November Meeting Recap

Thanks to all that attended our monthly Crestview Neighborhood Association meeting on November 9 2015. Here’s a quick follow up to what we covered in the meeting:

• Wildlife expert Laura Jackson joined us to generously share her time and knowledge. She gave a great talk about living with the local fauna. That included tips on both attracting and deterring critters from our home spaces. If you have a question about a critter or need a gentle wildlife removal contact Laura at  512.203.2030.
• Next CNA President Dave Considine covered the latest regulations concerning ADUs (accessory dwelling units.) This is sure to be a continued topic of interest in our ever-changing neighborhood. Council Member Poole did not attend but sent these remarks prior to the meeting:

“When this issue was last at Council, October 15, I argued to slow the process down because two of the pending amendments – reducing lot size and removing opt-in/opt-out – had not been aired in a public hearing. I also raised concerns about the potential consequences of additional impervious cover in flood prone parts of town. This is a very real issue: even without raising impervious cover limits on individual properties, the simple building of new structures will change flow patterns and, given the new FEMA flood maps, my colleagues and I must have as much data as possible on potential impacts before reaching any decisions about the wisdom of raising FAR limitations throughout the city. Delaying a decision on further loosening ADU regulations is needed to give City staff sufficient time to provide the data I’ve requested and for the Mayor and Council to review and analyze the data. 

Additionally, it appeared that the City’s notification on ADU amendments had fallen short of advising all residents, a fundamental expectation when the City plans to change land use regulations throughout the city.

When the issue comes back later this month, I will be working to convince other Council Members and the Mayor to delay further consideration of ADUs until CodeNEXT is complete.”

Lastly there was a quick discussion of childcare at meetings.  Would childcare make it easier for members with young children to attend?  Would the neighborhood association pay for sitters or would those who use the service chip in? Let us know what you think! Tweet at us @CNAneighbors.