BIKE: Re: Austin Density [Patrick's experiments]

[Eric Anderson]

Dear folks:

Patrick makes a good point, that increasing density through infill could
over time, theoretically impact, even eliminate the need for the massive
multi-billion dollar build-out of highways and lane miles as currently
proposed by CAMPO.

Joe expresses his concern, certainly echoed by most if not all Austin
neighborhood associations, that this infill might be welcomed, but NOT in
their neighborhood. Mayor Will Wynn is particularly irked by this
NIMBYism. The Envision Central Texas (ECT) conclusion is after all
unambiguous: Its either the same old sprawl, or "get over it", and figure
out where and how we build density within our already urbanized
environment.

I would argue however that "increasing density", "infill development", and
the ECT scenario, could be argued better. I would like to see more as far
as the tools and examples that might show HOW our city AND its
neighborhoods could become far more livable places. This discussion
however will need to wait for later.

Creating higher density in Austin, to meet regional needs, reduce sprawl,
create more livable environments, is of course a theoretical construct.
Like the ECT vision, these constructs are intended more to provoke thought
and guide planning. Anyone who has lived in Austin for any time knows that
executing the ECT vision, creating higher density and infill development,
will involve the voices of those many Austin neighborhood associations and
many fractious fights.

I am likewise fond of the neighborhoods of Central, East and South Austin,
and would strongly object to uncontrolled infill development such as
super-duplexes or out-of-scale developments like that adjacent to Waterloo
Cycles. Increased density -within- most of Austin's neighborhoods, may not
amount to much more than greater numbers of garage apts/granny flats over
time. Some neighborhoods will embrace greater density in certain tracts,
but limit that density through zoning: height restrictions, floor-to-area
ratios, and compatibility guidelines.

Still, I doubt that any neighborhood (excepting Downtown, West Campus and
Rainey St.) will increase their density even 50% within the core of their
existing single family homes and tree lined streets.

However, along major corridors and adjacent to current and future transit
stations, I am sure (and I hope) that we will see much more density,
appropriately scaled, and properly designed. This density will drive
transit demand, bike and pedestrian friendly developments, create a more
urbane city, while preserving that -Austin- feel of our neighborhoods and
city.

To meet the goals of Envision Central Texas, we would see some increase in
density within neighborhoods, but higher densities around activity
centers, infill developments, transit centers, and transit oriented
developments. In other words, we might see higher density along Riverside
between Congress and IH35, but a marginal increase of density within the
Travis Heights neighborhood. Or consider, a medium-density Saltillo
District infill development along Cap Metro's rail line in East Austin,
but a negligible increase in density in the neighborhood south to Town
Lake.

We will be hearing much more about all these issues, as both Leander and
the City of Austin embrace transit oriented development, and as various
jurisdictions begin looking to the ECT vision for guidance toward multiple
policy issues. Becoming involved might best mean getting involved in your
neighborhood association, and helping form the vision for your
neighborhood, including where density is appropriate, and at what scale.

Eric Anderson <bikeeric>
(512) 476-7304

--- Joe Moore <jmoore13> wrote:

> >Thus, if we had only had in
> >place a land use policy that put us closer together, (as Envision
> >Central Texas indicates the public now wants), we could have easily
> >reduced our total daily travel time over the last decade.
> 
> I don't want to live closer to my neighbors and more people.  That is
> one of
> the reasons I moved
> to Austin.
> Austin has lower density living than other places I 've lived!
> This is a good thing in my mind!
> 
> Joe
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Get on or off this list here:  http://BicycleAustin.info/list
> 




=====
Eric Anderson <bikeeric>
(512) 476-7304


		
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