07.a - 2514 Wooldridge Dr - public comment — original pdf

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From: To: Subject: Date: Candace Volz Contreras, Kalan 2514 Wooldridge Dr. Wednesday, August 27, 2025 1:26:44 PM External Email - Exercise Caution Hello Kalan - We recently noticed an Historic landmark Commission sign at 2514 Wooldridge, as well as a demolition sign. Looking online, I found the "processes and notes" form on the Permits website (attached). What does "rejected" mean under "Historic Preservation? This owner, Hank Farrell, is with a property development/ management company and owns two adjacent properties on Wooldridge and, behind 2514, 2515 McCallum. In addition to the loss of 2514 Wooldridge as a contributing property in our NRD, it appears that Farrell will be tearing down 2514 to 1) create an "estate-let" or playground behind or next to one of his other contiguous properties, or 2) develop two or three of the lots into multi-family housing? Either outcome, plus the loss of the contributing property, is damaging to the historic appearance of our neighborhood. It does appear that the history of 2514, plus its largely intact facade, merits "H" zoning. But I disagree with the HLC staff's backup recommendations for "relocation or deconstruction and salvage". Both mean it leaves our neighborhood- the Wooldridge streetscape plus residents are the losers. Documenting the house is also a loss- what does a file cabinet or digital file full of "documentation" do for Austin's future?? Thank you for considering Pemberton Heights and Austin's future appearance as you make this decision. Incidentally, we've lost two contributing houses on Preston Ave. in the past 6 months, one torn down and one remuddled. 1412 Preston, the remuddled house, is no longer a contributing house in our NRD. It's appearance has been drastically changed. I know your office is understaffed, but in the meantime, Austin's architectural history is going down the drain. Candace Volz