oakhillgazette.com
January 23, 2014 Volume 19, No. 2 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
West Park PUD is on again by Ann Fowler
OAK HILL - Representatives of the West Park PUD at 7860 U.S. Highway 290 West, have submitted paperwork for Phase 1 of the development—the construction of 300 apartments may begin later this year. Rudy Belton of Buffalo Equities spent considerable money on various plans for the 120-acre site when community members approached him in 2005 to create an Oak Hill town center on his property. Plans for a development that would have included a hotel, movie theater,
Construction of 300 apartments may begin later this year restaurants and retail fell through when no consensus could be reached to move forward on the needed zoning changes. Belton opted to return to the original PUD plans. Local resident Tom Thayer told the Gazette, “I haven’t seen the site plan in detail, but what I have seen does appear to generally conform to what I know of the 2000 PUD approved
for the property. The devil is in the details of course, so we are waiting to see if staff has any comments on more technical matters, but I don’t see anything right off that raises alarm bells.” Carol Cespedes, the president of South Windmill Run neighborhood association, represents the neighSee WEST PARK on page 15
Bowie Band earns Sudler Shield Award for world class excellence by Ann Fowler
OAK HILL - The James Bowie Outdoor Performing Ensemble performed in three marching band competitions in 2013, placing first in two and third place in another. But while the marching season ended in November, one award was still to come: the 2013 Sudler Shield, recognizing world-class excellence of musical performance, marching execution, choreography and show design.
The Sudler Shield is awarded by the John Philip Souza Foundation. No specific number of awards are conferred annually, but bands who meet the highest standards of excellence are selected. In 2013, four bands were recognized: • The Calgary Stampede Showband from Canada • The Kanagawa Prefecture Shonandai High School Band from Japan • The Blue Springs High School Band from Missouri
• The James Bowie High School Band Assistant band director Stephen Howard told the Gazette, “This award is an incredible honor. For high school marching bands all over the world, it is the highest recognition we can receive. The Foundation only presents this award to a select few each year. Bowie is one of only two U.S. high schools to receive this award in 2013.” See BOWIE BAND on page 15
$9,000 needed by Feb. 24th to save tree by Bobbie Jean Sawyer
Bowie and Austin High in overtime thriller—Sports on page 12.
OAK HILL - The date for transplanting the historic heritage oak at the intersection of William Cannon and U.S. 290 has been pushed back until Feb. 24th--six weeks from the original Jan. 15 date. TxDOT spokesperson Kelli Reyna said the deadline for removing the tree was extended because the AT&T utilities currently on site won’t be
removed until the end of January. Reyna said TxDOT anticipates the Austin Heritage Tree Foundation will begin preparation for the transplant on Feb. 24 and will remove the tree by March 23. “Safety is TxDOT’s top priority and we want to make sure the tree relocation can be done in the safest manner possible,” Reyna said. See $9,000 on page 15
The ‘Taco Bell’ heritage oak tree at William Cannon and Hwy. 290.