Battle of the Heights: high-rise apartments proposed in Alamo Heights
SAN ANTONIO – It’s a battle of the heights in Alamo Heights.A developer wants to build a six-story apartment complex in the heart of a city where, by law, buildings are supposed to top out at about three stories. (read more and see video).
Related story: Opinion: High Rise Apartments Proposed For Alamo Heights
Comments
Why did the developer, after all these discussions to be better informed, prepare a drawing that is for a building that is 100% residential, 6 stories tall, has underground parking garage (in a flood zone) and ZERO retail ?
Seems like a bunch of meetings for nothing.
Do you think that its the old "ask for the moon" approach? Where they put the MAX they think they want approved and then work backwards to modify the plan? That's an awful lot of back and forth to drag something out.
None of the justifications for this developers approach to meet with a few select citizens makes any rational sense.
Thanks for trying.
I wouldn't get to worked up about who talks to who. I visit with a councilman once a week. Many citizens are quietly involved. Just because you do not know about every meeting and every conversation, you should not get upset.
I think the developer was very wise to reach out to citizens in this community to get a sense of how their project would be perceived. It is a good way to find out the lay or the land.
Another lawsuit? Over what? They don't have any drive-up tellers. By the way, why has Kopplow been allowed to let those buildings sit there and deteriorate? Don't we have any ordinances against that?
1) They do not adhere to the guidelines listed.
2) Do not log in under several different names and comment on your own comment.
3) State only fact and/or your opinion, do not state something as fact and show no reference to this fact.
4) Do not state a city official's position/opinio n unless this city official has publicly announced their position on a subject.
I would hate to see the city get in another lawsuit!
I'm glad Weser commented on it.
Why did Cooper give you a special audience with the developer & property owner before council saw it?
Where do you get your certainty about what people think and why? Have you actually talked to Weser?
How do you know what the rest of council thinks?
Have you asked yourself why Weser waited so long to comment on the Ausway project? He's known about it for over a month but only decided yesterday to post his displeasure about the project.
He did this because the story had broken and he knew how unpopular the project would be. He couldn't stand having people think he supported it so he tried to jump to the front of the parade.
Other council members and Mayor Cooper have kept their mouths shut because they understand the role they play. Their job is to be objective and not comment or grandstand on an issue before it has come to them. It would be like a judge commenting of a case before a verdict is rendered. Councilman Weser apparently has not learned that lesson.
This appears to be a very broad brush statement.
Cyber Joe said "In 10 years or 20 years this project is a DISASTER for AHISD. The annual taxes on this thing won't even cover the costs for the additional teacher salaries the kids living in this building will require the district to hire. Terrell Hills & Heights, Olmos Park, and Oak Park residents need to all be alerted to this too. Its going to affect the quality of the schools in a big way.
I am sure the developers respect Mr. Kiel and hold is opinion in hight regard even though they may not agree sometimes.
Mr. Kiel has always been brutally honest, open to ideas, willing to work with everyone. He has no agendas and does not play games. Thus earning him respect of others.
I waited to give them time to change it. They didn't.
I'm cooperative because I want a good project to be proposed. This is not it, but I think the developer is capable of coming up with one.
They probably talked to me because of my strong concerns about high rises from the past.
I'm sure the AHNA, Weser and Joseph are against this high rise now but they sure weren't two years ago when they opposed the charter amendment to limit the height of high rises.
Where were you on that vote?
Its a disaster of epic proportions.
In 10 years or 20 years this project is a DISASTER for AHISD. The annual taxes on this thing won't even cover the costs for the additional teacher salaries the kids living in this building will require the district to hire. Terrell Hills & Heights, Olmos Park, and Oak Park residents need to all be alerted to this too. Its going to affect the quality of the schools in a big way.
The CP is a guide, a vision. The items in the CP does not mean that is what is going to built or have to built. The biggest thing to come out of the CP is that people would like to mix use development.
