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First Texas Honda requested a variance to permit a 60 ft sign at their 3400 Steck Avenue property; City ordinance permits a 30 ft sign. The initial hearing by the Sign Review Board on July 9 was postponed until August 13. This variance, Case # C26-2012-0011 was the first item in the session beginning at 5:30 p.m. tonight.
Those who did not attend the hearing missed some political drama. Initially the hearing was postponed until September at the applicant’s request. However, due to technical problems, the audience could not hear what was being said by the speakers and were unaware of the motion to postpone. Some members of the audience then left. Later a neighbor requested to speak to the board about the postponement. He requested the motion to postpone the hearing be reconsidered due to the fact that the audience was not aware of the earlier proceedings and had no opportunity to speak against the postponement.The board then rescinded the earlier vote to postpone and heard speakers for and against postponement. A new motion to postpone was voted down and the public hearing was reopened. After the applicant representative spoke for the variance, the opposition was granted as total of 5 minutes to speak against the
variance. Two speakers used 4 minutes before I was able to speak for 1 minute. I presented 3 pictures of the site which were taken from MOPAC and which showed part of the main Honda building. One picture taken from the corner of Steck Avenue and North bound MOPAC Frontage Road which showed both the Honda building and the Lowes’ sign on Steck Avenue. I stated NSCNA’s objection to the 60 ft sign and stated my opinion that a 30 ft sign, properly located, would have adequate visibility.The board then closed the public hearing and voted to deny the variance. The board members also suggested that the Honda Dealership and the neighborhood discuss the sign matter and come to a mutual agreement.
After the board hearing, Members of NSCNA and other neighbors met briefly with the Honda representatives. We agreed to communicate with them and possibly hold a meeting to discuss the sign and other matters of mutual interest.
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(Corrected August 10)
City of Austin watering restrictions for hose-end sprinklers have been revised again, according to an article in the August 9 American Statesman and www.WaterWiseAustin.org. Hose-end sprinklers may now be used only before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on scheduled watering days, instead of before 5 a.m. or after 7 p.m. No changes were made for irrigation systems which may be used only before 5 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on scheduled days.
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Tonight the City Council approved on second and third reading the ordinance amending City Code relating to Short Term Rentals, with several changes from the version passed on first reading. Details will be provided when available
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Bond Development Update
City Council Hosts Public Hearing on a proposed 2012 Bond ElectionAt their August 2, 2012 meeting, the Austin Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing regarding a proposed November 2012 bond election. The item (#117) is currently set to be heard on or after 4:00 p.m., but may be moved until on or after 6:00 p.m.
For the latest information regarding timing, follow https://twitter.com/austintexasgov on Twitter, or view the meeting live on Channel 6 or streamed online at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/channel-6
Documents related to the Bond Development process are posted on the City’s website at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/bond-development.
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Upcoming Important Dates:
August 2: City Council Public Hearing – Austinites may address the Council regarding a potential November 2012 bond election;
August 7: City Council Work Session – Council will discuss the bond package and work through potential bond proposition language;
August 9: Special-Called City Council Meeting – City Council will consider setting a bond election for November 6, 2012 and approving ballot language for the bond propositions.
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As indicated in earlier posts, the City Council is scheduled to vote on Short Term Rentals on Thursday, August 2. However, the time for this action is not clear. The agenda (addendum) lists it as the final action in the 4:00 PM session. Recent information suggests that the hearing will be at 6:30 PM.
Specific time for the hearing may not be known until Thursday afternoon.In the June 7 meeting similar events occurred. The STR hearing was scheduled for the afternoon, but was delayed until later that evening.
ADDED at 4:46 PM: Information was just received by the NSCNA President that the hearing on STR will be held no earlier than 6:30 PM and may be later. Also, the public hearing may be reopened for limited comments.
