637 637 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Public Hearing September 13, 1956 8:00 P. M. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor Miller presiding. Roll call: Present: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Absent: None Present also: W. T. Williams, Jr., City Manager; Doren R. Eskew, City Attorney; Reuben Rountree, Jr., Director of Public Works. : The Mayor announced that this was a public hearing called to discuss the matter of permitting overhead passageways across alleys to connect buildings on the opposite sides. The merchants were enlarging constantly, and were unable to build higher, and the matter had been brought up many times in Austin, but never had been before the Council. MR. TRUEMAN O'QUINN, representing Goodfriend's, who had made a specific request to build a passageway from their store to the Maverick-Clark Building, commented on the ordinance as drafted, and was in accord with the provisions. The Mayor stated it was necessary that this be in the general interest of the public and that the down-town property owners look with favor upon it. MR. EUGENE BARTHOLOMEW was present as an observer; MR. DEWEY BRADFORD had no objection to the proposal where justified as long as it did not interfere with the fire protection, and sufficient height provided. MR. BENSON, property owner on 5th Street, thought the idea, if it were in the interest of progress and would help down-town Austin, a very good one. MR. KRUEGER was present just to hear the matter discussed; MR. CARL MAYER expressed no objection; MRS. RUTH KEY was present to hear the matter discussed; MR. HARRY PRUETT had no objections and thought it would be a fine thing, and favored doing everything possible to help the down-town area. MR. JAMES NASH stated this provision was working out very well in other cities throughout the United States, and he did not see any reason why it would not work out here as long as provision was made that the 638 638 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS passageways be made high enough off the ground to permit traffic to pass under. MR. CARLTON BRUSH would like to see the permission approved, because it is in the interest of the community and progress. MR. MARVIN BRASWELL was in favor of it, and the Planning Commission had made a recommendation to the Council for approval. MR. CHARLES GRANGER stated this development would enhance the beauty of the City, as the property owners would have a tendency to clean up the alleys. Discussion was held on providing hearings. The City Attorney recommended that the Council consider whether or not insurance should be carried and the amount in each specific case in granting the passageway permits. Statements from Ernest Rosner, George S. Nalle, Jr., and George S. Nalle, Sr., and Arthur P. Watson, favoring the proposals were read. Mayor Miller stated the matter would be held over until the following Thursday, and asked the Press, Radio, and Television to give publicity. MR. JAMES NASH came before the Council regarding a building line on the property at 407 West 7th Street on which he wanted to build a two-story apartment house. The Mayor stated this would be looked into, and that Mr. Nash would be given an answer the next day. There being no further business the Council adjourned at 9:15 P.M. subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: Elas Hongly City Clerk APPROVED Tom Mille Mayor