The annual picnic and meeting of the North Park Estates Neighborhood Association was held at the home of Janet and Mark Fulk, at 11503 Circle Bend. Those who hadn’t paid their dues did so and all signed in. The Treasurer has a record of those who attended and paid dues.

When lunch was served the large group of about 50 attendees sat in two groups – one in the front yard, the other in the garage. Several invited guests spoke to the two groups at differing times. A City of Austin police officer talked on crime prevention, and Kelly Stilwell, a Code Enforcement Lead Investigator, discussed the applicable city codes such as the necessity of maintaining decent yards, not allowing trash or debris or standing water to accumulate. It was noted that those who regard violations should first of all speak to their neighbors about remedying the violations, but if that doesn’t work, we may call 311 to get the city to take action to enforce the codes. Numerous information sheets from the City were available to pick up giving details on several of the speakers’ subject matter.

Mark Farver stated that the paperwork has been submitted to the city to opt our neighborhood in to the ban on front and side yard parking, and that that ban should take effect soon, perhaps May 1st.

Several ladies discussed the fact that if you want a street light on your street, you must get 4 neighbors in proximity to agree, then call the city to request one.

Emily Young, a representative of the City of Austin Water Conservation District discussed the mandatory, as of May 1st through September 30th, yard watering program the city has set up. We may water our yards twice a week, on Thursday and/or Sunday if our address is an even number, and on Wednesday and/or Saturday if our address is an odd number. Watering may not be done between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Hand held watering may be done at any time. Malfunctioning systems must be fixed before continuing to use them. Ponding of more than 1/4” of water is non-compliant. Soaker hoses are covered by this program, but it was noted that they will be the least likely to be detected by others.

Stevie Bear, a real estate agent, discussed the new push that the City Council has to cause Austin to become much more “green” meaning energy efficient. They are working on standards for homes such as double pane windows, air conditioning units with at least 14 SEER, adequate attic insulation, etc. She said they propose to inspect a home before it is sold and to give the homeowner a list of items that must be remedied before the home can sell. Then they propose to need to re-inspect after the remedies are made before the home sale is eligible to close. Realtors are opposed to this as it is thought that it will be unaffordable for many and that it will lengthen the time of closing on a house sale from an average of 30 days to an average of 60 to 90 days. We were encouraged to look up the website keepaustinaffordable.org to get more information.

Ken Weiss, who grew up in this neighborhood, and whose mother lives on Rebecca, spoke saying that he is running for Place 3 in the upcoming City Council election, and whereas he is in favor of Austin becoming more energy efficient “green” he wants to propose much more reasonable methods for accomplishing this, such as incentives, low cost loans, longer times to make the changes, etc. He invited us to look at his debates with others who are running for that place on the City Council on two television stations, 6 and 8, at various times.

Sammy Amsler gave the Treasurer’s Report and it is available online on the neighborhood’s website. The balance in the account before this meeting was $1,585.14.

Jean McCoy made a presentation about the safe, pleasant, friendly place our neighborhood is to live in. She detailed some of the recent activities of the neighborhood association, which included replacing the deteriorating entrance signs on North Lamar a little over a year ago, having a Christmas/holiday party and a lighting display contest each December, having speed bumps installed in the neighborhood some time ago, keeping a fried chicken drive thru from being put in at the new Shell gas station on Braker Lane near our neighborhood, having Neighbors’ Night Out socials, and a few years ago driving away a bad business from across North Lamar from the entrance to our neighborhood there.

Walt Esquivel spoke about the necessity of more people becoming involved in the neighborhood association’s business by becoming officers, block captains, newsletter deliverers or helpers on various projects.

Mark Farver asked for help from someone who could handle the job of doing the paperwork to get our neighborhood association recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for tax purposes, so that the Treasurer wouldn’t have to report as income the money that goes into the association’s checking account. A man whose name is unknown to the Secretary agreed to help with that project as he is aware of how it is done.

Larie Amsler stated that the Treasurer has the responsibility of not only collecting dues and paying bills for the association, but also of gathering mail from the association’s post office box and getting flowers to family members of those who pass away in our neighborhood.

Nominations for new officers were held. The following were nominated, seconded and elected by acclamation: President: Walt Esquivel Vice President: Jason Thomas Secretary: Janet Fulk Treasurer: Amy Mashberg and Stevie Bear Members at Large elected include the following: Larie Amsler, Martin Horan, Robin McMillion, Pat Huffstutler, and Charlton Harrison. Various people accepted the responsibility of becoming Block Captains and they were accepted by acclamation. Among them were: Teri Rice, 840 N. Bend, 767-3840 Tracy Anderson, 1102 Minda Dr, 836-6758 (cell). Gene McCoy, 11613 Eubank Dr, 836-5289 (home). Leota Means, 11401 Eubank Dr, 836-1570 (home), for the south end of Eubank Joe Silva, 11305 Circle Bend Dr, 300-3758 (cell), for Apollo Robin McMillion, 1102 Rebecca, 490-1248 (cell), will do Rebecca if desired. Carol Fritz asked that someone contact her block captain on Silbury Dr; if that person doesn’t wish to do it anymore, she will.

