Volente Voice
The Newsletter of the Volente Neighborhood Association
November 2000
Austin City Council to Consider Volente Inc.
On Thursday, November 30, 2000 the Austin City Council will consider the matter of Volente's proposed incorporation. The actual agenda item reads, "34. Approve a resolution regarding a request for consent to the municipal incorporation of a portion of the Volente Neighborhood (Volente extends north along Lime Creek Road west of the intersection of Lime Creek Road and Bullick Hollow Road with Austin’s ETJ)." Information on the City Council can be found at www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/
The Save Our Volente Committee requested release of Volente from Austin's ETJ in a letter to COA dated 8/17/200 and requested a response within 45 days. SOV sent a second letter dated 9/22/2000, asking for a response in a time to allow an incorporation election in January 2001. On 10/27/2000, COA staff wrote back to SOV, stating that a recommendation had been sent to the City Council to deny SOV's request and that the request would be considered during the 11/30/2000 Council session.
In explaining the recommendation to deny Volente consent to incorporate, Ben Luckens of the City's Planning Department listed three concerns: "Retaining the ability to annex land in the Volente area (including the Volente Group’s proposed development) at some time in the future · Retaining the ability to enforce subdivision and water quality-related site plan regulations · The continued provision of County services largely funded by City residents following incorporation".
Copies of the correspondence, which are public record, have been obtained by VNA through the City's Public Information Office. They are posted on the VNA web site at http://www.volente.org/
Other Incorporation Items
The 9/7/2000 panel discussion on incorporation, hosted by the VNA at the VVFD, had a great turnout of over 100 participants. Feedback on the meeting received by VNA was positive overall.
The Austin Chronicle published an article in the 9/22/00 about incorporation in Volente. This was followed by a couple of angry letters to the Chronicle editor from SOV members, criticizing the article. The copyrighted article and the letters can be read from the Volente web site.
A group of residents opposing incorporation became more formally organized, calling itself Preserve the Volente Community, or PVC. It has published at least one newsletter to the community under that name.
Both SOV and PVC members have been talking to and writing to City of Austin officials.
According to the City 's Planning Department, and despite a rumor to the contrary, the Volente Group has not filed any applications at COA for development yet.
In its November meeting, the board of VNA voted to dissolve its Incorporation Committee. The responsibility for reporting on incorporation matters will fall on the President, Lonnie Moore.
ESD Raises Tax Rate
The Travis County Emergency Services District #14 commissioners voted on 9/20/2000 to increase the tax rate to $.07 per $100 valuation to meet the budget projections for the Volente Volunteer Fire Department. The new rate will be effective beginning tax year 2000. The new rate will mean that a home and property valued at $100,000 would be assessed $70 in annual ESD taxes.
rently carried on our web site. There is also a bulletin board where you can read or post comments.
Marina Ordinance Changes
LCRA staff has proposed a series of revisions to the Lake Travis Marina Ordinance. Several of the proposals are the result of input from the Volente Neighborhood Association and other members of Lake Travis Neighborhood Council, including more controls on the size and positioning of marinas.
The LCRA is setting up a task force of neighborhood representatives and marina owners to review and discuss the proposals before presentation to the LCRA board of directors in early 2001. Volente's Catriona Smith has been selected as one of the neighborhood representatives. Info: www.volente.org/ltnc/
Postal Drop Box Installed
Finally! The Leander Post Office has installed the drop box for outgoing mail in front of VVFD. Thanks to Robert Nelson Concrete Company of Volente for installing the required concrete pad at no cost to the neighborhood. Volente residents requested the drop box following reported incidents of mailbox vandalism and possible theft of mail.
More Area Land Now BCP
Travis County recently completed acquisition of more than 500 acres to be added into the regional preserve known as the Balcones Conservation Project, or BCP. The acquired land borders on FM 2769 across from the Milburn Cypress Creek Ranch development and continues to the developed portion of Grandview Hills. Travis County intends to purchase additional land for the BCP along Bullick Hollow Road, above Cypress Creek Park. This is the area known as the Shellberg Tract or as Vista Point. The County has already acquired the Lake Perspectives tract on the west side of Bullick Hollow Road for the BCP.
Other land in the Volente area that has been set aside as part of the BCP include the LCRA's Wheless tract, the Travis Audubon Society's preserve, and tracts owned by City of Austin and The Nature Conservancy.
Limited Public Access to BCP Being Tried
LCRA has launched a pilot community program on its McGregor tract on Comanche Trail. Since this tract is part of the BCP, the public would not normally be allowed access. But under the pilot "Good Neighbor" program, members of Comanche Trail Community Association can obtain a permit allowing limited access, after first attending required training by an LCRA biologist. The program hopes to increase public support of the BCP and to enlist neighbors in helping to manage the preserves. VNA President Lonnie Moore is working with LCRA and Travis County to see if the program can be expanded to Volente in the future.
Regular Monthly Meeting Notices
VNA holds board meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at VVFD. Meetings are open to all residents and participation is invited. Dates and times sometimes change, so check with a board member or www.volente.org for the latest meeting information.
The VVFD Board of Directors meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
The ESD #14 Commissioners meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
Fire Training - first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
EMT Training - fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
VVFD Ladies Auxiliary meets on the second Wednesday of each month - September through April only - at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
Volente Acronym Quiz
BCP, COA, BCCP, ETJ, SOV, LPA, PVC - what do all these groups of letters mean?
Answers and more questions at http://www.volente.org/quiz/
VOLENTE CHRISTMAS BAZAAR!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9TH     10AM-3PM AT VVFD
Presented by the VVFD Ladies Auxiliary

BAKED GOODS   HOMEMADE CHILI
         PICTURES WITH SANTA ON FIRE ENGINE
  CRAFTS - TOYS, CANDLES, JEWELRY, POTTERY,
 CLOTHING, CHRISTMAS DECOR, WOOD ART, MORE!

For Information on Having a Booth, Contact Patti Lioon at 512-331-9749 or pslioon@hotmail.com


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