The Pemberton Journal
The Pemberton Journal O fficial Publication
of
Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association
Proposed Bylaws UPDATE A group of past board members and other active volunteers have come together to propose a modified set of bylaws for the Association. Final Voting Details should be posted to the website by mid October. The precise scheduling for the vote was not available at press time, but is planned for later in October or November. Further information should be available from surveys collected at the October Picnic. For more information, please go to the Pemberton Heights web site: http://pembertonheights.org/ There you will find the full text of the proposed bylaws, the current bylaws, and details of the voting process. You will also find a discussion board where you can ask questions and share your opinions with other Association members. If for some reason you are unable to access the web site, you can receive a paper copy of the information by sending an email to bylaws@ pembertonheights.org or calling Susan Pascoe 512.708.9232. We encourage all neighborhood members to join the association and consider running for a position on the board!
November 2011, Vol V, I ssue VI
A Vision for Pease Park The Austin park system, like Austin itself, began at Shoal Creek. In 1875 Governor E.M. Pease gifted land along Shoal Creek to the City of Austin with specific directions that it be used as a park. These 23 acres of land are now known as Pease Park. Pease Park has remained relatively undeveloped, although the region that borders the park has become broadly urbanized. The park itself has limited recreational facilities, with volleyball pits, basketball courts, a playscape, and a splash pad. The original restroom facility, designed to resemble a Tudor cottage, is now used for storage. Pease Park Conservancy (PPC) volunteers have planted dozens of new trees to replace those lost to park overuse, have installed irrigation in the main commons and have helped maintain the park. In recent years the PPC has started to take the lead in plans for improving the park. PPC has recognized, however, that Pease Park deserves far more attention and investment than has been contemplated before. The new Austin comprehensive development plan has targeted North Lamar for expanded development, a strategy which will bring additional pressures on the park. Austin deserves a grand park, and Pease, the original Austin park, is an obvious choice. PPC has gathered, and compiled into a strategy, the following recommendations for improving the park. • Add lighting at West 15th and 24th Streets, restore the south entrance (at Parkway), construct a new north entrance ( at Windsor Road ), improve parking, restore the Tudor cottage restroom building as a multi-use facility, replace prefab restrooms and playscapes with original designs, develop new restroom and water facilities, install a low-water pedestrian crossing over Shoal Creek near volleyball courts, install a pedestrian crossing at MLK, construct an amphitheater south of volleyball courts and install a water feature east of Shoal Creek (near the amphitheater). • Develop a shaded trail from the south entrance to West 24th, install public art east of Shoal Creek along Lamar Blvd, install play art west of Shoal Creek, install additional interpretive signs along the trail and develop additional interpretive enhancements, restore sustainable flow in Shoal Creek, use water retention ponds as source of water for sustained flow, and investigate the use of water from Lady Bird Lake for return flow. Develop design guidelines for the park, enforce dog ordinances, enforce the curfew, Please contact the Pease Park Conservancy - http://www.peasepark.org/ for additional information or to provide input. You can also access the following IPhone and Android Apps to access Pease Park and Shoal Creek Information.
Expired Permits Prior to approving a building permit, the City will require a homeowner to clear up any expired permits which might exist for a property address. These expired permits may go back to 1940 and may have expired prior to a new owner’s occupancy. Regardless, they will be required to be closed out and the procedure to do so may be costly and require delays. It is advisable for a homeowner looking to do any remodeling or additions to research any expired permits at your address before you want to do any construction.
Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
The Pemberton Journal - November 2011
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