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The North LamarCombined Neighborhood

Planning Area

Neighborhood Plan

An Amendment to theAustin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan

Spring 2010

Note: This is the DRAFT neighborhood plan, and thecontent herein may not reflect that of the final version.

CITY COUNCILMayor Lee LeffingwellNiavor Pro Tern Mike MarunezChris RileyRandi ShadeLaura MorrisonBill SpeirnanShervi Cole

CITY MANAGERMarc Ott

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERSue Edwards

PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DEPARTMENTGreg Guernsey, Director

By adopting the plan, the City Council demonsintes the City’s commitment tothe implementation of the plan. However, approval of the plan does not legallyobligate the City to implement any particular action item, nor does adoption ofthe plan begin the implementation of any item. The implementation of even-recommendation will require separate and specific actions by theneighborhood, the City, and by other agencies.

The Neighborhood Plan vi1I be supported and implemented by:

• City Boards, Commissions, and Staff

• City departmental budgets• (Zapital Improvement Projects• Other agencies and organizations• Direct neighborhood action

NEIGHBORHOOD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Planning and Development Review Department staff would like to acknowledge thefollowing institutions that supported neighborhood planning efforts by providing meenngspace throughout the process:

Barrington Elementary SchoolGus Garcia Recreation Center

Little Walnut Creek Branch of the Austin Public LibrarySaint Mark United Methodist Church

The following residents of the North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Areadevoted significant time and effort during the planning process:

Sylvia AraizaRobert AtkinsonRichard BurrusLyn GalbrethGloria GarciaLisa GarnerRay GarnerPastor Karl GronbergLisa HinelyManoocher Kavoussi

Lv LunningSherry MillerMona NollAndres Orona,jr.Dma and Mario OrtizLaura RheamsVicky ScofieldWayne and Sandy TobiasDeloise VasquezGene and Marzella Zumalt

Participants a’ the November 2007 Kick-Off Event

CITY STAFF and OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Lead Planning and Development Review Department staff members for this plan were:

Mark \\alters, Principal PlannerJacob Browning, Neighborhood Planner

Greg Dutton. Neighborhood Planner

Other City of Austin staff members who lent their guidance and support to this plan were:

Michael Abramov, Austin Public LibrarySurbhi Bakshi, Planning and Development Review DepartmentSheila Balog, Human Resources DepartmentNadia Barrera, Public ‘Works DepartmentSharon Bauer, Austin Police DepartmentMinal Bhakta, Planning and Development Review DepartmentDipti Borkar-Desai, Austin Transportation DepartmentVictoria Craig, Planning and Development Review Deparnnentfran Drew, \X’atershed Protection DepartmentEric Dusza. Public \Norks Departmentlichael Embesi, Planning and Development Review DepartmentKathleen Fox. Planning and De-elopment Review DepartmentPaul Frank, Planning and Development Review DepartmentJoe Guerrero, Austin EnergyKeith Harvill, Austin EnergyCarol I lanvood. Planning and Development Review DepartmentMatt l-Toilon. \Xatershed Protecuon DepartmentTern Knapp, Austin Pohce DepartmentMehssa Laursen, Planning and Development Review DepartmentPeter Marsh, Austin Transportation DepartmentJean Niswonger. I Iealth and Human Services DepartmentDee Dee Quinnelly> Planning and Development Review DepartmentLaura Patlove, Planning and Development Review DepartmentSteve Ramirez, Solid Waste ServicesRyan Robinson, Planning and Development Review DepartmentStephnie Sears, Austin EnergySherri Sirwaitis, Planning and Development Review DepartmentMargaret Valenti, Planning and Development Review DepartmentKay Vargas, Austin Police DepartmentChris Yanez, Parks and Recreation Departmenthchael Youngs. Austin Police Department

Representatives of outside organizations who lent their assistance to this plan were:

Sad Albornoz, Sustainable Food CenterErica Estetter. Austin Asian American Chamber of CommerceRussell Henk, Texas Transportation InstituteMeredith Highsmiih. Capital MetroPaul-a Hui, Austin Asian American Chamber of CommerceEmily Neiman. Sustainable Food Center

TABLE of CONTENTS

IntrodudionPlan Summary 1A Community Vision: A Fuwre History of thc North Lamar Combined NeighborhoodPlanning Area 5Neighborhood Plan Goals 7Priority Action Items 8

The Neighborhood in ContextLay of the Land 12Neighborhood History and Background 13Statistical Profile 19Planning Process 23

Quality of LifeCrime and Public Safety 26(:ode Enforcement 28Affordable I lousing 32Cultural Diversity 3Comniunirv Health 34Sustainabilirv 36

Parks and TreesParks . 38Trees 45

TransportationPedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Network 52Safety 57North Lamar Boulevard 59Barriers to Travel 63Transit Options 66

InfrastructureCurbs and Gutters 67Infrastructure to Promote Safety 79

Land UseResidential Character 72North Lamar BoulevardRundberg Lane 79Ferguson Drive 821-35 Corridor 83Braker Lane and Vicinity 84US highway 183 and Vicinity 85

TABLE of CONTENTS

Conclusion86

Appendices87

LIST of MAPS

Gin of Ausun Neighborhood Planning Areas 3North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area Boundaries 4Criminal Activity 1-loispots, 2004 - 2008 16Area Parks 39Area Parks and City of Austin-Owned Land 42Tree Canopy, 2u06 46Tree Planting and Preservation Recommendations 49Sidewalk Recommendations . . . 33Area Bicycle Routes 56Total Motor Vehicle Collisions with Pedestrians, 2003 - 2008 60Proposed Street Parking Limitations 64Future Land Use Map 73Special Use Intill Tracts 81

INTRODUCTION

Plan SummaryThis plan document is the culmination of a collaborative effort between North LamarCombined Neighborhood Planning Area (NLCNPA) residents, property- and business-owners, and neighborhood representatives and the City of Austin’s Planning andDevelopment Review Department. The vision, goals, objectives, and recommendationsfound herein are meant to be stepping stones to an improved communi and shall beimplemented as such.

