April 29, 2009
Sir or Ma’am:
We would like to propose specific changes (detailed below) to the PARD Long Range Plan in support of the population centers that have been zoned along the City’s transit corridors.
PARD has done an admirable job of recognizing the need for open space in support of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). We would like the document to recognize explicitly the existence of places along transit corridors, i.e. areas zoned for Vertical Mixed Use near where the City is likely to place MetroRapid stations or other robust transit centers, and to state that such places need to be supported with open space in the same way and for the same reasons as TOD.
Both Vertical Mixed Use zoning and planning for MetroRapid lines have emerged recently. Most neighborhood plans were completed prior to these planning processes. Other neighborhoods impacted by VMU and MetroRapid do not have neighborhood plans. Input on the need for open space at “VMU districts” was provided in April 2008 as part of the PARD public input process. However, since that time public awareness and support for this issue has increased greatly.
The changes we propose are fully consistent with PARD goals of accessibility and sustainability. To reinforce the goal of sustainability, we propose adding an objective that recognizes the value of parks, plazas and trails to increase use of sustainable forms of transportation – walking, biking and public transit.
We applaud PARD for a transparent public input process and for goals that will ensure that our public parks and facilities offer the greatest value to the people of Austin.
Sincerely,
Note - a space was placed after the first letter of the last name to baffle internet name searches.
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Chad W illiams
Allandale
Tracey W hitley
Brentwood
Sarah and Pat B lankenship
Crestview
Laura D iCarlo
Allandale
Pat B riggs
Allandale
Susanna S harpe
Brentwood
Neely and Andy M ichaelis
Crestview
Susan B oulden
Allandale
Shana E llison
Allandale
Carmen C anann
Austin artist
Derek P eacock
Senior Civil/Environmental Engineer
Judy R ice
Wooten
Rosie B edeian
Morrow Street
Jimmy M cArthur
Brentwood
Denise D ailey
Brentwood
Katie H ansen
Allandale
Mark P rice
Allandale
Stephen O wens
Allandale
Haven M ass
Crestview
Nancy B arnard
Crestview
Susan F ullilove
Allandale resident of 30 years
Ross A bel
Wooten
J K ernion
North Shoal Creek
Dallas and Helene M aham
North Shoal Creek
Marlene B artlett
North Shoal Creek
Beverly L ester
Crestview
Brianna W alther
Wooten Park
Heather M cLeod
Pioneer Crossing neighborhood (Northeast Austin)
Sarah E vascu
Crestview
Rose G abriel
Crestview
Don T ucker
Crestview
Kent S amuelson
Brentwood
Michele and John W H olt
Brentwood
Eleanor M cKinney
Landscape Architect
Richard F room, PhD
Crestview
Anne-Charlotte P atterson
Crestview
Evan Q uenon
Crestview
Michelle S taneff
Crestview
Paulette K ern
Allandale
Linnea L emon Allandale
Charles and Peggy R andow Allandale
Virginia Vragel Wooten
Evan R ivera Brentwood
Karen W iley Brentwood
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Tom L inehan
Allandale
Ashli P ate
Brentwood
Tom M eunier
Wooten
Ed P iston
Brentwood
Rima S tar
North Shoal Creek
Judy and Ed P arken
NW Hills
Holly G W hitten
Allandale
Linda S heehan
Allandale
Trudy E vans
Allandale
Nathan D ooley
Allandale
Cindy R aab
Brentwood
Mack and Marsha E dwards
Allandale
Beth K ennedy
Allandale
Collette F lukinger
Allandale
Belia G reek-Nichols
Allandale
Glenn M eter
Allandale
Elizabeth S helby
Allandale
Jenifer W elch
Allandale
Allan M cMurtry
Allandale
Steven and Sara Z ettner
Allandale
Christine L ehmann
Austin
Mary Jean M atus
Allandale
Sheila R eiter
Allandale
Jason M ittman
Allandale
Adam T urner
Wooten
Cheri and Jeff H artman
North Shoal Creek
Susan B urneson
Crestview
Lisa D onahoe
Skyview
Eleanor R. P ratt
Crestview
Jacqueline O Keefe
Allandale
Fredrik S chaubert
Allandale
Susan E mery
Brentwood
Katie M alinski
Brentwood
Luke and Cheryl V aughan
Crestview
Hedrich M ichaelsen
Crestview resident and homeowner – 21 years
Nina R ao
Allandale
Ron L ucey
Allandale
Bill and Linda W ittenbrook
NW Hills
Joseph A costa
Brentwood
Chris M urdock
Allandale
