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Cedar Park a good film location?

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The Cedar Park City Council got down to business fast at their regular ly-scheduled meeting last Thursday, getting everything done in under an hour. While the meeting was short, plenty of business was taken care of, including a presentation about getting Cedar Park's name on the film industry map.

Melanie Carr, Cedar Park media relations manager, addressed the council about the city becoming a certified film-friendly Texas community, a new program started through the office of the governor.

Carr, who attended a daylong workshop about the program, said it is to “help handle on-location filming.” It also provides guidance for marketing the resources of the city to bring films in.

In order to become part of the program, Cedar Park has to go through three steps: attend the workshop, establish and pass film guidelines and post area locations in the Texas Film Commission's database.

Being a part of the program would allow the city to become recognized on the commission's website and get Cedar Park's name out there, Carr said.

The program currently has three cities involved: Bastrop, Nacogdoches and Smithville, with three others pending.

“I think it's a great idea,” said council member Matt Powell. “I think we should definitely pursue this.”

Powell said he believes it would be a great opportunity for the city because it could bring a lot of business and people to town.

Zoning case held

Approval of a zoning case that caused a stir last week dealing with the greenbelt near the Buttercup Creek Cave Preserve has been postponed until the Dec. 11 meeting due to a clerical error. The zoning case was on the consent agenda for the meeting, but due to the acreage numbers not matching the numbers of the firsreading, the item was held until the next meeting.

Other Business

A first reading and public hearing was heard to amend the sign ordinance for off-premise signs. If passed at the next meeting, the amendment will clarify the actions that can be taken for nonconforming signs.

“It would make the regulations somewhat less subjective,” said Mark Lewis, building inspections director. It doesn't change the existing ordinance, but clarifies it and removes subjectivity, he said.

The ordinance outlines certain circumstances that would require a nonconforming sign to be removed or repaired. Any signs that could be a hazard to the health and safety of the public would have to be removed, said Lewis.

The council unanimously voted to approve an adjustment of a certification of convenience and necessity (CCN) boundary for water and wastewater.

The city of Austin asked for the transfer of the territory that is located just outside of Cedar Park's corporate and ETJ boundary, said Sam Roberts, assistant city manager.

Most of the acreage was water and was located near Lakeline Mall.

“We don't have any objection to this transfer,” Roberts said. “I think it's really a map cleaning exercise by the city of Austin.”

Briefly ...

Linda Satter was appointed to place 5 on the Historical Preservation Commission. Satter, who lives in Block House Creek, has been involved with the Texas Archeological Society for years and is eager to be a part of the commission in the archeologist seat. ... The council denied a resolution that would allow the Texas Gas Service to charge a relocation cost recovery rate tariff for relocating gas lines that had to be moved. Because the council denied it, the case will go to the Railroad Commission for review. ... Dianne Gattuso was recognized for her 30 years of service with the Hill Country Christmas Bureau. Mayor Bob Lemon read a proclamation and thanked Gattuso for her dedication, hard work and community commitment.

E-mail jenn@hillcountrynews.com

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