CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS RECESSED MEETING January 03, 1946 3 P. M. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor Miller presiding. Roll Call 16 15 Present: Councilman Gillis, Mayor Miller and Councilman Wolf Absent: Councilmen Alford and Bartholomew Present also: Guiton Morgan, City Manager; J. E. Motheral, City Engineer; W. T. Williams, City Attorney. The following members of the City Plan Commission were present: H. F. Kuehne, Chairman, Mrs. A. N. McCallum, Sr., Walter Guttman, W. T. Rolfe, C. A. Schutze, and L. A. Smith. The Mayor stated that the purpose of the meeting was for the Council and the Planning Commission to discuss the postwar plans for the City of Austin. After a lengthy discussion as to the merits of the work that the City Plan Commission had done on their Postwar plans, and the plans that the City Planning Department had done, the Mayor stated that the Council would like to have the Chairman of the Plan Commission tell just what the Commission wanted the Council to do for them. The first matter discussed was the proposed removal of the railroad tracks. The Mayor stated that he would not be in favor of attempting such a move until an opinion could be obtained as to whether the City could force the railroads to remove the tracks and place them on the east side of the city and whether the City would be required to pay a part of the expense of such a program. After such an opinion is received, then the City Council would decide whether a competent railroad expert should be employed to advise the City regarding this matter. General zoning revisions was the next matter discussed. Mr. Kuehne stated that a great deal of work was need to be done on the land use maps of the City; that the Zoning Ordinance needed to be rewritten; that provision should be made for more small efficiency type apartments in the University area and the Capitol area; and that the newly annexede territory to the north boundary limits has to be zoned. The Mayor stated that the Council had passed a resolution appointing the Zoning Board of Adjustment to zone this area several weeks ago. Mr. Kuehne said that he had not received notice regarding this; he was assured that it was an oversight and that he would be given formal notice of this. The restudy of the major thoroughfares in relation to schools was the next matter taken up. After this was discussed at length, the Mayor stated that the Planning Commission should take this up with the School Board so that program the School Board now has under consideration could be studied by both groups. 17 17 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS The Low Water Dam Lake development from the Tom Miller Dam to the Low Water Dam was discussed in detail. Included in this discussion was the development of the Butler tract and the effect of the sale of a part of this tract with regard to the lake front at this point. The Mayor stated that the first thing that should be done would be to employ a competent engineer to design the dam and asked the Plan Commission for suggestions as to whom they would recommend, but they declined to do so. Professor Rolfe stated that that the reason why the Planning Commission did not think that any part of the Butler Tract should be sold was the fact that the future needs of the city would require all of that tract for a recreational area, and that if the property were sold off the front, it would create an unsightly for the balance of the land at least that is the case of most backyards. Further, that the Commission felt that Austin has a wonderful asset in the Colorado River front and believes that it should be preserved and beautified in every way possible, as soon as possible. It has been the experience of many cities that they found out too late that they should not have sold city-owned property which was needed for future development. However, the Commission believes that if the City is badly in need of the money that could be obtained from the sale of a part of the Butler tract, then the sales should be made. The Mayor stated that he could be wrong, but that he believes that by selling at least 1500 feet off the front side of the tract sufficient money could be obtained to develop the balance of the tract, including the baseball park, golf course, agriculture building and any other projects that may be placed on the tract. The City Engineering Department presented three different plans for the layout on the Butler tract, these having been prepared by the Planning Division. The Planning Commission and the City Engineer- ing Department through the Planning Division are to study these plans before a definite decision is made as to what will be done with the Butlter tract. Mayor Miller suggested that when the Planning Commission was studying the location of an airport or landing strip for private planes, as close as possible to the business district of the city, that they consider a strip of land near the Fish Hatchery on the river front. All of the other matters included in the planning program were approved by the Council. • The CityPlan Commission Budget was discussed The City Manager reported that the 1946 budget has $10,000.00 set up for the Planning Division instead of $18,000.00 as requested by the Planning Commission. For the past three years, the City Planning Division has been set up as a separate department but the City Manager believes that it should be a part of the Engineering Department and then would be entitled to receive a part of the services of the Engi- neering Department and of all other City departments when needed and thus the budget could be cut to $10,000.00. The City Manager also stated that he would prefer to ask the Council for an additional appropriation for any special needs of the Commission than to increase the budget. The Commission stated that this would be satisfactory. The question of subdivision regulations was brought up, just what the duties of the Planning Commission are regarding this question. The Planning Commission presented an ordinance covering this matter which they stated they thought explained in detail what their duties are and asked that the Council consider and pass if they thought the ordinance covered the necessary regulations. The Mayor stated that a public hearing should be held before the ordi- nance is passed so as to get the reaction of the citizens and that a date would be set for the hearing. This was satisfactory to the Planning Commission. 18 18 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS There being no further business, upon motion, seconded and carried, the meeting was recessed at 5:45, P. M., subject to call of the Mayor. APPRO Jom Milla. Mayor ATTEST: Hallia Mi Hella Acting City Clerk