Neighborhood watch signs were discussed. A. J. Walker noted that he has some in his garage. Locations of signs were discussed, and it is thought that we will want to put up some more signs. A.J. volunteered to determine where in our neighborhood we currently have signs and where additional signs may be needed. A motion was made, seconded, and voted upon unanimously to allow A.J. to present his findings to the board in the near future.

The meeting was adjourned.

Annual Meeting 4/26/08 financial report

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Newsletter Announcing NPENA Annual Meeting and Picnic 4/26/08

NPENA website now has a separate category for “Newsletters,” that enable reviewing newsletters on our web site.. Starting with links to 2007 newsletters we also have links for four newsletters from 5/03 through 4/05.

Also included in this article is draft of newsletter that will be published and distributed in early April. This is a work in progress, enabling neighbors to comment and offer suggestions prior to release of newsletter for printing and distribution..

This article focusing on recent newsletters is providing links to archived newsletters primarily for those who would like to view earlier newsletters as samples when preparing NPENA Newsletters. Newsletters were prepared in either MS Word or MS Publisher. For convenience of those who use Adobe Reader, the newsletters were converted to a universally accepted PDF format. If you do not have adobe reader, you can download same at: Adobe Site (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.)

Links to earlier newsletters:

Click on the following links to view each newsletter in pdf format:

(Refer to link earlier for Adobe reader if not installed on your computer)

North Park Estates Neighborhood Association Board meeting minutes

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Board members present included the following:

  • Secretary –Mary Allen,
  • Treasurer -Sammy Amsler

and Members at Large:

  • Wes Allen
  • Larie Amsler
  • Pat Huffstutler
  • Walt Esquivel
  • Gene and Lou McCoy

Guests present were Janet Fulk and Martin Horan.

Since Mark Farver, Acting President, was out-of-town, Larie Amsler was chosen to lead the meeting. The guests, who are our neighbors are people who are willing to assume some limited responsibility for neighborhood affairs, and perhaps to be elected as Members-at-Large at the next annual meeting, were welcomed.

It was noted that guests may enter into the discussion of the Board, but not vote.

OLD BUSINESS

  1. Parking in front and side yards

    Walt Esquivel had brought his laptop computer and had done some research on the City’s form to allow our neighborhood to opt in to the City’s area of those who do not wish to allow parking of vehicles in their front or side yards. He noted that in the past the City required that neighborhoods request admission to this group every 3 years, but that now the status will remain unchanged until a neighborhood association requests to be removed from the group that participates in this status by getting a majority vote to do so at their annual meeting. So, we only need to complete the form, get it signed by our Acting President and have that notarized and mailed to the City this February to take care of the matter. Together we determined what should go in the blanks on the City’s form. Walt agreed to get the filled-out form to Mark Farver, along with arranging to get the associated papers necessary to accompany that form.

  2. Getting more people involved with the Board

    Larie expressed her appreciation for Martin Horan and Janet Fulk responding to the pleas for more participation with the neighborhood’s board. Linda Botello also had wanted to attend this meeting, but she was home caring for her husband who was ill at home. Linda is interested in curbing the speeding along Austin Park Lane. Mark Farver, in a previous conversation with Larie, had said that those interested in that subject should gather facts to present to the City – to motivate the City to do something about it.

    Janet Fulk’s initial suggestion was that she head up a 3 person committee to update the list of all homeowners, with their e-mail addresses and maybe phone numbers to improve communications and get more neighborhood support. Some of us felt that was a huge job and suggested that she attempt to go door-to-door on just one block or so to ask for e-mail addresses and perhaps phone numbers as a test case to see if neighbors are willing to participate in this type of communication.

    Janet Fulk and Martin Horan both volunteered to become Block Captains, if needed, or at least to deliver newsletters door to door in an area that is lacking a Block Captain to do that. Larie agreed to assign them appropriate areas. Larie has a list of newsletter deliverers, some of whom are not Block Captains.

  3. Goals of the neighborhood association

    The goals of the neighborhood association were discussed. Among them we agreed were the following: litter cleanup, crime watch, complying with applicable laws, addressing oak wilt, keeping up property values, and being aware of proposed development around our neighborhood and being active as necessary to protect our interests in that regard.

  4. Association membership

    Sammy Amsler noted that we had 54 members for 2007. In 2006 there were 52 households who had joined the neighborhood association. The two guests who joined us tonight, also joined the association tonight by paying annual dues.

