Oakmont Heights Neighborhood

OAKMONT HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Association President Carl Hehmsoth called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

Tom Whatley, seconded by Arten Avakian, moved to dispense with reading and approve the minutes of the November 28, 2011, meeting. The motion was adopted without objection.

The following association members were nominated to serve as members of the Executive Committee for 2013: Carl Hehmsoth, President; Arten Avakian, Vice President; Tom Whatley, Secretary/Treasurer; and Suzanne Batchelor, Vonda Bloomquist, Ashley Davis, Will Hamilton, Sarah Kitchell, Lois Mayes, Anna Smith, Griff Smith, and Anne Souby, At-Large. Tom Whatley, seconded by Carl Hehmsoth, moved to suspend the by-laws to allow 12 members to serve on the Executive Committee, and the motion was adopted unanimously. Carl Hehmsoth, seconded by Tom Whatley, moved to elect the members nominated to serve as officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee. The motion was adopted without objection.

Carl Hehmsoth provided an update on the status of potential public/private development of the state property at Bull Creek Road and W. 45th St. He said that Oakmont Heights has joined with other nearby neighborhoods in a new Bull Creek Road Coalition to act jointly concerning possible development of the state property.

Beau Armstrong with Stratus Development, along with consultant Mike Blizzard, environmental building consultant Gale Vittori, and Leslie Sweet, regional Director of Public Affairs with HEB, reviewed conceptual plans for possible development of the Bull Creek Road state property. Mr. Armstrong said that Stratus had submitted a development proposal to the Texas Facilities Commission earlier this year and was expecting the TFC to open the property for competing bids in the near future. Mr. Armstrong reiterated his previous commitment that any Stratus development proposal for the site would go through the city of Austin planning and approval process, regardless of the state’s position on whether city involvement and approval were required. Mr. Armstrong also committed to establishing a web site and a formal process for soliciting neighborhood input into the design of the project, including affordable housing in any multi-family residential component, preserving as many existing trees as possible, and recruiting independent Austin-based businesses for the development.

In addressing several questions about the potential impact on traffic, Mr. Armstrong said that a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) should be ready in around six weeks and discussed possible options for redesigning Bull Creek Road, such as adding turn lanes or medians. Mr. Armstrong and the consultants also committed to LEED green building standards, noise mitigation, appropriate signage, and use of focused lighting with limited spillover. Leslie Sweet with HEB said that the proposed supermarket would not be open 24 hours, that nearby neighbors will be surveyed for their design suggestions, and that the proposed gas station would observe all regulations to avoid gasoline leakage and spillage into the street.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

_________________________________
Carl Hehmsoth, President


__________________________________
Tom Whatley, Secretary

This page last updated: Fri Nov 9 13:03:31 2012 16:50:41 2010
We are being hosted by Metropolitan Austin Interactive Network (MAIN) and want to send them our most sincere thanks.