The NLCNPA plan was created in accordance with the City of Austin’s NeighborhoodPlanning Program. The sections below provide a history of this program both throughoutthe City and within the NLCNPA.

Neighborhood Planning in the City of AustinAdopted in 1979, the Austin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan provided the foundation forneighborhood planning throughout tbe City. In order to guide the City’s development andgrowth within its existing neighborhoods, that plan stated the need to “[d]evelop andimplement specific, detailed plans tailored to the needs of each neighborhood” (Policy511.1). Once adopted, the NLCNPA neighborhood plan will become an amendment to theAustin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan.

In the mid-1990s. the Citizen’s Planning Advisory Committee urged the City Council toconsider a phnning program to identify and address community needs and those issuesrelated to development within the City’s core neighborhoods. In 1997, City Councilapproved and adopted the neighborhood planning program to meet the broad initiatives setforth in the Austin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan.

Neighborhood Planning in the NLCNPAIn late 2006, City Council directed Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department’ staff tobegin the planning process in several neighborhoods, including those that make up theNLCNPA: Georgian Acres and North Lamar. Because the NLCNPA lies within an area ofthe City’s urban core2 that has largely been unplanned. the City Council thought itappropriate to initiate neighborhood planning here in 2006. Other defining factors andfeatures that led to the creation of the NLCNPA neighborhood plan include:

• The amount of developable and vacant land within the area• The presence of major arterial roadways, including North Lamar Boulevard,

where much of the future development will be focused• Development pressures• The prevalence of crime and code enforcement violations

In October 2009. the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department became the Panrung andDevelopment Review Department and will be referred to as such throughout the plan2 The urban con was originally designated by the City Council as a priority planning atca; it is also that densepruon of the Un- of Ausdn where development is to be guided through polices such as the neighborhoodplans or other various tools

• The current mix of commercial and residential zoning

The content of this plan, including its goals, objectives, and recommendations, was formedthrough a public planning process in which area stakeholders took part in numerousmeetings, workshops, surveys, and public hearings before the Planning Commission and CityCouncil.

Throughout the planning process, Planning and Development Review staff coordinatedplanning activities with other City of Austin departments and outside agencies ororganizations to solicit their input regarding the plan’s content. Representatives from thesegroups offered useful insight as to how they can help fulfill the goals, objectives, andrecommendations found in the NLCNPA plan. The following departments andorganizations participated in the planning process for the NLCNPA:

• Austin Police Department• Health and Human Services Department• Parks and Recreation Department• Public Works Department• Solid Waste Services. Code Enforcement Division• Transportauon Department• Capital Metro Transportation Authority• Texas Transportation Institute

A more detailed explanation of the planning process can be found in the next chapter.

Chapter Structure and ContentThe NLCNPA plan should be thought of as a “workbook,” providing stakeholders with theframework to address those issues affecting their neighborhood. NLCNPA history,statistics, and other background information are offered in the plan’s introductory chapters.Topic chapters, however, form the core of the plan. These topic chapters address the fivemain areas of focus identified by stakeholders at the beginning of the planning process:quality of life (including crime and code enforcement), parks and trees, transportation,infrastructure, and land use.

Each chapter opens with an overall goal for that chapter’s specific topic. Objectives andrecommendations follow that will help satisfy each of the plan’s goals and overall vision forthe neighborhood. Throughout the plan document, shaded boxes are used to offeradditional resources or information to help address specific issues.

The term “stakeholders” is used throughout this p]an. \Vithrn this document, ‘‘stakeholders” refers to thosewho either reside, work, own property, or sonic combination thereof, within the NLCNPA.

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A Community Vision:A Future History of the North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area

As all of the goals and objectives of the North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Plan wererealized, the whole of the planning area has become a more livable and sustainablecommunih. As businesses began to reinvest along North Lamar Boulevard, more ofpeople’s dad;’ needs have become located within a short walk or bicycle trip. Thisreinvestment has created redevelopment opporninines that allow more people to live closerto their daily necessities and within ready access to high-quality transit. the sidewalknetwork is improved and the street trees mature, it has become easier and safer to walk tothe store or transit. And, as homeownership rates continue to increase, people’s personalinvestment in the community’s quality of life motivates them to be actively engaged andcommitted to the health and well-being of their part of North Austin.

S.The North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area NLCNPA) has emerged as thesafe and livable place envisioned in 2010. The neighborhoods are now safe, clean, diverse,vibrant, and friendly. During the intervening twenty years, the hard work and cooperationof residents, property owners, business owners, tlce City of Austin and Travis County, andnon-profit organizations addressed the major problems and_issues that oncerned thecommunity when the neighborhood plan was adopted by the Cm’ Council in 2010.

Crime and Code Violations ‘%t.,

After the plan’s adoption, the NLCNPA has become a clean and safe community. Theresidents and business owners developed ongoing partnerships with the Austin PoliceDepartment and Travis County District Attorney’s Office. Prostitution, drug sales, andassociated criminal activities have dissipated throughout the neighborhood. Theestablishments associated with these activities have cleaned up their businesses or left theneighborhood. The area near the Intersection of 1-35 and Rundberg Lane, once a center ofdrug dealing and prostitution, is now a clean, thriving commercial corridor where a numberof small, local businesses have set up shop.

