Preserving Town Lake Is What Makes It Valuable

Dear Editor,
    The Austin Parks Foundation board of directors approved the following position at their January board meeting: Austin Parks Foundation Position on the Waterfront Overlay Ordinance: The Town Lake Trail and its surrounding parkland is one of the key reasons that development along Town Lake is attractive and profitable [“On the Waterfront,” News, Jan. 19].
    Austin Parks Foundation considers the Waterfront Overlay Ordinance important protection for the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail. We support rigorous enforcement of that ordinance as it pertains to the primary and secondary setbacks governing development near the trail.
    In some cases, extremely limited variances to the current setback provisions may be advisable. Any such variances should be granted only in redevelopment cases or in development cases where there is no trail access and only if such variances are directly mitigated with substantial, long-term Town Lake Trail improvements and Town Lake watershed protection enhancements.