Minutes
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Rosewood Neighborhood Contact Team Meeting
February 15, 2007, 6:15 p.m.
Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center

Present
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Ann Armstrong, Ryah Christensen, Megan Clark, Michael Emery, Paula
Gilbert, Mocha Jean Herrup, Stephanie Perrone, Jane Rivera, Gilbert
Rivera, Emma Roy, Richard Weiss, Nina Wilson, Scott Lyles representing
ARA, Steve Barney representing SMART, and Lamont Ross representing
Capitol Metro

Old Business
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January minutes approved.


Chair's Report
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A.  No development projects this month! However, Alice Glascow, 
    representing the Hargrave development, requested that we submit
    the plan amendment on their behalf, which we are reluctant to do
    considering that we only get to amend our plan every 18 months.
    Jane is researching this issue further.

B.  Downs Field Update
    The $6,000 we have left in our neighborhood enhancement funds will 
    go towards a significant art piece at Downs Field. Parkland
    dedication fees from the two developments occurring on 12th will
    also likely go towards Downs Field improvements.

New Business
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A.  Lamont Ross of Cap Metro presented their plans to expand services 
    by rail and bus throughout downtown and on the outskirts of
    Austin. These plans include doubling services and express routes,
    adding rapid buses that communicate with traffic signals to hasten
    routes, and park & rides. They are building 9 rail stations, two
    of which are in or near our neighborhood. The MLK station is
    scheduled for procurement in May / June of this year, possibly
    providing service by Fall of 2008.
    
    Answering questions from the group concerning the trains, Lamont
    informed us that they were "sleek and quiet", would offer wireless
    service, and ran on combined diesel / electric engines.
	
    He was not able to directly answer our questions regarding whether
    or not the NCCD trumped neighborhood plans that were not in line
    with the new compatibility standards. For instance, the corner of
    12th and Poquito is in Rosewood neighborhood, and we do not like
    the new compatibility standards laid out in the NCCD that would
    allow 50' buildings within a 10' setback of residential adjacent
    property. When pressed to answer whose plan the NCCD implements,
    Mr. Lyles was a little vague, but suggested that the primary
    components of the NCCD were desired by the association of business
    owners along 12th who have formed their own neighborhood
    organization, while geographically they span several neighborhood
    plans. We need to research this issue further to determine who we
    should take issue with concerning the compatibility guidelines.

B.  Scott Lyles of ARA came to assuage fears / concerns about 
    compatibility standards due to the NCCD rezoning of the stretch of
    12th Street that runs between Branch and Poquito. He states that
    the NCCD helps implement the the Neighborhood plan by removing one
    procedural step for developers: it allows developers to approach
    the city planning staff directly for support. This is designed to
    encourage the revitalization of 12th Street.

C.  Steve Barney of SMART housing came to discuss various ways the 
    city is trying to keep housing affordable in Austin. The SMART
    program is an incentive program that encourages developers to
    build a percentage of lower income housing in exchange for fee
    waivers and expedited bureaucracy. Partnering SMART is the Austin
    Housing Finance Corporation which councils low income home buyers
    and helps them make down payments and mortgage payments.

    He says that lower income housing is becoming an increasingly
    difficult goal due to rising land and building costs, but says
    that city council is currently researching further ways to provide
    additional incentive for developers interested in providing
    affordable housing. They are also encouraging neighborhoods to
    participate in Community Land Trusts, by which people own only
    their house, but the neighborhood (as a non profit organization)
    owns the land under it, which lowers taxes and prevents inflated
    values.

*Meeting adjourned*