Developers of Austin Oaks Planned United Development show residents the details of the project.[/caption]
The Austin Oaks Planned Unit Development has spawned opposition from residents in the Northwest Austin area since Spire Realty Group first introduced it in July 2014. Since then developers have decreased the proposed height of buildings and increased proposed park and trail acreage.
The Drenner Group, a law firm representing Spire Realty, invited nearby residents to view illustrations and ask questions about the effect the PUD would have on schools, traffic, parks and the environment. Residents trickled in to the June 11 event at Dell Jewish Community Center and spoke one-on-one with representatives from the Drenner Group.
Representatives of the Drenner Group answer questions about the proposed development's impact on traffic, schools and the environment.[/caption]
Attorney Stephen Drenner said the group designed the event as an open house without a formal presentation to allow residents to ask specific questions. A sit-down meeting would not have allowed the 70 residents who attended the gathering much chance to interact with the developers, he said.
“We got a lot of input, and we answered lots of questions,” he said.
Drenner said residents' concerns centered on the PUD's effect on traffic congestion and height of buildings. Since the initial PUD plan was submitted to the city, the developers have reduced the height of the buildings from 225 feet to a maximum of 120 feet, he said.
Lawn signs protesting the PUD pepper roadways surrounding the potential location of the PUD off Spicewood
Residents view images of the proposed development.[/caption]
Springs Road. Some of the signs claim the development would increase traffic in the area by 500 percent. Fact-checkers at
PolitiFact.com reported June 9 the developer’s most recent proposal would increase traffic by about 380 percent in the area.
Debra Bailey, president of Balcones Civic Association, said she heard many attendees at the meeting say they were concerned with the PUD’s effect on traffic and schools and the removal of trees on-site.
“The neighbors are not 100 percent sold on the impact this proposed development is going to have on their neighborhood,” she said.
Bailey said she is glad the Drenner Group hosted the event and spoke with residents.
“I wish that they would’ve had this a lot sooner so that they could really get feedback and do something with it … so that we can work together on this project,” she said.
Austin’s Zoning and Platting Commission is scheduled to discuss the Austin Oaks PUD at its next meeting June 16 at 6 p.m.
Bailey said she hopes the Drenner Group will ask the commission for a postponement to give the developer time to incorporate feedback received from the community meetings.
Drenner said another open-house meeting is scheduled forJune 15 from 5-7 p.m. at the Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane. Once the second event wraps, Drenner said, the developer will decide whether to make further changes to the PUD proposal.
Representatives of the Drenner Group answer questions about the proposed development's impact on traffic, schools and the environment.[/caption]
Attorney Stephen Drenner said the group designed the event as an open house without a formal presentation to allow residents to ask specific questions. A sit-down meeting would not have allowed the 70 residents who attended the gathering much chance to interact with the developers, he said.
“We got a lot of input, and we answered lots of questions,” he said.
Drenner said residents' concerns centered on the PUD's effect on traffic congestion and height of buildings. Since the initial PUD plan was submitted to the city, the developers have reduced the height of the buildings from 225 feet to a maximum of 120 feet, he said.
Lawn signs protesting the PUD pepper roadways surrounding the potential location of the PUD off Spicewood
Residents view images of the proposed development.[/caption]
Springs Road. Some of the signs claim the development would increase traffic in the area by 500 percent. Fact-checkers at PolitiFact.com reported June 9 the developer’s most recent proposal would increase traffic by about 380 percent in the area.
Debra Bailey, president of Balcones Civic Association, said she heard many attendees at the meeting say they were concerned with the PUD’s effect on traffic and schools and the removal of trees on-site.
“The neighbors are not 100 percent sold on the impact this proposed development is going to have on their neighborhood,” she said.
Bailey said she is glad the Drenner Group hosted the event and spoke with residents.
“I wish that they would’ve had this a lot sooner so that they could really get feedback and do something with it … so that we can work together on this project,” she said.
Austin’s Zoning and Platting Commission is scheduled to discuss the Austin Oaks PUD at its next meeting June 16 at 6 p.m.
Bailey said she hopes the Drenner Group will ask the commission for a postponement to give the developer time to incorporate feedback received from the community meetings.
Drenner said another open-house meeting is scheduled forJune 15 from 5-7 p.m. at the Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane. Once the second event wraps, Drenner said, the developer will decide whether to make further changes to the PUD proposal.
