Dear Concerned Resident:
 
We wanted to update you on the most recent events with the rebuild and expansion of the Lookout Trash Station (LOTS). As you know, the Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson (NPAR) has been working on behalf of a coalition of Richardson neighborhoods and fellow residents to protect our entire community from the potential negative impacts of this pending project. Since our last update in February, core members of NPAR have been engaged in discussions with City Staff in the expectation that they would advocate for our community interests with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). LOTS is a complex problem, but the goal of these meetings was simple – come to a collective, equitable agreement on actions required to protect private property values, public green spaces and the environment right now and once the planned facility is completed. Simultaneously, we have been advocating for a public forum since the District’s presentation to the Council back in December so everyone would have a voice.
 
NPAR has repeatedly and respectfully come to the table with both the District and the City in good faith, but it became apparent by May that this process was no longer productive.  These closed-door meetings have benefited the City and District much more than Richardson citizens, so NPAR took action. In June we informed City Staff and the District Staff that we would not be strong-armed into accepting a bad neighbor for the next thirty years. NPAR reached out to the City Council and NTMWD Board of Directors as well as state lawmakers and members of Congress who represent the impacted districts.  (To view these letters, please click here.)
 
The outcome of this action is that Mayor Gary Slagel and City Manager Bill Keffler are now actively engaged on the LOTS issue, with Mr. Keffler taking personal responsibility for communications between the City and the District. On June 16th, NPAR met with Mr. Slagel and Mr. Keffler, where we able to again clarify our positions. Encouragingly, Mr. Keffler appears to have made progress on the capacity issue; pending agreement, the future trash facility will not be a mega-dump. This would be a major victory for our community. Other contentious issues remain in flux, but reducing future capacity has been at the top of our agenda from the outset. (To view the minutes of the June 16th meeting and our updates, please click here.)
 
Mr. Keffler will be meeting with NPAR representatives within the upcoming week. He is to present us with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that reflects a more equitable agreement between the City and the District. Soon afterward, we anticipate our long awaited public forum. It is here that we will need you to engage and show your visible support once again.
 
Although this has been a tedious process, our goal remains constant and as strong as ever.  Likewise, your support in the upcoming weeks will be more important than ever. Again, for more information on this project, please visit our website at www.protectrichardson.org/lots.
 
Thank you,
Maitri Smithhisler, Chair
Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson
www.protectrichardson.org/lots
lots@protectrichardson.org