At the Richardson City Council meeting of October 14, 2024, the Council approved yet another car dealer to locate in Richardson. And not just any car dealer. This was a request by AutoSavvy. Does Richardson benefit from yet another auto dealer? Especially AutoSavvy? I say no. No City Councilmember could offer a reason to say yes, except maybe as a placeholder for five years, the length of the special use permit under consideration. But they unanimously voted for it anyway.
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Monday, October 21, 2024
Council Recap: Cars & Signs, Ad Infinitum
At the Richardson City Council meeting of October 14, 2024, the Council approved yet another car dealer and, in a separate action, amended the existing planned development for the Eastside development to allow the applicant to develop a "master sign plan" for the development. A master sign plan is a way of getting approval for signs that are currently prohibited by ordinance. Because of course they did. They know better, just listen to them during deliberations. But when it comes time to vote, they can't help themselves. They vote yes.
Sunday, October 20, 2024
POTD: Serrano Glacier. Salud!
"Blue ice, ages old,
chilled hands hold a frozen past,
soon to cool our drinks."
— h/t ChatGPT
From 2024 03 11 Chile Patagonia |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from our first South American glacier, Serrano Glacier in southern Patagonia in Chile. Ellen is holding a piece of ice that calved from the glacier. Soon it will be cooling our drinks.
A bonus photo is after the jump.
Saturday, October 19, 2024
POTD: Puerto Natales, Chile
"Southward, dreams unfold,
Patagonia's heart revealed,
One step closer now."
— h/t ChatGPT
From 2024 03 11 Chile Patagonia |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from Puerto Natales, Chile. It was our first overnight stay way down south in Patagonia. The Andes Mountains stand tall, beckoning us to come closer. That awaits for another day.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker
Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker.
Resident, Employer, Landowner, Developer.
Renter, ..., wait, where are the Renters?
The City of Richardson has published a draft of its long-overdue Comprehensive Plan update, the first since 2009. I noticed words like residents, citizens, stakeholders, etc., used in different contexts. Are the distinctions significant? Dunno. The Plan doesn't say. And the closest it comes to a definition for any of the terms is this: "stakeholder—residents, employers and business owners, landowners, brokers and developers, partner agencies and organizations, nonprofits, and public officials." That's pretty comprehensive. It doesn't explicitly include renters, but because renters are residents, I'd argue that it implicitly includes them. But does the City think that? Really?
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (TV 2024)
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Hulu
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Grading Richardson's Comprehensive Plan
Source: City of Richardson.
The City of Richardson has published a draft of its long-overdue Comprehensive Plan update, the first since 2009. The initial grade I'd award? Incomplete. I was interested in, for example, what the recommendations would be for increasing the so-called missing middle housing in Richardson, that is, housing types like duplexes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), bungalow courts, and townhomes. I found some mushy aspirations, but nothing that commits the City to any changes.
Monday, October 14, 2024
Point North...Park?
The City of Richardson has published a draft of its long-overdue Comprehensive Plan update, the first since 2009. My eyes went immediately to how Point North Park is represented in our new plan. Point North Park is in far northwest Richardson, wedged between Canyon Creek and UT-Dallas.
Sunday, October 13, 2024
POTD: San Cristóbal Hill
"From the hill’s great height,
her hands open, blessing all,
A promise of peace."
— h/t ChatGPT
From 2024 03 08 Santiago |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from the top of San Cristóbal Hill in Santiago, Chile. "On April 26, 1908, the sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception was inaugurated, with its large statue [of the Virgin Mary]. This statue, visible from much of the city, is considered a symbol of Santiago."
A bonus photo is after the jump.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
POTD: Catalina Andrea Opazo Martinez
"In Santiago,
Catalina may be gone,
but her spirit lasts."
— h/t ChatGPT
From 2024 03 08 Santiago |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from central Santiago, Chile. It shows a shrine placed at the site where 17-year-old Catalina Opazo was killed when the car she was traveling in was crushed by two buses. The tragedy occurred on November 12, 2016. Seven years later, the family still maintains the shrine. Thousands of people walk past it every day. Hopefully, more than a few pay their silent respect to this stranger and pledge to drive more safely.