  5. Treasurer’s Report

    Sammy Amsler presented the financial report. The balances in the various accounts are as follows:

    Entrance sign $ 218.28
    Flower Fund $ 63.20
    Dues fund $1,043.66
    Total funds available $1,325.14

    Walt asked what the purpose was for the balance in the Entrance Sign fund and Mary Allen responded that A.J. Walker had expressed a desire to put mulch and perhaps landscaping around the signs and to keep up doing that as needed.

  6. Minutes

    Those who had read the minutes of the last meeting on 11-13-07 online approved them.

  7. The Church issue

    Larie Amsler read most of a letter from the City written to immediate neighbors of the church and our neighborhood association. The letter said that the issue of changing the Development Code for building the new building the church school proposes to build is coming before the City Council soon. To have input to that procedure, the letter explained that an interested party would need to call or e-mail Donna Glati, the City’s Case Manager, at 974-2733 or e-mail her by February 1st, or write to her by February 8th. When Mary Allen asked Larie if any of the immediate neighbors of the church who are in our association have asked us to do anything at this point, she said that they had not. So, we agreed to do nothing further – and to allow those who wished to put up resistance to the church school in this matter to do so.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Land Management
  2. Walt Esquivel reported that he had called the phone number on the vacated Albertson’s building at Lamar and Braker Lane and talked with the person named Neil Swidkowsky (spelling unknown) about the plans for the building. It was found that talks are underway to lease out part of the building to a holistic health center. Some kind of tea is proposed to be bottled there. Also an alternative health center is proposed to be there. Walt invited the man he spoke with, to come and tell us more about the plans at our March meeting.

  3. The Annual Meeting

    We agreed to propose the next annual meeting for April 26th.

    Janet Fulk offered her property at 11503 Circle Bend, as the location for the meeting and that offer was gladly accepted. Janet’s phone number is 873-8607.

Mary proposed that we adjourn the meeting. Pat seconded. The vote was unanimous and we were adjourned.

After the meeting, our next meeting date was discussed. It was decided that although last year we had agreed to meet quarterly instead of every other month, we needed to meet in March to get the details of the annual meeting determined – as to who should do what. Therefore a meeting around March 11th or 18th seems advisable.

NPENA BOARD MEETING MINUTES IN PDF PRINTABLE FORMAT

Should you not have a pdf reader, you may download free Adobe Reader
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Prohibiting Front Lawn Parking

GENERAL OVERVIEW

ORDINANCE REFERENCES:

Specific ordinance requirements can be found in: Section 16-5-22 of the City Code.

PURPOSE:

To restrict the parking in the front or side yards of a residential property.

HOW THE PARKING ORDINANCE WORKS:

1. The parking regulations are applicable to areas on the Restricted Parking Area Map approved by Council. All changes to the map occur by action of the Council.

2. Neighborhood associations requesting inclusion on the map can be done by sending a request to NPZD on a City-approved form. The open period to submit applications will be any working day during the month of February.

· Requests may be made by a neighborhood association president.

· Request forms may be filed during the month of February. Council will consider requests in April and approve necessary map amendments.

· Request forms expire three years from the date Council amends the map to include the area.

· To remain on the map after 3 years, an association president must send in a new request to NPZD in February of the year that the form expires.

3. Exceptions: Applications will not be accepted if a neighborhood association is located within an area where the City of Austin is currently in the process of developing a Neighborhood Plan. Decisions on whether to prohibit such parking will be handled within the context of the planning process.

DEADLINE:

Application may be submitted on any working day in February to Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department (NPZD), One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs, 5th Floor, Attention: Annie Pennie.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Refer to application and submittal checklist.

QUESTIONS:

Any questions regarding the Restricted Parking Area Map Amendment Application should be directed to Annie Pennie: Neighborhood Planning & Zoning Department

974-7668

RESTRICTED PARKING AREA MAP

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

February 2003

The purpose of this application is to request that the below named Neighborhood Association be included on the Restricted Parking Area Map.

(NAME OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION)

The Neighborhood Association must be registered with the Public Information Office.

Describe the general boundary covered by the neighborhood association.

________________________________________________________________________

1. Name of Neighborhood Assoc. Officer/Office Held:

2. Mailing Address of Officer:

3. Mailing Address of Assoc. (if different):

4. Phone # of Officer:

QUESTIONS: The following questions refer to the official vote taken by the Neighborhood Association as it relates to the Restricted Parking Ordinance.

1. Was the vote taken in accordance with Association’s by laws? Yes No

If No, please explain why and how the vote was taken

2. Provide the results of the vote:

For: Against:

Total # of eligible votes:

Please explain how and to whom the notice of the meeting, at which the vote was taken, was provided:

3. Are you aware of other Neighborhood Associations that have over lapping boundaries with the Neighborhood Association referred to on this application.

