For More Information Contact Chris Tinnell at 512-828-7585 or email ctinnell@grandhavenhomes.net or Visit My Website.

Check out the neighborhood at there website…
http://www.deercreekranch.org/photos.htm

Schools:

Deer Creek Elementary
Cedar Park Middle
Cedar Park High

For more information call me at 512-695-0717

The Federal Reserve, taking a break from its aggressive rate-cutting policy, chose not to alter key interest rates Wednesday, leaving the Fed Funds rate at 2.00% and everyone wondering where interest rates are headed next.

Since last September, the Fed has cut rates seven times for a total of 3.25%. However, many experts believe that the Fed’s decision this Wednesday, along with comments from the meeting itself, indicate an increased concern over inflation. This means the Fed could start increasing rates as early as its next meeting, which takes place in August.

The Fed is in a quandary. The economy has slowed, led by a decline in home sales and rising inflation, stemming primarily from increasing energy prices. The Fed’s primary role in relation to the economy is to combat inflation and preserve economic growth. To combat inflation, the Fed will ultimately have to increase interest rates in coming months.

What Does This Mean to You?

If you’re looking to buy a house, consider these key points:

Home prices in some areas are at five-year lows, while personal incomes in that same period have increased. Homes are more affordable for many right now, particularly first-time home buyers.

Sellers are extremely motivated and many buyers in our area have benefited from the unbelievable deals that exist today.

Experts foresee a strong rebound in home prices when the economy begins to recover, according to a new report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies. That means buyers today will be sitting on valuable properties tomorrow. Remember, annualized appreciation for homes exceeded 6.35% from 1940 to 2000.

Housing booms follow housing busts – and the savvy buyers aren’t afraid to jump into a tough market. But these savvy buyers know that homeownership is a long-term investment. Call me to discuss these points and get your purchase strategy on track. Ultimately, population growth and demographics point to a stronger housing market in coming years.

Even if you’re not looking to purchase a home, opportunities still exist. With the Fed taking a breather, this doesn’t mean you should be taking a break. It’s never been more important to create a financial plan that makes the most sense to you and your family’s long-term goals.

Writen By:

Ann McKinley
Network Funding

When David Hutton looks out the window of his office in the City of Leander Planning Department, he envisions people strolling to eat lunch at picnic tables in a public plaza surrounded by a garden of native plants.

Hutton is the city’s director of planning and author of Leander’s Composite Zoning Ordinance, an award-winning document describing the city’s planning philosophy that directly affects how Leander looks now and in the future.

Hutton’s plan for a walkable, inviting plaza in Old Town Leander is one example of composite zoning at work. Others are already in place — and more are on the way — yet citizens are not abuzz about composite zoning. It doesn’t work that way, Hutton said.

“There are zoning cases every month where composite zoning has worked, and they are not all grand or hugely different, but piece by piece, we are building a community that works better.”

Where zoning went wrong

City governments divide the land inside city limits into zones. The problem with conventional zoning, Hutton said, is that it is based on use alone. Common zoning categories are residential, commercial and industrial. Myriad other categories were created to more narrowly define the uses acceptable for a given area, such as single-family residential or light industrial. Overlay districts, planned unit developments, special use districts and other tools attempt to allow cities to control the look and quality of development, Hutton said, but are confusing and just act as a bandage.

For example, Leander’s city council once rejected an application for a donut shop with a drive-through window because the zoning category that allowed drive-throughs also allowed uses considered inappropriate for the location.

The “what ifs” killed the project, Hutton explains in his article “The Power of Composite: Shaking Conventions With Conventional Zoning.” What if, after a time, the donut shop closes and a gas station, car wash or auto dealership buys the property? Then it would be too late to change the zoning again to prevent those uses. If Leander had had composite zoning at the time, the developers proposing the donut shop could have applied for zoning that permitted the drive-through window, but ruled out undesirable uses.

Conventional zoning is somewhat like ordering a hamburger and being unable to specify the doneness of the meat, type of bun or condiments. A hamburger — not a chicken sandwich or beef taco — will be served, but it may not suit the diner’s palate.