The community has worked witCity of Austin code inspectors to deal with activities suchas illegal dumping, improperly and illegally operating businesses, nuisance properties, andother code violations to imp’àve the quality of life for all residents.

aNorth Lamar Bulevard 4Since 2010, North Lamar Boulevard, north of US Highway 183, has emerged as Austin’sinternational Main Street, attracting people from aU over Austin and the Central Texasregion. Vietnamese pho shops, Indian restaurants and grocery stores, East Asian marketsand restaurants, and Mexican and halal butchers are down and across the street from oneanother. The spaces between these commercial establishments are filled with book stores,boutiques, coffee shops, a variety of other small eateries, and music stores that cater to allsegments of Austin’s increasingly diverse population.

While the commercial character has become more international, the built environment hasbecome more urban. Slowly, as new investment was made along North Lamar Boulevard,parking lots and ageing single story strip malls disappeared as new buildingsconstructed closer to the street and wide, tree-lined sidewalks replaced curb cuts, culverts,

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and dirt paths. At the street level and along the bustling sidewalk, are shops, stores, andrestaurants. Along some stretches of North Lamar Boulevard, the new developmentprovides residential uses above the shops. It is interesting to note that many of thesehouseholds do not have or need a car since most of their daily needs are within a short walk.Additionally, the high-quality transit service along North Lamar Boulevard quickly andefficiently connects them to the rest of Austin.

The N&ghborhoodsIn the interior of the NLCNPA, the neighborhoods largely retain their single-familycharacter. The homes remain modestly-sized and reasonably-priced. As gas prices steadilyincreased and the tolerance for lengthy suburban commutes declined in the years since theplan’s adoption, people began to look for close-in alternatives for their housing. After yearsof declining homeownership rates, the pendulum has begun to swing the other direction asmore and more properties are switching from rental to owner-occupied. Theneighborhoods of the NLCNPA—Georgian Acres, North Creek, and Mockingbird Hill—have once again become the choice of working-class families to buy their homes. As thistrend continues, neighbors will work more closely with each other to improv the quality oftheft community.

GeINng Around the NeighborhoodNorth Lamar Boulevard has evolved from a suburban to an urban roadway, and more andmore local-serving businesses have begun to appear. The convenience of these businessesentices people out of their cars. Improvements to the sidewalk network, design changesalong several streets, and a street-tree planting program create a pleasant walkingenvironment. These changes have also made bicycle rthng much more enjoyable. Changesmade in subsequent City of Austin Bicycle Master Plans connect the neighborhoods muchmore safely and efficiently to the rest of Austin. Georgian Drive is known as one of the bestwalking and biking streets in the city.

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Parks and Open Space ud 4iW

When the plan was “adopted in 2b10, there were limited opportunities for a neighborhoodpark but, after much work, an appropriate site was selected. The NLCNPA’s newest parkprovides residents a pleasant refuge from their daily lives and creates the opportunities to bealone or engage with their fellow residents. The park’s award-winning design reflects thediverse community along North Lamar Boulevard and is upheld as a national example.

• 47The banks of Little Walnut Creek, although reinforced against erosion, provide natural openspace for a healthy wildlife community in the middle of the city.

Although there were heavily wooded portions of the NLCNPA in 2010, there were otherareas with little or no tree canopy. In the years following the adoption of the plan, thecommunity, working with the City of Austin and several other organizations, sought tocreate a lush urban forest. Focused plantings have matured and the urban forest in this partof Austin is having the desired effect—shading in the summer, cleaning the air, and coolingthe city.

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A Sustainable CommunityAs the cost of fossil fuels continue to climb, people in the NLCNPA look to alternatives topower their homes, businesses, and transportation. Changes to the City of Austin LandDevelopment Code have made it easier to install small-scaled wind generators. Incentivesand improvements in technology make solar power a more cost-effective and -efficientenergy source. At new commercial and mixed-use developments, people are able to chargetheir plug-in cars, electric bicycles, and electric scooters and motorcycles.

Throughout the NLCNPA, community gardens appear in empty lots, at houses of worship,at large apartment complexes, and in other open spaces previously covered with grass. Inthe single-family areas, people have converted portions of their yards to vegetable gardens.Those who did not plant gardens have begun to plant more draught-tolerant plant speciesand engage in more sustainable landscaping practices.

In the years since the adoption of its neighborhood plan, the NLCNPA has become manythings to many people. It is many scales: neighborhood, community, and region. It is manymodes: by bike, bus, car, or foot. It is many uses: residential, commercial, civic, and mixeduse. It is a place to shop, to visit, to do business, and to enjoy. But, most of all, it is a placeto call home.

Neighborhood Plan GoalsThe following five goals were developed by NLCNPA stakeholders at the Vision and GoalsWorkshop held January 24, 2008. Each of these goals is to be upheld through theimplementation of the objectives and recommendations found throughout this document.

Quality of Life Goal: The North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area shall be asafe, healthy, and well-maintained neighborhood that promotes and preserves the quality oflife for both residents and business-owners.

Parks and Trees Goal: Achieve and maintain healthy, sustainable, functional, quality, safe,and aesthetically--beautiful parks and green spaces that provide opportunities for culturalinteractions within the North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area.

Transportation Goal: Pedestrians, motorists, transit users, bicyclists, and mobility-impairedneighbors should be able to safely and efficiently travel throughout the North LamarCombined Neighborhood Planning Area and to the rest of the City.

Infrastructure Goal: Develop infrastructure within the North Lamar CombinedNeighborhood Planning Area that upholds the safety of residents and property- andbusiness-owners.

