Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Clearing Up Things in the Eastside Studio Tour Story
RECEIVED Thu., July 21, 2011
Dear Editor,
My name is Johnny Limón. I'm the neighbor that was interviewed in this story [“East Austin Studio De-Tour,” News, July 15]. I want to clear up a couple of things in this story. This story should not be about EAST, neighborhood vs. artist, old neighbors vs. new neighbors, or my family. It's about Philippe Klinefelter and Sunyong Chung vs. another neighbor. The neighbor parked a company truck next to her duplex, on a dead-end city street, next door to Klinefelter's property. It was the weekend of the studio tour. He asked her to move it. She said no. He filed a complaint against her. She filed one against him. He was found to be in violation. Now it's between Klinefelter and Code Compliance. That's it! Klinefelter and Chung have lived in our neighborhood for many years. They've been doing their work all along. The neighborhood hasn't been filing complaints against them, or they would have been caught a long time ago. One thing that did raise some eyebrows was when they moved that huge building (pictured in the article) into the backyard of one of their rental properties. It was after midnight. Only one neighbor complained to the movers, because the huge truck went into his yard and left big tire indentions. He wanted it fixed. Still, no complaints were filed by the neighborhood. Then they brought the huge submarine-looking rainwater collector (pictured) into their rental property. I never heard of anyone complaining. As a neighborhood, we didn't know what had happened, until we received notices from the Planning Commission that Klinefelter and Chung wanted to create some kind of a separate subdivision from the rest of the neighborhood. It would require a zoning change. I do know that some neighbors opposed this change, including some of my family members. The article also states that I appear to be ready to accept newcomers to our community. For many years, my family, neighbors, and I have worked hard and put in a lot of time and pride to transform our street, Calle Limón, into the East Austin trail of lights during Christmas. We do it to bring people from all over Austin and Central Texas and to welcome them into our neighborhood. Also, the East Austin Studio Tour has helped some longtime residents showcase their artistic talent to the whole city. Thank you.
My name is Johnny Limón. I'm the neighbor that was interviewed in this story [“East Austin Studio De-Tour,” News, July 15]. I want to clear up a couple of things in this story. This story should not be about EAST, neighborhood vs. artist, old neighbors vs. new neighbors, or my family. It's about Philippe Klinefelter and Sunyong Chung vs. another neighbor. The neighbor parked a company truck next to her duplex, on a dead-end city street, next door to Klinefelter's property. It was the weekend of the studio tour. He asked her to move it. She said no. He filed a complaint against her. She filed one against him. He was found to be in violation. Now it's between Klinefelter and Code Compliance. That's it! Klinefelter and Chung have lived in our neighborhood for many years. They've been doing their work all along. The neighborhood hasn't been filing complaints against them, or they would have been caught a long time ago. One thing that did raise some eyebrows was when they moved that huge building (pictured in the article) into the backyard of one of their rental properties. It was after midnight. Only one neighbor complained to the movers, because the huge truck went into his yard and left big tire indentions. He wanted it fixed. Still, no complaints were filed by the neighborhood. Then they brought the huge submarine-looking rainwater collector (pictured) into their rental property. I never heard of anyone complaining. As a neighborhood, we didn't know what had happened, until we received notices from the Planning Commission that Klinefelter and Chung wanted to create some kind of a separate subdivision from the rest of the neighborhood. It would require a zoning change. I do know that some neighbors opposed this change, including some of my family members. The article also states that I appear to be ready to accept newcomers to our community. For many years, my family, neighbors, and I have worked hard and put in a lot of time and pride to transform our street, Calle Limón, into the East Austin trail of lights during Christmas. We do it to bring people from all over Austin and Central Texas and to welcome them into our neighborhood. Also, the East Austin Studio Tour has helped some longtime residents showcase their artistic talent to the whole city. Thank you.
Johnny Limón
[Mike Kanin responds: Johnny Limón's letter essentially confirms my reporting of the overall story. However, I did check his information concerning a potential "zoning change" by the Klinefelter-Chungs and have learned that, in fact, they requested a change in lot lines in order to resubdivide their properties. According to city of Austin officials, this action does not necessitate a zoning change as Limón suggests.]
