July-August 2001 SLNA Scoop Archive

8/29/01--New non-emergency police phone number 3-1-1 coming September 17
The Austin Police Department will launch the 3-1-1 non- emergency telephone system Sept. 17. The following information provides some answers to some frequently asked questions regarding 3-1-1.

                        What is 3-1-1?

  3-1-1 is a toll-free telephone number that allows people within the city limits to request police services in non-emergency situations. Since 3-1-1 is an easy-to-use and easy-to- remember non-emergency telephone system, it is a major improvement in how the Police Department serves residents and visitors to Austin.
  3-1-1 allows people to request non-emergency police services more easily and allows the Austin  Police Department to handle those requests more efficiently. 
  3-1-1 is a toll-free number. People can now use a mobile or pay phone-free of charge-to request both emergency (9-1-1) and non-emergency (3-1-1) police services.
  3-1-1 will improve the City's Emergency 9-1-1 System. As more people call 3-1-1 for non-emergencies, 9-1-1 will be available for what it is designed to handle--real emergency situations.

                        When to call 3-1-1?

Call 3-1-1 to report incidents and situations that are non- emergencies, non-life threatening or not currently in progress. Use 3-1-1 to request information from the Police Department.

                        Typical 3-1-1 calls include:

--Property crimes that are no longer in progress and the offender is no longer on the scene.  (Examples are vandalism, theft, graffiti, stolen autos and garage burglaries.)
--Animal control problems.
--Illegally-parked vehicles or vehicles blocking alleys or driveways.
--Telephone numbers, addresses and hours of operation of the Police Department's divisions or programs.

The official announcement from COA may be read here

8/27/01--Changes to SF-2 SF-3 lot sizes!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello all,
Did anyone else notice that the connectivity - sub division ordinance discussed last week at council has a big change in the base zoning for SF-2 and SF-3!  I had no idea until I heard it being discussed on Ch 6.  I was shocked. It would basically turn every SF-2 and SF-3 zoning in the city into SF4A small lot (4500').  So, SF-3 would become 4500' min.  The developers even wanted 3600'!

So, net result, your neighborhood could be chopped into small lot development with no zoning hearing and no planning commission and no public input!  I was shocked. Another Kinney Court in your backyard with no discussion!.

I heard during the discussion all about what the developer community was asking for, the bargains that were struck, etc. .... but nothing about what neighborhoods wanted.  When the planning commission signed off on this one it did not have the reduced lot sizes in it, according to Jean Mather.  She said she would not have supported it that way.

Another example of how the developers get preferential treatment at DRID.

This is city wide--not just new "Milburn" type developments on the edge, but right next to your traditional neighborhood.

Tell council to pass the connectivity part, but how about a little neighborhood input before changing base zoning!
Check this out and let council know your thoughts. It was postponed until this Thursday.
Thanks,
Bryan King

8/27/01--Taco Xpress & the trailer park
Hi all,
I had lunch with Maria today and learned that the Trammel Crow deal is off!  It was too expensive for them to buy her out and they walked away from the deal.  I would think that the slow down in the economy might have also had something to do with it also....eh?

FYI,
Bryan
Hi all,
I had lunch with Maria today and learned that the Trammel Crow deal is off!  It was too expensive for them to buy her out and they walked away from the deal.  I would think that the slow down in the economy might have also had something to do with it also....eh?

FYI,
Bryan

8/24/01--MAD-4 Stays On the Boulevard
Hi gang,
Just a note to let you know that council approved the rollback of South Lamar to a MAD-4 and the rollback of South First to a MNR-4... in other words, they stay the same!!!!!!  YEAH!  Slusher actually put this item on the agenda.

Thanks to all of you that showed up last night and hung in there till we were heard at 9pm. We had to listen to 64 people speak on the budget.

I also spoke on the budget item requesting someone to help neighborhoods with zoning and sub division issues.  The council decided to add a position that they will call "neighborhood ombudsman".  I urged them to call and make the position neighborhood "advocate".  We need someone in
our corner when we go up against the developer types who are well funded and well educated on how to work the system!... not just dispute resolution!

Take care,
Bryan

8/15/01--News from Austin City Council Member Beverly Griffith
From Council Member Griffith's August 14 Newsletter:

Hello from City Hall! Budget season is upon us and I wanted
to share with you some good news about how you can give
input into our budget-making process. The City Council
approved two additional public hearings. Here’s the revised
schedule:
Thursday, August 23 – LCRA Board Room, Lake Austin Blvd.
City Council Budget Work Session
Public Hearing (6:00 p.m.): Health & Human Services, FQHC, Parks, Libraries,
Neighborhood Housing, and Neighborhood Planning & Zoning
Thursday, August 30 – LCRA Board Room
City Council Budget Work Session
Public Hearing (6:00 p.m.): Transportation Planning & Sustainability, Public Works, Austin Energy, Water & Wastewater, Development & Watershed Protection, Solid Waste Services
The City Council may consider adoption of the budget during these meetings:
Monday, Sept. 10 – Town Lake Center, Barton Springs Rd., 1st Floor Assembly Room
Budget Adoption; Vote on Tax Rate
Tuesday, Sept. 11 – Town Lake Center (if necessary)
Budget Adoption; Vote on Tax Rate
Wednesday, Sept. 12 – Town Lake Center (if necessary)
Budget Adoption; Vote on Tax Rate

MAD-4-U!
It is extremely important that we preserve Austin’s neighborhoods, while addressing concerns about traffic congestion. The Austin Metropolitan Area Transportation Plan
(AMATP) is our blueprint for future traffic management. In South Austin, it has been proposed to widen South 1st and South Lamar. The City Council, on Thursday, August 23, will consider a resolution to keep the current street configurations by reducing the AMATP designations. For South Lamar, the Council could change the designation from a MAD 6 road (three lanes on each side of a median or center turn lane) back to a MAD 4 (two lanes on each side of a median or center turn lane). On South First, the MAD 4 designation could be returned to an MNR 4 (minor arterial – four lanes), which is what it is today. South Austin neighborhoods and businesses interested in what happens with their streets should attend the Public Hearing on August 23rd at 6:00 p.m.