AVE PROPOSED DORM STYLE DUPLEXES
- Submitted by Mary Sanger Neighbors Please Express Your Concern. As of November 30th, the former Child Craft Day Care at 718, 720 and 722 Harris Ave. has been demolished and the lots have been bought. These lots are across the Street from Lee Elementary School. Zoning for these lots is SF-3-CO-NP, which permits six three-bedroom, two-bath units, thus housing possibly 18 unrelated adults on this site. The developer plans to build in this configuration. There could be 9 cars on site, with probably a total of 18. Dorm-style duplexes have devastated the Northfield neighborhood and other Austin neighborhoods and could have a very negative impact on Harris Avenue, Lee Elementary, and the Hancock neighborhood communities. See photographs of these types of duplexes at: http:// www.northfieldna.org/stealthdorms.html Most importantly, being diagonally across the street from Lee Elementary school, the increased traffic is a danger to our children who walk to and from the school. Lee Elementary School PTA has strongly voiced its alarm to the developers. The proposed duplexes are not compatible with the Hancock Neighborhood Plan, which has the goal of preserving
family and adult single, residential homes. The Northfield Neighborhood Association has said it:
"Having so many unrelated people on one "single-family" property creates a parking problem. It creates a traffic problem. It creates a trash problem. It creates a noise problem. It creates a strain on infrastructure designed for single-family occupancy. And it creates a safety hazard for both the residents of the stealth dorm as well as surrounding neighbors." --Northfield Neighborhood Association Website
Write or email the developers and ask them to reconfigure the plan so the housing will attract families and adults, for which there is a great demand. ("There is a shortage of available properties in Central Austin Area. We are seeing buyers get into bidding wars over properties." Ltr from 512Realty 11/12.) The developers are: Mr. Kevin Cutsinger: kcutsinger@cutsingercustomhomes.com; 1979 CR 200 Liberty Hill, TX 78642, and Mr. Ross Cole: ross@austincentricrealty.com 502 West 30th Street, Austin, TX 78705. Send a copy to the Council: http://austintexas.gov/mail/all -council-members. Hancock Neighborhood Association Contact: Angela at apackzia@gmail.com
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LETTER TO PROPERTY OWNERS OF FORMER CHILD CRAFT LOCATION
which permits six unrelated adults per site. And we also recognize that the Central Austin Neighborhood Planning process resulted in a plan that encourages increased density in University neighborhoods, particularly west of UT. HNA supports these The following letter was written by HNA President Mike Hirsch goals; however, the Hancock community is primarily true singleto the property owners of the former Child Craft day care center family in usage, and dormitory-style uses are not compatible. If on Harris Avenue, which has been demolished to make way for you plan to build dormitory-style duplexes, we respectfully urge three duplexes. Neighbors fear these structures will become you to reconsider and to do the right thing by way of your neigh"stealth" dorms, meaning the buildings, while legal within city bors. HNA would support your constructing duplexes with two zoning ordinances, often attract more unrelated residents per bedrooms and two baths per side. This configuration might unit than are allowed by code. mean a little less profit for you, but it would encourage rentals by young families who will add long-time value to our communiNovember17, 2012 ty. Plus, it will save all of us, you included, from dealing with the typical nuisances generated by students living in dormitory- or Mr. Kevin CutsingeR fraternity-like settings. 1979 CR 200 Permitting issues. Since you have not filed your plans, we will Liberty Hill, TX 78642 reserve for the future our consideration of permitting isMr. Ross Cole sues. You must know, however, that the water and sewer infra502 West 30th Street structure supporting your site is antiquated and is on its last Austin, TX 78705 legs. We will be urging the City to challenge all assumptions regarding the need for upgrades to support up to 18 new resiRe: 718 and 722 Harris Ave. dents. Parking. The property will support only nine on-site parking Dear Mr. Cutsinger and Mr. Cole: spots. On-street parking for the remaining nine tenants will of necessity be burdensome on the neighborhood. Currently, parI am writing at the request of members of the Hancock Neighents of Lee Elementary students use curbside parking for pick up borhood Association (HNA) to bring to your attention several and drop off. Most of them escort their children into the buildconcerns regarding your recent acquisition of the above proper- ing. This long-standing practice will certainly be disrupted if you ties. build dormitory-style duplexes. Noise. HNA aggressively enforces the anti-noise ordinance. Any Until now, that property has been a single-family residence on noise after 10 p.m. will be reported every time it occurs. After three small lots utilized as a day care center. I am pleased that two complaints, property owners go on a list at the City for tarsomeone intends to remove a problem structure from our geted enforcement. We will ensure that this rule is applied neighborhood and that you