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Dear Neighbors,
I am writing to update you on the land development code rewrite process. As you may recall, in May, a majority of the council adopted policy direction; the vote was 8-3 with Council Members Leslie Pool, Kathie Tovo, and myself voting in the minority. I invite you to read for yourself the final document that was approved to guide staff in drafting the new code and zoning maps. In a previous newsletter, I detailed some elements that I could endorse as well as the concerns that led me to vote against the policy direction.
This Friday, October 4th, city staff released the new draft code and zoning maps. My staff and I are reviewing these documents to determine their implications, and we will provide you with a more in depth analysis in the near future. In the meantime, I wanted to direct you to these documents and call your attention to some opportunities for you both to learn more and provide input on these drafts.
- At www.austintexas.gov/ldc, you can find a list of upcoming public engagement meetings being facilitated by city staff and also access additional resources created to assist the public in understanding the code rewrite.
- I have scheduled a District 10 Town Hall on this topic for Monday, October 21st from 7-9 p.m. at Highland Park Baptist Church located at 5206 Balcones Dr. More details on the agenda for that meeting will be released soon.
- My staff also will be conducting office hours on this topic on Friday, October 25th from 9-11 a.m. at Biderman’s Deli located at 3742 Far West Blvd.
Next StepsThe council direction required the City Manager to bring forth a new draft of the code and zoning maps in October for community and council consideration. In addition to the advertised public input processes, the Planning Commission (Oct. 26) and City Council (TBA) will hold hearings prior to voting on the proposed code and map.
Now that the draft code and maps have been released I highly encourage you to review the documents to form your own opinions and be prepared to engage as this process continues. My office will keep you updated on public engagement opportunities and anticipated decision points as they arise. Please note that a majority of my council colleagues want to take initial action on the draft code by the end of the year and a final vote shortly thereafter. While my preference would be to take the necessary time to ensure we achieve our desired policy goals and allow for serious public review, you should expect the process may unfold at a quick pace.
As your representative, my pledge is to continue to voice the concerns that I hear from you. I also will continue to work towards harmonizing our various housing, environmental and quality of life goals, and my staff and I will continue to be available to speak with groups on this topic either in neighborhood meetings or other venues. We have had many town halls, office hours, and presentations at other meetings on this topic. Please reach out to Kurt.Cadena-Mitchell@austintexas.gov if you have questions or if your neighborhood would like us to come and discuss the land development code. Please also join with your neighbors if you want to engage on this issue. I am only one vote out of 11, and it will take residents across the city working together to ensure that we arrive at an outcome that balances our community’s priorities.
Regards,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10
P.S. The LDC is just one of many issues we are working on in Austin. I hope you will take a few minutes to review the updates, events, and opportunities for engagement below.
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Table of Contents - Homelessness Update
- High Holiday Reflections
- National Night Out
- Community Policing Survey
- Climate Plan Update
- Asian American Resource Center Master Plan Approval
- Celebrating 10 Years of Recycled Reads - Oct. 10
- Austin History Center: Know District 10 History! – Oct. 19
- District 10 Land Development Code Revision Town Hall – Oct. 21
- District 10 Land Development Code Office Hours – Oct. 25
- It's My Park Day – Nov. 2
- Curbside Composting Expansion
- Art in Public Places
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| | | Homelessness/Public Order Ordinances Update
In my last newsletter, I informed you about scheduled Council discussions and possible action on items related to homelessness, including two resolutions and several proposed ordinance revisions. On September 20, Council expressed concerns with the proposals and decided to adjourn without a vote. In the video linked below, you can watch my comments from the dais about my concerns with the proposals and the process.
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| | Council will be discussing new versions of the resolutions and ordinance revisions on October 15 and 17. The proposals will be posted here, and I am a cosponsor of the resolution by Council Member Kathie Tovo and of the ordinance revisions led by Council Member Ann Kitchen. Please tune in to the upcoming discussions on ATXN.