Land Use Goal: Create a well-balanced land use pattern that benefits everybody in theNorth Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area by assigning appropriate land uses toparticular properties.

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Priority Action ItemsDuring the planning process. NLCNPA stakeholders identified seventeen priorin actionitems. These priority action items are those projects or initiatives most desired to improvethe quality of life throughout and enhance the resources within the NLCNPA. The priorityaction items also serve as a foundation for the NLCNPA Contact Team’s recommendationsfor future implementation efforts in their neighborhood.

At the Final Open House held on March 6, 2010, participants were asked to rank the priorityaction items in order of their importance or for the! r potential impact(s) on theneighborhood. The priority action items are listed below according to the rankings receivedat the final open house:

Priority Action Item 1 Construct new sidewalks along:

o the south side of Applegate Drive, between NorthLamar Boulevard and Brownie Drive

o North Lamar Boulevard (several locations)o the west side of Brownie Drive. between West

Applegate Drive and East Grady Driveo the north side of West Grady Dnve, between North

Lamar Boulevard and Georgian Driveo the entire north side of Powell Laneo the south side of East Lola Driveo the entire north side of Deen Avenueo the entire north side of Carpenter Avenueo the south side of Dtamondback Trail between

Brownie Drive and the 1-35 frontage roado either side of Turner Dnve, between West Grady

Drive and West Applegate Driveo either side of Georgian Drive, between Grady Drive

and ‘‘est Applegate Driveo either side of Jean Drive, between East Grady Drive

and \Xest Applegate Driveo either side of Mc?Aillan Drive, between East Grady

Drive and West Applegate Driveo the south side of East Wonsley Drive, between

Georgian Drive and the 1-35 frontage toado the south side of Middle Lane, between North Drive

and Capitol Drive (Recommendation 70)

Priority Action Item 2 Increase Austin Pohce Department patrols throughout theNLCNPA. (Recommendation 5)

Priority Action Item 3 Conduct a traffic-calming study to determine posstbledesign changes to the NLCNPA street network to

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facilitate traffic flow and reduce hazards throughout theneighborhood. If warranted, implement therecommendanon(s:. from the traffic-calming study.Special emphasis should be placed on the followingthoroughfares:

o Grady Driveo Masterson Pass-Diamondback Trailo Powell Laneo Georgian Drive, between US Highway 183 and

Rundberg Laneo East Driveo Beaver Street ‘Recommendation 79)

Priority Action Item 4 In order to preserve the large-lot tural character of thenortheastern corner of the Georgian Acres NPA. zoningrequests for intense residential development should be dented.(Recommendation 120)

Priority Action Item 5 Consider the incorporation of the following amenities withinthe design of a new park:

o Drinking fountains for both people and dogso Interactive water fountaino Bencheso Picnic tableso A pavilion and/or an area that can be reserved for various

functionso Bar-B-Que pits and/or grillso Trash canso “Mutt Mitt” stations with bags and receptacles for per

wasteo Playground equipmento Walking trailso Exercise equipment similar to that found at Barrington

Parko An area for a community gardeno Large open space to allow for various activities, including

football and kite-flying (Recommendation 47)

Priority Action Item 6 Plant hardy, long-lasting, and drought-tolerant treesthroughout the NLCNPA. Specific areas include:

o North Lamar Boulevard, between Braker Lane and USHighway 183

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o 1-35, between Braker Lane and Barwood Parko Rundberg Lane, between North Lamar Boulevard and

IH-35o The Chinatown Center and the adjacent property to its

easto The Crockett Centero The commercial and multi-family properties located along

1-35, between Showplace Lane and Little Walnut Creeko The residential area bounded by Diamondback Trail to

the north, Doc Holliday Trail to the east, East GarrettRun to the south, and Derringer Trail to the west(Recommendation 60)

Priority Action Item 7 Guarantee the anonymity and safety of those neighborsreporting code violations. (Recommendation 13)

Priority Action Item 8 Limit the construction of new fast food restaurantsthroughout the NLCNPA. (Recommendation 31)

Priority Action Item 9 Limit the construction of new, large multi-family residentialcomplexes throughout the NLCNPA. (Recommendation 121)

Priority Action Item 10 Encourage greater investment in those properties owned byabsentee landlords. (Recommendation 20)

Priority Action Item 11 Examine the feasibility and support for a local farmers’market. (Recommendation 33)

Priority Action Item 12 Examine flooding issues at the following locations:

o Georgian Drive, just north of US Highway 183o East Drive, just north of Florence Driveo Intersection of Shepard Drive and Cooper Driveo Intersection of Rundberg Lane and the 1-35 service roado North Creek Drive, just north of Rundberg Laneo Vacant lot north of Showplace Laneo Masterson Pass. lust ‘vest of Garrett Runo Applegate Drive, just west of Turner Driveo Intersection of Grady Drive and North Lamaro Intersection of Grady Drive and Turner Driveo Intersection of Grady Drive and Georgian Dnveo Intersection of Grady Drive and Brownie Drive

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o Intersection of Middle Lane and the 1-35 frontage road(Recommendation 111)

Priority Action Item 13

Priority Action Item 14

Priority Action Item 15

Place restrictions on the development of new hotels/motelsalong 1-35. (Recommendation 139)

Report all substandard living conditions to the City’s CodeCompliance Department via 311 (Recommendation 18)

Communicate with the Austin Police Department regardingthe enforcement of traffic regulations throughout theNLCNPA. These traffic regulations include:o Speedingo “No Through Trucks,” especially along Grady Driveo jaywalking (Recommendation 80)

Priority Action Item 16 Improve street lighting throughout(Recommendation 103)

the NLCNPA.