plan to invest in new housing. How- properly. Obviously, student use of this property will increase ever, the pattern of your ownership of another parcel at 2917 the probability that all of us will have to deal with noise issues. Rio Grande, together with the building permit recently obtained Notice to Tenants. If you rent to students, we will be giving for 306 Franklin Blvd, suggest that you may intend to build three written notice to your leasing agency and your tenants so they duplexes, each with six bedrooms and four baths per site. Such will be fully aware of the city ordinances governing parking, a configuration would discourage rental to persons other than trash, noise, and alcohol use, and HNA's enforcement of them. students. I must tell you frankly that HNA intends to vigorously oppose converting this property into dormitory-style student We will be raising all these issues with the appropriate City officrental housing. If that is what you mean to do, we hope you will es, including Council members, several of whom are personally work with us for creative options that could satisfy both your quite aware of conditions surrounding Lee Elementary and the business interests and the interest of the Hancock community. need for special attention to surrounding development. Before we call upon the City, we ask that you please have direct discusThere is an old saying: "A place for everything, and everything in sions with representatives of HNA. We have a HNA zoning comits place." HNA believes that Harris Avenue is not the right place mittee. I am happy to call of meeting of this committee to meet for dormitory-style duplexes. Here are some of our interests: with you at your earliest convenience. Safety of Lee Elementary School Children. But for Waller Creek and Harris Avenue separating them, these properties would adjoin the Lee Elementary schoolyard. At least twice daily during the school year, and frequently after hours for plays and festivals, Harris Avenue is congested with children and their parents, some pushing baby carriages. They arrive by car, by foot, and by bicycle. The addition of possibly 18 college students and their vehicles will increase the risk of accidents on an already toobusy street. Just recently, because of safety concerns for the school children, the City of Austin altered its plans to use the culde-sac of Carolyn Avenue as a staging area for infrastructure improvements to 32d Street. Density. We recognize that the property is already zoned SF-3,
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HNA will remain opposed to converting the property to dormitory-style student rental. However it may be possible to find a mutually productive way to satisfy neighborhood concerns and meet your investment needs. Please come to our meeting, and let's talk. Please reply to me at 600 Texas Avenue, Austin, TX 78705. My email address is mlhirsch@htu.edu and my phone number is 512 -505-3125. Very truly yours, Michael Hirsch President, Hancock Neighborhood Association
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HNA Membership meeting Nov. 14, 2012
Called to order at 7 pm . Meeting Notes: Presentation by Kunda Wicce - Austin Beyond Coal - Members voted to send a letter to the City Council urging decommissioning Austin's share in the Fayette Power Plant President's notes - announced 7 pm presentation Nov 15 by UT architecture students' special project HNA Perry estate committee Report - Reed Henderson, chair, reported on Nov. 7 committee meeting with Clark Lyda. Neighborhood Survey is being used to talk with developer about what is and is not acceptable to neighbors. Results on HNA website. Committee will negotiate with Lyda between now and February to get plan closer to what neighborhood wants. 103 responses to survey out of about 950 addresses in HNA. Committee will meet again Tuesday, Nov 20 at 8:00 pm at Hancock Recreation Center. Parks Committee Report - path around golf course awaiting engineering report in order to proceed Discussion on Harris Ave Development -Michael Hebert reported on old Child Craft school on Harris Ave, property now in disrepair. City has given demolition permit. 3 lots 50' across each. Duplexes will be built. Risk to neighborhood is they can lease up to 6 unrelated individuals on each lot. (Kevin Cutsinger, builder, builds high quality buildings.) With increased traffic and parking there is a safety question for children at Lee Elementary. Hebert provided handouts, which will be available on the HNA website. He suggested HNA President Mike Hirsch write letter to developer raising safety issues, traffic and parking. Members voted in favor. Treasurer's Report - Bruce Fairchild reported roughly $2,000 in money market and $12,000 in checking account. Nominations for 2013 Officers - Julie Reynolds nominated for secretary and approved. Bruce Fairchild nominated and approved for treasurer. Reed Henderson and incumbent Rafi Anuar nominated for vice president. Mike Hirsch declined to be nominated for another term as president. Mark Burch motion to table nomination for president till January meeting. All were in favor. Kathleen Strong recognized Waller Creek cleaners and they were given a round of applause. Announcements - Lighting of luminarias around golf course second week in December. Reclaimed water system moving forward for golf course. Adjourn - meeting adjourned at 8 pm.
