A yearlong neighborhood planning project for the Westgate, South Manchaca and Garrison Park neighborhoods will kick off at Crockett High School on Jan. 12.

The South Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan will be the first neighborhood plan developed since the adoption of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, according to Francis Reilly, a planner with the City of Austin. SACNP's boundaries are Ben White Boulevard to the north, William Cannon Drive to the south, West Gate Boulevard to the west and South First Street to the east.

Surveys were sent out asking what matters to people who live in the planning area, from available facilities and amenities to factors such as traffic noise, types of nearby businesses, quality of parks and the way properties are maintained. City staff will explain how the SACNP could affect change and be used as a policy guide for future decision-making in the area.

Residents, business owners and landowners in the planning area can attend the kickoff meeting, Reilly said.

"It's allowing the community to discuss the things they like about their neighborhood, the things they'd like to improve about their neighborhood and how the city can affect that," he said.

The City of Austin started its neighborhood planning program in 1997 to preserve and improve quality of life in existing neighborhoods. Nearly 50 neighborhood planning areas have adopted neighborhood plans.

The SACNP meeting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 12 in the Crockett High School cafeteria, 5601 Manchaca Road. There will be activities available for children older than 4. Additional workshops are scheduled to take place Feb. 16 and March 23. More information is available at www.austintexas.gov/department/south-austin-combined-neighborhood-plan.