And for 30 years now, the ANC has stopped 90% of supply of apartment units in the central city from being built – then, they blame the 10% that went through for not slowing the rise in prices enough. Chutzpah that relatively few ever call them on, unfortunately.

I’m going against my own self-interest here, BTW; I own older rental property in the same neighborhood Laura Morrison’s mansion resides. My rents have gone way up in the last decade partly because of the policies she pushed.

Her duplicity on this issue is shown by the fact that she does not care at all about affordable housing – because increased density is the best way to provide that, and she has opposed density everywhere and anywhere since long before taking office; whether said new construction was for the rich or merely middle-class; whether said buildings would be on transit corridors or not; whether those apartments/condos would be in high-rises or low-rises. She’s using affordable housing as a wedge issue to stop this high-rise because, quite simply, she doesn’t want the building at all.

She’s fooled a hell of a lot of people; so you’re not in bad company or anything; but I hate to see smart people get snookered like that.

As for compromise, I’m for it when we get something out of it that moves the ball forward. I fail to see how rolling over for a handful of loud property owners helps us the next time we want to put in great bike facilities. To me, this is less about the actual outcome then how this positions the city in future decision making. I’m also concerned that the cycling community is so weak we cannot put up a defense to this kind of crap.

Dear Mayor and Council Members,

The briefing from staff with the recommendation on the bicycle boulevard, has again been moved; this time from June 24th to June 10, with very short notice.

The staff recommendation seems to be an important departure from the approved Master plan, not a slight modification. It should, therefore, be discussed, debated and voted.

Not going through a recordable transparent process will bring serious distrust from a sizable portion of the bicycle community towards our elected officials.

At this point, there are more than 2000 signatures in favor of a Nueces alignment; which repeat the same position expressed in many plans voted by your body previous to the uprising of the vociferous opposition from a minuscule group of affluent austinites raging against the true transportation needs of our city.

The merits for the staff proposal on Rio Grande are many; yet the abandonment of a true bicycle boulevard, devoted to all level of cyclists is a major blow to our prospects to become a city that is serious about transportation alternatives.

As expressed by staff at the Urban Transportation Commission, the new boulevard plan, excludes inexperienced bicyclists and children from it; this is an important setback in the aspirations of our community to create a future with people educated on sensible transportation policies and environmental options.

In that portion of the city a true bicycle boulevard is only possible on Nueces St. Come and ride both streets and you will feel the gradient differential on both arteries.

I would like to ask from you that please, move the discussion back to the previously scheduled date of June 24; that you open the floor to public input; and that you cast a vote on the plan.