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PERRY ESTATE SURVEY
The online Perry Estate survey results showed 103 respondents, 96 of whom were residents of the Hancock neighborhood. Seventy-seven of those residents had paid dues to the Hancock Neighborhood Association.
Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will lead to increased traffic in and around the Perry Estate Property? Yes 89.3% No 2.9% Undecided/Don't know 7.8%
The following are some of the responses. To see results of the entire survey, go to the HNA website at Do you think the increased traffic in and around the Perry www.hancockna.org Estate Property would adversely affect the quality of life for Hancock Neighborhood residents? The following Residential Uses are permitted under the current SF-3 Zoning Category for the property. Please se- Yes 66.0% 64 No 22.7% 22 lect all residential uses which YOU WOULD ALLOW Undecided/Don't know 11.3% 11 Bed & Breakfast 76.7% 79 Duplex Residential 42.7% 44 Retirement Housing 50.5% 52 Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 Single Family Attached Residential 62.1% 64 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ Single Family Residential 87.4% 90 commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will lead to Two-Family Residential 40.8% 42 increased noise in the Hancock Neighborhood (e.g., the presence of amplified sound, noise of service vehicles)? Private Primary Educational Yes 75.7% Facilities No 12.6% 79.6% 82 Undecided/Don't know 11.7% Private Secondary Educational Facilities Do you think the increased noise in and around the Perry 73.8% 76 Estate Property will adversely affect the quality of life for Hancock Neighborhood residents? Public Primary Educational Yes 67.0% 59 Facilities No 22.7% 20 46.6% 48 Undecided/Don't know 10.2% 9 Public Secondary Educational Facilities Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 41.7% 43 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will lead to Religious Assembly 55.3% 57 increased parking on the neighborhood streets near the Perry Estate? Safety Services 10.7% 11 Yes 76.7% No 14.6% Undecided/Don't know 8.7% Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will inDo you think this increased parking will adversely affect crease, decrease, or have no effect on the values of resithe quality of life for residents living on or near the border dential properties on or near the border of the Perry Esof the Perry Estate? tate? Count Increase 9.7% Yes 77.4% 65 Decrease 43.7% No 10.7% 9 Have no effect 16.5% Undecided/Don't know 11.9% 10 Undecided/Don't know 30.1% JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD EMAIL GROUP GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/HANCOCKNEIGHBORHOODASSOCIATION PAGE 8
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Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will adversely affect the privacy for residents living on or near the border of the Perry Estate? Yes 63.1% No 22.3% Undecided/Don't know 14.6% Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will adversely affect the quality of life for residents who live on or near the border of the Perry Estate? Yes 59.2% No 22.3% Undecided/Don't know 18.4% -
Hancock Golf Course, Ron Temple
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HANDY WEBSITES
City of Austin Development http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/development/default.htm City of Austin Green Garden Project http://www.cityofaustin.org/greengarden/ City of Austin Neighborhood Planning http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/default.htm Central Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Area http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/central_austin.htm Hancock Recreation Center http://coawebparks.ci.austin.tx.us/registrationmain.sdi
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PAGE 12
hancock neighborhood association newsletter
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www.hancockna.org
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december 2012
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PROGRESS ON HUFFSTICKLER GREEN
Construction has begun on Huffstickler Green, a green space at the corner of 38th and Duval. The space will have Huffstickler Green is a joint project of Hancock and Hyde native landscaping and limestone hardscape elements Park neighborhood associations working with the City of with approximately one-half Bermuda sod and one-half Austin.