Priority Action Item 17 Increase patrols near all Capital Metro bus stops within theNLCNPA. (Recommendation 104)

Porticipanis at the March 6, 2010, Final Open House discussthe plans objectives and recommendations.

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THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN CONTEXT

The North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area NLCNPA) is comprised of twoneighborhood planning areas: North Lamar and Georgian Acres. Located in the northcentral portion of Austin’s urban core, the NLCNPA is bounded by Braker Lane to thenorth, Interstate 33 (1-35) to the east, US Highway 183 to the south, and North LamarBoulevard to the west. See the P/annins Area Boundaries map on page 4.

Lay of the LandThe NLCNPA is an approximately 1,297 acre urban neighborhood with seemingly suburbancharacterisucs. Development in the neighborhood is similar to other areas that have oncebeen at the fringe of a sprawling ciry: the NLCNPA is marked by strip malls, suburban-styletract homes, and culs-de-sac. The majority of non-residential and multifamily (i.e.,apartments) development has occurred at or near the periphery of the NLCNPA: the area’sinterior is made up of mostly single family neighborhoods. Though mostly developed, theNLCNPA contains several undeveloped properties largely within or near the residennalportion of the neighborhood.

The most prominent natural feature of the NLCNPA%is little Walnut Creek and itstributaries; originating northeast of the planning area, Little Walnut Creek bisects theGeorgian Acres planning area as it runs southwest toward the Colorado River. The morerural character of the Georgian Acres area can likely be attributed to the colorful history ofLittle Walnut Creek. The creek had been the site of early battles between Native Americansand European settlers; later, farmers and ranchers were drawn to the creek for the fertilesoils it provided for both their crops and livelihoods. Erosion has threatened the creek andadlacent properties for years; however, in 1995, a portion of the creek’s banks were stabilizedto prevent further erosion in the area.

Built EnvironmentThe NLCNPA is a fairly new addition to the Ciw of Austin: the neighborhood had beenentirely annexed into the city limits between 1945 and 1984. Most of the NLCNPA hasbeen developed, with much of the development activity occurring since annexauon of thearea began. Development, including the housing stock, is older in Georgian Acres than in

Little Walnut Creek as seen from Georgian Drive

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North Lamar; the newer. suburban-style development in the North Lamar planning area is aresult of its growth at the outer fringe of the central city.

Of the developed properties within the NLCNPA, the majority contains single-familyhomes. In 2008, nearly 73 percent were single-family residences. Most of these homes arelocated within the interior of the neighborhood and have styles that reflect the era in whichthey were built; the majority of the single-family residences in the NLCNPA are single-story,ranch-style homes. Despite a large proportion of single-family properties, the NLCNPA has asubstantial amount of multifamily i;ousig units. While only 5.5 percent of properties containa multifamily use, 60 percent of all NLCNPA housing units were in multifamilydevelopments1

Single-family homes inGeorgian Acre, (left) and ‘lor’hLana (righ,l exemplify therenideritial character of theNLCNPA.

Most of the neighborhood’s commercial development hes at its periphery. Suburban-style,automobile-oriented commercial establishments dominate North Lamar Boulevard: thedesign of these establishments (including strip malls and •fast food restaurants) largelyseparates them from the roadway by big parking lots. Industrial-type commercial businessesand travel-related establishments (i.e., hotels, motels, and service stations) are located alongthe interstate frontage to provide easy access to those traveling along the 1-35 thoroughfare.

Neighhorhood History and BackgroundAlthough a relativel new portion of the Cin, the NLCNPA has a rich history that hasestablished its role within the City of Austin, While North Lamar Boulevard and Little\Valnut Creek lend themselves to the colorful past that has helped shape much of northAustin (including the NLCNPA). more recent events, however, will provide for a morevolatile histon’ of this neighborhood.

According to the 2000 Census, approximately 26 percent of all housing units in the NLCNPA were single-family; 60 percent were multifamily units; 13 percent were duplex, triplex, or fourplex unlis.

— ‘ - , Lnt i’,_,.a dchinatown center tan example 0f commercial development in the NLcNPA.

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North Lamar BoulevardAs the namesake of the NLCNPA, North Lamar Boulevard has helped shape the northAustin area. Sen’ing as the western boundary for the neighborhood, North LamarBoulevard is also a historic north-south thoroughfare for the entire City of Austin. An ox-cart trail predates the current path of North Lamar Boulevard; this trail carried Spanishteamsters en route to San Antonio through the north Austin area, including the NLCNPA.

Now marked by myriad commercial establishments,North Lamar Boulevard was once a prominent routeto the many farms and homesteads that dotted thenorth Austin landscape, including some in or near theNLCNPA. The route also led to several popularnightclubs and music venues that lied outside theCity’s original limits; and, some of these clubs playedhost to many famous musicians. In particular, at theSkyline Club, performances by Elvis Presley, HankWilliams, and Johnny Horton entertained the northAustin area for decades until its closure in 1989.

Fiskville’ .

Just north of Austin, tthe village of Fiskville wasfounded in the early l870s near the convergence of

Little Walnut Creek and US Highway 81 (now North Lmar Boulevard). Named for pioneersettlers George Greenleaf Fisk and Josiah Fisk, this smallcommuni was the first stage top betweer north Ausnn . -

and Georgetown.