If yes, identify the overlapping Association

Have attempts been made to contact these Associations? Yes No

If yes, do other associations favor inclusion on the map? Yes No

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

A. Total number of households in the Association area

SUBMITTAL CHECK LIST

1. An official certification of the action taken by the association on the parking issue that includes the notarized signature of the authorized officer of the association.

2. A copy of the meeting minutes that describes the vote on the parking issue.

3. A copy of the association bylaws.

4. A copy of the notice of the meeting at which the vote was taken.

5. A statement of the process by which the notice was issued.

Above from word document did not fully bring forward proper format. To view or print the formatted application, download this article in Adobe pdf format with the following link: (Should this link fail try copying address to your browser. I was able to verify functioning link with internet explorer, but link failed in my Firefox browser at the time of uploading this file.)

http://www.main.org/northpark/park_appl.pdf

Based on North Park Estates Neighborhood Association Board meeting minutes Tuesday, May 28, 2007

Beginning in 2008, the (Board) meetings are planned to be the 4th Tuesday of January, April, July and October. We’ll be moving to every 3 months, instead of every other month.

Membership of NPENA will be advised by e-mail of location for scheduled board meetings and if anyone is interested in serving as an officer or member at large, please RSVP to one of the e-mail addresses below at least a week in advance so that we can be assured that the meeting place has sufficient room for everyone.

As published in NPENA December flyer:

The annual meeting of NPENA did not result in replacements of officers whose two-year terms have expired. Mark Farver, VP, is temporarily filling the slot of President of the neighborhood association, and the other former officers continue to serve until the next scheduled election rather than allowing the association to fold. In order to keep our neighborhood association active, the board is encouraging members who are willing to serve to attend the board meetings in 2008. The Members-at-Large nominate a new slate of officers in May 2008. Since all officers need to be replaced, we invite any member to consider serving on the board as President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer, or Member-at-Large. If you are interested, please provide your name/telephone number/e-mail address to samtex_us@yahoo.com or contact the acting president, Mark Farver 587-3639

Please read the most recent board meeting minutes.

North Park Estates

Neighborhood Association

Board meeting minutes

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

 

Board members present included the following:

V. Pres. – Mark Farver, Secretary - Mary Allen, Treasurer -Sammy Amsler, Members at Large Wes Allen, Larie Amsler, Pat Huffstutler

Walt Esquivel, Gene and Lou McCoy. Art Riojas and John Stokes were guests. 

 

Problems with Brentwood Church of Christ and its school

Art Riojas and John Stokes gave an exposition about the transgressions of the Brentwood Church of Christ and its school with regard to use of the 50’ area of land which backs up to the street in our neighborhood association. (Is this Eubank or Knollpark?) There had been an agreement between the church and NPENA which was that the church/school would not disturb the vegetation within 50’ of their property along our NPENA property line. However, a group of 6 to 8 people from the church/school did trim trees, failing to spray the cut trunks, cut down trees, shredded the debris, and cleared undergrowth. There is concern that the failure to spray the trees where they were cut could further the live oak decline our area is experiencing.

It was proposed that we seek out exactly what the past agreements were and talk with the church/school leaders directly, rather than continuing to talk with the church/school’s hired representative, which has proved unproductive.

Another alleged transgression was that after a site plan was approved by the City, it was altered illegally. However, this alteration was detected and remedied. 

Traffic, speeding, and excessive parking during special events on both sides of the streets near the church/school’s south entrance, and up to the corners has caused concern of those who live nearby.

Braker Lane and Lamar development

The new Shell station has not yet applied for a permit to build a restaurant, or to finish the inside of the facility they built for one. It is thought that they will do that without notice, so we had best watch out for it.

There are apparently four new businesses in the new development on Braker Lane near Lamar that sell alcohol. There had been a stipulation about how close alcohol could be sold to a church, and it was found that the 1003’ measurement given on the plans was from the old church building at Braker Lane and ?(street name), not the new building, since the new building wasn’t on the plat that was used.

There is some construction of parking spaces on Braker Lane west of the St. David’s Occupational Therapy Center west of CVS Pharmacy. There was something about David Weekly Homes – or a restaurant site that was written on a sign near that construction. Walt Esquivel volunteered to see what is being built there. (He later reported by email dated 11/16/07 that the property is merely, at this time, extra parking for the new businesses on the south side of Braker Lane.  However, a restaurant will probably be built next to the St. David’s center at some point in the future.  The David Weekly “Enclave at Gracy” home sign is simply that - an advertising sign for homes being built over on Gracy off of Swearingen.)