decomposed granite. Existing trees will be maintained and two Chinquapin oaks will be added. Irrigation will be installed.
JANUARY OFFICER ELECTIONS
All HNA members who wish to vote in the January officer elections must pay the $5 dues before the meeting January 16 at 7 p.m. at the Hancock Recreation Center. You may pay at the meeting.
Wednesday Janurary 16, 7:00pm
Next HNA Mtg
Hancock Recreation Center
The slate of nominees: President none Vice President -- incumbent Rafi Anuar and Reed Henderson Secretary incumbent Julie Reynolds Treasurer incumbent Bruce Fairchild Please plan to attend this important meeting. The officers you elect will guide HNA through the challenges before us in the coming year.
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PAGE 1
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PRESIDENT'S LETTER HNA Officers
President . . . . . . . . . Mike Hirsch Vice President . . . . . Rafi Anuar Secretary . . . . . . . . . Julia Reynolds Treasurer . . . . . . . . . Bruce Fairchild CANPAC Reps . . . . . . Bart Whatley & Mike Hirsch Neighborhood Council Liaison . . . Linda Guerrero
Dear Neighbors, It's been a busy year for the Hancock Neighborhood Association. We began the year facing the potential loss of our golf course. Thankfully we've gained a three to five year reprieve while the city looks to improve its finances. Development questions regarding the Perry Estate continue. A recent survey of neighborhood residents have helped us formulate a response to the most recent proposal for the estate. Fears have recently been raised about the possibility of three stealth dorms being built across from Lee Elementary School. Vigilant neighbors there are monitoring this development. And after many years of effort Huffstickler Green is finally coming to fruition on the northeast corner of 38th and Duval. Ours is a dynamic neighborhood, both in its richness of community and the attraction it has to outsiders who wish to change us. Maintaining what we've grown to love is a constant challenge. I thank all of you who work to preserve the best of us. Please continue your support for our neighborhood. Neighborhood dues are $5.00 household/ year. Please join us at the first meeting of 2013 on January 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Hancock Recreation Center. Have a wonderful holiday season! Mike Hirsch, President, HNA
Please visit our website for email addresses
hancock newsletter is published by the Hancock
Neighborhood Association [HNA]. HNA meetings are held bi-monthly beginning in January, at 7pm on the 3rd Wednesday at the Hancock Recreation Center located at 41st & Red River. Editor . . . . . . Layout . . . . . . Advertising . . Webmaster . . Carol Moczygemba Bart Whatley Kathleen Strong--kstrong@wt.net George Wilson
The Hancock neighborhood extends from 32nd to 45th Streets and Duval to I-35.
HANCOCK WINS HABITAT CHALLENGE THIRD PLACE
Hancock Wins Third Place in Habitat Challenge HNA, with 8 newly certified wildlife habitats, has won third place in the citywide competition sponsored by Wildlife Austin for most new habitats established. Prizes will be awarded in February at a celebration banquet for the top three neighborhoods. Wildlife Austin promotes the creation and conservation of wildlife habitats through community-wide collaboration and public education, and helps bridge existing city initiatives that encourage a well balanced and healthy urban environment for people and wildlife.