During the October 3 Council meeting, we unanimously approved the expansion of a contract with The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) to offer temporary work opportunities (including encampment cleanups) and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The TOOF encampment clean up team will increase from one crew working only south of the Colorado River to two crews working on both the north and south sides. In addition to the passage of this contract, the city manager is going to be bringing information back to Council regarding the encampment cleanup efforts of all city departments. This report will come to Council in the next few weeks and will enable us to determine whether and how to further expand contracts such as this one.
Enforcement Challenges
I also have been hearing from residents who are concerned that the Austin Police Department cannot enforce current laws because of the changes to the camping ordinance. Please know that law enforcement officers continue to have the ability to enforce existing laws. I have been working with APD to understand any challenges they may be facing with respect to enforcement around encampments. To that end, on September 20, I invited APD to communicate their concerns with the proposals to the full Council. I also took the opportunity to ask about current enforcement of existing laws. Below, you can watch the conversation with APD leadership.
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| | | | High Holiday Reflections
As Austin slowly moves into fall, this time of year also marks the Jewish High Holidays celebrated by my family and many of our District 10 neighbors. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, marks what’s known not just as the “head of the year” but also what some consider to be the birthday of the world. Along with celebration, there’s a lot of time spent on personal reflection culminating next week with the second of these holy days, Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.
With so much in our lives always needing our attention, I find this pause and symbolic deep breath aptly placed. I wish a happy, healthy and sweet new year to those who celebrate and hope you find your personal purpose and meaning during these days of reflection and renewal.
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| | | National Night Out
On Tuesday October 1st, neighbors across the city enjoyed a beautiful Austin evening celebrating together in honor of National Night Out. Our District 10 team had the opportunity to join in many of your events, meeting constituents, getting feedback about issues important to you, and being able to answer many of your questions. It was great to see so many of our public safety personnel enjoying their visits to your neighborhoods as well.
National Night Out is a valuable reminder of how important knowing our neighbors and cultivating a sense of community is. Being there for each other to lend a neighborly hand when it’s needed, or sometimes just to trade a wave and a smile, helps our law enforcement and safety service providers to reduce crime in our community. Thank you to all who participated this year!
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| | Community Policing Survey
The Office of the City Auditor is requesting your input on Austin Police Department (APD) efforts in community policing. Your input will help the audit team understand how well APD serves the community and identify opportunities for APD to improve its services.
You may take the anonymous, 5-minute survey here. |
| | Climate Plan Survey
The Office of Sustainability is currently in the process of updating the Austin Community Climate Plan, which details the City's plans to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero.
As part of that process, the Sustainability team is seeking a diverse set of community members from all over Austin to engage with them to help create a comprehensive and equitable climate plan. If you're interested, you make take the survey here. |
| | | Asian American Resource Center Master Plan Approval
I’m delighted that on September 19th, Council unanimously approved adoption of the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Master Plan, as well as a resolution directing the City Manager to initiate a process for the redevelopment of the City of Austin's Rutherford Lane Campus. The Rutherford Campus redevelopment will happen in conjunction with the Asian American Resource Center Master Plan.
As a co-sponsor of the resolution, I want to thank Council Member Jimmy Flannigan and the other co-sponsors for their hard work on this. I also want to highlight the community for their invaluable efforts to create and grow the Asian American Resource Center. Passage of these items provides an excellent opportunity to initiate a deeper discussion about how we can leverage the neighboring Rutherford Campus to achieve multiple city goals at these sites. Let’s continue working together to bring this master plan to reality and pursuing all the investments the AARC needs and deserves.
If you have not had an opportunity to visit the resource center, do consider taking some time to enjoy the rich array of programs and events this space facilitates.
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| | | Celebrating 10 Years of Recycled Reads - Oct. 10
Next Thursday, October 10, is the 10-year anniversary of the Recycled Reads Bookstore. Over the past ten years, Recycled Reads has diverted over 3000 tons of materials from landfills and serves as a books and media store and gathering space for those interested in crafting, collecting, Fix-It Clinics, and zero-waste and re-use initiatives.