Discussion then ensued about having a NPENA Christmas party. It was decided to have one on Tuesday, December 11th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Neighbors would be invited to bring a snack or dessert, a Silent Auction item and/or canned goods to donate to the Capital Area Food Bank. The proceeds from the Silent Auction are planned to go into our General Fund or our Flower Fund. Efforts will be made by email and in person to recruit a place for the party. The Amslers volunteered to create a newsletter to advertise the party.

As in the past, there will be a contest regarding holiday decorations in yards, and awards will be given out at the party. Various ideas for signs and prizes were bantered around.

Crime

This issue was touched on. A website detailing various crime statistics indicates that our zip code has quite a bit of crime in it. However, our neighborhood is less crime ridden than the majority of the rest of the zip code.

The meeting was adjourned.

(Notice: Due to proliferaion of spammers comments, all comments must be approved by administator before being viewed.)

North Park Estates

Neighborhood Association

Board meeting minutes

Tuesday, May 28, 2007

Board members present included the following:

Board Officers
President -Dale Sellers
V. Pres. – Mark Farver

Secretary - Mary Allen
Treasurer -Sammy Amsler

Members at Large

Wes Allen

Larie Amsler

Pat Huffstutler

Entrance Sign Committee Member

A. J. Walker

Call to Order

The President, Dale Sellers, called the meeting to order and passed out the agenda.

Old Business

1. The minutes of the annual meeting on 5-5-07 were read by Mary Allen and approved by the group.

2. The Treasurer’s Report was given by Sammy Amsler and is posted on the website. There’s a total balance of $1322.96. This is made up of $298.59 for the Entrance Sign Fund, $103.19 for the Flower fund, and $921.18 for the Dues Fund.

3. Walt Esquivel has been working on getting neighbors to clear up zoning and code violations and has had some good success. He was not present, but Dale detailed the improvements. A relatively new pile of rocks and a tree trunk are on the city’s easement at the end of Circle Bend. Walt will be asked to contact the property owner there, or to call the city.

4. The Shell station work at Braker Lane and Parkfield is under way. It will sell beer and wine, and be open 24/7. Their current filing is for the gas station and a future restaurant. Dale doesn’t think there is anything we can do, but Mark says if there are problems after it opens, then we will have cause to protest. We will need to be cognizant of possible loiterers and alcohol sales to minors. We’ll also need to keep an eye on them when they file for the restaurant, hoping we can protest the drive thru or the hours of being open.

5. A. J. Walker repaired the entrance signs and he has a quart of paint to repair future potential damage to the letters. He replaced the 3 top concrete blocks and 1 large concrete block. He said Tracy Maurey did the 2 firings of the donor blocks, and that he has incurred $80.31 more in expenses for the repairs and the tiles. We discussed where to fix the name tiles, and it was decided that the back side of the sign on Oracle’s property would be the safest place, since that area is watched by their 24 hour guards.

6. A schedule was decided upon for the rest of this year’s Board Meetings. It is as follows: July 24th, Sept. 25th, and Nov. 27th. Beginning in 2008, the meetings are planned to be the 4th Tuesday of January, April, July and October. We’ll be moving to every 3 months, instead of every other month.

New Business

1. Public hearing on rezoning the Mobile Home Park. Dottie and Gene Gault, who owned the mobile home park on Lamar, by the fire department, have sold it for $3,000,000 to Thomas Leiou and his brother, but the Gaults have permission to continue to live there for the next two years. The Leious are attempting to get the property rezoned from LO to LR. We speculated that they will try to buy more adjoining property and eventually build something bigger there. As of now, their rezoning is requesting to put a convenience store on that property – but we think that that isn’t their final objective, as it doesn’t seem like a good location for one. We concluded that our options are:

1. Oppose the LR and allow LO,

2. Ignore the rezoning because anything other than a mobile home park might be preferable,

3. Ask Thomas Leiou what their objective is and ask him to present his plan to the neighborhood association.

Dale will carry out #3. There are two properties across Lamar that are zoned “county”.

2. New Officers At the annual meeting, Laverne Purcell, whose phone number is 836-5792 volunteered to be a Member-at-Large for the new Board. Dale, after much arm twisting, agreed to stay on, but perhaps not be called President, but to delegate out various responsibilities to a number of committees, such as a zoning committee, a picnic committee, and a trash committee so he won’t feel unable to stay on top of all the issues involving our neighborhood. It was later explained that a “committee” can be one willing person who will recruit help if needed. Mark Farver will continue to help out.

A. J. Walker suggested putting a request in the next newsletter for officers and committee members and committee heads. A. J. also noted that the North Austin Alliance is a big support for zoning issues, and that Mary, in Gracy Woods, handles North Austin Alliance’s business. Another group to get on is the Police Forum. A person doesn’t have to be a Board Member to attend these other meetings.