In 2005, Hutton created Leander’s Composite Zoning Ordinance, which, in terms of a hamburger order, allows the choice of a well-done patty on sourdough with pickles, cheese and ketchup.

Composite zoning defined

Rather than categorizing zoning districts only by the allowable uses for a given area, composite zoning is broken into three parts: use, site and architecture.

Use defines the activities that can take place on a given piece of land.

Site refers to building coverage, scale, entrance locations, parking, sidewalks, landscaping, frontage type, exterior lighting, signage, outdoor displays and other factors that can play a large part in compatibility with surroundings, Hutton said.

The architecture component includes the quality and type of building materials, height and the type and number of architectural features.

Composite’s results

With composite zoning, problems associated with zoning are avoidable, Hutton said, creating “a win-win-win situation.”

City decision-makers win because they are more certain of the result of zoning decisions.

“They won’t get surprised when someone applies for something and paints a pretty picture of nice architecture and high site standards that, when it finally gets done, looks nothing like that,” he said. “With just use standards, you may have some architectural and site standards, but they are defined with some lowest common denominator standard. With composite zoning, we can raise those standards to what is appropriate for the site.”

Homeowners benefit from composite zoning because the developments near their property have higher standards of appearance, Hutton said, and the uses at those establishments are more precisely matched for compatibility with neighborhoods.

Developers with quality projects find it easier to gain approval under composite zoning because the mix-and-match categories allow the application to be so specific, the city doesn’t need to worry about the “what ifs.”

Inspiration and awards

In America’s earliest cities, zoning codes consisted of use, height and area components.

“So we basically took an old idea and expanded that to better serve our new development patterns,” Hutton said.

Leander’s Composite Zoning Ordinance received two awards in 2006: the Innovative Planning Award from the American Planning Association — Central Texas Section and the Current Planning Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association. The latter is given to the best zoning plan in the state each year, Hutton said.

Since 2005, Hutton has been approached by other communities, several of which are in the process of copying his plan.

“I’ve had inquiries ranging from cities in California to Massachusetts and Minnesota to Texas and a number of places in between,” Hutton said.

Austin Zoo
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Yes, Austin has a zoo. It’s not huge but it’s lots of fun for the whole family.
www.austinzoo.org

Barsana Dham
Take a photo tour of this beautiful Hindu Temple just south of Austin. You can go inside the Temple but there’s even more to see strolling the beautiful grounds. http://www.barsanadham.org/index.html

Barton Creek Greenbelt
Barton Creek Greenbelt is a popular area for hiking with 7.9 miles of trails following the path of Barton Creek. Depending on rainfall the creek offers many swimming holes. There are also popular rock climbing walls along the trails.
http://www.texasoutside.com/bartongreenbelt.htm

Swimming Pool
Considered by many to be the premiere swimming hole in town, this 900 plus foot pool in Zilker Park was formed when Barton Springs was dammed.
http://www.texasoutside.com/bartonpool.htm

Bats at Congress Avenue
They start arriving in March but the best bat-watching is in late summer. Find out when and where to see the spectacular showing of bats leaving the Congress Avenue bridge in the evenings.
http://www.batcon.org/home/index.asp?idPage=122

Enchanted Rock
Occupying 1643.5 acres north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and its centerpiece, a 640 acre pink granite dome that rises 425 feet into the air, are a popular destination for both day trips from Austin and overnight camping.
http://www.texasoutside.com/austinparks.htm

Geocaching; High-tech Treasuring Hunt/Hiking
If beautiful hill country views, fresh air, and exercise aren’t enough to entice you to take a walk in the park, how about if we throw in a treasure hunt?
http://austin.about.com/cs/outdoorattractions/a/geocaching.htm

Hamilton Pool
The lure of Hamilton Pool is its 45 foot waterfall, but there’s also picnicking, hiking, and swimming.
http://www.wildtexas.com/parks/hpp.php

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Wander through acres of gardens as well as professional and volunteer gardeners demonstrating the many uses of native plants. Located south of town, the Wildflower Center is at its most beautiful in the spring but there are special events and things to see year-round.

