19 Public Comment.pdf — original pdf

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July 27, 2022 Dear Council Member, In reference to Case # C 14H-2022-0099, I am requesting that you support the Historic Landmark Commission’s recommendation that the 2-story stone house at 2002 Scenic Drive be designated as a historic landmark. The rustic Spanish Colonial Revival property is about 100 years old and is highly unusual both inside and out, with whimsical stone carvings, a spectacular stone fireplace, nooks and crannies, and fantastic murals. The site and its landscaping, overlooking Lake Austin, anchors the neighborhood and is beloved by all that live nearby, including myself who has lived in the neighborhood for 43 years. The house is on a favorite route for pedestrians and bicyclists; even tour buses drive by regularly so tourists can take a look. The issue today is should we save Austin’s historic properties, or do we demolish them in order to allow developers (NOT OWNERS) to erect 2 side-by-side, big box mansions with only 5 feet between them. I know economics drives a lot of these decisions but how can we justify allowing one developer to profit at the expense of ruining not only the historic character of a neighborhood, but erasing 100 years of Austin’s history? There is no doubt in my mind that losing the house at 2002 Scenic Drive would be a huge loss to the neighborhood and to Austin. Yours Sincerely, Meredith L. Dreiss