3. Neighborhood Night Out is scheduled for August 7, 2007.

4. Newsletters Dale says that a couple of newsletter deliverers need to be replaced. It was suggested that Sarah and Joseph Poirer replace Paul and Carol Askenasy and deliver to all of Eubank. The next newsletter is scheduled to be ready by 7-28-07.

Sammy Amsler moved that the meeting be adjourned. Pat Huffstutler seconded, and the vote was unanimous.

NPENA BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 28, 2007 PDF FILE

Shell convenience store at the corner of Braker & Parkfield

FYI For the neighborhood’s concerns thread of e-mail regarding the Shell convenience store at the corner of Braker and Parkfield, which many have opposed:

Shell Station e-mail thread (e-mail addresses have been removed except for city and those outside of neighborhood)
Yahoo! Mail Print - Close Window
Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 09:33:28 -0500
From: “Walt Esquivel, Wellness Corps”
To: dlsellers
Subject: Re: Re: Shell station
Dale, Yes, too bad there was no prior discussion regarding the possible hours of operation under LR zoning. Nikki informed me this morning when I called her that, generally speaking, there are no restrictions on the hours of operation for various types of zoning, including LR. So, 24/7 is included with LR zoning, and that isn’t anything new. In my opinion, it’s not that the city has changed anything or is all of a sudden “pro-business” since the zoning laws/ordinances probably haven’t changed in years, it’s that I didn’t know the game nor its rules and it didn’t affect this neighborhood in the past so dramatically as a Shell/potential Chuchs Chicken does at the corner of Parkfield & Braker. I didn’t think to ask last year what hours of operation are possible with LR zoning and, for me, it’s a lesson learned. It will be interesting to hear what our neighbors think at the annual meeting at your house this Saturday.

Regards,
Walt

On 4/30/07, Dale Sellers wrote:

Walt,

There was no discussion of the hours of operation nor were the hours posted on any document. The Zoning Commission chose to limit the drive thru only. Betty stated they would not recommend this type of facility in this neighborhood but they were not the ones to make this decision. We should petition drive immediately along with Gracywoods, email Nikki and Susan Villarreal and contact the local News 8, KVUE, KXAN and FOX to see if they would pick up the story to show that these actions clearly demonstrate the city is now concerned with business interests, not maintaining the integrity of existing neighborhoods. Shame on them. We have always been able to reason with the City; now they are pro-business.

Dale

From: walt.esquivel
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 4:18 PM
To: Sammy Amsler

Subject: Re: Re: Shell station

Sammy,

By all means, please pass the info along. As a side note, it is quite unfortunate the Shell convenience store and whatever fast food restaurant that may get put in at the corner of Braker & Parkfield are allowed to operate 24/7. If 24/7 happens, or even 18/7 (something like 6am-midnight), I don’t think surrounding homeowners are going to like it.

Regards,
Walt

On 4/30/07, Sammy Amslerwrote:

Unless objection, I would like to transmit this
information to all who NPENA members who have provided
their e-mail address.

— “Walt Esquivel, Wellness Corps”
wrote:

> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:30:36 -0500
> From: “Walt Esquivel, Wellness Corps”
>
> Subject: Re: Shell station
> CC: “Bill Beare”
>
> FYI.
>
> Regards,
> Walt Esquivel, MBA, MA
> President, Wellness Corps, LLC; Captain, USMC
> (Veteran)
> Cell: 512-825-0820
>
>
>
>
> From: Hoelter, Nikki
> Date: Apr 30, 2007 11:07 AM
> Subject: RE: Status of - CHURCHES/SHELL FOOD STORE
> at 1316 W BRAKER LN
> To: “Walt Esquivel, Wellness Corps”

>
> This site plan has been approved and released. It
> was presented to the
> Zoning and Platting Commission for the approval of
> the drive through only,
> which was associated with the fast food restaurant.
> All other improvements
> are allowed within the LR zoning district. The
> business is allowed to
> operate 24 hours. If there is a problem with noise
> you may contact the
> police department. Unless the owner submits another
> site plan for a
> different use or additional construction, currently
> the neighborhood’s only
> option is to contact the owner to try and negotiate
> different hours of
> operation.
>
> *From:* walt.esquivel

> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 24, 2007 3:52 PM
> *To:* Hoelter, Nikki
> *Subject:* Fwd: Status of - CHURCHES/SHELL FOOD
> STORE at 1316 W BRAKER LN
>
> Hi Nikki,
>
> Do you know what hours any business(es) plan on
> operating under at 1316 W.
> Braker Lane?
>
> Our neighborhood would like to know if there are any
> restrictions on the
> hours any business(es) operating at 1316 W. Braker
> Lane can operate under.
> We don’t want a 24/7 business operating there. Can
> we request something
> more suitable such as 9 am - 9 pm or something other
> than 15 or more hours a
> day?
>
> Basically, what are our rights as a neighborhood?
> Can we petition the
> Zoning and Platting Commission or some other City of
> Austin department or
> official for hours that are more in line with what
> we want as a
> neighborhood, or are we at the mercy of whatever
> hours the business(es)
> eventually decide upon?
>
> Regards,
> Walt Esquivel
>
> On 4/27/07, Walt Esquivel, Wellness Corps
>
> wrote:
> >
> > Here you go.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Walt Esquivel
> >
> > From: Walt Esquivel,
> > To: dlsellers
> > Cc: GracywoodsNA@aol.com,
> >
> > Hi Dale,
> >
> > I called my contact at Churchs Chicken and was
> told that the developer
> > would like to resubmit the application for a
> Churchs Chicken franchise at
> > Braker and Parkfield.
> >
> > We have our annual North Park Estates Neighborhood
> Association meeting /
> > potluck at your house on Saturday, 5/5. I
> recommend we ask the members
> > present for their input.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Walt
> >
> >
> > On 4/17/07, *Raney, Carol
>
*>
> > wrote:
> >
> > Mr. Esquivel,
> >
> > The Building Permits that were issued are for a
> Shell Building and then a
> > Finish-Out for the Convenience Store in that
> building. No plans have been
> > submitted or issued yet for the restaurant side of
> that building. The Site
> > Plan does show 1305sf to be used for restaurant.
> If plans are submitted,
> > because the Site Plan has that has an approved
> use, we (Commercial Building
> > Plan Review) would not have any issues with the
> use part of it. For more
> > information on the Site Plan you may want to
> contact the Site Plan Case
> > Manager, Nikki Hoelter at 974-2863.
> >
> > I hope this information helps, please contact me
> if you need additional
> > information on the building permit side of it.
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > *Carol Raney Moncada*
> >
> > *Commercial Plans Coordinator*
> >
> > *Commercial Plan Review Division/WPDR*
> >
> > *(512)974-3469*
> >
> > *(512)974-6372 fax*
> >
> > * carol.raney@ci.austin.tx.us*
>
> >
> >
> >
> > On 4/27/07, Mary Allen <
> wesandmary1wrote:
> > >
> > > Walt, I’ve misplaced the last e-mail you sent
> me about the Shell
> > > station, the restaurant to be in it, and the
> City contact person. Would you
> > > please send a copy of that to Bill Beare, one of
> our neighbors, at
> > > hwbii@aol.com? He wants to make a report of the
> latest info to his
> > > church, which is the one right across the street
> from the new station.
> > > Thank you.
> > >
> > > Mary E. Allen

Shell convenience store at the corner of Braker & Parkfield comments are welcome here and at the annual meeting Saturday at 11 am May 5. It appears that critical events with the city have passed that would have influenced how the conduct of this business affects the adjoining neighborhoods. But, for the future, we need to be vigilant to have some influence on future construction and events that affect our neighborhoods. If you are interested in the welfare of our neighborhood, consider volunteering to become an officer or member at large in the North Park Estates Neighborhood Association (NPENA.) If you do not know your block captain, offer to volunteer as you will not only be helping yourself, but also your immediate neighbors.

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Bylaws of North Park Estates Neighborhood Association
Ratified by Membership on 5/25/05

The NPENA general neighborhood association meeting on 10/23/04 approved the drafted bylaws as follows:

  • Tom Miner recommended languages of “formerly known as North Park Estates Home Owners Association” to
    “North Park Neighborhood Association” to maintain continuity with former identity.

  • Motion made by Tom Miner to accept bylaws (with above exception) pending review by lawyer. Motion was seconded and approved as qualified above..

  • Links below consists of

    • Link below provides view of the final approved
      Bylaws for North Park Neighborhood Association that was
      reviewed by an attorney, authenticating final approval by motion described above.
      Bylaws was ratified by membership on 5/25/05.

      Note that the bylaws consists of six pages and exhibit 1, which also includes map of the
      neighborhood. When converting to html file the bylaws were generated as one page.
      You have option links below to either html format or PDF format.
      For convenience of printing by-laws, we have converted bylaws to PDF files.
      Document was imported into MS Word for conversion to PDF. Exhibit 1 includes Street index
      and available as PDF files. The html versions remain on web site for alternative viewing.
      MS Word document is copied to archive CD.

    • Map Boundaries map is also included as part of Exhibit 1 described in Article III: Boundaries.
      Map is also available as PDF file, allowing printing as well as enlarging map for viewing.

    Note that when viewing each of these documents, use your browser back button to return to this page.

