05.b - 705 West Lynn St - OWANA Letter March Update — original pdf

Backup

Steering Committee Members: Steve Amos, Chair Renae Alsobrook, Mark Ashby, Evelyn Fujimoto, Adrienne Goldsberry, Paula Hern, Nick Mehl, William Osborn, Charlie Rice, Paul Shattuck, Shawn Shillington, Erika Tatum, Meghan Yancy March 28, 2025 RE: 705 West Lynn - PR-2024-159632; GF-2024-161879 Dear Chair Heimsath and HLC Commissioners, Old West Austin Neighborhood Association, OWANA, supports retaining contributing structures in our historic district and integrating existing building forms into the overall project for new development. In the case of 705 West Lynn, preserving the façade and front rooms of the existing house and adding on to the structure would have a significant impact toward that goal. We support the HLC’s Architectural Review Committee’s recommended exploration in elevation and section of a second story at the rear of the front housing unit and exploring the possibility of widening the proposed rear parking structure to add desired interior floor area. The applicant has not meet with the OWANA with any updated elevations and sections and it is difficult to support demolition of a contributing structure without seeing more descriptive two dimensional drawings of how successful the massing would be with an addition to the original structure. Rehabilitation, remodel and addition to contributing structures in our historic district versus demolition maintains the vitality of the district. If piecemeal destruction of these historic homes continues, our district will cease to exist and its sense of historic narrative and charm will no longer be visible. This devalues our unique pocket of history in an increasingly dynamic city. Let’s continue to respect and appreciate the reason so many people want to live in our neighborhood. The United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Report “NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM” lists 705 West Lynn as a representative property to illustrate “the broad patterns of development, diverse range of resources, and salient features of the dominant types and styles present in the district. They have been selected on the basis of their geographic distribution, relationship to similar properties, and degree of integrity.” Listed as a contributing structure, 705 West Lynn is a Center-passage, Side Gable Classical Revival style, and individually eligible for National Register listing. Please consider our position in your decision process as we welcome new development while struggling to maintain the essence of our neighborhood. Sincerely, Steve Amos OWANA Chair