The Allandale Reporter

2nd Annual Allandale Tyke and Bike Ride

Riders get your bikes tuned up for the second annual Allandale Tyke and Bike ride. Saturday, May 17, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Starts at 2700 Northland Drive (Glad Tidings Church)
Ends at 2100 Northland Drive at Amy’s Ice Cream
Ride is exactly 0.5 miles

Participants are elementary age or younger. Acceptable modes of transportation include: bicycles, bicycles with training wheels, tricycles, skates, scooters, wheel chairs, skate boards, peddlecars, and strollers. No electric or motorized transportation. Participants will receive a t-shirt, participant number, a bicycle accessory, and free ice cream at Amy's at the end of the ride. Cost is $20. Proceeds benefit ANA Legal Fund.

For questions call Tyke & Bike Hotline (512) 454-4064. Pre-registration deadline is May 12th. Participants registered after the May 12th deadline are not guaranteed a t-shirt.

Registration can be made online (click on buy now button):

or you can print out the registration form here, complete it and drop it off at Nelo's Pro Cycles (3010-H West Anderson Ln) or at Amy's Ice Creams (2109 Northland Dr).

 

Outcome of VMU Hearing with the Planning Commission

by Tom Linehan

It was a "thank you sir, may I have another" session. When we concluded the public hearing part of the meeting with the Planning Commission on Tuesday night, a number of the Planning Commission members complimented us on all of the work we did in preparing and thinking through our VMU application. They then proceeded to give us half of what we were asking for. The frustration is working so hard to get back what was taken from us. Burnet Road was zoned commercial up until January. At Tuesday night's meeting we were asking to return many of those properties to that zoning category.

Allandale Voter Results for City Council Election

Allandale votes. Here are the results from Saturday's elections from the precincts that are in and around Allandale submitted by Kay Newell. The results match up with the outcome of the election however if you look at the turnout, the percentage of Allandale residents who went to the polls is almost three times the citywide average.

Bike to Work

by Nathan Dooley

Tom Watterson has been riding his bike to work every day for several years. Originally, he rode to Austin High School, where he was a teacher. Now he teaches at McCallum HS, and his daily ride has become much shorter and easier. Tom commutes by bike for several reasons: it’s a healthy choice, it’s less stressful (and often quicker) than driving in rush hour traffic, and it helps him set a good example for his students.

People Responding to the Public Hearing Notice

Some people may be confused about how to respond to the "Planning Commission Comment Form," page 3 of the public hearing notice (click here to view). You would have received this if you are within 300' of the VMUOD. The form has two boxes to check - one for "I am in favor" and one for "I object".  We were unsure about which to check in the case of ANA's application. 

We contacted the City staff person who is handling the ANA Application and  he agreed with our suggested approach to responding to this which is consistent with what other neighborhoods have done:

Persons who choose to use the Comment Form should:
1)  NOT check either box.  In fact, you can mark through them entirely.
2)  Simply write out your comments on the form (with your name and address) and fax or mail it to the City. 

Example:  I support the exclusion of Tracts 2, 3, 5, and 7 through 10, as well as the properties at 7800 Shoal Creek, 7858 Shoal Creek, and 2951 W. Anderson Lane.

Call for Support for ANA's VMU Application

submitted by Paulette Kern

Friends and Neighbors;

Please help spread the word by passing this information to your neighbors.

I am sure you have heard me talk about VMU (Vertical Mixed Use).  Even if you thought VMU might be a good thing--new development, a few apartments, etc.; as you see the effect of this ordinance on the ground, I believe you will have concerns on many levels.  The more I learn about this ordinance and the Commercial Design Standard that will govern its projects, the more concerned I become about the fate City has in store for neighborhoods.  Now is the time to spring into action.  The Allandale VMU Application will come before Planning Commission to be heard and ruled upon next Tuesday, May 13 and then before City Council, Thurs., June 5. 

Where the sales will be this Saturday!

Check out the Super Sale map.  Once you've brought up the map, click on an address to get a description. Some have have information about items you will find at the sale.

Here is a link to the ad in today's Austin American-Statesman. This is Allandale's once a year big sale. Don't miss it!

Good Turnout for Neighborhood Safety Block Captain Meeting

On Monday night, a group of 20 residents met with Officer Richard Vargas for training as block captains. The meeting was held at Genuine Joe's coffee house on Anderson Ln. Laura DiCarlo organized the meeting and is the point person for the Allandale block captain network. She will be conducting another block captain training next week for those who could not make it to Monday's meeting. The next step is for the block captains to get a letter to their neighbors introducing themselves as the block captain and to organize a block  get-together. At the get-together they will go over the Neighborhood Watch program, exchange contact information, and discuss safety concerns.  The goal of the Neighborhood Safety Committee is to have a block captain on every block. If you are interested, contact Laura at: lhdicarlo@yahoo.com.

Reminder: Super Sale is May 3rd.

The Super Sale is an annual event in which all Allandale residents are encouraged to participate by having a garage or yard sale on the same day. An ad is placed in the Austin American Statesman, and the event is promoted online and via flyers. You do the rest!

Neighbors from across the ‘hood are participating!   There will be lots of shoppers going from sale to sale, so whether your sale is big or small.. this is a great opportunity to convert some clutter into cash!

Not having a sale?  Spend a day strolling the neighborhood, greeting neighbors, and maybe bag a bargain while you’re at it.

Email supersale08@fitmom.info to sign-up.  Include your address and a brief description of what you will have for sale.

View the dynamic map here

Hey Cupcake!

