Treasury reports indicate a stable budget, with plans to use funds for a neighborhood-wide mailer and new informational signage featuring QR codes. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Toyota dealership redevelopment, highlighting concerns regarding light pollution, aesthetic screening, and potential traffic congestion. To mitigate neighborhood impacts, the dealership has proposed contributing $150,000 toward park improvements, prompting a call for a new planning committee to manage these future enhancements. Additionally, members addressed ongoing traffic studies near local schools and shared information about an upcoming city-sponsored emergency preparedness event. Finally, the association announced upcoming elections for leadership roles and reviewed progress on the Redline Parkway bike lane project.
Committee Reports
Treasury
The association is in good financial shape with $2,697.61 in checking and $2,507.83 in the park fund. Annual dues remain $5. WNA moved to Zeffy, which allows members to get auto reminders when fees are due.
Contact Team
The dealership is seeking a permit to exceed height limits, which triggers a special permit review and requires planning commission sign-off. The most recent update is that the dealership has agreed to items such as bird-safe glass and a $150,000 contribution for park improvements, but concerns remain about the screening and the lighting, as they impact residents’ backyards. Examples of the proposed concrete and lighting impacts were shown
The next step will be to discuss the items with city staff to determine what has already been agreed upon and what the current issues are.
The discussion about the contact team pivoting to help planning items for the neighborhood has not continued due to the focus on the Toyota case.
Park
With substantial funding coming into the park, the neighborhood association discussed the need for more planning for the park’s future. This will be essential as the Austin Parks Foundation requires a community voice on any projects.
Members at the meeting discussed potential ideas, including old ideas, such as a designated dog park or having a community vegetable garden.
Communication
Newsletter
The association publishes its newsletter quarterly, with the upcoming summer edition expected to be completed by the end of June or early July. Discussion regarding the content of the current newsletter highlighted several specific articles and features:
- Topic-specific articles: Updates on the Redline project, crime reporting, and a “Nature Watch” section.
- Community features: A “doggo of the newsletter” featuring a foster pup, and a new series highlighting neighborhood organizations that residents volunteer with.
- Future profiles: There is a plan to feature a longtime resident, an engineer and ad hoc professor, in the fall edition.
- Fundraising Mailer: The goal is to raise $800 to $1,000 for a one-time, neighborhood-wide mailer. This would serve as a formal introduction to the association for all residents and provide a summary of recent updates.
Neighborhood Signs
The president proposed purchasing four “Welcome to Wooten” signs to increase the association’s visibility.
- Design and Features: Inspired by similar signs in the Brentwood neighborhood, these signs would be mounted on steel posts and include the association’s website and a QR code, allowing neighbors to easily access information about activities and the community.
- Proposed Locations: Suggested high-traffic areas include the neighborhood park, Ohlen, and the north side of the neighborhood, which some members felt often gets neglected.
- Professional Look: The president intends to consult with a neighbor who helped with the new logo to ensure the signs look clean and welcoming.
- Toyota Permit Enforcement: x
- Traffic Study: Follow up with the transportation department in late August or September to ensure a traffic study is conducted at Olin and Burrell while school is in session.
- Parking Solutions: Follow up with the transportation director regarding the “residential parking only” application for Lazy Lane and the visibility issues near Becket.
- Emergency Preparedness Event: A city event offering free emergency kits, hand-crank radios, and low-flow showerheads is scheduled for June 15th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the utility building on Olin.
- Bike Lane Grand Opening: Seek an updated date from the city for the Redline Parkway/Burrell bike lane grand opening, which has been delayed.
- Graphic Design: Consult with Abby regarding the design and placement of the new neighborhood welcome signs.
- Fundraising Mailer: Investigate costs for a one-time neighborhood-wide mailer (estimated at 800–1,000) to recruit new members.
Old Items
Transportation
During the last meeting, concerns about Lazy Lane and Ohlen came up. A meeting was held with the transportation director to address traffic congestion and parking issues caused by neighborhood growth and the nearby Toyota dealership.
Parking and Visibility on Lazy Lane
No-Parking Extensions: The association proposed extending “no parking” zones on Lazy Lane to improve safety. However, the director expressed concern that extending these zones too far might unfairly restrict parking for residents. As an alternative, the director suggested the neighborhood apply for “residential parking only” status. This would prevent overflow parking from dealership and Enterprise employees, which currently creates dangerous visibility issues for drivers trying to turn from Becket or Hamar onto Lazy Lane.
Residents brought up a couple of ideas not discussed during the meeting that might clarify some items. The President said she’d follow up with the director.
Traffic Congestion at Key Intersections
- Ohlen and Burrell Study: The city agreed to conduct a traffic study at the intersection to address significant congestion and truck backing issues.
- Timing of the Study: The director insisted the study wait until late August or early September so it can capture data while school is in session, ensuring the results reflect peak traffic conditions.
- Impact on Fairfield and Contour: Members noted that traffic often backs up past Fairfield and Contour, making it difficult for residents to turn. The director noted that limited space and TxDOT right-of-way issues (due to the proximity of Highway 183) complicate potential solutions, but the traffic study is the required first step.
- Evidence Collection: The president requested that neighbors take photos of the traffic backups to provide visual evidence to the transportation department during follow-up meetings.
Bike Lanes and Projects
- Redline Parkway/Burrell Bike Lane: There was a brief discussion regarding the status of the new bike lanes. The association is still waiting for the city to provide a date for a grand opening and “first ride” event, which has been delayed for over a month and a half. No new information was available at the time of the meeting
New Items
Upcoming Elections
The President reminded everyone that elections are coming up and that the President’s and Vice President’s terms are up. The Vice President plans to step down and the current President would like to focus only on communications for the neighborhood.
Upcoming Meetings
The President mentioned that the July and August meetings would be canceled. The August meeting would be replaced with a Wootenannie.
Wooten Book Club
Resident discussed the Wooten Book Club. The meetings are held monthly, and there is a Facebook group.