PfCONA NEWSFLASH: COUNTY PARKS PLAN AND POSSIBLE CDBG GRANT UP FOR PUBLIC REVIEW

Pflugerville area residents have the opportunity to provide input on these two county level items (County Parks and Open Space Plan and use of a possible $2.5 million CDBG Grant):


***TRAVIS COUNTY PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN UP FOR PUBLIC REVIEW***

Travis County is distributing its proposed "Parks and Open Space Plan" for public review, and would welcome your input (written/spoken). A draft of the plan may be viewed online, accessed from the County's home page at www.co.travis.tx.us/ or click here to go to drafts directly. The County's proposed "Conservation Development Ordinance" may also be accessed at this site.

The purpose of this plan is to set policy regarding the development and maintenance of a wonderful system of parks and natural areas. Land acquisition (particularly as funded by the 2005 bond election), protection of river and stream corridors, and development of greenways are key areas of concern. This plan will also be submitted to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for approval as a "locally prepared master plan", a designation that makes Travis County more competitive in the TPWD grant review process.

A public hearing is scheduled for the Travis County Commissioners Court session on Tuesday, April 18, 314 W. 11th St. so the public may speak directly to the Court.

A public meeting is also scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 6:00 p.m. at the Satellite One Office in eastern Travis County, 9301 Johnny Morris Road. Comments will be received until May 3, 2006.

Comments may be sent to by E-mail to (wendy.scaperotta@co.travis.tx.us), telephone (512/854-7655), or regular mail (P.O. Box 1748, Austin, TX 78767).

Contact:

Wendy Scaperotta, AICP
Senior Planner, Planning and GIS Program
Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 1748
Austin, TX 78767
(512) 854-7655 Fax:(512) 854-4648
wendy.scaperotta@co.travis.tx.us

***COUNTY SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON POSSIBLE $2.5 M. GRANT USE***

In accordance with Federal Guidelines and in order to best serve the community, Travis County officials and staff are seeking input during a series of scheduled public meetings (April 17th, 20th, 22nd, 26th, and 27th) from residents of the unincorporated areas of Travis County regarding the most effective use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Federal Funds. Click here for meeting info and locations/dates. This information will ultimately be incorporated into the County’s Consolidated Plan.

CDBG Staff are taking comments from the public for one week on the Citizen Participation Plan. Please contact Christy Moffett by E-mail(christy.moffett@co.travis.tx.us) or by phone at 512-854-3460.

Initial meetings at Commissioners Court will be held in the traditional public hearing format, with opportunity for Citizens to come and voice their views, opinions and concerns. In addition, citizens will be asked to take a short written survey of their perception of public service needs in their communities.

Hearings in each of the precincts will be structured as an information session regarding the uses of CDBG, with facilitated discussion and decision-making for meaningful, comprehensive input from participants regarding their housing, community development and public service needs.

Travis County was recently designated eligible to receive $2,449,337 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Office of Community Planning and Development, in the form of a CDBG.

HUD awards these types of grants to communities to carry out a wide range of community development activities aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.