General Projects
Owens Park Neighborhood Association
Copyright 2010-2011 Owens Park Neighborhood Assocation
OPNA is a not for profit voluntary group comprised of residents of Owens Park
OPNA is a not for profit voluntary group comprised of residents of Owens Park
The Lookout Transfer Station rebuild and expansion is the most pressing issue for our
neighborhood. Thanks to the dilligent efforts by Maitri Smithhisler (Victoria Ln) and Sherrill
Bodie (Windsor Dr), this issue is getting the attention it deserves! Along with Maitri and Sherrill,
the OPNA Board - primarily John Wallberg and Katherine Cargile - is spearheading this effort in
coordination with the Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson.
SCHEDULE (as of Mar 29, 2011)
Early Summer 2011 - MOU Finalized
May/June 2011 - Application Submitted to TCEQ
End 2011 - Begin Engineering Final Design
End of 2011 to Summer 2012 - Review of Building Plans (concurrent with TCEQ review)
Summer 2012 - TCEQ Permit Received
Early 2013 - Begin Construction
Summer 2014 - Construction Complete
CURRENT STATUS (as of Nov 22, 2010)
After 18+ months of negotiations, the City of Richardson, North Texas Municipal Water District and Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson (comprised of concerned citizens dedicated to protecting the surrounding areas directly impacted by the Lookout Trash Station rebuild and expansion) came to a tentative agreement (MoU - Memo of Understanding) based on 16 protections first outlined by the citizens. While there are still questions as to the legal teeth behind the MoU with areas lacking specificity, Mayor Slagel and City Manager Bill Keffler emphasized the City’s pledge to stand behind the MoU's implicit guarantee to restrict any further expansion beyond 625 tons per day, 1500 tons maximum daily average. On behalf of the City, the Mayor has written an adjunct letter to this effect, stating that the quality of life for the surrounding areas will be protected by the City, since the District has rejected any stipulation to permanently restrict capacity.
On November 22, a standing-room-only crowd attended the Lookout Trash Station public forum at City Hall as NPAR presented the compromise agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that evolved out of our initial 16 protections. We all had the opportunity to voice our opinions on this proposed agreement and the trash station in general. The City Council unamiously approved the MoU.
NEXT STEPS (as of Nov 22, 2010)
While NPAR feels the protections are a victory for the community, ultimately only time will tell if the city and the community can maintain the proper vigilance to make the protections stick. It is our responsibility as citizens to stay involved and raise issues to the City for resolution.
Keep informed by visiting NPAR to get the latest info... www.protectrichardson.org/lots.
SCHEDULE (as of Mar 29, 2011)
Early Summer 2011 - MOU Finalized
May/June 2011 - Application Submitted to TCEQ
End 2011 - Begin Engineering Final Design
End of 2011 to Summer 2012 - Review of Building Plans (concurrent with TCEQ review)
Summer 2012 - TCEQ Permit Received
Early 2013 - Begin Construction
Summer 2014 - Construction Complete
CURRENT STATUS (as of Nov 22, 2010)
After 18+ months of negotiations, the City of Richardson, North Texas Municipal Water District and Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson (comprised of concerned citizens dedicated to protecting the surrounding areas directly impacted by the Lookout Trash Station rebuild and expansion) came to a tentative agreement (MoU - Memo of Understanding) based on 16 protections first outlined by the citizens. While there are still questions as to the legal teeth behind the MoU with areas lacking specificity, Mayor Slagel and City Manager Bill Keffler emphasized the City’s pledge to stand behind the MoU's implicit guarantee to restrict any further expansion beyond 625 tons per day, 1500 tons maximum daily average. On behalf of the City, the Mayor has written an adjunct letter to this effect, stating that the quality of life for the surrounding areas will be protected by the City, since the District has rejected any stipulation to permanently restrict capacity.
On November 22, a standing-room-only crowd attended the Lookout Trash Station public forum at City Hall as NPAR presented the compromise agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that evolved out of our initial 16 protections. We all had the opportunity to voice our opinions on this proposed agreement and the trash station in general. The City Council unamiously approved the MoU.
NEXT STEPS (as of Nov 22, 2010)
While NPAR feels the protections are a victory for the community, ultimately only time will tell if the city and the community can maintain the proper vigilance to make the protections stick. It is our responsibility as citizens to stay involved and raise issues to the City for resolution.
Keep informed by visiting NPAR to get the latest info... www.protectrichardson.org/lots.
Lookout Transfer Station
Rebuild & Expansion
Key Contact: Maitri Smithhisler (maitri@anahat.org)
Rebuild & Expansion
Key Contact: Maitri Smithhisler (maitri@anahat.org)
The owners of 140 acres (almost one-quarter of one square mile) of prime Richardson real estate
are currently trying to develop the largest multi-use development (apartments, retail, office
space, etc) ever built in the City of Richardson.