    1. bylaws2005.htm

    2. Bylaws PDF file

    3. bylaws 2005 Boundary map
    4. Street index PDF file
    5. Street map PDF file


    Revised






    NORTH PARK ESTATESNEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOARD MINUTESTUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2007 The Board of Directors meeting of the North Park Estates Neighborhood Association included: Those presentBoard Officers President -Dale Sellers Secretary - Mary AllenTreasurer -Sammy AmslerMembers at LargeWes AllenWalt Esquivel Larie AmslerCarol FritzGene McCoyLou McCoyGuestsNanda KeelerJohn StokesArt Riojas

    The Board Meeting was held at Dale & Greta Sellers’ home Tuesday, January 23, 2007. Attendance indicated above. Call to Order. The President, Dale Sellers, called the meeting to order and passed out the agenda. OLD BUSINESS 1. Minutes from the previous board meeting were approved. 2. Treasurer’s and Budget Report were read by Sammy Amsler and a handout of the following information was given. With bills of $3891.33 paid to date for the Entrance Signs, the Entrance Sign Fund has a balance of $281.59, the Flower Fund a balance of $98.19 and the Dues Fund $834.01. The Total amount available is $1213.793. Dale mentioned that we made money from the holiday social and white elephant sale and that it was a success.4. Entrance sign. Dale mentioned that letters from the old entrance signs are still available at $20 each. A ceremony to celebrate the beautiful new entrance signs to North Park Estates will be held during the annual picnic in May, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 19th. Mary Allen noted that the only other necessary expenses for the Entrance Signs should be for firing the tiles on which the names of $100+ donors will be made. This is expected to cost $50 or so. Other potential expenses may be for mulch or landscaping around the signs. 5. Zoning and code violations - Larie & Sammy Amsler have agreed to send detailed emails to Walt which will include a list of neighborhood code violators. The email will include what the violation is, the address of the violation, the City of Austin phone number that was called for action, any contact info (employee name, positions, & phone number) on City of Austin employee(s) that take the call, case numbers as applicable, any applicable notes, etc. The more info the better. NEW BUSINESS 1. New speed limits - speed limits in NPE have, for the most part, been newly set at 25 MPH. Signs reflecting this change will be erected in the future by the City. Apparently no change in speed limit is intended for North Bend. 2. Neighborhood Cleanup Day - a suggestion was made that we have this the morning of the annual picnic and that we publicize it in the spring newsletter. Walt suggested that we have several meeting places in the neighborhood, and that specific locations suggested for each group going out to clean, be handed out there. Only trash will be picked up along the streets and right of ways; no brush clearing will be done.3. Brentwood Zoning. Three residents of the neighborhood, who live on Eubank, and whose houses back up to the Brentwood School and Church property attended our meeting. Two of them, John Stokes & Art Riojas, have done some research on historical issues and current activities of the church/school. They have met with the church’s representative – as has Dale again, and informed us of the following:a. The 50’ compatibility boundary between the fences of their back yards and the church is to remain as is. However, some well meaning parents of school attendees took it upon themselves to plant 200 red tip photinia plants right behind the fence – feeling that this would be a good visual barrier for the neighborhood. Unfortunately, however, no one in the neighborhood was consulted about this choice or location of plants, and it is not to the neighborhood’s liking, since that type of bush can grow uncontrollably large if it is in favorable soil & weather conditions, it is prone to diseases, it should have some manual labor maintenance done on it in order to make it attractive, and a visual barrier that close to the fences was not wished for. Future plants to be planted in the 50’ buffer area are only to be planted after having consulted with the neighborhood representatives.b. There is to be no high intensity recreational activity within the 50’ buffer behind the fence – and some in the church/school had planned to use part of that area for recreational games. So, they have now been instructed that that will not be allowed.c. It is understood by all, that no further construction is planned on the church/school property after the 3 subject buildings are finished. Those 3 buildings are promised to not be rented out to outside groups for use. They will only be allowed to be used by the church & school.d. There seems to be no good solution yet to the traffic concerns. Three stop signs near the neighborhood entrance to the church/school are being considered. e. A traffic assessment was done by the City of Austin, but the traffic counting devices were not placed at locations such that they measured the number of vehicles using the church property, so the assessment was virtually worthless in showing how many folks who go onto the church/school property go in and out via Lamar, and how many use the neighborhood entrance.Nanda Keeler, the third resident from Eubank, had received some mail which made her concerned that the church wanted to change its zoning so that it could put residential housing on its property bordering Lamar. However, a map of the church’s property was shown to all of us, and it was apparent that the church only has a driveway and a bit of land on each side of it, between its buildings and parking areas and Lamar. It does not intend, nor does it have room to building residences on its property. It was noted that the Islamic mosque owns the property to the south of the church’s property on Lamar. The church is requesting a zoning change from SF3 to GO with a conditional overlay, so that its tallest proposed new building may be as tall as they have planned it – 67’. The SF3 zoning wouldn’t have allowed that. Larie Amslser moved that we adjourn. It was seconded by Wes Allen, the vote was unanimous and the meeting was adjourned.

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