Volstead Lounge
City's Poor Planning Is Criminal?
RECEIVED Wed., May 21, 2014
Dear Editor,
Regarding Nick Barbaro's article "Poor Planning," [News, May 16]: In light of Austin's city staff's improper granting of permits resulting in the illegal construction of at least three developments, Mr. Barbaro asks,"Is there any reason to think we'll do better in the future?" Let the city deconstruct just one of these developments, and let the responsible staffers be prosecuted. Hence Mr. Barbaro would find two reasons to hope.
The massive multi-story monstrosity recently completed on Barton Creek stands 30 feet from the hike and bike trail. Runoff from its expansive, impervious cover seems already to have washed a massive oak tree right into the water. The imposing enormity of this development, reported to have been illegally permitted, has destroyed the serenity of this formerly most pristine part of the entire park. If the City Council does the right thing, they will have it torn down immediately.
The hike and bike trail should never have gone up for sale in the first place. Nor is there any honor in the retro-zoning cover-up by the Planning Commission.
Regarding Nick Barbaro's article "Poor Planning," [News, May 16]: In light of Austin's city staff's improper granting of permits resulting in the illegal construction of at least three developments, Mr. Barbaro asks,"Is there any reason to think we'll do better in the future?" Let the city deconstruct just one of these developments, and let the responsible staffers be prosecuted. Hence Mr. Barbaro would find two reasons to hope.
The massive multi-story monstrosity recently completed on Barton Creek stands 30 feet from the hike and bike trail. Runoff from its expansive, impervious cover seems already to have washed a massive oak tree right into the water. The imposing enormity of this development, reported to have been illegally permitted, has destroyed the serenity of this formerly most pristine part of the entire park. If the City Council does the right thing, they will have it torn down immediately.
The hike and bike trail should never have gone up for sale in the first place. Nor is there any honor in the retro-zoning cover-up by the Planning Commission.
Jim Burleson
