4.b - 701 Sparks Ave - public comment — original pdf

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From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments: Ingrid Burton Allen, Amber; Contreras, Kalan HLC Agenda- November 1, 2023- Item #19-701 Sparks Avenue Wednesday, November 1, 2023 1:54:37 PM image002.png image003.png image006.png image007.png You don't often get email from ingridburton@me.com. Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Hello Commissioner, I would like to communicate my strong opposition to the demolition of the structure at 701 Sparks Avenue. My family originally owned and subdivided the land creating the Harris Park Addition Subdivision in 1924. Since that time, my family has had a presence in this neighborhood and on this street, as my great grandfather built the family home at 707 Sparks Avenue and my grandfather later built his home at 705 Sparks Avenue, immediately adjacent to the subject property. This house has had a long-standing presence in this community and stands out with unique and eclectic design that maintains a great deal of architectural integrity at a prominent corner. The associations with very interesting and historically accomplished people in Austin make a stronger case for why this property should be preserved. I very much support this property being preserved. On a separate note, I have real concern for this structure as this process moves along in determining the eligibility for preservation because the landowner has shown a disregard for rules when they cleared the property of trees, and in the process cut down a Protected and likely Heritage Pecan Tree that was very clearly on my family’s property at 705 Sparks. What is left of the tree measures 24 inches at the base. The tree was surely of a size and species that would have required a permit to remove and I question how many more trees were removed that should have had a permit. The aerial images below show the difference in the tree canopy before and after they cleared the site and there is no record any tree permits were issued by the City of Austin for such clearing. In fact, their survey submitted with the demolition application for 701 Sparks does not show this large pecan tree, indicating that they cleared the property before obtaining the survey that is required with the demolition application that must show trees, including trees on adjacent properties where the critical root zone may be impacted. I understand this Commission’s charge is not directly with trees. However, the actions of this landowner speak to a level of disingenuous intent. I appreciate your consideration, Ingrid Burton  CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious or phishing email, please report it using the "Report Message" button in Outlook or forward to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.