This is an extremely impactful issue to your property and quality of life. There are substantial questions and uncertainty around this proposed transit oriented development - the OPNA Board is dilligently working to review available material and formulate a position. In the meantime, the Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson (NPAR) is the best place to access information and evaluate resident concerns. Check out www.protectrichardson.org/TOD
CURRENT STATUS (as of Jan 31, 2011)
Public Hearings were held on Jan 17th (6PM to 11:30PM) and Jan 31st (6PM to 12:15AM). In both cases, the OPNA Board aligned with NPAR... On January 17th, we maintained a "neutral" position - while we support a truly mixed TOD, we felt the appropriate level of due dilligence had not been completed by City Staff or the Developers to ensure this would be a successful development (given problems at similar sites - Brick Row and Galatyn). As such, members of the OPNA Board were 1 of 9 HOAs/NAs that asked questions on NPAR's behalf to help the City and Developers show the public due dilligence had been completed. On January 31st, we again aligned with NPAR - the collective position was "oppose" given questions still needed to be answered, the rush to approve explained, 3900 more apartments needed to be justified and last but not least, Richardson's conventional zoning needed to be shown to be ineffective in comparison to the proposed Form Based Code which would remove public input and transparency (please see email for more information). The community seems quite divided on this topic - many oppose, many support, but when you listen to people, we almost all want the same thing... slow down to figure out how to achieve a successful TOD with reasonable restriction. Regardless, the City Council felt it had enough information to vote on the zoning files - both were approved unamimously.
NEXT STEPS (as of Jan 31, 2011)
While the OPNA Board feels the restrictions agreed to by the Developers are a step in the right direction, we feel there are still too many apartments (especially considering the surrounding area) and several challenges lay in store for the Developers (many of which the City admits have not been analyzed). City Staff is drafting an ordinance to reflect the City Council's motion - this will likely be discussed and approved during a February or March work session / business meeting. It is our responsibility as citizens to stay involved as the development unfolds.
Keep informed by visiting NPAR to get the latest info... www.protectrichardson.org/TOD.
This is an extremely impactful issue to your property and quality of life. There are substantial questions and uncertainty around this proposed transit oriented development - the OPNA Board is dilligently working to review available material and formulate a position. In the meantime, the Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson (NPAR) is the best place to access information and evaluate resident concerns. Check out www.protectrichardson.org/TOD
CURRENT STATUS (as of Jan 31, 2011)
Public Hearings were held on Jan 17th (6PM to 11:30PM) and Jan 31st (6PM to 12:15AM). In both cases, the OPNA Board aligned with NPAR... On January 17th, we maintained a "neutral" position - while we support a truly mixed TOD, we felt the appropriate level of due dilligence had not been completed by City Staff or the Developers to ensure this would be a successful development (given problems at similar sites - Brick Row and Galatyn). As such, members of the OPNA Board were 1 of 9 HOAs/NAs that asked questions on NPAR's behalf to help the City and Developers show the public due dilligence had been completed. On January 31st, we again aligned with NPAR - the collective position was "oppose" given questions still needed to be answered, the rush to approve explained, 3900 more apartments needed to be justified and last but not least, Richardson's conventional zoning needed to be shown to be ineffective in comparison to the proposed Form Based Code which would remove public input and transparency (please see email for more information). The community seems quite divided on this topic - many oppose, many support, but when you listen to people, we almost all want the same thing... slow down to figure out how to achieve a successful TOD with reasonable restriction. Regardless, the City Council felt it had enough information to vote on the zoning files - both were approved unamimously.
NEXT STEPS (as of Jan 31, 2011)
While the OPNA Board feels the restrictions agreed to by the Developers are a step in the right direction, we feel there are still too many apartments (especially considering the surrounding area) and several challenges lay in store for the Developers (many of which the City admits have not been analyzed). City Staff is drafting an ordinance to reflect the City Council's motion - this will likely be discussed and approved during a February or March work session / business meeting. It is our responsibility as citizens to stay involved as the development unfolds.
Keep informed by visiting NPAR to get the latest info... www.protectrichardson.org/TOD.
Transit Oriented Development @
Renner Rd and Plano Rd
Key Contact: Katheirne Cargile (kdcargile@gmail.com)
Key Contact: Katheirne Cargile (kdcargile@gmail.com)
Please visit our dedicated page to track issues and log power outages.
ONCOR Issues
The Richardson East Church of Christ (SW corner of Campbell Road & Owens Boulevard) recently
started a community garden! OPNA is excited to sponsor and maintain a plot - we wll donate all
produce raised to the CARE Church Pantry. Individuals, families or groups can sponsor and
maintain a plot - you need not be a Church member to participate.
If you are interested in helping maintain OPNA's plot, please contact us! For more information on this project, please visit Project Eden's Facebook page.
