I attended the evening meeting, so I am not privy to the earlier meeting discussions. However, I would like to respond to Ms. Hunt’s initial blog and add a few comments of my own. While I’m sure Ms. Hunt’s intentions are genuine and she has University Hills/Las Colinas in good interest, the blog may be slanted with her interpretation of the proposals/discussions and the writing is somewhat misleading.
In regards to the proposed changes to the articles of incorporation, my understanding of what you are casting your vote for is NOT “in order to vote for education, you also have to vote to “provide entertainment services.”” as well. That language was already part of a previous standing article and is not the intention of the proposed change. Yes, the proposal does not provide funding. However, this change has been recommended by counsel to allow the association the ability to legally raise and distribute funding as they see fit. How can this be interpreted as “lip service”? A start has to be taken, specifically on this most important issue.
A commercial realtor representing The Studios or some possible interested partner in the Riverside Creative parcel was present at the evening meeting. He expressed his concern that the land would not be utilized for its current deed restrictions and that there was interest in expanding the studio properties. This property has remained undeveloped for more than 20 years by the previous owner(s). Who was the previous owner and why wait until a critical vote to occur to bring up a possible expanded studio development? It is now owned by Hines who wants to build higher end homes that would increase our tax base and attract the type of families required to build a prosperous community. Keeping the community ideal first, a yes vote would seem to be a foregone conclusion.
Allowing a mid-rise (at least 10 stories) residential dwelling to be developed is an excellent choice for growing a city. There have been a multitude of studies that show the benefits of building residential communities vertically in lieu of horizontally. This is a welcome change in the city’s development strategy and would provide a concentrated amount economic influx in a relatively small footprint. The parcel is in a unique location that currently has no other residential dwellings nearby. Considering the location, I do not see where traffic will be negatively impacted. The city utility systems are more than adequate to handle the additional load and our water is sourced from the same reservoirs as our neighbors. Lastly, this is not the same type of multi-family dwellings that are in use and should not weather in the same fashion.
The proposed changes for the parcel located on Lake Carolyn are consistent with the current and recent development in the Urban Center. While I am less enthusiastic about this proposal than the one above, the need to further develop the Urban Center outweighs my concerns.
Las Colinas requires growth to keep pace with our neighbors and provide opportunity for its current and future residents. We badly need to increase our tax base and provide our appointed officials the ability to utilize funding to further education alternatives. Growth can be a intimidating , but Las Colinas is being left behind in the type of services and amenities that make living in other parts of the Metroplex desirable.
We all agree that steps need to be taken and I do not see where a yes vote on any of these proposals would allow “developers to run roughshod”. This is simply how the process works.
Thanks,
RHETT C. HICKEY
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