Highland Park Neighborhood Association

November 2002 edition in full

Feb 23, 2003

page 1
BY-LAWS CHANGED IN SEPTEMBER
Proposed changes to the HPNA By-Laws were approved by the general membership during the September meeting.
Many of the changes were made to make the wording consistent within the By-Laws. Other changes were:
?„?« Persons who live outside the boundaries but within Bexar County may be considered active members as long as they pay their dues.
?„?« There is now a minimum voting age for household members.
?„?« Each individual member, business member, and each member (age 12 or older) of a family with household membership may cast one vote.
?„?« All businesses that spend more than $25.00 per year to advertise in the Association newsletter are now business members.
?„?« Minutes may be read at the meetings or printed in the monthly newsletter only after approval.
?„?« All nominees for any office or director position must be current active members.

For complete text of the By-Laws, calendar of events, history of the association, or other information about Highland Park Neighborhood Association, visit our website: www.neighborhood link.com/sat/hparkna


SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 9
10 A.M.
GENERAL MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
JAMES A. BODE COMMUNITY CENTER
(900 Rigsby Avenue @ South Gevers Street; parking lot at Avenues Hammond and Mittman in Highland Park)
ALL NOMINEES FOR OFFICE AND MEMBERS WHO WISH TO VOTE MUST BE CURRENT IN THEIR DUES.

NOMINATIONS
ACCEPTED
The Nominations Committee, chaired by Diane Cortez, will be presenting its report at the November monthly general membership meeting.
To nominate yourself or someone else for 2003 Director, President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary, contact Diane Cortez at 534-3606.


UPCOMING EVENTS

December 14, Saturday, 10 a.m., Bode Center
December monthly meeting with pot luck luncheon

Holiday Decorations Contest, dates TBA
All residents of the Highland Park area (bounded by Avenues Clark and Fair and Interstates 10 and 37) are eligible for consideration in this contest.
Contest winners (places 1-3 and honorable mention) are awarded based on a clear holiday theme, and visibility of decorations during day and night. Families winning first or second place are not eligible for a prize the following year. Light displays without a clear theme are not eligible.
A committee of HPNA volunteers canvases the area for two nights, compiles a list of a dozen potential winners, and then these homes are visited by a final panel of judges who make the final decisions.
Many volunteers are needed for this event, to help rate the decorations and award the prizes.
Nominations will also be accepted from neighbors who want an outstanding holiday display to be recognized.

page 2
HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY PLAN
Conservation District proposed
During the Highlands Community Plan development process, HPNA member Mark Carmona consistently suggested that we consider applying for status as a conservation district. His suggestion was approved and included in Highlands Community Plan.
What is a conservation district?
The Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) ordinance is a neighborhood tool to address appropriateness of new construction in both residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.
The following information was researched and provided by the City of San Antonio Planning Department, Neighborhood Planning division:
The development of NCDs addresses concerns about protection of neighborhood character for new residential and commercial construction.
The NCD planning tool, in the form of a zoning overlay designation (a specific geographic area is identified in an ?¡?§overlay?¡?¨ to the base zoning, however, it does not change the uses allowed within the base zoning designation) will be available to help implement neighborhood and community plans, through the application of neighborhood based design standards, individually tailored to address specific redevelopment issues.
Recognized as a means to promote neighborhood revitalization, NCD designation identifies a set of ?¡?§character-defining element,?¡?¨ (e.g. front porches, roof lines, detached garages, building heights, setbacks, etc.) for a specific residential and/or commercial area, that are adopted as design standards through a neighborhood ordinance.
When an infill development or rehabilitation project is proposed within a NCD area, a review of the neighborhood design standards is performed for the project, in an effort to retain neighborhood integrity, protect and stabilize property values, and prevent insensitive development. The review process is administered through the Planning Department.
As a zoning overlay designation, NCD status does not affect the use of property, nor does it require a property owner to rehabilitate existing structures to conform to the design standards. In addition, Conservation District designation alone does not increase property taxes.
Conservation District designation, whether used to protect distinctive architecture, combat incompatible development, or stabilize property values, is a neighborhood revitalization planning tool that provides a more predictable course of development, an efficient building permit process without the necessity of HDRC review, and a means of self-determination for residential and commercial neighborhood organizations.
Can San Antonio Grow Beautifully?
By Bruce MacDougal,
Executive Director of the San Antonio Conservation Society
In an effort to control the way San Antonio looks as it grows, the City Council recently adopted a strong, smart-growth thinking, revised Unified Development Code. After years of the planning exercises that set the stage for the new UDC and a laborious process for getting public input into the process which crafted the final document, many believed that the debates which pitted the neighborhood interests against the development community had reached a mutually acceptable conclusion.
As a part of the final deliberations on the UCD ordinance, the city created a technical advisory committee to assist in the transition between the old code and the new, to help resolve ambiguities in interpretation. It was to this body that the developers initially complained that a provision in the final document was not intentional?¡Xa mandatory maximum 35 foot set back for commercial buildings along arterial streets. Although the planning consultant who headed the development of the UDC document and the neighborhood representatives said that the provision was always a part of the discussions, the chairman of the committee would not agree.
Why argue over a mandatory set back provision? To smart growth proponents it is a farewell to a sea of parking from the curb to the front of the store. With buildings lining the streets and parking in the rear of the stores, streets would be more pedestrian-friendly and buildings, not automobiles, would form the edges of our shopping corridors. Models of how this urban planning device works are found in great cities such as Paris, but also in local cities such as Alamo Heights and Austin as well as along San Antonio?¡?¦s historic commercial corridors in South Town, the Deco District and Mid-town on Blanco to name a few.
The development community lobbied hard. After the issue did not pass the City Council approval the first time it was presented, the developers sought a compromise. The 35-foot setback would only apply to areas within Loop 410.
Council members Conner, Castro, Barrera, Perez and the mayor voted for the compromise. Council members Carpenter, Garcia, Sanders, Schubert, Martin and Moorhouse voted to exclude the 35 foot setback from the UDC. The compromise amendment failed by one vote.
The mayor took some solace in that the vote was close and he vowed to bring the item up again.