Moonlight Towers
Scattered throughout downtown, these 165 foot towers are the remaining remnants (still in use) of a once popular tower lighting system of the late 1890s. Once you recognize one, you’ll be able to spot them all easily as you travel around downtown.

Mount Bonnell
Rising over 700 feet above sea level (775-785 depending on the source), Mount Bonnell is a natural limestone formation that stands about 200 feet above the surrounding area. Take along a water bottle or two for when you reach the summit.

Texas State Capitol Complex
Taller than the US Capitol, the Texas State Capitol and Capitol Grounds are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and a favorite spot for the locals as well. The park-like Capitol Grounds with manicured lawns, old trees, fountains, monuments, and historical markers is open 24 hours

Town Lake
The top spot for Austinites, Town Lake offers many things to do: hike & bike trails, scenic views, canoeing, and more in the shadow of downtown. Other nearby outdoor attractions include the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Barton Springs Pool, and Zilker Park.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden
Moving to Austin in 1941 to teach at UT, Charles Umlauf became famous in the 70s for sculptures of Farrah Fawcett. But his work spans many decades and many styles in diverse materials. Over 130 of his pieces are on display in a lovely garden setting near the Barton Springs Pool.
http://www.umlaufsculpture.org

Volente Beach
Volente Beach is only 30 minutes from downtown Austin on Lake Travis.
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve 2 1/2 miles of hiking trails that pass through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats. These habitats are home to threatened and endangered species, and hundreds of native plants, animals and birds. There are a variety of guided walks, or you can walk on your own.

Zilker Park
In addition to Barton Springs Pool, a hillside theater, the Botanical Gardens, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Zilker Metropolitan Park offers acres of playing fields, picnic tables, and playgrounds adjacent to the Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail.

Cedar Park Water Park
Located in Cedar Park
New Water Park near Avery Ranch. Ranch at Brushy Creek, Silver Oaks, Forest Oak, Mayfield Ranch Area.

Austin Carriage Service
“Original” horse drawn carriage service in Austin has 14 years experience.
Austin Steam Train
The Hill Country Flyer is one of several steam powered excursion trains based in the city of Cedar Park, just north of Austin, Texas on US Hwy 183. Check the calendar for the trip schedules.
Hit the Road Austin Audio Tours
Put the CD in your car stereo, grab the tour map and let Wally Pryor and Mary Gordon Spence take you on a tour of downtown, UT, the Texas State Cemetary, Camp Mabry, and Mount Bonnell. Includes a little traveling music from local bands.

6th Street
Sixth Street in downtown Austin is perhaps the city’s best known street outside of Texas. You don’t have to go inside the bars and other businesses if you don’t want. Stay out on the sidewalk and take a stroll to see some of the historic buildings and do people-watching.

Warehouse District and W. 6th Street Entertainment Areas
Generally the Warehouse District and W.6th St. are grouped together. Both areas make up one of Austin’s entertainment zones and includes many live music venues.

Austin Live Music
As you might guess from the name of the site, it’s devoted to the Austin live music scene. You’ll find an events calendar, band listings, and live music venues with ratings.

Austin Area Live Music Venues
The Texas Music Office maintains a list of live music venues. This alphabetical listing includes address and phone number with links to the sites.

Austin Chronicle Music Listings
Get brief reviews of recommended performances, club listings, and a roadshow calendar to know who’s playing where when.
Advertisement

Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Special Events Center
The “Superdrum” is the entertainment venue for really big shows. From Lawrence Welk to Garth Brooks, some of the biggest names in music have performed to sellout crowds. 1701 Red River (512) 471-7744

For Upcoming Shows…
Check out the calendar at Austin360.com. Find out who’s playing tonight at Emo’s, Gruene Hall, the Hole in the Wall, and other live music venues throughout Austin.
From About.com

Also check out Austin’s Basketball team at http://www.nba.com/dleague/austin/

A/C Heat
Mr. Cool 445-0412
Castillo Service 441-6118
Rutherford 359-3851
Alpline 801-4413

Appliance Repair
Austin Appliances 263-1227
Ernest Quiroz 300-4279

Electricians
Mark Bonner 751-9908
Lee Electric 836-8578
Gene Kubelka 445-0140
Texas Electric 292-6744
Bryant Electric 328-3268

