Joe Izbrand
In the News
Olmos Park City Councilman
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Urban Development Study Results Presented to Olmos Park (posted October 5, 2009)
At a joint meeting held in early October with the Olmos Park City Council, the Planning and Zoning
Commission, the Economic Development Corporation, the Olmos Park Business Association and
interested residents, urban development expert Scott Day presented the findings of an urban
development feasibility study for Olmos Park. The study, funded jointly by the city and the business
association, was intended to explore revitalization efforts and long-term planning for the city’s
McCullough Avenue business corridor. The report, available here, finds that development efforts
would help diversity the city’s revenue stream from being largely dependent on residential taxes to
a broader base coming from sales taxes. It also proposes incorporating a merchants association,
initiating a master plan process to be conducted over the next year, and exploring ways of
improving parking at restaurants and other retail locations.
At a joint meeting held in early October with the Olmos Park City Council, the Planning and Zoning
Commission, the Economic Development Corporation, the Olmos Park Business Association and
interested residents, urban development expert Scott Day presented the findings of an urban
development feasibility study for Olmos Park. The study, funded jointly by the city and the business
association, was intended to explore revitalization efforts and long-term planning for the city’s
McCullough Avenue business corridor. The report, available here, finds that development efforts
would help diversity the city’s revenue stream from being largely dependent on residential taxes to
a broader base coming from sales taxes. It also proposes incorporating a merchants association,
initiating a master plan process to be conducted over the next year, and exploring ways of
improving parking at restaurants and other retail locations.
Olmos Park Street Signs Get a Facelift (posted Mar. 1, 2010)
Street signs and entrance signs in Olmos Park will be getting a new look this spring. For the past
three years city council has been setting aside funds to replace current street signs and poles,
which have become faded and discolored. The new street signs will be midnight blue, bordered
with white piping and the words “City of Olmos Park” under the street name. The signs are more
reflective than current signs, making it easier for visitors to the city and emergency responders to
locate streets. The city is also replacing its entrance signs at the city limits of Olmos Park. The
signs will also be midnight blue in color and will incorporate the newly adopted Olmos Park logo.
Replacement of the city’s signs and street posts will take place over the next few months.
Street signs and entrance signs in Olmos Park will be getting a new look this spring. For the past
three years city council has been setting aside funds to replace current street signs and poles,
which have become faded and discolored. The new street signs will be midnight blue, bordered
with white piping and the words “City of Olmos Park” under the street name. The signs are more
reflective than current signs, making it easier for visitors to the city and emergency responders to
locate streets. The city is also replacing its entrance signs at the city limits of Olmos Park. The
signs will also be midnight blue in color and will incorporate the newly adopted Olmos Park logo.
Replacement of the city’s signs and street posts will take place over the next few months.
City Council Adopts 2010 Budget and Tax Rate (Updated September 18, 2009)
Olmos Park City Council has adopted a fiscal year 2010 city budget of $2.631 million and a tax rate
that will reduce property taxes. At its September 17th meeting, council members approved a tax
rate of $0.463400 per $100 valuation, the same as the 2009 effective tax rate. As a result, property
owners will see an $11.05 reduction in taxes per $100,000 valuation.
In adopting the new city budget, council members included funding of approximately $100,000 for
Olmos Park’s share of the railroad quiet zone project, which is being conducted jointly with the City
of San Antonio. The budget also provides funds to pay for construction of the new fire department
without incurring any debt, the same as the financing of the new city hall/police department.
Council members also authorized a 3% salary increase for city workers. More than 70% of the
city's budget each year goes to salaries and related employee expenses. You can review the
budget here. The new city budget and tax rate goes into effect October 1st.
Olmos Park City Council has adopted a fiscal year 2010 city budget of $2.631 million and a tax rate
that will reduce property taxes. At its September 17th meeting, council members approved a tax
rate of $0.463400 per $100 valuation, the same as the 2009 effective tax rate. As a result, property
owners will see an $11.05 reduction in taxes per $100,000 valuation.
In adopting the new city budget, council members included funding of approximately $100,000 for
Olmos Park’s share of the railroad quiet zone project, which is being conducted jointly with the City
of San Antonio. The budget also provides funds to pay for construction of the new fire department
without incurring any debt, the same as the financing of the new city hall/police department.
Council members also authorized a 3% salary increase for city workers. More than 70% of the
city's budget each year goes to salaries and related employee expenses. You can review the
budget here. The new city budget and tax rate goes into effect October 1st.
Construction Begins on New Fire Station (posted October 14, 2009)
With the completion of the new Olmos Park City Hall/Police Department, construction is now
underway on a new fire station, to be located on the site of the old city hall. Administrative staff and
police officers moved into the new City Hall building in early October, following a nine month
construction project costing $1.487 million. During construction of the new fire department,
firefighters have relocated to the city’s Public Works building located behind the Valero station on
McCullough Ave. The fire station will be completed in approximately eight-and-a-half months, at a
cost of $1.485 million. You can view the exterior design plan for the fire department here and the
approved floor plan here. Both facilities are being paid for without incurring any debt to the city.
With the completion of the new Olmos Park City Hall/Police Department, construction is now
underway on a new fire station, to be located on the site of the old city hall. Administrative staff and
police officers moved into the new City Hall building in early October, following a nine month
construction project costing $1.487 million. During construction of the new fire department,
firefighters have relocated to the city’s Public Works building located behind the Valero station on
McCullough Ave. The fire station will be completed in approximately eight-and-a-half months, at a
cost of $1.485 million. You can view the exterior design plan for the fire department here and the
approved floor plan here. Both facilities are being paid for without incurring any debt to the city.