Once settled, Fiskville became a growing community with

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an estimated pbpulanon of 120 in the mid-1890s. A steamflour mill and cotton gin, general store, church, and schoolwere all constructed to serve Fiskville’s growing population.However, by the early 20h Century, the community’spopulation began to decline as people moved to nearbyAustin and the,additional opportunities it provided them.Although its population declined considerably, Fiskvilleretained its identity until%t was annexed to the City of Remnants of the Fkkviile stage slap

Austin in the niid-1960s. One of the few remnants of theFiskville communitveis the Fiskville Cemetery, located inthe heart of the Heritage Hills-Windsor Hills neighborhood, just outside of the NLCNPA.

Crime and the Neighborhood’s ResponseIn recent years, a dramatic rise in criminal activity has occurred in north Austin. For eachyear in the five-year period between 2004 and 2008, an average of nearly 3,100 crimesoccurred in the NLCNPA; this average accounts for approximately 2 percent of all crimes

For more informanon on Fiskville, refer to the Ham/book 01 Texas On/the.Qittp://wwwtsharsnline.nrg/handbook/online/arnclrs/FF/hvf23.htn,l)

SKYLINE CLUB

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THE GREATEST SINGERS, SONGWRITERS

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committed within the City of Austin’s limits for this same period. Though the actual crimerate has varied between 2004 and 2008 for the NLCNPA. it has stayed fairly on par with thatof the Gin’ of Austin. However, in 2006, the NLCNPA saw a nearly 72 percent increase incriminal activity, with an across-the-board increase in all major offenses. The Austin PoliceDepartment partially attnbutes this rise in crime to the addition of Hurncane Katrinaevacuees to the NLCNPA population between 2005 and 2006.

Table A. NLCNPA Total Crime Data Summary, 2004-2008

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008Murders 2 0 i 2 0Rape/Sex-Related Crimes 14 9 23 12 38Violent Crimes 145 142 181 143 166Property Crimes 1,1 84 1,1 33 ,378 ,277 1,054Drug-related crimes 245 n/a &tt4722 515 624Prostitution 158 122 146 91 39

Other, non-violent offenses 953 775 — 1,299 1 ,23d 1,635

3,279.2,

3,5562,181Source Austin Po!ice Deportment

Non-violent offenses (e.g., domestic disturbances, criminal mischieO and property crimes(e.g., burglary, theft) have consistently’made ‘tip the majority of criminal activity in theNLCNPA (Table A); however, the NLCNPA has recntly become a focal point in the City’sfight against prostitution and drug-related offenses. Most of the crimes have occurred onthe area’s main thoroughfares: North Lamar’Boulevard, Rundberg Lane, and the 1-35frontage road (see the Criminal 4cti/’iOl Hotipois, 2004-2008, Map on page 16). Thoselocations with the most occurrences of crime include commercial establishments alongNorth Lamar Boulevard, large apartment complexes on 1-35 and Masterson Pass, motels at

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the intersection of RundbergLane and 1-35. and the SamRayburn Drive residential area.

In response to the area’s rise incrime, the NLCNPA communityhas sponsored neighborhoodmarches, barbeques, andprotests to bring much-neededattention to the seriousconditions that have greatlyaffected the quality of life herein recent years. Residents have

_____

focused on ridding theirneighborhood of criminals andof those businesses that harborthem. Their efforts have beensuccessful by garnering supportfrom various agencies including

Total 2,701

______

aring — a rum rns no n1m’

r=ttt=z rrr

To dfle out crime, they walk

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Inc front page article of Austin American Statesman’s Metro SectorttAugv,t 4,2007) denoten a cannmity ,nor&. against crime.

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the District Attorney’s Office and the Austin Police Department. Crime will continue to bea recurrent challenge for the NLCNPA. However, with the continued involvement ofresidents and area agencies, the neighborhood will surely become a safer, more secure areafor its residents, businesses, and visitors.

Neighborhood ChangesThe face of the NLCNPA resident is changing; this suburban community has become moreheterogeneous and diverse in recent decades with the addition of many foreign-bornimmigrants (Table B). Central Americans, Mexicans, and Asians are now considering northAustin home. In 2000, nearly one-third of the NLCNPA population was born outside ofthe United States; only 16.6 percent of the entire City’s population was foreign-born. Thisdemographic shift is reflected in an increase in the number of international businesses area-wide: grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, and other professional businesses havelocated within the NLCNPA to accommodate those newly-arrived to the area.

Table B. Foreign-Born Population, 2000

Georgian NorthNLCNPA City of Austin

Acres Lamar

Total Population 8,593 5,888 14,481 656,562Foreign-Born Population 2,769 1 ,843 4,61 2 1 09,006

Percent Foreign-Born 32.2% 31.3% 31.8% 16.6%Source; US census Bureau

Ausun is a city of renters; being a college town with a relatively young, mobile population,home-ownership is not as common as in other comparable cities. The NLCNPA is nodifferent than the City as a whole; a malontv of renters call this neighborhood home.However, renters far outnumber homeowners in the NLCNPA: in 2000, nearly 82 percentof all occupied housing units were occupied by renters (Table C). The rentership rate fellslightly between 1990 and 2000; however, based upon the trend set between the twodecades, it is safe to assume that this rate will remain relatively high in this area for years tocome.