Landscape Desgin
Balcones Landscape 336-5263
Root Design 459-7665
Scott Forshay 799-1418

Decks
Steve Dowel 288-9360 or 632-3325cell
Austin Custom Decks 795-9500
Dennis Trepanier 413-8604

Glass Repair
Celcil Edwards 282-9928
JV Glass & Mirror 422-5205

Tree Man
How Foundation 476-9919
Tim Pruet 771-2436

Garage Door Openers
Doug’s 282-6238

Roofers
Caswell Serv 445-5388
Accent 280-7232
Dwight Barker 251-3962
Stacy Pearson 259-9486

Sprinkler Repair
Steve Romano 636-5515
Sullivan Irrigation 989-3555

Plumber
Shelton Plumber 836-3280
Austin’s Best 451-0519
David Ray 301-0767
Streamline 653-3556

Gutters
Seamless Rain Gutters 259-8264
Absolute Quality 339-9665
Payless Gutters 670-5048

Pool Service
Hines 873-8565
Tri Country Pools 990-8899
Glen Myrick 801-8374
Rich Kerr 964-5776

Handyman
Mark Bonner 751-9908
Dave Kugle 288-3537
Mike Millard 461-7348
Kirk Anderson 219-1444
Rick Carter 799-7501
James Hudson 923-1747

Pest Control
All State 863-7964
MDT Termite&PC 388-0025
Blue Light 251-5893
At Your Service 259-5130

Carpet Cleaning
Schmitz 335-8138
Cleaning Network 743-1040

Painters (& dry wall*)
Gromex (*) 844-8825
Ron Jay 272-4807
Francisco Aviles (*) 786-2310
Centry 219-0342
Rainbow Painting 288-8387

Lawn Service
Craig Eichelberg 563-6271
Complete Lawn Care 282-3441
David Manor 585-5670

Fencing
American Quality 219-9513
Allied Fence 255-5416
AAA Fence 836-8015

Chimney & Dryer Vent Cleaning & Repair
Chris Hess 259-3948
Austin German 458-3583

Cleaning Service
Top Notch 312-0624
Rag Time 665-4208

Cabinet, Door & Furniture Repair
Bill Peterman 288-7195

Solar Screens
Advantage 443-4678
Dan White 892-2150

New Flooring
Image Tile and Carpet, Craig Cell 762-7086 I think they have a coupon for $250 off
Carpet Supply Co, 512-263-5055 They have a coupon for $100 off
Jason 552-2780

Located in Twin Creeks Golf Course Community, Great floor plan with all bedrooms downstairs & gameroom on second floor. 4 Bedrooms + Study, Formal Dining & Breakfast Area. Inviting Entryway. High Ceilings. Whole House Bronze Fixtures. Kitchen has beautiful Granite Countertops, & is open to living room. Brick fireplace in Family Room. Master and Secondary Bathrooms have granite countertops & double vanities with upgraded fixtures. Master Bedroom features walk-in closet, garden tub, & separate shower. Huge gameroom upstairs. Built in 2002 by Ryland. Cul-de-sac lot on 0.22 acres, 2,769 s.f. per tax records. Must See this Gorgeous Home!

Volente Beach Water Park www.volentebeach.com (512) 258-5109
Lakeside Custom Pools & Spas www.lakesidecustompools.com (512) 873-0671
Buttercup Pool (512) 250-9578
Shooters Billards & Sports Bar www.shootersbilliards.com (512) 260-2060
Unique Pools (512) 258-2819
Block House Swimming Pool Apache Park www.blockhousecreek.com (512) 259-0341
Nitro Swimming www.nitroswim.com (512) 259-7999
Mason Creek Pool (512) 259-9055
City of Leander Swimming Pool (512) 259-8115
Steelworks (512) 259-6500

Kay Redden Park is located at the intersection of Lakeline Boulevard and Buttercup Creek Boulevard, Cedar Park, Texas.
For additional information, contact the City of Cedar Park-Parks & Recreation Department. 512-401-5500.
From http://www.cedarparktx.us/cp/default.aspx

Call me for more information at 512-695-0717