The anniversary party will feature live music with Joe Blanda, a reusable mug decorating craft, and a discussion on sustainable party planning.
Thursday October 10, 2019 5-7:45PM Recycled Reads Bookstore 5335 Burnet Rd. |
| | | Austin History Center: Know District 10 History! – Oct. 19
Saturday, October 19 12-4 p.m. Old Quarry Branch
7051 Village Center Drive
Share your story! The centerpiece for the Know Your District History event is a Pop Up Museum – a community driven display of items you feel tell the story of your district. Everyone’s story is important, and community members are encouraged to bring an object to share in the pop up. Those who bring something to display will be able to write a brief story about the object and display it during the event for others to view. Sharing our stories will help us learn more about each other and what makes our spaces special. The community exhibit will be supplemented by a few items from the Austin History Center relating to the district as well as some resources to help those who wish to dig deeper into the history of their district.
Other activities for the day include:
- An oral history booth for community members to record short, Story Corps style oral histories about their experiences
- Children’s activities and games
- Historic Photograph Cabinet Card activity
- Brief presentations about the council district and its history
For more information, contact the AHC at 512-974-7480 or via email at ahc_reference@austintexas.gov. |
| | | District 10 Land Development Code Revision Town Hall – Oct. 21
As I mentioned in my letter above, we will be hosting a District 10 Town Hall on the Land Development Code Revision on October 21 where staff will present the proposals and take questions and feedback. We hope to see you there.
Monday, October 21 7-9 p.m. Highland Park Baptist Church (Sapp Hall) 5206 Balcones Drive
Saturday, October 19 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center 808 Niles Street
Wednesday, October 23 6-9 p.m. Austin Central Library 710 West Cesar Chavez Street
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| | | District 10 Land Development Code Office Hours – Oct. 25
District 10 staff will be at Biderman's Deli on October 25th to discuss the land development code revision process and maps. These walk-in office hours will operate on a first come, first served basis.
Friday, October 25 9-11 a.m. Biderman's Deli 3742 Far West Blvd.
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| | | It's My Park Day – Nov. 2
The Austin Parks Foundation is holding its semi-annual It's My Park Day on Saturday, November 2 at project sites across the city. Originally held once per year, It's My Park Day has become Austin's largest city-wide volunteer event and now encompasses both a spring and fall date.
In Spring 2018, over 3,000 volunteers worked on nearly 100 projects across town, and in Fall 2018 over 2,000 people volunteered on nearly 85 projects. As It's My Park Day continues to grow, the Austin Parks Foundation is partnering with restaurants and businesses across the city so you get more when you give. Wear your Fall 2019 IMPD t-shirt to any of the partner locations and receive great discounts and giveaways!
You can find a list of projects, register to participate, see FAQs, and more here.
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| | | Curbside Composting Expansion
Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is expanding its Curbside Composting Collection Program to include an additional 53,000 households in Austin. The expansion will bring curbside composting to new areas in District 10 including Rosedale, Northwest Hills, Great Hills, and others.
Customers in the program collect food scraps, yard trimmings and food-soiled paper in their green carts. The material is then collected by the City and converted into nutrient-rich compost.
ARR plans to extend the service to all remaining curbside customers by 2020 if funds are available. To check if your household is included in the expansion, learn more about composting, and see a service area map, please visit austintexas.gov/austincomposts.
If you would like more information on the program, or if you would like to opt out of the program and return the new bin, please call 3-1-1.
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| | | Art in Public Places
If you visit Wood Hollow Drive in Northwest Hills, you won't be able to miss the work of artist Bill Tavis. "Wildflower Meadow" is a 3,900 foot mural commissioned by the City for the Art in Public Places TEMPO 2D initiative, as was featured in the above Statesman video.
The mural took a month to complete and will be on view for the next year. To find the locations of other pieces produced for Art in Public Places, you may visit the website.
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