10.o - 2514 Wooldridge Dr - public comment — original pdf

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To the City Preservation Office and Landmark Commission: October 1, 2025 I am a long-time resident of Pemberton Heights and also the co-creator of the Old West Austin National Register Historic District. I am strongly opposed to the demolition of 2512 and 2514 Wooldridge. The reason is that 2514 is a contributing house in our National Register Historic District. It’s especially concerning that both houses are to be torn down so that a new, very large (10,000 sq. ft.!) house can be built, covering both lots- a house that looks nothing like our historic neighborhood. And all by a real estate investment/ property management company that will scrape, build and sell- they’ve got their money and are GONE. In addition to the loss of two contributing houses, and the historic streetscape of which these two houses are important parts, these demolitions will DE-densify our neighborhood, not densify it, as the City of Austin’s current planning focus specifies. We’ll go from two single family homes to one huge “house” for two people? Four people? 2,500 sq. ft. per person?? Here are some of the City’s goals with this focus on density: - Reforms include reducing lot-size requirements citywide to lower housing costs and help reverse historical patterns of segregation and restricted housing access - Higher population density can contribute to reduced carbon footprints through increased public transit use and potentially lower individual energy consumption - The primary goal is to create more diverse and affordable housing options to meet the needs of Austin's growing population It’s safe to say that this double demolition and construction of a mega-house will not increase population density in Pemberton or produce more affordable housing. This 10,000 sq. ft. house is likely to be flipped for much more than both 2412 and 2414 Wooldridge would sell for, together. Both the City Preservation Office and the Historic Landmark Commission are City entities. It is your responsibility to uphold the City’s stated planning focus. Please do the right thing and do not allow a demolition permit for 2514 Wooldridge. Candace Volz