21.e - 501 Texas Ave - public comment — original pdf

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701 Texas Ave Austin TX 78705 1 May 2024 Landmark Commission (by email) Re: 501 Texas Ave. demolition permit request Dear Sirs: As the city kicks off its equity preservation plan, it is disheartening to see the very heart of our city increasingly seeing demolition permit requests----and getting them---even when houses are historic, and the Landmark Commission repeatedly violating its own by-laws purposes -- “7. Recommend that the City acquire property if the Commission finds that acquisition by the City is the only means by which to preserve the property”. In the instant case, 501 Texas Ave. although staff has not recommended denial of a demolition permit, the question remains whether the house will lose its historic character if the current plan goes through. If adding a garage will eliminate its historic character, it will diminish the historic character of Texas Avenue, which the city previously surveyed to designate as a historic street. historic structure, as a neighbor, I object to the demolition permit being issued. Neighbors are also reporting that is is still unclear whether any protected trees are in jeopardy since one is banded. Barbara Epstein If the plan for this house will eliminate it as counting as a