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Central Austin Parents Upset Over Stealth Dorms


Some Central Austin parents are fuming over a lack of answers relating to a piece of property located along Harris Avenue.

The developer wants to build three duplexes on the site, which is located less than a block from Lee Elementary School. But the parents are fighting back, demanding the city conduct a safety study first.

They requested the City of Austin conduct a safety study weeks ago, but on Tuesday the parents were told the city was not going to look into it.

Angela Pack Zia's 4-year old daughter is set to start to Lee Elementary School next year.  She'd like to walk her little girl to class. But three duplexes planned for the property just down the street from the school has her rethinking that plan.

"At least halt any permitting until we have an understanding of the impact of the safety of the children going to school," she says.

She and other parents have banded together, demanding the City of Austin conduct a safety and pedestrian study before allowing the "high occupancy" housing to moving forward.

But a city traffic engineer at Tuesday's parent teacher association meeting said approximately 1,100 vehicles travel through the neighborhood every day.  She claimed adding 18 new tenants, will only increase traffic by 1 percent, calling the change "minimal."

The parents say they are frustrated -- but not defeated.  The city engineer promised parents to look into infrastructure improvements, possibly adding additional sidewalks and a bike lane.

By Alex Boyer