Austinist: OWANA Trying to Skin the Mean Eyed Cat

BeatrixKiddo

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:07:59 -0600

Laura Morrison is the power behind the scenes at OWANA and her record of (un)success shows what a disaster she would be on the City Council. A once influential neighborhood association has been absolutely discredited by opposing projects far outside its borders and opposing local businesses like the Mean-Eyed Cat that are located far from the residential portion of the neighborhood. I saw in today's Chronicle that there will be a concert to rally support fot the Mean-Eyed Cat 6-10 pm Sat. w/Mayor Wynn speaking and several bands playing. Sounds like Morrison will be leading her neighbors into the abyss again.

M1EK

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:11:45 -0600

The NA guy, if you mean Paul, also emailed me again later yesterday and pointed out that, ironically, even though the NA has voted to support the 1-year-post-construction delay of enforcement of code, the city's not willing to do so (i.e. once a citizen complains, enforcement happens, period). While once again I disagree with the position that the zoning shouldn't be allowed to change here, it's worth noting that the NA has in this one instance actually tried to make living with the current code easier rather than being 100% obstructionist. I don't know what lesson to draw here, unfortunately - don't ask for more code enforcers to be hired or you might not like the consequences? Don't piss off the city by being irresponsible on issues like Spring, 6th/Lamar, CLB etc. and then expect to be listened to?

Scooby

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 08:09:03 -0600

I doubt the NA guy is a lone nut, but there is no evidence that he is representative of the general sentiment of the surrounding 'hood.

Ron Weiss

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:09:59 -0600

Please stop this fool. The Mean Eyed Cat is one of the most classic, tasteful, and, might I say, important little neighborhood destinations in the city. This retroactive nit-picking is unproductive and embarrassing and will establish a chilling precedent this city needn't gamble with amid all of the city's progress. Sad to think that a lone, cantankerous fool would be bloated and arrogant enough to impose masterabatory carping on a neighborhood that greatly benefits from, and direly admires, the Mean Eyed Cat.

M1EK

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:27:27 -0600

I wrote Paul (I'm a property owner in OWANA and former resident) and he sent a letter they mailed on April 3 which offered to support a deferment of enforcement actions on this zoning issue for one year after the surrounding construction completes. While I disagree with the long-range position (I don't think there's anything wrong with taverns in this part of town), in the short-term this certainly offers the MEC a reprieve.

KingKirbytheGreatofTexas

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:13:33 -0600

Old West Austin Nimby Association.

Jeff

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:36:29 -0600

Well It looks like OWANA doesnt even consider the MEan Eyed Cat in thier mapped area if you look at their web site. What a joke, look at the neighborhood I think the resources good be better used worrying about the small packed litter filled roads and all the house they are knocking down to build spec houses? Whats the real problem here? Local leadership!

heyzeus

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:57:15 -0600

Sounds like Mean Eyed Cat has been operating in violation of its zoning since the day it opened; they're lucky code enforcement hasn't shut them down already. That said, OWANA opposes the zoning change to let it stay open because they don't want "a destination entertainment district" in their neighborhood. Newsflash: your neighborhood includes 6th Street. Together with 5th street, they're busy, commercial-lined, high traffic thoroughfares with restaurants and, gasp, establishments that sell alcohol. Donn's Depot has been there for how long? And you're afraid of a little bar in a neat old building along the train tracks?

M1EK

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 07:58:37 -0600

And PLEASE remember this case when Laura Morrison (head of ANC and board member of OWANA - in my opinion, a big part of the shift away from the responsible leadership they used to have back in my day) makes her decision to run for City Council.