page 3
Did you renew your dues?
If not this will be your last newsletter!
We want to keep you! Please RENEW TODAY!

Highland Park was developed as a place to ?¡?§get away from the noise and dust of the city?¡?¨ and enjoy warm sulphur spring water. Residents reached the area through horse-drawn carriages and street cars.
Since that time, the area, now bounded by Interstates 10 and 37, and Avenues Fair and Clark, has grown to include 4,700 residences, several businesses and schools, and the largest senior apartment complex in Bexar County.
In October, 1985, the Highland Park Neighborhood Association was formed for the:
?„?« Protection
?„?« Preservation
?„?« Development
Of the Highland Park Neighborhood!

The Highland Park Neighborhood Association:
???¦ Promotes a spirit of involvement and cooperation in our community
???¦ Encourages residents, landlords and businesses to maintain their property
???¦ Evaluates and addresses the needs of our community
???¦ Provides a clearinghouse for exchange of information concerning our area
???¦ Encourages and supports efforts to maintain and enhance Highland Park and other open spaces in our community
???¦ Actively participates in projects and programs that assist our community
???¦ Fosters a sense of pride in our community and improves its image and condition

As a member you will receive:
?„?« A monthly newsletter
?„?« The ability to actively participate in neighborhood events such as Highland Park Spring Festival, holiday decorations contest, National Night Out Against Crime, etc.
?„?« Knowledge that you are enhancing your community!

RENEW TODAY!
Mail this form to: Highland Park Neighborhood Association, PO Box 10210, San Antonio TX 78210-0210

YES, I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HIGHLAND PARK! SIGN ME UP:
Dues are annually renewable through October 1 of the following year.
Name(s):
______________________________________________________________________
Mailing address:________________________________________
zip code:________________
Telephone(s):_______________day ___________________night _________________mobile
E-mail:
Type of membership: I
_____Family Household $5 enclosed
_____Individual $3 enclosed
_____Business $25 enclosed
I wish to assist with the following:
___Xeriscape Committee
___Spring Festival
___National Night Out

page 4/cover
Highland Park Neighborhood Association
President: Al Lindsey 533-7987
Vice President: Eloy Centeno
Treasurer: Bertha Saucedo 533-3939
Secretary: Rachel Cywinski 532-8788
Website Editor/Interim Newsletter Editor:
Rachel Cywinski HighlandParkNASA@aol.com

We thank
County Judge Nelson Wolff
For his generous financial support of the
Highland Park Neighborhood Association!!

Little Red Barn Steak House
"Over a 1,000 Steaks a Day"
1902 S. Hackberry
San Antonio, Texas 78210
532-4235

Wallace Cook Agency, Inc.
Life, Hospital, Group, Auto, Home, Commercial, Casualty & Property
Independent Insurance Agent
3902 Clark Ave.
P. O. Box 23428
San Antonio TX 78223
(210) 534-9293
Fax: (210) 534-9297

South East Community Credit Union
123 Waleetka
San Antonio, TX 78210
210/534-7221
534-6262 (fax)

Brown's Mexican Food
Enchiladas Our Specialty
Hours:
Monday - Thursday
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday - Saturday
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
533-8174
2405 S. Hackberry

The Highlander
Highland Park Neighborhood Association
PO Box 10210
San Antonio TX 78210-0210