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PAGE 2
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HARRIS AVE PROPOSED DORM STYLE DUPLEXES
- Submitted by Mary Sanger Neighbors Please Express Your Concern. As of November 30th, the former Child Craft Day Care at 718, 720 and 722 Harris Ave. has been demolished and the lots have been bought. These lots are across the Street from Lee Elementary School. Zoning for these lots is SF-3-CO-NP, which permits six three-bedroom, two-bath units, thus housing possibly 18 unrelated adults on this site. The developer plans to build in this configuration. There could be 9 cars on site, with probably a total of 18. Dorm-style duplexes have devastated the Northfield neighborhood and other Austin neighborhoods and could have a very negative impact on Harris Avenue, Lee Elementary, and the Hancock neighborhood communities. See photographs of these types of duplexes at: http:// www.northfieldna.org/stealthdorms.html Most importantly, being diagonally across the street from Lee Elementary school, the increased traffic is a danger to our children who walk to and from the school. Lee Elementary School PTA has strongly voiced its alarm to the developers. The proposed duplexes are not compatible with the Hancock Neighborhood Plan, which has the goal of preserving
family and adult single, residential homes. The Northfield Neighborhood Association has said it:
"Having so many unrelated people on one "single-family" property creates a parking problem. It creates a traffic problem. It creates a trash problem. It creates a noise problem. It creates a strain on infrastructure designed for single-family occupancy. And it creates a safety hazard for both the residents of the stealth dorm as well as surrounding neighbors." --Northfield Neighborhood Association Website
Write or email the developers and ask them to reconfigure the plan so the housing will attract families and adults, for which there is a great demand. ("There is a shortage of available properties in Central Austin Area. We are seeing buyers get into bidding wars over properties." Ltr from 512Realty 11/12.) The developers are: Mr. Kevin Cutsinger: kcutsinger@cutsingercustomhomes.com; 1979 CR 200 Liberty Hill, TX 78642, and Mr. Ross Cole: ross@austincentricrealty.com 502 West 30th Street, Austin, TX 78705. Send a copy to the Council: http://austintexas.gov/mail/all -council-members. Hancock Neighborhood Association Contact: Angela at apackzia@gmail.com
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LETTER TO PROPERTY OWNERS OF FORMER CHILD CRAFT LOCATION
which permits six unrelated adults per site. And we also recognize that the Central Austin Neighborhood Planning process resulted in a plan that encourages increased density in University neighborhoods, particularly west of UT. HNA supports these The following letter was written by HNA President Mike Hirsch goals; however, the Hancock community is primarily true singleto the property owners of the former Child Craft day care center family in usage, and dormitory-style uses are not compatible. If on Harris Avenue, which has been demolished to make way for you plan to build dormitory-style duplexes, we respectfully urge three duplexes. Neighbors fear these structures will become you to reconsider and to do the right thing by way of your neigh"stealth" dorms, meaning the buildings, while legal within city bors. HNA would support your constructing duplexes with two zoning ordinances, often attract more unrelated residents per bedrooms and two baths per side. This configuration might unit than are allowed by code. mean a little less profit for you, but it would encourage rentals by young families who will add long-time value to our communiNovember17, 2012 ty. Plus, it will save all of us, you included, from dealing with the typical nuisances generated by students living in dormitory- or Mr. Kevin CutsingeR fraternity-like settings. 1979 CR 200 Permitting issues. Since you have not filed your plans, we will Liberty Hill, TX 78642 reserve for the future our consideration of permitting isMr. Ross Cole sues. You must know, however, that the water and sewer infra502 West 30th Street structure supporting your site is antiquated and is on its last Austin, TX 78705 legs. We will be urging the City to challenge all assumptions regarding the need for upgrades to support up to 18 new resiRe: 718 and 722 Harris Ave. dents. Parking. The property will support only nine on-site parking Dear Mr. Cutsinger and Mr. Cole: spots. On-street parking for the remaining nine tenants will of necessity be burdensome on the neighborhood. Currently, parI am writing at the request of members of the Hancock Neighents of Lee Elementary students use curbside parking for pick up borhood Association (HNA) to bring to your attention several and drop off. Most of them escort their children into the buildconcerns regarding your recent acquisition of the above proper- ing. This long-standing practice will certainly be disrupted if you ties. build dormitory-style duplexes. Noise. HNA aggressively enforces the anti-noise ordinance. Any Until now, that property has been a single-family residence on noise after 10 p.m. will be reported every time it occurs. After three small lots utilized as a day care center. I am pleased that two complaints, property owners go on a list at the City for tarsomeone intends to remove a problem structure from our geted enforcement. We will