Peggy K elsey Crestview
Lisa R ush Crestview
Nedra B ray Brentwood
Trey K irk Brentwood
Travis C oulbourn Brentwood
Catherine van Z anten Allandale
Jerry S chmidt Crestview
Alyssa H edge North Shoal Creek
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Shannon S tahl
Brentwood
Rhonda M arple
Crestview
Kristy L ines
Crestview
Chris G iles
Skyview
Roger S tafford
Skyview
Andrew D onoho
Allandale
Malcolm S t Romain, Jr
Allandale
Brent S jolseth
Allandale
Paige H ill
Crestview
Lisa G olden
Wooten Park
Joy R oberts
Wooten
Cheryl S ilver
Allandale
Tamsen C ohagan
Allandale
Beverly P ond
Crestview
Ron C oldiron
NWACA Parks Committee Chair
Margie G ordon
Allandale
Kerry K imbrough
Allandale
Adam R abinowitz
Crestview
Pete D ahlberg
Ridgetop Neighborhood
Kevin and Mary Jane W ier
North Shoal Creek
Randy A lexis
North Shoal Creek
Trey H amilton
North Shoal Creek
Michele B yrwa
North Shoal Creek
Chip R osenthal
Development Chair, North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association
Chris R auschuber
North Shoal Creek
Stella B rittnacher
North Shoal Creek
Joseph J arrett
Skyview
Jason M eeker
Brentwood
Chris H ayden
Allandale
Donna Beth M cCormick
Allandale
Elaine D ill
Brentwood
Marie A rnett
Mossrock Dr
Peggy M aceo
Allandale
Laura B urns
Allandale
Bea R eilley
Allandale
Jonathan L ocklin
Crestview
Jeff R ussell
President, North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association
Sherri P owell Crestview
Kathy C orrea, MBA Gault Street
Michelle E ddy Brentwood
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Specific changes suggested for PARD Long-Term Plan:
Executive Summary
7.0 Relevant Plans, after “other planning growth initiatives that shape urban development” add:
“Vertical Mixed Use (VMU) and Transit Corridor Transportation Planning – Vertical Mixed Use zoning was added along transit corridors in the central areas of the City in 2007. CapMetro is planning MetroRapid lines along some of these same corridors. Future modes may include light rail. Areas zoned for VMU near where transit stations are expected have open space needs similar to those described for TOD’s.”
8.0 Summarization of Greenways and Park Trails Plan, after “Long Term (requires land acquisition)” add the following:
“Other trails that connect TOD, VMU, or other higher-population density centers.”
10.0 Recommendations and Prioritization of Needs, after “City-wide recommendations” add the following:
“Plazas – ensure functional open space in support of high pedestrian-traffic flows, especially near transit stations, in partnership with both public and private entities.”
10.0 Recommendations and Prioritization of Needs, “Parkland Acquisition” under “In addition to infill park acquisition in the urban core…” add the following:
“Transit Oriented Developments, including VMU-zoned areas near future transit stations along transit corridors”
Ch 2 Definitions and Standards
2.1 Pocket Parks. Change language “(Transit Oriented Development, Vertical Mixed Use, etc)” to “Transit Oriented Development, Vertical Mixed Use, or other areas with concentrated multi-family housing)”
Note – this same language would need to be changed at several other places in the document.
Ch 4 PARD Goals and Objectives
4.2 Goals and Objectives, under Sustainability goal, add:
“8) Park and trail arrangement can increase use of sustainable forms of transportation.”
Ch 7 Relevant Plans
7.3 Transit Oriented Developments, add:
“VMU – Districts Near Transit Stations
Certain places zoned for Vertical Mixed Use along Transit Corridors share the same goals and needs as TOD districts, especially at major intersections where one can expect siting of MetroRapid or even Light Rail stations. In the absence of formal plans for these areas, TOD criteria for open space will be applied.”
Ch 8 Greenways and Park Trails Plan
8.11 Proposed Park Trails (Unfunded), add:
“Other Trails that Connect TOD, VMU, or other Higher-Population Density Centers
Where ever possible, park trails should be added where they connect higher-density population centers, for instance TODs or VMU districts. These trails will get above-average utilization and will contribute to PARD’s goal of sustainability by encouraging eco-friendly transportation.”
