Established in 1973 -- Strength through Unity
 

2011 City Council Endorsements

View/Download the Press Release

PLACE 1 - NO ENDORSEMENT
The Austin Neighborhoods Council makes no endorsement in Place 1. While ANC applauds the incumbent, Chris Riley, for his votes on certain issues, on balance his record does not rise to our standards. We commend his vote against water treatment plant # 4, and respect his commitment to new urbanism and living a green lifestyle. For some individual neighborhoods he has been responsive. However, he has not met the opportunity to lead on citywide issues. We challenge him to demonstrate more leadership based upon his passion and background.

PLACE 3 - KATHIE TOVO
The Austin Neighborhoods Council endorses Kathie Tovo for Place 3. Few candidates come as prepared as she is to assume the responsibilities of civic leadership. While serving in multiple positions of public service, Tovo has demonstrated community leadership, voted according to sound principles, and exhibited a sense of integrity. On the Planning Commission, Tovo supported neighborhoods on various development projects, worked to protect the Waterfront Overlay and neighborhood plans, and helped guide the city’s new comprehensive planning efforts. As the Planning Commission representative on the AISD Facilities Task Force, she co-authored an independent analysis of the AISD facilities budget. By uncovering alternative cost savings, she helped push the district to keep several neighborhood schools open – for now. These are but a few examples. We look forward to seeing Tovo apply her great energy and focus to tackle problems at City Hall.

PLACE 4 - LAURA MORRISON
The Austin Neighborhoods Council endorses Laura Morrison for Place 4; she garnered a unanimous vote. ANC had high expectations for Morrison when she won our endorsement in 2008, and she exceeded them. Morrison brings to the dais common sense and the courage to stand on her convictions. She continues to demonstrate a vast knowledge and grasp of the intricacies of city government. Her record of bringing together disparate stake-holders and building consensus-based solutions still serves Austin well throughout the broad range of challenges that face the community.

2011 City Council Candidates Questionnaire Responses

ANC sent all City Council candidates a questionnaire in preparation for our candidates forum, and were asked to respond by Noon, March 21. The following are compilations from those candidates who submitted responses (not all were on time).

• Questionnaire Responses Place 3
• Questionnaire Responses Places 1 and 4
• 2011 Council Candidate Questionnaire

To see how the incumbers previously answered, review the responses posted below for Place 1 (Riley, 2009), Place 3 (Shade, 2008) and Place 4 (Morrison, 2008).

APPRAISAL ROLLS
Search Travis Central Appraisal District database click here

MAPS
Map showing ANC sectors--click on image to view full size:

Austin GIS presents information that can be helpful for people interested in Austin's development. You can see streets, subdivisions, zoning maps, jurisdictional boundaries, floodplain locations, watershed boundaries and their classifications.

This site also provides the information behind the maps. For instance, you can zoom into a particular area of town and query the registered neighborhood organizations with their contact people including addresses and phone numbers.

Map of APD Sectors/Commands click here

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Map click here

Maps of Austin Watersheds click here

Map of Austin Voting Precincts click here

OTHER DOCUMENTS

Community Tax Centers (2009)

Volunteer-driven free tax preparation assistance for low to moderate income taxpayers, allowing those tax payers to claim credits, avoid preparation fees, and improve family economics. Click on these flyers below for more information
About the Community Tax Centers
Hours (English/Spanish)

2009 City Council Candidates Responses to ANC Questionnaire

• Questionnaire Responses - Mayor
• Questionnaire Responses - Place 1
• Questionnaire Responses - Places 2 and 5
• Questionnaire Responses - Place 6

2008 City Council Candidates Responses to ANC Questionnaire

ANC sent to all City Council candidates a questionnaire in preparation for our endorsement forum, and were asked to respond by March 19.  The following are summaries of responses by those candidates who submitted completed questionnaires.