Table C. Occupied Housing Units by Tenure, 1990-2000

NLCNPAGeorgian North

Acres

-

Lamar

1,689

1,267422

Occupied Housing Units, 1990 3,274 4,963Renter-Occupied 2,868 4,1 35Owner-Occupied 406 828

Percentage Renter-Occupied, 1990 83.3%

Occupied Housing Units, 2000 3,621 2,094 5,715 265,649Renter-Occupied 3,128 1,534 4,662 146,547Owner-Occupied 493 560 1,053 119,102

81.6% 55.2%Percentage Renter-Occupied, 2000Source; US cenwu Bureau

City ofAustin

1 92,148

114,174

77,974

59.4%

17

The high rentership rate and disproportionate number of area rental units are of greatconcern to many NLCNPA stakeholders. The lack of homeownership or homeownershipopportunities in an area could potentially lead to its overall instability: as fewer peoplebecome personally invested in their communi (i.e., by owning a home), the less likely theywill remain or cultivate any future there. Neighborhood stabilization throughhomeownership opportunities was discussed throughout the planning process, especiallywhen discussing future land uses for particular properties. See the Land Use chapter for afurther discussion on the special use mull options and their potential impacts on theNLCNPA.

Area SchoolsThe NLCNPA contains two Austin Independent School District (AISD) elementary schoolswithin its boundaries: Barrington Elementary and Walnut Creek Elementary. Both schoolshave been cornerstones of the north Austin community since the l960s. Walnut Creek andBarrington were built in 1961 and 1969, respectively. The construction of these schoolssignaled AISD’s anticipation of the area’s significant growth in population, especially that ofschool-aged children. In recent years, both schools have become heavily- or overpopulatedas the NLCNPA and surrounding areas continue to grow.

Barrington Elementary School was named in honor of Mollie Barrington. a long-time AISDteacher who championed the development of both spelling and handwnting skills in herstudents. Thus, to honor this woman, Barrington Elementary is the only school in thedistrict with its name written in script on the front of its building. Like other landmarks inthe area, Walnut Creek Elementary shares its name with the creek that runs through theplanning area.

Both elementary schools serve the NLCNPA not only as education centers, but as places forneighbors and residents to commune, gather, or recreate. Barrington Elementary, especially,provides the neighborhood with one of its only two public, park-like settings.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church6The tradition of Gethsemane Lutheran Church began in late 1868 with the congregation ofseveral Swedish Lutheran immigrants. Originally, this congregation met in a stone andwooden church budding in what is now downtown Austin; later, between 1883 and 1963,

6 For a more deta,Jed hstory, see the 125 Years of Faith A History” booklet provided by the GethsemaneLutheran Church

Scripted lignoge of Barrington Elementary Entrance to Walnut creek Elementary

18

they occupied the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Gethsemane Church building at lol Streetand Congress Avenue.

Having outgrown its previous two locations, the Gethsemanecongregation built a large, 10-acre campus-like church near theintersection of Anderson Lane (US Highway 183) and 1-35 in theNLCNPA. The new church buildings were dedicated beginningin 1963. The church’s sanctuary serves as a “lighthouse on a hill”as its 36-foot high stained glass windows and wall front USHighway 183. The stained-glass windows were designed andconstructed by Gabriel Loire’s studio in Chartres, France, and,upon their placement on the Gethsemane site, were the first oftheir land in the state of Texas.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church has become an integral part of theNLCNPA community and to the entire City of Austin. Withseveral community outreach programs, the Gethsemanecongregation reaches those not ust within its vicinity but to

those in all parts of the Austin community.

Statistical ProfileSince 1990, the Austin area has become one of the fastest growing metropolitan regions inthe nation. While a lot of this growth occurred in the more suburban portions of themetropolitan region, the City of Austin’s population growth rate was 41 percent between1990 and 2000. The NLCNPA’s growth has been on par with that of the City of Austin,growing over 37 percent for the same time period; refer to Table D for these trends. Austinand its core neighborhoods (including the NLCNPA) continue to grow: in July 2008, theUS Census Bureau esumated that 757,688 people resided in the City of Austin.’

Table D. Population, 1990-2000Georgian

NLCNPA City of AustinAcres

NorthLamar

3,9761990 Population 6,575 10,551 465,6222000 Population 8,593 5,888 14,481 656,5621990-2000 Population Change 2,018 1,912 3,930 190,940

PercentChange 30.7% 48.1% 37.2% 41.0%Source: US census Bureau

Perhaps the most significant indicator of changes in the population is the increase in thenumber of people living in each household (Table H). Between 1990 and 2000, the averagehousehold size in the NLCXPA increased by nearly 12.5 percent, from an average of 2.35persons per household to an average 0f 2.64. B3- contrast, the average household sizeincreased by only 3 percent for the whole of Austin, from 2.33 to 2.40 persons per

Detailed populawsn erjnutes For the NLCNPA are not readiv available for 2008. This data is ‘truly availablethrough the decennial census data released by the Umted States Census Bureau

Gethsemane Lutheran church

19

household. More telling is the relanvely flat rate of residential development within theNLCNPA between 2000 and the second quarter of 2007; only 65 building permits wereissued during this period. It can be assumed, then, that as average household sizes continueto rise in the NLCNPA, where residennal development has all but stagnated, the existinghousing stock has become more crowded.

Table E. Persons per Household, 799O2OOO8

Persons per Persons perOccupied Unit, 1990 Occupied Unit, 2000

Census Tract 18.04, Block Group 3 2.11 2.28

Census Tract 18.06, Block Group 1 2.95 3.14Georgian AcresCensus Tract 1 8.06, Wock Group 2 1 .66 2.07Census Tract 1 8.06, Block Group 3 2.05 2.50Census Tract 1 8,23, Block Group 1 2.25 2.77North LamarCensus Tract 1 8.23, Block Group 2 3.07 3.09

City at AustinSource: US Census Bureau

2.33 2.40

The NLCNPA is a relatively young neighborhood (Table F). In 1990 and 2000, nearly halfof the NLCNPA population was berween the ages of 15 and 34; 50.5 percent and 45.6percent of the population was made up of 15- to 34-year-olds in 1990 and 2000, respectively.However, the number of 45- to 54-vear-olds more than doubled between 1990 and 2000,growing by 105.5 percent. \X’hile the population ages. NLCNPA residents are also formingfamilies, indicated by the significant gains in the younger cohorts (ages under 5 to 24). Theincreases in both the younger- and middle-aged cohorts also suggest families’ attraction tothe NLCXPA and its relatively affordable housing.

