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SaveTownLake.Org Receives Support From the Travis County Democratic Party

Posted on: Thursday, 31 May 2007, 15:00 CDT

The Travis County Democratic Party Executive Committee voted unanimously Wednesday evening to endorse a resolution calling for the City of Austin to respect the Land Development Codes' protections for the Town Lake Corridor. In support of the newly formed SaveTownLake.org's (STL) efforts to ensure that the scenic vistas along the Colorado River are not overwhelmed by intrusive buildings currently being proposed for the shores of Town Lake.

The TCDP Executive Committee adopted the following resolution:

"The Travis County Democratic Party Executive Committee strongly objects to any variances being granted to the Waterfront Overlay Ordinance. We urge decision-makers to uphold the stated purpose of the ordinance to the highest degree: to promote harmonious interaction and transition between urban development and the parkland and shoreline of Town Lake and the Colorado River."

The Waterfront Overlay Ordinance (WO) was enacted to protect the shores of Town Lake from irresponsible development and to maintain the wonderful vistas and open space along the lakefront. While sensitive and responsible development is welcomed, the Town Lake corridor is threatened by several proposed projects that are asking to wave provisions of the WO that if approved would allow taller buildings with over a million square feet of new construction too close to the waters edge.

Thomas Cooke, a member of the Board of Directors of STL said, "This is a remarkable step for the TCDP Executive Committee to endorse the goal of ensuring the beauty of the Town Lake corridor for generations to come. We appreciate their support in our efforts to inform the Austin Community about this very important issue. To date STL is approaching 3,000 signatures of support in their ongoing efforts to protect Town Lake.

"We believe that the Travis County Democratic Party's Executive Committee's endorsement of this resolution reflects the position of the vast majority of Austin's voters," added Cooke. "As Austin grows, we must preserve what is best about our city and our most valuable community assets should be held sacred and Town Lake should be at the top of that list."

The mission of SaveTownLake.org is to protect and preserve Austin's most precious natural resource, Town Lake Corridor's scenic beauty and wonderful parkland. STL supports responsible development along the corridor that respects the community's love for Town Lake and works to promote public support for maintaining our City's highest regulatory standards. The organization advocates strong compliance with the original 1986 ordinance and especially opposes any variances to the current Waterfront Overlay Ordinance that would allow more intrusive building along the shoreline. STL's goal is to maintain the integrity of the Town Lake Corridor for all of Austin. SaveTownLake.org is a Texas non-profit corporation. To learn more about STL and to show your support for protecting Town Lake by sign the online petition please visit www.savetownlake.org or contact:

Eric Webber Webber/McJ Communications 512-225-2600 (Office) 512-658-5255 (Mobile) reic@webbermcj.com

Source: Business Wire

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