Hey Cupcake will be opening up on Burnet Rd next to Austin Plumbing Supply soon. I spoke with Wes Hurt, owner of Hey Cupcake, on Friday and he said he hopes to be open in about three months. He asked that I not go into too many of the details at this time but said a coffee shop is being considered as part of the mix. He is very excited about the location and being in Allandale. You can read more about Hey Cupcake and the cupcake business in Austin from an Austin American-Statesman article written in January, "Cupcake businesses thrive in Austin," by Kathy Adams. According to the article, Wesley Hurt is a young entrepreneur who opened up a cupcake stand near the university a little of a year ago. He relocated the stand, a silver Airstream trailer, to South Congress in September. It's doing well!

Update from ANA Drainage Committee

At Thursday's ANA EC meeting, Mark Price, chair of the ANA Drainage Committee, reported that the plans for addressing the flooding problem on White Rock have changed. Instead of installing a holding pond up behind Burnet Storage, the city is now looking at installing a drainage pipe under Bull Creek that will go from White Horse Trail to south of Northland/2222 and drain water into Shoal Creek. Here is a link to Mark's blog with the latest information on the project: "ANA Drainage Committee including a link to a larger version of the adjacent map."

Minutes from March ANA General Membersthip Meeting

Allandale Neighborhood Association – General Membership Meeting—Minutes
March 27, 2008
Ralph Yarborough Library
6:30PM
(Note, these minutes are in draft form and have not been officially approved by the membership)

Executive Committee Members Present:
Tom Linehan—President             Mary Jean Matus—Secretary
Joe Reynolds—Treasurer            Cynthia Keohane
Donna Beth McCormick            Paulette Kern
George Roman                 Margie Gordon

I.    Meeting was opened by the President Tom Linehan

II.    Minutes:
George moved to defer reading of the previous General Membership meeting minutes until the next General Membership meeting; seconded by Joe; motion passed unanimously.

Minutes from February 2008 EC Meeting

Allandale Neighborhood Association
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
28 February 2008

The regular monthly Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the Allandale Neighborhood Association (ANA) was held on Thursday, February 28, 2008, at 6:30 pm at Ralph Yarborough Library, the President being in the chair and the Secretary being present*.  The minutes of the previous three meetings (25Oct2007, 15Nov2007, and 24Jan2008) were read and approved as corrected.

*Members Present:
Tom Linehan, President; Allan McMurtry, Vice President; Mary Jean Matus, Secretary; Joe Reynolds, Treasurer; Donna Beth McCormick; Paulette Kern; Laura Slaughter; Dan Jones; George Roman; Margie Gordon; Cynthia Keohane.

April Newsletter on its Way

The April issue of the Allandale Neighbor should be arriving at your doorstep soon however The Allandale Reporter delivers it to your desktop here. This issue includes articles on status of Allandale Neighborhood Association's VMU application, progress report from the Neighborhood Safety Committee, photos from the Celebrate Allandale picnic, information about the upcoming Supersale, and more...

Allandale EC Meeting Tonight

As a reminder, this evening, Thursday, 6:30 - 8:30 we will be having our monthly ANA Executive Committee meeting at Yarborough Library at 2200 Hancock Dr. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

ANA EC Meeting, 4.24.08 Agenda

Call meeting to order - 6:30
- Approval of Minutes from March and February - Mary Jean
- Treasurer's report - Joe Reynolds

AISD Bond Election - Julie Cowan - 7:00

Update on White Rock Flooding Project - Mark Price - 7:20

Farmers Market Location up for sale again

According to an article in today's Statesman, "Farmers market site for sale again," by M.B. Taboada, the current owner of the Farmers Market property Paz Dhody, who bought it from the County back in September has it up for sale. His redevelopment plans never materialized and Brentwood Tavern and Dog Almighty are no longer there. County Commissioner Sara Eckhardt's says the restrictive covenants are still in place, i.e., no fast-food drive-in restaurants or strip clubs, but other than that, the County has no say over what goes there.

Frisco's in the Statesman

As you probalby know, Frisco's is moving from their current location across from HEB on Burnet Rd to a new location on Burnet Rd where Cura's was. This will all be taking place mid-to-late May. The Austin American-Statesman did a nice write-up on Frisco's in today's paper, "Menu Full of Memories," by Dale Rice, including a bit of history on the Nighthawk chain and Frisco's. Walgreen's will be taking over the location. The move is a good thing for Frisco's. It allows them to stay in the neighborhood and get a bigger place. Also, check out the video of the story here.

Computer and Electronics Recycling Event

Computer and Electronics Recycling Event
Saturday, April 19, 9 am- 6 pm and
Sunday, April 20, 11 am – 5 pm

The Old Palm School
100 North IH 35
(Cesar Chavez at I35)

Sponsored by Round2 Technologies, Spansion,
RSVP and Austin FreeNet
http://www.austinfree.net/events/recycling2007.htm

Judge Cooper awards Lincoln $22K in attorneys fees

Judge Margaret Cooper awarded Lincoln Properties $22,748 in attorney's fees attributed to defending against Allandale's claims regarding approval of the Northcross site plan that includes a 196,000 sq ft Wal-Mart Supercenter. While the order has not been finalized, this is the amount granted by Judge Cooper at the hearing that took place on Monday, April 14.

AISD Trustees Call for May 10 School Bond Election

Julie Cowan

The AISD Board of Trustees has called an election for May 10, to vote on three bond propositions that would benefit children in the Austin school district.  This bond package is intended to be limited in scope:  it addresses overcrowding at those schools in the district at 125%+ capacity, boosts technology for students and teachers, responds to health and safety mandates from outside entities, and supports academic achievement.