ensure that this rule is applied neighborhood and that you plan to invest in new housing. How- properly. Obviously, student use of this property will increase ever, the pattern of your ownership of another parcel at 2917 the probability that all of us will have to deal with noise issues. Rio Grande, together with the building permit recently obtained Notice to Tenants. If you rent to students, we will be giving for 306 Franklin Blvd, suggest that you may intend to build three written notice to your leasing agency and your tenants so they duplexes, each with six bedrooms and four baths per site. Such will be fully aware of the city ordinances governing parking, a configuration would discourage rental to persons other than trash, noise, and alcohol use, and HNA's enforcement of them. students. I must tell you frankly that HNA intends to vigorously oppose converting this property into dormitory-style student We will be raising all these issues with the appropriate City officrental housing. If that is what you mean to do, we hope you will es, including Council members, several of whom are personally work with us for creative options that could satisfy both your quite aware of conditions surrounding Lee Elementary and the business interests and the interest of the Hancock community. need for special attention to surrounding development. Before we call upon the City, we ask that you please have direct discusThere is an old saying: "A place for everything, and everything in sions with representatives of HNA. We have a HNA zoning comits place." HNA believes that Harris Avenue is not the right place mittee. I am happy to call of meeting of this committee to meet for dormitory-style duplexes. Here are some of our interests: with you at your earliest convenience. Safety of Lee Elementary School Children. But for Waller Creek and Harris Avenue separating them, these properties would adjoin the Lee Elementary schoolyard. At least twice daily during the school year, and frequently after hours for plays and festivals, Harris Avenue is congested with children and their parents, some pushing baby carriages. They arrive by car, by foot, and by bicycle. The addition of possibly 18 college students and their vehicles will increase the risk of accidents on an already toobusy street. Just recently, because of safety concerns for the school children, the City of Austin altered its plans to use the culde-sac of Carolyn Avenue as a staging area for infrastructure improvements to 32d Street. Density. We recognize that the property is already zoned SF-3,
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HNA will remain opposed to converting the property to dormitory-style student rental. However it may be possible to find a mutually productive way to satisfy neighborhood concerns and meet your investment needs. Please come to our meeting, and let's talk. Please reply to me at 600 Texas Avenue, Austin, TX 78705. My email address is mlhirsch@htu.edu and my phone number is 512 -505-3125. Very truly yours, Michael Hirsch President, Hancock Neighborhood Association
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HNA Membership meeting Nov. 14, 2012
Called to order at 7 pm . Meeting Notes: Presentation by Kunda Wicce - Austin Beyond Coal - Members voted to send a letter to the City Council urging decommissioning Austin's share in the Fayette Power Plant President's notes - announced 7 pm presentation Nov 15 by UT architecture students' special project HNA Perry estate committee Report - Reed Henderson, chair, reported on Nov. 7 committee meeting with Clark Lyda. Neighborhood Survey is being used to talk with developer about what is and is not acceptable to neighbors. Results on HNA website. Committee will negotiate with Lyda between now and February to get plan closer to what neighborhood wants. 103 responses to survey out of about 950 addresses in HNA. Committee will meet again Tuesday, Nov 20 at 8:00 pm at Hancock Recreation Center. Parks Committee Report - path around golf course awaiting engineering report in order to proceed Discussion on Harris Ave Development -Michael Hebert reported on old Child Craft school on Harris Ave, property now in disrepair. City has given demolition permit. 3 lots 50' across each. Duplexes will be built. Risk to neighborhood is they can lease up to 6 unrelated individuals on each lot. (Kevin Cutsinger, builder, builds high quality buildings.) With increased traffic and parking there is a safety question for children at Lee Elementary. Hebert provided handouts, which will be available on the HNA website. He suggested HNA President Mike Hirsch write letter to developer raising safety issues, traffic and parking. Members voted in favor. Treasurer's Report - Bruce Fairchild reported roughly $2,000 in money market and $12,000 in checking account. Nominations for 2013 Officers - Julie Reynolds nominated for secretary and approved. Bruce Fairchild nominated and approved for treasurer. Reed Henderson and incumbent Rafi Anuar nominated for vice president. Mike Hirsch declined to be nominated for another term as president. Mark Burch motion to table nomination for president till January meeting. All were in favor. Kathleen Strong recognized Waller Creek cleaners and they were given a round of applause. Announcements - Lighting of luminarias around golf course second week in December. Reclaimed water system moving forward for golf course. Adjourn - meeting adjourned at 8 pm.