Table F. NLCNPA Population by Age, 1990-2000

Source: US Census Bureau

Population

The data presented fri Tab!es E and K is Block Group-level data; a Block Group is one of the smallestgeographica] divisions used by the US Census Bureau to gather data for a specific area- The data could nut becombined on a planning area-wide level (as found in other rabies) so to not skew their resulrs

Cohort

under 55 to 9lOto 1415 to 2425 to 34

1990

1,027

733533

2,284

3,048

1,43135 to 44

2000

1,498

1,159

7883,1 02

3,501

2,142

1,274

524

493

14,481

45to54 620

% Change

45.9%

58.1%

47.8%

35.8%

14.9%

49.7%

105.5%

31.3%

3.6%

37.2%

55to64 39965 and over 476

Total 10,551

20

In recent years, the NLCNPA has become a minority-majority neighborhood, where noethnic group has a majority of the area’s population (Figure G). In 2000, whites made up44.6 percent of the area’s total population; persons of other races, blacks, and Asians madeup the remaining portion of the population with a representation of 30.1 percent, 16.7percent, and 4.2 percent, respectively. Greatly contributing to the majority-minorityrepresentation in the area is the substantial growth in the Hispanic or Latino population hereable H). Between 1990 and 2000, the number of people of Hispanic or Latino descentincreased by nearly two-and-a-half times. Though the absolute increase in this portion ofthe population is telling, the percentage share Hispanic or Latino persons have of theNLCNPA’s total population is even more so: of the 1990 population, 28.1 percent of theresidents were of Hispanic or Latino origin; in 2000, that share rose to 49.9 percent.’ Thisdata solidifies the NLCNPA’s positton as a popular destination, or “immigrant gateway,” forrecent Hispanic or Lanno immigrants, especially those from Mexico and Central America)’

Figure G. NLCNPA Percentage Share of Races2OOO4\ “ê%,%

3.7%5 White

30.1%

0.1 %

4.2%-

O.7% 16.7%

44.6%

E Black

1111 American Indian or AlaskaNatN’e

• Asian

Native Hawaiian and OtherPacific Islcrider

] Some Other Race

C Two or More Races

Source, US census Bureau a‘V

° Persons of Hispanic or Larino origini fall within most of the ethnic groups as determined by the UnitedStates Census Bureau; Hispanics or Latinos can be white, black, American Indian, etc. For exampie, m 2000,the 49.9 percentage sharc of Hispanic or Latino descendants falls across the entire racial spectrum shown inFigure C; thus, a speciOc racial or ethnic group does not contain the entire share of Hispanic or Latinodescendants.0 Refer to: Singer, Audrey. “The Rise of New tnrnugranr Gate’vavs.” The Brookinr Insntuuon: Center on

Urban and Metropolitan Policy (2004:1. 1-36.

21

Table H. Persons of Hispanic or Latino Origin, 1990-2000

Total

1990 2000 % Change

Georgian Acres 1,876 4,329 130.8%North Lamar 1,088 2,897 166.3%NLCNPA 2,964 7,226 143.8%

28.1%Percent HispanicSource; US Census Bureau

49.9%

NLCNPA residents are generally less educated than other City of Austin residents.Educational attainment levels (Table J) trend toward residents earning less than a college-level education for the NLCNPA: a higher percentage of those without a college-leveldegree live within the neighborhood. In fact, between 1990 and 2000, the NLCNPA hasbecome a less-educated neighborhood while the City has seen greater gains in educationalattainment amongst its population. In direct correlation to the low educational attainmentof NLCNPA residents, their relative wealth is comfmratively lower than the City of Austin aswell. Though substantial gains were made in the area’s median family income between 1990and 2000 (Table l, in 2000, the income levels in the NLCNPA were between 34.4 and 51.4percent less than the City’s median family income.

f4

Table J. Educational Attainment (for persons 25 years old or older), 2000

4%Georgian North ‘ NLCNPA

City ofAcre Lamar Austin

Less than 9th Grade 18.3% 16.4% 17.5% 8.3%9th - 12th Grade, no diplojna 11.7% 14.6% 12.9% 8.3%High School Graduate 27.6% 26.1% 27.0% 17.0%Some College, no degree 21.6% 22.1% 21.1%Associate’s Degreed ,_ 41W’ 7.6% 5.9% 5.0%Bachelor’s Degree ‘_ 1 1.7% 9.8% 10.9% 25.7%Graduate or ProfessionaIge ‘/‘3.6% 3.9% 3.7% 14.7%

fl wTable K. Media,? Family Income MFl), 1989-1999

‘VSource • us census Bureau

1989 MFI 1999 MFI

Census Trod 1 8.04, Block Group 3 $1 5,417 $29,667Census Trod 18.06, Block Group 1 $32,750 $31,250Georgian AcresCensus Trod 18.06, Block Group 2 $1 9,688 $26,310Census Trod 18.06, Block Group 3 $16,660 $27,589Census Troct 18.23, Block Group 1 $27,429 $35,461North LamarCensus Troa 1 8.23, Block Group 2 $21,932 $30,263

$33,481 $54,091City of AustinS curce: US cent,, Bureau

22