oakhillgazette.com
January 21, 2016 Volume 21, No. 2 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
Church, neighbors working toward amphitheater resolution by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - Local neighbors who have complained about sound from the LifeAustin Church amphitheater are actively working with church officials to find a resolution that all can live with. Concern about the sound level from performances at the amphitheater have been a concern for some locals since church officials first announced plans for the outdoor venue. Despite assurances by the church that no expense would be spared for sound mitigation, some neighbors still worried.
The church and the city did sound testing prior to the amphitheater’s opening in August, but several residents still criticized the sound level, bringing their complaints to the Austin Board of Adjustments (BOA) in December. The Board urged both sides to find a compromise by February. Mike Kirk, president of the Covered Bridge Property Owners Association, told the Gazette that local neighborhood representatives have met twice in recent weeks with representatives of the LifeAustin Church. “We are attempting to build
relations and solutions to the noise problem outside of litigation,” he said, adding that no attorneys have attended those meetings. David VanDelinder, a representative of Midwood Parkway, said, “Our discussions with the church revolve around finding a compromise that restores our quality of life and still enables events at the venue.” Pastor Randy Phillips of LifeAustin agreed that negotiations between church and the neighborhoods are moving forward. He said they are “making progress; trying to find See CHURCH on back page
Update: Bike trail to Zilker Park
Bowie vs Austin High Sports on p. 12 Gazette: Sarah Weeks
by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - MoPac Expressway in south Austin is experiencing overnight closures through January 25 as construction crews hang beams for Phase 1 of the MoPac Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Project. The city and state have partnered to add improvements from Loop 360 to Southwest Parkway, adding connectivity and safety for local bicyclists. The road closure requires motorists to take U.S. 290 West and Loop 360 to bypass the construction area from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Oak Hill bicycling enthusiast Tom Thayer said of the project, “I have See UPDATE on page 14
Gazette: Will Atkins
This bridge, well under construction, crosses Loop 360 at MoPac.