C.2.a - 1805 Waterston Ave - citizen communication — original pdf

Backup

Contreras, Kalan From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Mary Reed Saturday, July 24, 2021 10:09 AM Myers, Terri - BC; Wright, Caroline - BC; Little, Kelly - BC; Koch, Kevin - BC; Jacob, Mathew - BC; McWhorter, Trey - BC; Featherston, Witt; Papavasiliou, Alexander - BC; Tollett, Blake - BC; Valenzuela, Sarah - BC; Heimsath, Ben - BC Allen, Amber; Contreras, Kalan; PAZ Preservation Regarding 1805 Waterston Avenue, Item C.2 on your July 26th agenda *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** On June 3 representatives of the CCDC met with Jesse Nalle with Nalle Custom Homes to do what I would best describe as damage control. The company had purchased a remodeled upscale home in the Clarksville National Register District – a home that contributes to the Clarksville NRHD -- and wanted to demo it and build something bigger and more expensive. We knew the odds of convincing the company to not demo the home were dismal so we focused on suggesting changes to the plans Jesse Nalle shared with us in an effort to end up with a new home that would be more in keeping with Clarksville and less ”suburban.” Among other things, we asked that he either substitute a carport for the front-facing garages or relocate them at the back or side of the house; get rid of the exterior brick; and enlarge the front porch so that it could function as an out-door living space. We made other requests many of which reflected the same concerns about the compatibility of the new house design that are indicated in the backup materials prepared by Kalan Contreras for your meeting on the 26th. We also suggested that Mr. Nalle drive around Clarksville to get a sense of the neighborhood. We thought that seeing what other houses here look like would help inform his redesign process. Mr. Nalle was very open to our suggestions and said that he would send us new plans based on our comments. He seemed genuine and so we left the meeting hopeful that he had heard and respected what we had to say. However, here we are 53 days after that meeting, and despite six friendly email exchanges with Nalle in which he has repeatedly told me that "new plans will be coming soon" or that he has "nothing to share with me yet," we have not seen any revised drawings. In fact, the drawings in your backup materials are exactly what Jesse Nalle shared with me and my fellow CCDC board members at our June 3 meeting with him. No changes at all. I am therefore asking that you once again postpone a decision on the release of a demo permit for 1805 Waterston. The delay will give Mr. Nalle yet another chance to do what he promised. I truly want to believe that he is sincere in his desire to design a home that is more in keeping with Clarksville than his current plans and that we are not being "played" instead. Thank you for your consideration. 1 Mary Reed President, CCDC board of directors   MR•PR  Austin, TX         Be Kind    "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." MLK      CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   2