There were 10 tables of 6 to 8 people each participated. So about 70 people participating. Another 20 or so observers not participating. Still mostly the same demographic as the first V&V's Workshop, the more mature and wise residents of the neighborhood. Much of the same feedback. 3 - 4 tables tried to include items that would require a PUD, those tables were led by Galvan, Statz, and Meroney, but the balance of the tables basically favored current or conventional zoning with their specific OSM's. One ZAP Commissioner (the Chair) did actively participate in the table discussion input, while the rest observed.
The balance of neighbor input seemed to be lost on Doug Farr. Farr made it clear in his intro that he favors density and urbanism. As an example Farr mentioned a rudimentary calculation that 2x building height in feet relative to adjacent street width in feet is justified. That would yield 90 to 100 ft. tall building on the Austin Oaks site, similar to what was last proposed in the PUD. Farr also seemed to imply that adding streets within the 31 acre project could somehow improve the impact of traffic on the main thoroughfares of MoPac and Spicewood Springs.
In the Charrette Steering Committee discussion after the Vision & Values Workshop, when the larger audience was no longer there, Farr dismissed much of the input the had just been given by the neighbors at the workshop. Farr quickly dispatched with the balance of input from neighbors in the workshop on building heights, housing, residential zoning, impact on schools, etc. Farr made it clear in that post workshop meeting that he is not familiar with the details of this location nor of Austin's zoning code requirements. It is also clear that the decision making within this charrette will not be democratic in any form whatsoever. Further it is clear that Farr who is being paid by the developer Spire assumes Spire is entitled to something more than what they bought into and will do what Spire wants.
The Charrette is clearly being pushed toward a PUD not too much different than the last, 3rd interation of the proposed PUD. The 4th PUD proposal out of the Charrette will be a PUD again similar to the 3rd PUD proposal in sq. footage and building height with new zoning entitlement sought.
We liken this charrette to the rigged, predetermined, supposed public interaction process that the last Council pursued in selecting the defeated Urban Rail route in 2014. Appropriately so, one can now objectively call this a Charrette Charade.
That is all it is.
From Stop the PUD at
https://www.facebook.com/stopthepudataustinoaks/posts/527075864133923?pnref=story
The balance of neighbor input seemed to be lost on Doug Farr. Farr made it clear in his intro that he favors density and urbanism. As an example Farr mentioned a rudimentary calculation that 2x building height in feet relative to adjacent street width in feet is justified. That would yield 90 to 100 ft. tall building on the Austin Oaks site, similar to what was last proposed in the PUD. Farr also seemed to imply that adding streets within the 31 acre project could somehow improve the impact of traffic on the main thoroughfares of MoPac and Spicewood Springs.
In the Charrette Steering Committee discussion after the Vision & Values Workshop, when the larger audience was no longer there, Farr dismissed much of the input the had just been given by the neighbors at the workshop. Farr quickly dispatched with the balance of input from neighbors in the workshop on building heights, housing, residential zoning, impact on schools, etc. Farr made it clear in that post workshop meeting that he is not familiar with the details of this location nor of Austin's zoning code requirements. It is also clear that the decision making within this charrette will not be democratic in any form whatsoever. Further it is clear that Farr who is being paid by the developer Spire assumes Spire is entitled to something more than what they bought into and will do what Spire wants.
The Charrette is clearly being pushed toward a PUD not too much different than the last, 3rd interation of the proposed PUD. The 4th PUD proposal out of the Charrette will be a PUD again similar to the 3rd PUD proposal in sq. footage and building height with new zoning entitlement sought.
We liken this charrette to the rigged, predetermined, supposed public interaction process that the last Council pursued in selecting the defeated Urban Rail route in 2014. Appropriately so, one can now objectively call this a Charrette Charade.
That is all it is.
From Stop the PUD at
https://www.facebook.com/stopthepudataustinoaks/posts/527075864133923?pnref=story
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