ENVIRONMENT Austin residents concerned about overcrowding on Lady Bird Lake
DEVELOPMENT BRIEFS
Developments underway in your community
LADY BIRD LAKE USAGE A study by Huston-Tillotson University nds watercraft—including kayaks, canoes and paddleboards—capacity is often exceeded on Lady Bird Lake. Associate professor Amanda Masino o ered the city solutions to manage the crowding.
Apartments with honey farm, gardens to open in 2024
ELLE BENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
WHAT IS CAPACITY? Low density of watercraft
BY ELLE BENT
Goal capacity
on peak weekends, including sum- mer holidays, where the average density was 0.5 acres per boat, which is about twice as congested as the target density, according to the study. On weekdays, the capacity is at an average of 2.34 acres per boat. The watercraft density in the MoPac to Lamar Boulevard area was 12-22 times higher than the average density of the entire lake, per the study. Inadequate parking was considered a concern by 49.1% of respondents. More than 58% of those surveyed expressed strong or moderate concern with lake crowding and 57.2% with trail crowding. Of those surveyed 61.4% sometimes experienced a loss of enjoyment due to lake crowding, per the study. Masino recommended several strategies to deal with the crowding, including monitoring human impact on the lake.
High density of watercraft
Lady Bird Lake receives roughly ve million visitors per year and is often overcapacity, according to a study and survey from researchers at Huston-Til- lotson University. The capacity study of Lady Bird Lake was presented at an Environ- mental Commission meeting March 1 by Amanda Masino, associate pro- fessor of biology and chair of natural sciences at Huston-Tillotson. The study looked at watercrafts— such as kayaks and paddleboards—on the lake and surveyed residents on their perception of crowding. The surface area of Lady Bird Lake is 471 acres, with a target density of 1 to 1.3 acres per watercraft, per the study. Over four days recorded in 2022, the study found a range of 188 watercraft on Friday, June 17, to 1,100 on Saturday, July 2. Recreational capacity was exceeded
B
A
C D
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
N
Acres per watercraft
A sustainable living space in South Austin called Shelby Ranch will open in 2024 for renters. Located at 2210 Lynnbrook Drive, Austin, the 302-unit, 8-acre, multifamily project will feature oor plans from studios to three-bedroom apart- ments. The space will be designed around being environmentally conscious, United Properties Development Director Brenda Studt said. “We wanted to pull on the South Austin fab- ric—the vibe that exists down there—to deliver something di erent that hadn’t been done before,” Studt said in a statement. “We designed the proj- ect such that we had the applicable space to really create a pretty rad outdoor area.” Studt said Shelby Ranch will o er a 1-acre court- yard with an open-air performance stage, a pool and a clubhouse. The courtyard will feature native plants to establish havens for birds, butter ies and other wildlife, Studt said, adding it is on track to
FOUR SAMPLE DAYS IN 2022 = 100 watercraft vessels
A
B
C
D
MAY 29
JUNE 17
JUNE 18
JULY 2
302 units
8 acre development
1 -acre courtyard
Shelby Ranch will feature an 1-acre courtyard with several amenities such as a pool and clubhouse.
SOURCE: UNITED PROPERTIES COMMUNITY IMPACT
RENDERING COURTESY TBG PARTNERS
0.67
2.34
0.42
0.4
become a certi ed wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. In addition, there will be an on-site chicken coop for collecting eggs, honey-producing bee hives, raised garden beds for residents to use as a community garden, and a large dog park and pet spa. A workshop will be available to residents for crafts and hobbies, she said. There will also be a coworking space and private work areas along with a tness center with a separate yoga room and indoor cycling.
Construction began in October and is slated to end in late 2024, Studt said. “Authenticity, especially in multifamily devel- opment, is so important in creating a sense of real community,” said Matt Yeager, project lead for TBG Partners, the landscape architect on the project in a press release. “By sourcing our materials and inspiration from the smallest regional circle possi- ble, we are able to create space that is a re ection of the local environment and culture and provide an authentic product for a growing city.”
Acres per watercraft
HOW TO REDUCE CAPACITY
• Spread out more formal access points, amenities • Increase trail connectivity • O er activities outside of the congested zones
• Expanding public education • Expand volunteer programs and roles • Increase monitoring of environmental impact
• Strengthen enforcement of unlicensed vendors and trash policies
SOURCE: HUSTON TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY IMPACT
BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260 BEE CAVE 13015 Shops Pkwy (512) 263-9981
SOUTHPARK MEADOWS 9900 IH-35 Service Road S (512) 280-7400
DRIPPING SPRINGS 166 Hargraves (512) 432-0186
Powered by FlippingBook