16 2024-128390 LM 1114 W 5th Street; District 9 Opposition Letter — original pdf

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Steering Committee Members: Stephen L. 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 February 8, 2025 RE: Item 16 - 2024-128390 LM - 1114 West 5th Street Dear Chair Hempel and Planning Commissioners, The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA) supports the continued operation of Sayers Street as an active thoroughfare. This will improve pedestrian safety by directing service and delivery vehicles away from the pedestrian-heavy areas of Sixth and Walsh Streets. Keeping Sayers Street open will enhance pedestrian access on West Sixth and Walsh Streets, supporting the City of Austin’s vision for walkable streets. It will also provide more street frontage, fostering a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented environment with activated sidewalks, cafes, and other public activities, without requiring large curb cuts for vehicle access, transformers, and trash pickup along sidewalks on Walsh Street. Sayers Street also provides necessary access for back-of-house operations such as deliveries, trash pickup, and transformer access, ensuring that these services do not interfere with pedestrian spaces on Walsh Street. Additionally, it allows for garage access for residents, reducing traffic on Walsh Street, which has lower volumes compared to West Fifth. The intersection of Sayers and Fifth Streets is a more practical and safer access point for service vehicles. Sixth Street is rapidly becoming a primary pedestrian corridor, and Walsh Street’s narrow dimensions make it unsuitable for service vehicle turns, which could block traffic flow. We respectfully request that the Planning Commission oppose the vacation of Sayers Street, as its continued use will provide a safer and more efficient route for service vehicles while benefiting the pedestrian experience on surrounding streets. The online City of Austin Utility Customer Care webpage for Utilities/Transportation and Public Works states as part of its mission to preserve and prioritize safety and mobility for all users. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Stephen L. Amos, Chair Old West Austin Neighborhood Association 16 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 91 of 1