Bee Cave, Lakeway, Dripping Springs v. Austin (Dallas, Round Rock: HOA, neighborhoods)

[DrPepper11]

How are the local political leanings, regulations, "nanny-state" types of attitudes in towns such as Bee Cave, Lakeway, and Dripping Springs compared to Austin? I see Austin passing ordinances such as the plastic bag bans, and requiring restaurants to compost their waste. I'd rather live in a nearby town that does not have this CA/NY type of nanny-state mentality. Would love to hear of anyone's experiences about this in Bee Cave, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, or other towns in this general area. Thanks!

[ImOnFiya]

Since you probably do not live in Austin, wouldn't Bee Cave, Lakeway, Dripping Springs and other towns in the general area would have the same experience you are having [RE: plastic bag ban/ 2017 future restaurant compost ordinance]?

[DrPepper11]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

Since you probably do not live in Austin, wouldn't Bee Cave, Lakeway, Dripping Springs and other towns in the general area would have the same experience you are having [RE: plastic bag ban/ 2017 future restaurant compost ordinance]?

I don't know, that's why I am asking the question. Do these other towns have this nanny-state mentality in their city councils also?

[janejanejanejanejane]

Probably not, but who is to say in 5-10 years when Austin is bigger, that the surrounding areas won't follow suit. That is pretty much why we live near Austin- eco-driven somewhat.

[je4xff]

Yes, those areas have nanny state attitudes too - but on the other side of the political spectrum.

For example, Westlake council recently banned hand-held signs (along with the guys and gals that earn money standing on the corner holding them waving at drivers).

Bee Caves banned building murals (due to a Planet K moving in).

If you ever drive through Lakeway, you'll notice that all the storefronts and signs seem strangely (and pleasantly) homogeneous. They get real uptight about unkempt lawns and garbage bins too.

It's unlawful for minors to be out after dark in Cedar Park and Round Rock. And in many areas its hard to purchase property without being subject by law to HOA micro management. (sometimes run by people who I think fancy themselves as council members of sorts).

I think I read that some Pflugerville stores were following suit with the bag ban.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by je4xff

Yes, those areas have nanny state attitudes too - but on the other side of the political spectrum.

Well, besides being wrong on at least one item (RR's teen curfew isn't "after dark"), you are ignoring something in an attempt to draw some sort of false equivalency. Austin is PROUD of being early adopters of whatever trendy notion sweeps the country. For instance, only a handful of cities in the US had a plastic bag ban when Austin adopted its.

But teen curfews, which seem to be a problem for you, are in place in hundred of thousands of cities - including Austin (which you failed to mention, presumably because it failed to fit the narrative). Sign restrictions are pretty normal as well. And the largest HOA in the Austin area is in the city, so I don't know what your point is there.

To the OP - folks who live in the places you mentioned have, to some degree, rejected the craziness of Austin. There is something of a reinforcement going on - the nut jobs are concentrating inside the city and the sane are choosing places that minimize their exposure to the nuttiness. I don't see that reversing anytime in any of our lifetimes.

[je4xff]

Originally Posted by scm53

Well, besides being wrong on at least one item (RR's teen curfew isn't "after dark"), you are ignoring something in an attempt to draw some sort of false equivalency. Austin is PROUD of being early adopters of whatever trendy notion sweeps the country.

Just giving examples of "ban" mentality - it exists pretty much everywhere (motivations might be different, but the implementations are the same).

But teen curfews, which seem to be a problem for you, are in place in hundred of thousands of cities - including Austin (which you failed to mention, presumably because it failed to fit the narrative). Sign restrictions are pretty normal as well.

Yes, these are quite "normal" now - and I never said I have a problem with any of them. In 10 years, bag and soda bans will also be considered normal. But they will still be bans.

I just find it amusing to watch people complain about bans they don't like, while supporting other "better" bans that make sense to them. "Your ban stupid. My ban good!"

[hoffdano]

Just want the OP to be clear that Lakeway is a specific area with its own government. It has subareas such as the gated community Hills of Lakeway. Lakeway is a highly controlled area, though it doesn't have the corruption some HOAs have (such as their propane dependency monopoly).

The Lake Travis area has a great deal of variety in the many different neighborhoods. Some more controlled than others.

[Pulzar]

Why is the plastic bag ban indicative of a nanny state mentality? It's not done to protect people, it's done to protect the environment.

Austin's government is very Eco-sensitive, so you can expect a lot more of that vs the surrounding areas. But I don't see how that affects the relative "nanniness" of one vs the other. If anything, I find that some of the Eco decisions are made to the detriment of the people.

[philopower]

You should probably stay where you're at Dr. Pepper or head to Dallas. You won't find the nanny state mentality there just fyi.