If you are interested in helping maintain OPNA's plot, please contact us! For more information on this project, please visit Project Eden's Facebook page.
Community Garden
Key Contact: Katheirne Cargile (kdcargile@gmail.com)
Key Contact: Katheirne Cargile (kdcargile@gmail.com)
Tree the Town
Key Contact: Katherine Cargile (kdcargile@gmail.com)
Key Contact: Katherine Cargile (kdcargile@gmail.com)
April 20, 2010
Working with Councilman Amir Omar to extend recently planted trees along Campbell Road (between US 75 and Plano Road) east to Jupiter Road. Information coming soon!
April 18, 2010
This public-private program has an ambitious goal to plant and care for 50,000 new trees in Richardson. Join former Cowboy's star Daryl "Moose" Johnston and the Richardson City Council at 2PM on Sunday, April 18, at the Galatyn Plaza to help officially break ground on the first 100 trees sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. For more information, to volunteer or register your new tree, click here.
Working with Councilman Amir Omar to extend recently planted trees along Campbell Road (between US 75 and Plano Road) east to Jupiter Road. Information coming soon!
April 18, 2010
This public-private program has an ambitious goal to plant and care for 50,000 new trees in Richardson. Join former Cowboy's star Daryl "Moose" Johnston and the Richardson City Council at 2PM on Sunday, April 18, at the Galatyn Plaza to help officially break ground on the first 100 trees sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. For more information, to volunteer or register your new tree, click here.
Sidewalks
** HAVE A SIDEWALK ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS? CONTACT US **
January 24, 2011
There was some communication between the OPNA Board and Mayor Slagel (on behalf of the Council). Despite our efforts to use sidewalk funds for sidewalks, Council voted unanimously to incorporate 2006 sidewalk savings into the 2010 neighborhood vitality budget. If 2010 sidewalk funds remain after Areas 1-11 are addressed, Area 12 may be addressed.
January 18, 2011
Thanks to all the OPNA members that provided feedback on the letter! Per that feedback, the letter was updated - the final letter was submitted to City Council.
January 13, 2011
The OPNA Board unanimously voted to send a letter directly to Council addressing the incorporation of 2006 Bond sidewalk savings and interest earnings into the 2010 Bond neighborhood vitality fund. A draft letter was submitted to OPNA membership for approval and/or feedback. A website page was created to further explain how neighbors could weigh in.
December 13, 2010
As you may know, there was just over $300,000 in sidewalk savings and interests earnings from the 2006 Bond. On November 29 and December 6, the City Council seemed inclined to use these the sidewalk funds for sidewalks (not neighborhood vitality projects) not covered by the 2010 Bond. In the 2010 Bond, $6,000,000 was allocated to address the areas most in need - 11 areas were identified [Areas 1 to 11] with another 5 tabled for the future). Owens Park and University Estates North comprise Area 12 and would cost $292,000. The OPNA Board prepared a statement supporting Council's inclination - it was read during the visitors section of the Dec 13 Council meeting. Unbeknownst to the speaker, Council reversed their inclination earlier in the evening at the Work Session. Their intent is to now use sidewalk funds to for neighborhood vitality projects. The OPNA Board does not agree with this position.
January 24, 2011
There was some communication between the OPNA Board and Mayor Slagel (on behalf of the Council). Despite our efforts to use sidewalk funds for sidewalks, Council voted unanimously to incorporate 2006 sidewalk savings into the 2010 neighborhood vitality budget. If 2010 sidewalk funds remain after Areas 1-11 are addressed, Area 12 may be addressed.
January 18, 2011
Thanks to all the OPNA members that provided feedback on the letter! Per that feedback, the letter was updated - the final letter was submitted to City Council.
January 13, 2011
The OPNA Board unanimously voted to send a letter directly to Council addressing the incorporation of 2006 Bond sidewalk savings and interest earnings into the 2010 Bond neighborhood vitality fund. A draft letter was submitted to OPNA membership for approval and/or feedback. A website page was created to further explain how neighbors could weigh in.
December 13, 2010
As you may know, there was just over $300,000 in sidewalk savings and interests earnings from the 2006 Bond. On November 29 and December 6, the City Council seemed inclined to use these the sidewalk funds for sidewalks (not neighborhood vitality projects) not covered by the 2010 Bond. In the 2010 Bond, $6,000,000 was allocated to address the areas most in need - 11 areas were identified [Areas 1 to 11] with another 5 tabled for the future). Owens Park and University Estates North comprise Area 12 and would cost $292,000. The OPNA Board prepared a statement supporting Council's inclination - it was read during the visitors section of the Dec 13 Council meeting. Unbeknownst to the speaker, Council reversed their inclination earlier in the evening at the Work Session. Their intent is to now use sidewalk funds to for neighborhood vitality projects. The OPNA Board does not agree with this position.