As far a Weser goes, he talks about downtown development, but look how went after Chase bank and Dr. West.
I asked Kopplow about the boutique hotel. he said it was economic being so far from a freeway and downtown. Too bad.
You would have to ask the property owners this question.
Regarding the City's CP, all it takes is political will by elected officials and follow through and enforcement by staff. It starts with council's leadership and political will to follow through on the CP. The only staff person that is using the CP is Mr. Chandler.
Sarah 02-16-2013 5:26 pm.
Tom T, back in 2004 the same owners had plans to put a boutique hotel there. What happened to that idea?
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2004/05/17/story1.html?page=all
Also included were emails between the developer and City staff and officials. It appears the project has been in the works with the City for about 4 months (Nov. 2012).
I was asked by the mayor and the developers to see the project on Jan 16, 2013. I waited to talk about it until they were ready to make a public presentation.
Sorry, nothing very cyber about it.
How did you get this info Bill?
I'm glad you published it.
The Dallas News reported last April (2012) in an interview with the company spokesperson that this developer had been looking for was looking for land in San Antonio, Austin and Houston for some time. Wonder when they first talked to the Mayor and Mr. Kopplow?
The current project IS six stories but it should be 2 - 4 stories based on the Comprehensive Plan. The vote I referred to was for City Council, not the project.
For this upcoming election I suggest we find out if the candidates really support the CP or developers and out-of-town commercial property owners.
http://www.alamoheightstx.gov/news/12%20public%20realm.pdf
Public Realm, page 49
Broadway at Austin Highway: The "Y"
Although the design charrette process recommended a round-about at this location, further study by the traffic engineer determined that straightening the roadway intersection to form a more equal balance of the three legs of traffic would create a more pedestrian-frie ndly, dynamic
space with opportunities to create focal point buildings to both the north and the west. The proposed design would also feature the historic Mobile Station as the focal point for southbound traffic on Broadway.
Street Section Standards
Right of Way Width = 106 feet;
Traffic = 4 lanes;
Lane Width = 11 feet for each;
Median = 14 feet with left turn lane;
Parking = 8 feet (parallel on both sides of street);
Sidewalk & Planting = 16 feet (with planting and a bike lane)
Public Realm, page 49, Broadway at Austin Highway: The "Y"
Take a look at the drawing on that page. "Although the design charrette process recommended a round-about at this location, further study by the traffic engineer determined that straightening the roadway intersection to form a more equal balance of the three legs of traffic would create a more pedestrian-frie ndly, dynamic space with opportunities to create focal point buildings to both the north and the west. The proposed design would also feature the historic Mobile Station as the focal point for southbound traffic on Broadway."
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2004/05/17/story1.html?page=all
If you don't like it, then buy the land and develop it yourself, other wise give the developer a chance to develop HIS property.
Like Kiel said let it go through the process and give your input.
Sarah the city has never had a owner that wanted to redevelop their property. Look at the condition of all the downtown properties. Now that the city has a owner that is wanting to redevelop their property people are against it. That is why nothing gets done.
Mr. Kiel is right people need to give their input and work together. Alamo Heights could be a great place if only people will work together.
We start by offering alternative ideas. That can include NOT building anything at all but I'd rather not lose this opportunity.
You've mentioned in the past that we have ignored the Comprehensive Plan. Why not push for a project that adheres to the CP. If the first development project does that, then it will be easier for other projects to follow. We also need to start changing the City codes to allow CP supported projects.
To have an impact we must first be informed ourselves and then we must communicate to our elected officials our concerns and ideas. We do this through hearings, emails, blogs, etc.
And remember, there is always the vote.
The project is no longer on that time table and I don't believe it was ever realistic. I've looked at all email correspondence between the City and the developers and have found nothing irregular. They have pursued the process laid out by City regulations. Communications with Council were done without quorums and I doubt there were any open meetings violation.
At this point we need to work together to move the Ausway project in a direction to fulfill our dreams for downtown development. This is the start.
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