Jewish Community Center

Jewish Community Center

Latest Info 11/19/07

The DJCC has now offered to reduce their square footage to 331,000 square feet, exclude the office buildings and parking garage, and request a Planned Unit Development (PUD), zoning, rather than GO zoning. Their new proposed plan is to add approximately 206,000 square feet of additional worship, education, (which includes a commercial sized day care), recreation and community service space, (which includes a theater). We are reviewing this offer and the ramifications of a PUD re-zoning.

We have not seen a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for this new proposal. However, we have concerns that the traffic will increase significantly for several reasons. First, the original 1998 development, was projected at, and limited to 4,265 vehicle trips for 331,000 sq ft, however, the City has measured the traffic, and found the campus generating about 4,000 VTPD having built only 124,000 sq ft. Second, the agreement capped the VTPD at no higher than 4,264, however, now the J's representative has suggested increasing the cap to about 10,000 VTPD. Third, it's reasonable to assume that adding 206,000 of square feet will improve the facility and, therefore, increase membership. This would then generate additional VTPD.

Currently, traffic generally flows well on Far West and the surrounding streets. We are concerned that these streets could become congested leading to significant traffic delays. The new proposal is being discussed with the neighbors closest to the DJCC. Details being discussed include: Uses, Height, Parking, a lighted Sports Field and an unlighted one, Height, Building lighting, Noise, and Traffic. We hope to work with the DJCC to minimize the impact on the neighborhood.

Background Info

The Dell Jewish Community Center, located in Northwest Hills, is currently planning an expansion of their facilities. The current development of this 40-acre site, conditionally approved by the City Council in 1998, limits development to 45% of the site and building heights to 35 feet, or 2 stories.

City Council approval was conditional on the DJCC abiding by certain restrictions, all intended to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood, in a single family, SF3 zoned area. It remains zoned Single Family, SF3.

Restrictions Include:
2. No access to Stonecliff Cove
3. Parking restricted to surface parking only
4. Ball fields: limit 2 on southeast corner
5. Tennis courts: limit two on southside
9. Lighting: parking lot, driveway, and path illumination; downward focus, max 15ft. high
12. Privacy barrier: placement on northern and western boundaries
18. Impervious cover limited to 45%.
4,264 VTPD Vehicle Trips per Day MAX

Aside from the permitted religious assembly use on the premises, the DJCC is allowed to conduct their operations - the member only recreation center, recreational areas, the private elementary and middle schools, and the commercial day care center under conditional use permits.

Existing Uses:
Educational Facilities: 51,111
Religious Facilities: 31,247
Recreational Community Center: 42,505
Outdoor Recreation Area: 8 Acres
Current Total: 124,863 sq ft

Additional Proposed Uses per Site plan below:
Educational Facilities: 42,000
Religious Facilities: 50,000
Community Center: 15,000
Community Services & Library: 60,000
Recreational: 40,000
Proposed Additional: 207,000 sq ft

Proposed Site Plan:
White is Existing:
331,000 sq ft Site Plan (big PDF file)

The Austin City Council Resolution Approving the Conditional Use Permit,
subject to conditions, is at:
Austin City Council Conditional Approval

Agreements between the DJCC and the Neighborhood

In the Nov 3rd Letter to the NWACA Representative, Richard Suttle, "On behalf of the DJCC", confirms that "In addition to those conditions" in the COA resolution, "confirms that the DJCC will abide by" the other 15 items in exhibit A of the above Austin City Council Resolution.

Basically, half of the agreements between the Neighborhood and the DJCC are in the COA Resolution, the other half of exhibit A is in these agreements.

Nov 3rd 1998 Letter to Director, Development Review & Inspection, COA, from DJCC Representative

Nov 3rd 1998 Letter to NWACA Representative from DJCC Representative

In the Dec 5th 1997 Letter to NWACA below, Richard Suttle writes "1.a. Agree that the site will remain SF-3 ..." and "1.c. that the impervious cover will be limited to 45%..."

Dec 5th 1997 Letter to NWACA from DJCC Representative

The current zoning is SF3:
SF-3 Family Residence
Height: 35 feet
Single Family Dwelling Minimum Lot: 5,750 sq. ft.
Duplex Minimum Lot: 7,000 sq. ft.
SF3 Impervious Cover Limit: 45%
The Impervious Cover Estimate in the Expired 327,667 sq ft Site plan was 44.7%

Reference Info:

City of Austin Zoning Permitted and Conditional Use Chart: City of Austin Zoning Permitted and Conditional Use Chart

City of Austin Zoning Site Development Standards: City of Austin Zoning Site Development Standards