Variances From Recommendations Aren't in Anyone's Best Interest

Dear Editor,
    The Austin Town Lake Waterfront Overlay Advisory Board, on which we served, studied dozens of options for the redevelopment of the south shore of Town Lake from Congress Avenue to I-35. Our recommendations, guided by the Planning, Environmental and Conservation Services Department, represented a carefully crafted compromise among lake users, trail users, local businesses, residential neighbors, current landowners, and prospective developers. Although these design standards drafted by Roma Design Group in 2000 were not brought to a vote at the City Council, we believe that variances from our compromise recommendations, or the earlier 1985 Town Lake Corridor Study, would not be in anyone's best interest.