It seems that owners of 26 acres of land west of Scenic Drive on the east side of the mountain and another 623 acres further north near Hondo Pass are for sale and the owners have indicated that they would prefer to see the land be preserved as open space rather than be developed. However, they have indicated that they need to make a decision soon.
Discussion and action on directing staff to negotiate for parcels on the east side of the mountain owned by Daniel T. Knapp, R.E. Knapp, Palo Verde Properties, R.E. and R.A. Knapp for the purpose of open space preservation.
I wanted to let you know about an item that I posted with Rep. Robinson on Tuesday's council agenda during Executive Session. There are 26 acres of land available for sale west of Scenic Drive between Wheeling and Savannah [see map posted above]. You have probably seen the For Sale sign. Ideally, I would like to see that land preserved as part of the Franklin State Park. My sense is that most people would agree and would not like to see it developed. The owners would like to see it go to that purpose also but they are paying taxes on the land and need to make some decisions about it soon. I think we might have an option where we could do some sort of short term arrangement with them (a lease or an option) that would allow us a little bit of time to go make a case to the State to buy it. I'm going to ask council to authorize staff to begin negotiating with the property owners to do this.
It would be great to get letters of support to preserve the land for open space . . . “ I would need all of this by Monday though. If you can't have a formal vote on this, can you request that individuals who are supportive email me a note of support?
Thanks. Let me know if you have any questions and if this is something that you might be able to do.
Susie
City Council Representative, District 2
For health and safety reasons, preserve this land as natural open space. If this land is made impervious with roads, roofs, or parking lots, the runoff will threaten the safety of those down hill. Additionally, Scenic Drive will no longer be scenic if this land is developed.
ReplyDeletejudy Ackerman
Susie needs to let people know also that the Knapp land mentioned is very near where Susie lives.
ReplyDeleteCouncil needs to speak up about saving the 480 acres of GLO land along the state park near our high school, the Laura Bush library/EPCC that JOBE Materials is digging up as their new Quarry. The city claims to have no jurisdiction over GLO land; but, Susie's family and friends are close to Laura Bush and I can't believe that Mrs. Bush does not have the political influence and clout to tell the GLO to shut down a lease that will pollute the library named after her, the EPCC campus and the High School??!! The GLO does not have to continue leasing that land out if the GLO so chooses when it would have that kind of bad impact on Texas School Children
Elpaso, I am always suspicious of comments done anonymously. I can see why you don't want to disclose your identity because you are taking some jabs at Susie Byrd and her family. Let me offer some helpful comments to all of our readers.
ReplyDeleteYes, the 26 acres of Knapp land are in District 2 - the district Susie Byrd represents on City Council. The other 623 acres (597 acres) are in Carl Robinson's District number 4. Representative Byrd began making inquiries when some of us last year on the board of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association began asking about the Best Real Estate sign on Scenic Drive by the intersection of Scenic with Louisville. (Click to enlarge the picture above. Also see http://newmanpark.blogspot.com/2009/06/ominous-sign.html.) Being the dutiful public servant that she is, Ms. Byrd began making inquiries. As a result there is now the possibility of preserving some more open space land - land by the way that is a part of the Near Mountain Terrace that is in the Open Space Plan. Of course, Ms. Byrd would check on this acreage since it is in her district. She also posted the item on executive session AFTER consultation with Mr. Robinson.
So, let me get this straight: if Rep. Byrd checks on land following an inquiry by the neighborhood association (again see http://newmanpark.blogspot.com/2009/06/ominous-sign.html), her actions are somehow self serving? We elected her to check on things and she is doing something that will benefit and further the open space plan.
As far as her family and friends being close to Laura Bush - well that just isn't accurate. It is true that, when Mrs. Bush was the First Lady of the State of Texas (State of Texas not the United States)she became acquainted with Lee Byrd because of her lifelong interest in promoting libraries and reading and because Lee (and Bobby) own the publishing house, Cinco Puntos. I asked Lee about her relationship with Mrs Bush (with the hope that maybe I could rangle some Rangers season tickets) and Lee told me: "We don’t know Laura Bush that well, and don’t know George Bush at all. Certainly we don’t know Laura Bush well enough to call up and ask her about land."
Putting the onus of solving things with regard to the GLO/Jobe Materials lease on Susie Byrd or her family is just a way to take no responsibility yourself to make contact with those you imagine might have some influence. I suggest that you contact Mrs. Bush yourself and explain your case.
Some of you are wondering whether you should speak at next Tuesday's City Council since you don't see an item on the agenda regarding the land that could be preserved as open space. It isn't on the agenda because it is an Executive Session item. Council will convene at 8:30 and then go into executive session where it will discuss this motion. When they return to Council chambers they will open up with public comments. At that time you can talk about preserving the land and hoping that they will. The agenda will probably be amended to include action on this item. So be there or email or write Susie and get your letter to her no later than this coming Monday, February 8. Council meets on the 9th.
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