Questionnaire Responses Place 1

Questionnaire Responses Place 3

Questionnaire Responses Place 4

Here is the original questionnaire sent to all Council candidates:

2008 Council Candidate Forum Questions.pdf

Instructions on how to compose a Texas public information request click here

Letter from PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources) filing a Federal Title VI civil rights complaint about discriminatory practices against the City of Austin Police Department (APD) 11/7/05 click here
Summary of PODER's recommendations on pages 10 & 11

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) related documents
Introduction to Transit Oriented Development click here
TOD Definition and Principles click here
Summary of the TOD Ordinance click here
TOD Resources click here
TOD Best Practices Handbook--City of Calgary click here

Single Family Development Regulations Task Force
Highlights of Recommendations 06-02-06
a.k.a. "McMansion" regulations:  click here

Neighborhood Planning Guide to Zoning
Handy reference guide that lists all zoning codes (e.g. SF-1, MF-4) and their specifications, such maximum building height, minimum lot size, and allowed uses.  Also included are descriptions of allowed civic, commercial, industrial, and residential uses. The first section of the guide lists the Smart Growth infill and redevelopment options under the Neighborhood Plan Combining District.  click here

Zoning Use Summary Table (Land Development Code)
Another useful reference that lists residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural uses, and shows which zoning codes permit each use.  Taken from the City of Austin Development Process site.  click here

Instructions on how to file a valid petition to protest a proposed zoning change click here

Citizen Planning Commission report, 1996 click here

Up On The Roof!--A Guide To Mixed Use Zoning
Portland Bureau of Planning, June 1995 click here

APD compliant form for abandoned vehicles click here

APD complaint form for barking dogs click here

Brochure describing oak wilt and how to identify its presence in your oak trees click here WARNING: VERY LARGE (648k) IMAGE!  If you do not have a broadband connection, you may instead want to visit the City of Austin Park & Recreation Department's Oak Wilt Suppression Program web site by clicking here.

Documents relating to the City of Austin Development Process, including the Land Development Code and the Austin City Charter, are available on the City of Austin web site:

• Volume I and Volume II, Code of Ordinances, interactive Folio version

  An interactive Folio version of the Austin City Charter accompanies the Folio view of Volume I, Code of Ordinances. To assist in navigating click on the plus sign (+) in the left frame to expand the Table of Contents.  You can also search for words or phrases.

• Austin City Charter, straight text version
• Help using Folio web documents

Site Development Regulation Table--shows specifications for zoning codes (e.g. SF-1, MF-4)  click here

Article explaining Austin's S.M.A.R.T. Housing policy from City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office Reporter publication  click here

Sound level chart comparing decibel levels from various sources click here

Zoning 101 presentation handouts click here

TEXAS UNINCORPORATED NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION (TUNA) FILING FORMS
The following documents are available at the Texas Secretary of State web site http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms.shtml.  Forms must be delivered to the SOS Corporations Section office at 1019 Brazos or mailed to P.O. Box 13697 Austin, Texas 78711.

Form 208 = "SUMMARY" -- describing the fees ($25) and purpose of the TUNA category of "incorporation".... (one page) Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Summary - Summary of the Texas Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act. Rev. 12-10 (# of pages - 2) (Word 38kb, PDF 30kb)

Form 706 = "STATEMENT APPOINTING AN AGENT" (one-page form, one-page instructions) -- the initial step to become a TUNA Appointment of Statutory Agent - Form for a Texas financial institution, an unincorporated nonprofit association, or a defense base development authority to appoint an agent for service of process. Rev. 05-11 (# of pages - 4) (Word 88kb, PDF 58kb)

Form 707 = "AMENDMENT OF STATEMENT APPOINTING AN AGENT" (one-page form, one-page instructions). This form is completed and filed with SOS (with a $5 "amendment fee") whenever the NA Officer who is the NA's "Agent" leaves. Amendment of Appointment of Statutory Agent - Form for amending the statement appointing a statutory agent. Rev. 05-11 (# of pages - 4) (Word 94kb, PDF 62kb)

Form 708 = Resignation of Appointed Statutory Agent - Form which may be used to resign as the agent for service of process of a Texas financial institution, an unincorporated nonprofit association, or a defense base development authority. Rev. 12-09 (# of pages - 2) (Word 72kb, PDF 56kb)

Form 709 = Cancellation of Appointment of Statutory Agent - Form for canceling the appointment of a statutory agent of a Texas financial institution, an unincorporated nonprofit association, or a defense base development authority. Rev. 05-11 (# of pages - 2) (Word 75kb, PDF 68kb)

USEFUL SITES
City of Austin Neighborhood Crime Data click here
Neighborhood Plan Amendment Process click here
Austin Police Dept List of Helpful Phone Numbers click here
AISD Breakfast/Lunch Menus click here
Texas Emergency Management click here
Lance Armstrong Bikeway Project click here
Austin Dispute Resolution Center www.austindrc.org