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Wal-Mart Resolution - Barton View Neighborhood Association
Wal-Mart Resolution - Barton View Neighborhood Association
Resolution: July 27, 2003 General Meeting
Proposed Wal-Mart in the Barton Springs Recharge Zone of the Edwards Aquifer Barton View Neighborhood Association is opposed to the proposed Wal-Mart Superstore development by Endeavor Properties on the Maple Run tract adjacent to South Mopac. This tract is located over the recharge zone of the Barton Springs section of the Edwards Aquifer. Our neighborhood association is an active participant in protecting tracts of land located in the recharge zone because of our proximity to Barton Creek upstream from Barton Springs pool and our commitment to protect our communityÃs water supply.
Because of this commitment, we support the City of AustinÃs adopted SOS ordinance as a means to protect the water quality of the aquifer, the creek and springs. The ordinance limits the impervious cover at recharge sites to 15% while the proposed project would result in 51% impervious cover. While mitigation measures have been proposed, we know these manmade retention ponds and filtering systems fail and there is no mechanism in place to insure compliance. Thus the creation of the SOS ordinanceÖ this is truly our communityÃs best safeguard to minimize the impact of development in these environmentally sensitive areas and to protect our water supply.
Access to the proposed site is entirely through the adjacent residential neighborhoods and will create serious traffic safety problems for the families in the area. Truck deliveries will certainly access the proposed development from the Davis Lane entrance. This entrance requires trucks and retail traffic to pass through Sendera neighborhoodÃs playground and pool area. The entrance also encroaches into environmental buffers established to protect sink holes on the site. This entrance should be eliminated.
We ask that Wal-Mart consider alternate sites that are better suited to address traffic concerns and environmental sensitivity. Any new developments should reflect the CityÃs current building standards in regard to impervious levels and Green Building standards as a matter of Good Corporate Citizenry.
We ask that Endeavor Corporation (Real Estate Developer) be a good Austin Corporate Citizen and negotiate cancellation of their contract with Wal-Mart for this site. If this is not met we would expect the balance of this development to have the impervious levels reduced to compensate. Endeavor Corporation is a local Austin based company with principals who are our neighbors. They participate in land conservation through Hill Country Conservancy and are well aware of the mechanics of water protection in the recharge zone. Their offer to purchase mitigation land in other areas of the recharge zone is recognized and appreciated but these outlying land purchases DO NOT address the ONSITE degradation of water quality.
This is not the first, nor will it be the last development that exceeds our CityÃs adopted standards for water quality protection. And with each grandfathered overdevelopment and administrative waiver our communityÃs intent through the SOS ordinance to protect its water supply, creeks, and sacred springs is further weakened in letter and spirit. Each development sets a precedent. Each development contributes to more degradation. Each development has cumulative impact destroying what our community has deemed vital to its health, wealth, and identity. We ask Endeavor Corporation not to be an accomplice in this act against the community's best interest.
We join the others in their request that all local jurisdictions that have any authority over this project deny any site development, environmental and building permit approvals required by this project until the project conforms to the SOS ordinance and resolves the neighborhood traffic safety issues.
Barton View Neighborhood Association
Donna Tiemann
Chairperson
Resolution: July 27, 2003 General Meeting
Proposed Wal-Mart in the Barton Springs Recharge Zone of the Edwards Aquifer Barton View Neighborhood Association is opposed to the proposed Wal-Mart Superstore development by Endeavor Properties on the Maple Run tract adjacent to South Mopac. This tract is located over the recharge zone of the Barton Springs section of the Edwards Aquifer. Our neighborhood association is an active participant in protecting tracts of land located in the recharge zone because of our proximity to Barton Creek upstream from Barton Springs pool and our commitment to protect our communityÃs water supply.
Because of this commitment, we support the City of AustinÃs adopted SOS ordinance as a means to protect the water quality of the aquifer, the creek and springs. The ordinance limits the impervious cover at recharge sites to 15% while the proposed project would result in 51% impervious cover. While mitigation measures have been proposed, we know these manmade retention ponds and filtering systems fail and there is no mechanism in place to insure compliance. Thus the creation of the SOS ordinanceÖ this is truly our communityÃs best safeguard to minimize the impact of development in these environmentally sensitive areas and to protect our water supply.
Access to the proposed site is entirely through the adjacent residential neighborhoods and will create serious traffic safety problems for the families in the area. Truck deliveries will certainly access the proposed development from the Davis Lane entrance. This entrance requires trucks and retail traffic to pass through Sendera neighborhoodÃs playground and pool area. The entrance also encroaches into environmental buffers established to protect sink holes on the site. This entrance should be eliminated.
We ask that Wal-Mart consider alternate sites that are better suited to address traffic concerns and environmental sensitivity. Any new developments should reflect the CityÃs current building standards in regard to impervious levels and Green Building standards as a matter of Good Corporate Citizenry.
We ask that Endeavor Corporation (Real Estate Developer) be a good Austin Corporate Citizen and negotiate cancellation of their contract with Wal-Mart for this site. If this is not met we would expect the balance of this development to have the impervious levels reduced to compensate. Endeavor Corporation is a local Austin based company with principals who are our neighbors. They participate in land conservation through Hill Country Conservancy and are well aware of the mechanics of water protection in the recharge zone. Their offer to purchase mitigation land in other areas of the recharge zone is recognized and appreciated but these outlying land purchases DO NOT address the ONSITE degradation of water quality.
This is not the first, nor will it be the last development that exceeds our CityÃs adopted standards for water quality protection. And with each grandfathered overdevelopment and administrative waiver our communityÃs intent through the SOS ordinance to protect its water supply, creeks, and sacred springs is further weakened in letter and spirit. Each development sets a precedent. Each development contributes to more degradation. Each development has cumulative impact destroying what our community has deemed vital to its health, wealth, and identity. We ask Endeavor Corporation not to be an accomplice in this act against the community's best interest.
We join the others in their request that all local jurisdictions that have any authority over this project deny any site development, environmental and building permit approvals required by this project until the project conforms to the SOS ordinance and resolves the neighborhood traffic safety issues.
Barton View Neighborhood Association
Donna Tiemann
Chairperson