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PERRY ESTATE SURVEY
The online Perry Estate survey results showed 103 respondents, 96 of whom were residents of the Hancock neighborhood. Seventy-seven of those residents had paid dues to the Hancock Neighborhood Association.
Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will lead to increased traffic in and around the Perry Estate Property? Yes 89.3% No 2.9% Undecided/Don't know 7.8%
The following are some of the responses. To see results of the entire survey, go to the HNA website at Do you think the increased traffic in and around the Perry www.hancockna.org Estate Property would adversely affect the quality of life for Hancock Neighborhood residents? The following Residential Uses are permitted under the current SF-3 Zoning Category for the property. Please se- Yes 66.0% 64 No 22.7% 22 lect all residential uses which YOU WOULD ALLOW Undecided/Don't know 11.3% 11 Bed & Breakfast 76.7% 79 Duplex Residential 42.7% 44 Retirement Housing 50.5% 52 Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 Single Family Attached Residential 62.1% 64 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ Single Family Residential 87.4% 90 commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will lead to Two-Family Residential 40.8% 42 increased noise in the Hancock Neighborhood (e.g., the presence of amplified sound, noise of service vehicles)? Private Primary Educational Yes 75.7% Facilities No 12.6% 79.6% 82 Undecided/Don't know 11.7% Private Secondary Educational Facilities Do you think the increased noise in and around the Perry 73.8% 76 Estate Property will adversely affect the quality of life for Hancock Neighborhood residents? Public Primary Educational Yes 67.0% 59 Facilities No 22.7% 20 46.6% 48 Undecided/Don't know 10.2% 9 Public Secondary Educational Facilities Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 41.7% 43 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will lead to Religious Assembly 55.3% 57 increased parking on the neighborhood streets near the Perry Estate? Safety Services 10.7% 11 Yes 76.7% No 14.6% Undecided/Don't know 8.7% Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will inDo you think this increased parking will adversely affect crease, decrease, or have no effect on the values of resithe quality of life for residents living on or near the border dential properties on or near the border of the Perry Esof the Perry Estate? tate? Count Increase 9.7% Yes 77.4% 65 Decrease 43.7% No 10.7% 9 Have no effect 16.5% Undecided/Don't know 11.9% 10 Undecided/Don't know 30.1% JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD EMAIL GROUP GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/HANCOCKNEIGHBORHOODASSOCIATION PAGE 8
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Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will adversely affect the privacy for residents living on or near the border of the Perry Estate? Yes 63.1% No 22.3% Undecided/Don't know 14.6% Do you believe the proposed change of zoning from SF-3 (residential/civic uses) to GR-CO-MP NP (residential/ commercial/industrial/agricultural/civic uses) will adversely affect the quality of life for residents who live on or near the border of the Perry Estate? Yes 59.2% No 22.3% Undecided/Don't know 18.4% -
Hancock Golf Course, Ron Temple
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HANDY WEBSITES
City of Austin Development http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/development/default.htm City of Austin Green Garden Project http://www.cityofaustin.org/greengarden/ City of Austin Neighborhood Planning http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/default.htm Central Austin Combined Neighborhood Planning Area http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/central_austin.htm Hancock Recreation Center http://coawebparks.ci.austin.tx.us/registrationmain.sdi
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