Saturday, February 2, 2013

Here's The News!

Seems like there's an issue with traffic at Aria Dr. - school folks are turning right on Aria and making a U-turn to get into the school.  This is causing major issues on Aria and signs will be placed and no U-turns will be allowed.  This will happen in the next couple of weeks.

TXDOT has been having issues with one of the controllers on 620 also that has caused further issues with the traffic - a new controller is being installed - hopefully this will make it a little better.  There is no real releif in sight, as our community grows along with the rest of the area, we will continue to look for ways to improve the traffic flow.

ZAPCO will meet next week on Wednesday at 9:10AM.  Here is that agenda.

With the lack of rain and the low humidity levels, Travis County's Fire Marshall has issued a burn ban again.  No relief in sight!  “Travis County is facing a high-fire hazard,” said Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee. “Conditions are so dry that residents should pay particular attention to red flag warnings, which are issued by the National Weather Service and indicate periods of high winds, low humidity and high-fire danger.”

If you have questions about how you can protect your home from fires, please call the Fire Marshals’ Office at 512-854-¬4621, or contact your Lake Travis Fire Rescue, Fire Prevention Division at 512-266-2533 Ext. 2327.

From Steve Jones:

Following up on a complaint from a resident of The Ridge at Alta Vista, we found that traffic from RR 620 is using Aria Drive to bypass the long line of cars that make a left turn into the high school/middle school campus during the morning rush hour.  Instead of waiting in the left turn lane, drivers proceed to Aria Drive and turn right onto Aria.  Then, they make a U-turn on Aria and proceed back to the traffic signal where they head straight across 620 into the school campus.  This is clever; however, it causes undue traffic congestion for residents of The Ridge at Alta Vista and for patrons of the convenience store located at the intersection.  It is equivalent to illegally driving across a parking lot to avoid an intersection.  We plan to install signs on Aria that prohibit U-turns during the morning rush hour.  The signs will help, but they do not address the real problem (congestion at this intersection), so they will be marginally effective.  We are working with TxDot to help find a solution to the congestion. 

Speaking of traffic on RR 620, many of you know that we have had recurring problems with the traffic signal on 620 at Spillman Loop (the northern entrance to the school campus).  This signal has a habit of stopping traffic on 620 even when there are no cars on the cross street.  Pursuant to our complaints, TxDot has worked on the signal many times.  However, each time the signal malfunctions again.  This week, TxDot told me that they would replace the entire controller in an attempt to get a permanent solution to the problem.

I have been told that Austin/Travis County EMS does not deliver all patients to the Lakeway Regional Medical Center.  Curious about this, I spoke with Dr. Paul Hinchey, EMS Medical Director, this week who confirmed it.  Dr. Hinchey told me that EMS takes all patients to LRMC unless the patient request another hospital, or the patient is suffering from severe trauma.  He said that EMS must respect a patient’s request to be taken to their preferred hospital, and that they take trauma patients only to level two or level one trauma centers.  According to Dr. Hinchey, LRMC is not a level two trauma center.  Otherwise, emergency patients in our area are taken to LRMC.   

Chief Radford presented the annual state of the police department address to the Men’s Breakfast Club on Wednesday.  Officers arrested a man for felony DWI the day after he was arrested by another jurisdiction for DWI.  The police department also attended a school safety drill at Lakeway Elementary School and was able to observe their lock down procedures.  The staff and the students did a great job, and we were glad to assist and provide feedback.

Troy Anderson reports, “The week started out with greetings to our new Office Manager and our new Permit Technician.  Both Wendy and Kevin have jumped in headfirst and are very excited to be part of the Building & Development team.  We are also gearing up for a Zoning Commission meeting next week.  On the agenda is a variance renewal for LTISD, signs for the new Service King, two model homes, and a final plat for Serene Hills Phase 3E.  The preliminary plan and final plat for the Abercorn School Expansion and Cardinal Hills Office Park will be postponed again as they have been unable to provide the information necessary for staff to complete our review.” 
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Here's Andra Dearing's report for the week - Thanks Andra!







In some area news, there was a meeting between some Bee Caves' residents and Covert Auto's about a planned facility on Hwy. 71 near Nitro Swim Center. 

A Hotel that was looking to locate in the Galleria has been looking closer at a site at the Lakeway Regional Medical Center.  It appears the connection fees to connect to water and sewer in the Galleria are driving their interest - more as I hear it on this.

Have a safe Superbowl Day and enjoy the Spring like weather (did we have winter?) and I'll give you more news as I hear it!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

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