Holiday Security Checks Available to Residents (posted December 9, 2009)
If you’re planning on being away from home this holiday season, you can take a simple step to
help protect your property from criminals. The Olmos Park Police Department provides courtesy
security checks of residences, patrolling several times a day to make sure your home is secure.
To request a security check, complete the request form and return it to city hall at least 48 hours
before departure. Then, during your absence, the police department will check on your property
several times a day and notify you of any unusual situation. Be safe, and have a wonderful holiday
season and new year!
If you’re planning on being away from home this holiday season, you can take a simple step to
help protect your property from criminals. The Olmos Park Police Department provides courtesy
security checks of residences, patrolling several times a day to make sure your home is secure.
To request a security check, complete the request form and return it to city hall at least 48 hours
before departure. Then, during your absence, the police department will check on your property
several times a day and notify you of any unusual situation. Be safe, and have a wonderful holiday
season and new year!
Olmos Park Explores Concept of Planned Unit Development (posted Jan. 10, 2010)
The Olmos Park Planning and Zoning Commission is evaluating a proposal which, if adopted,
could permit Planned Unit Developments (PUD) within the city. A PUD is a tool for promoting
unified planning within a specific area, oftentimes in commercial areas, providing greater
development flexibility than is typically established by city codes. For a PUD to be approved, it
would require public hearings and the agreement of both the Planning and Zoning Commission
and the City Council. Advocates of the PUD concept believe it would help promote further
revitalization and improvements in the Olmos Park business district. You can read the first draft of
the PUD proposal here. It is expected to take several months for the Planning and Zoning
Commission to present a recommendation to the City Council on whether to consider a Planned
Unit Development ordinance.
The Olmos Park Planning and Zoning Commission is evaluating a proposal which, if adopted,
could permit Planned Unit Developments (PUD) within the city. A PUD is a tool for promoting
unified planning within a specific area, oftentimes in commercial areas, providing greater
development flexibility than is typically established by city codes. For a PUD to be approved, it
would require public hearings and the agreement of both the Planning and Zoning Commission
and the City Council. Advocates of the PUD concept believe it would help promote further
revitalization and improvements in the Olmos Park business district. You can read the first draft of
the PUD proposal here. It is expected to take several months for the Planning and Zoning
Commission to present a recommendation to the City Council on whether to consider a Planned
Unit Development ordinance.
City Council Appoints Committee to Study Speed Limits (posted Feb. 25, 2010)
Olmos Park City Council has appointed a committee to study the impact of the proposed 25 mph
speed limit on the community. Last October, council adopted the new speed limit, which would
apply to all residential streets except Contour Drive, which will remain at 20 mph, and McCullough
Avenue, which would remain at 30 mph. However, some residents have expressed concerns
about the consistency of the speed limit on Devine Road, where it would be 25 mph in Olmos
Park, 30 mph in San Antonio and 35 mph in Alamo Heights. The committee is charged with
coordinating with the neighboring cities to determine if a consistent limit can be established.
Additionally, the committee will survey residents about the 25 mph speed limit on Olmos Drive.
Some residents have complained it slows traffic too much on a major thoroughfare in the city,
while supporters of the reduced speed point out it takes just 24 seconds more to travel the entire
distance of Olmos Drive at 25 mph. The committee, led by Council members Jeff Judson and Pat
Semmes and comprised of residents, will report its findings to City Council later this spring.
Olmos Park City Council has appointed a committee to study the impact of the proposed 25 mph
speed limit on the community. Last October, council adopted the new speed limit, which would
apply to all residential streets except Contour Drive, which will remain at 20 mph, and McCullough
Avenue, which would remain at 30 mph. However, some residents have expressed concerns
about the consistency of the speed limit on Devine Road, where it would be 25 mph in Olmos
Park, 30 mph in San Antonio and 35 mph in Alamo Heights. The committee is charged with
coordinating with the neighboring cities to determine if a consistent limit can be established.
Additionally, the committee will survey residents about the 25 mph speed limit on Olmos Drive.
Some residents have complained it slows traffic too much on a major thoroughfare in the city,
while supporters of the reduced speed point out it takes just 24 seconds more to travel the entire
distance of Olmos Drive at 25 mph. The committee, led by Council members Jeff Judson and Pat
Semmes and comprised of residents, will report its findings to City Council later this spring.
New Street Lights Coming to Areas of Olmos Park (posted Feb. 25, 2010)
Portions of Olmos Park will receive new electric street lighting by early this summer. Last fall, City
Council approved a plan to begin phasing out gas street lighting because of high maintenance
and operating costs and convert to electric street lighting. The first upgrades are planned for the
area of the city south of Olmos Drive, east of McCullough Avenue and west of Shook Avenue. That
includes Olmos Drive, Judson Avenue, Thelma Drive, Melrose Drive and Annie Street. This area
currently has a mix of gas and 'cobra-head' electric lighting, which will be converted to pendent
lights. You can see the new electric lighting design here. The light upgrades are being paid for with
specially-designated funds from CPS Energy and will be converted by late May. A citywide
conversion to electric street lighting will continue over the next 10-15 years.
Portions of Olmos Park will receive new electric street lighting by early this summer. Last fall, City
Council approved a plan to begin phasing out gas street lighting because of high maintenance
and operating costs and convert to electric street lighting. The first upgrades are planned for the
area of the city south of Olmos Drive, east of McCullough Avenue and west of Shook Avenue. That
includes Olmos Drive, Judson Avenue, Thelma Drive, Melrose Drive and Annie Street. This area
currently has a mix of gas and 'cobra-head' electric lighting, which will be converted to pendent
lights. You can see the new electric lighting design here. The light upgrades are being paid for with
specially-designated funds from CPS Energy and will be converted by late May. A citywide
conversion to electric street lighting will continue over the next 10-15 years.