12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 9 - Public Comment Part 2 — original pdf

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From the Home of Evelyn M. Fujimoto 29 April 2029 Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council Members Austin City Council City Hall, Council Chamber 301 W 2nd St. Austin, Texas 78701 United States of America Subject: Item 50: 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vacation Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members: I strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposition from the Urban Transportation Commission and was formally denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department. I live in a multi-family housing development located on a block bounded by W. 6th , W. 5th , Oakland, and Pressler Streets, in close proximity to Sayers Street. The proposed closure would adversely impact my community experience. The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essential for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability. It provides critical infrastructure support - trash collection, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such functions off pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and staff recommendations to keep Walsh Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement. Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose operations had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the properties from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false. Additionally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development, which includes 25 affordable housing units, depends on continued public access to Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage access. Vacating the street would stall the project and increase traffic congestion on Walsh Street. United States of America 1501 W. 6th Street Villa West E3 Austin, Texas 78703 +1 832 648 0623 emarimoto@yahoo.com 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 982 of 100 City Council Page 2 Evelyn M. Fujimoto We are concerned that Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to privatize Sayers for future development. Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment plans, such intentions seem inconsistent with ongoing development activity in the area. The petition for vacation identifies only the portion of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the portion that runs north and south. Anchor Equities seeks inverse condemnation for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. This proposed vacation serves private interests at the cost of public utility, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Austin Transportation Code also requires unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor supportive. I urge you to reject this application in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, supporting affordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Austin. Sincerely, Evelyn Fujimoto 1501 W. 6th St., Austin, Texas 78703 emarimoto@yahoo.com +1.832.648.0623 cc: christopher.bueckert@austintexas.gov cc: gilda.powers@austintexas.gov cc: OWANA/Old West Austin Neighborhood Association - zoning@owana.org United States of America 1501 W. 6th Street Villa West E3 Austin, Texas 78703 +1 832 648 0623 emarimoto@yahoo.com 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 983 of 100 April 29, 2025 Mayor Watson and City Council Members Austin City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber RE: Item 50 – 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vacation Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, I strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposition from the Urban Transportation Commission and was formally denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department. The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essential for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability. It provides critical infrastructure support - trash collection, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such functions o(cid:431) pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and sta(cid:431) recommendations to keep Walsh Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement. Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose operations had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the properties from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false. Additionally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development, which includes 25 a(cid:431)ordable housing units, depends on continued public access to Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage access. Vacating the street would stall the project and increase tra(cid:431)ic congestion on Walsh Street. 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 984 of 100 We are concerned that Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to privatize Sayers for future development. Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment plans, such intentions seem inconsistent with ongoing development activity in the area. The petition for vacation identifies only the portion of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the portion that runs north and south. Anchor Equities seeks inverse condemnation for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. This proposed vacation serves private interests at the cost of public utility, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Austin Transportation Code also requires unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor supportive. I urge you to reject this application in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, supporting a(cid:431)ordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Austin. Sincerely, Frank and Jane Lynn 616 Pressler ST Austin, TX 78703 Frank.murphy.lynn@gmail.com 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 985 of 100 April 30, 2025 Mayor Watson and City Council Members Austin City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber RE: Item 50 – 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vacation Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, I strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposition from the Urban Transportation Commission and was formally denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department. The Old West Austin NeighborhoodAssociation (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essential for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability.   It provides critical infrastructure support - trash collection, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such functions off pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and staff recommendations to keep Sayers Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement.   Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose operations had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the properties from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false.  Additionally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development, which includes 25 affordable housing units, depends on continued public access to Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage access.  Vacating the street would stall the project and increase traffic congestion on Walsh Street. We are concerned that Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to privatize Sayers for future development.  Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment plans, such intentions seem inconsistent with ongoing development activity in the area. The petition for vacation identifies only the portion of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the portion that runs north and south. Anchor Equities seeks inverse condemnation for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. This proposed vacation serves private interests at the cost of public utility, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Austin Transportation Code also requires 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 986 of 100
 unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor supportive. I urge you to reject this application in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, supporting affordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Austin. Sincerely, Renae Alsobrook & Mark Rolston 806 Blanco Street Austin, TX 78703 renaealsobrook.austin@gmail.com cc:christopher.bueckert@austintexas.gov       gilda.powers@austintexas.gov cc: zoning@owana.org 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 987 of 1005/1/2025 To: Mayor Watson and City Council Members Aus(cid:415)n City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber RE: Item 50 – 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vaca(cid:415)on Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, I strongly oppose the proposed vaca(cid:415)on of Sayers Street ini(cid:415)ated by Anchor Equi(cid:415)es and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposi(cid:415)on from the Urban Transporta(cid:415)on Commission and was formally denied by the Transporta(cid:415)on and Public Works Department. The Old West Aus(cid:415)n Neighborhood Associa(cid:415)on (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essen(cid:415)al for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability. It provides cri(cid:415)cal infrastructure support - trash collec(cid:415)on, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such func(cid:415)ons off pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and staff recommenda(cid:415)ons to keep Walsh Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement. Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose opera(cid:415)ons had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the proper(cid:415)es from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false. Addi(cid:415)onally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development, which includes 25 affordable housing units, depends on con(cid:415)nued public access to Sayers Street for u(cid:415)li(cid:415)es, loading, and garage access. Vaca(cid:415)ng the street would stall the project and increase traffic conges(cid:415)on on Walsh Street. We are concerned that Anchor Equi(cid:415)es, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to priva(cid:415)ze Sayers forfuture development. Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment plans, such inten(cid:415)ons seem inconsistent with ongoing development ac(cid:415)vity in the area. The pe(cid:415)(cid:415)on for vaca(cid:415)on iden(cid:415)fies only the por(cid:415)on of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the por(cid:415)on that runs north and south. Anchor Equi(cid:415)es seeks inverse condemna(cid:415)on for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. This proposed vaca(cid:415)on serves private interests at the cost of public u(cid:415)lity, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Aus(cid:415)n Transporta(cid:415)on Code also requires unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor suppor(cid:415)ve. 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 988 of 100I urge you to reject this applica(cid:415)on in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, suppor(cid:415)ng affordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Aus(cid:415)n. Sincerely, Nancy Risk 1204 Lorrain St Aus(cid:415)n, TX 78703 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 989 of 100May 2, 2025 Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, I strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposition from the Urban Transportation Commission and was formally denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department. The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essential for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability. It provides critical infrastructure support - trash collection, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such functions off pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and staff recommendations to keep Walsh Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement. Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose operations had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the properties from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false. Additionally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development, which includes 25 affordable housing units, depends on continued public access to Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage access. Vacating the street would stall the project and increase traffic congestion on Walsh Street. We are concerned that Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to privatize Sayers for future development. Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment plans, such intentions seem inconsistent with ongoing development activity in the area. The petition for vacation identifies only the portion of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the portion that runs north and south. Anchor Equities seeks inverse condemnation for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. This proposed vacation serves private interests at the cost of public utility, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Austin Transportation Code also requires unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor supportive. I urge you to reject this application in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, supporting affordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Austin. Sincerely, William Osborn 1104 Elm Street Austin, TX 78703 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 990 of 100 william@texasenergylaw.com 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 991 of 100 May 2, 2025 Mayor Watson and City Council Members Austin City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber RE: Item 50 – 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vacation Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, Thank you for your tireless leadership. I very much appreciate your work in support of a thriving community for all Austinites. I request your support, as I – and OWANA - strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposition from the Urban Transportation Commission and was formally denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department. I’ve walked the area, studied the maps, and learned about the great development proposal, which will enhance the Old West Austin Neighborhood. While benefiting all Austinites – and visitors - who drive on west 6th street and will spend time shopping, dining, and creating positive social bonds as the proposed project comes to live. The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essential for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability. It provides critical infrastructure support - trash collection, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such functions off pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and staff recommendations to keep Walsh Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement. Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose operations had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the properties from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false. Additionally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development, which includes 25 affordable housing units, depends on continued public access to Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage access. Vacating the street would stall the project and increase traffic congestion on Walsh Street. 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 992 of 100 We are concerned that Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to privatize Sayers forfeiture development. Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment plans, such intentions seem inconsistent with ongoing development activity for vacation in identifies only the portion of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the portion that runs north and south. Anchor Equities seeks inverse condemnation for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. the area. The petition This proposed vacation serves private interests at the cost of public utility, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Austin Transportation Code also requires unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor supportive. I urge you to reject this application in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, supporting affordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Austin. Sincerely, Chair of the Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA) Steering Committee Address since the summer of 1988: Stephen L. Amos 1607 Waterston Avenue, Austin, TX 78703 Steve@HealthCode.org 512 970 7443 cc:christopher.bueckert@austintexas.gov gilda.powers@austintexas.gov cc: zoning@owana.org 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 993 of 100 Mark DuBois 1609 Waterston Avenue Austin TX 8703 2 May 2025 Mayor Watson and City Council Members Austin City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber RE: Item 50 – 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vacation Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, I strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposition from the Urban Transportation Commission and was formally denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department. The Old West Austin NeighborhoodAssociation (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essential for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability. It provides critical infrastructure support - trash collection, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such functions o(cid:56) pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and sta(cid:56) recommendations to keep Walsh Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement. Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose operations had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the properties from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false. Additionally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development, which includes 25 a(cid:56)ordable housing units, depends on continued public access to Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage access. Vacating the street would stall the project and increase tra(cid:56)ic congestion on Walsh Street. We are concerned that Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to privatize Sayers forfuture development. Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 994 of 100 plans, such intentions seem inconsistent with ongoing development activity in the area. The petition for vacation identifies only the portion of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the portion that runs north and south. Anchor Equities seeks inverse condemnation for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. This proposed vacation serves private interests at the cost of public utility, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Austin Transportation Code also requires unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor supportive. I urge you to reject this application in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, supporting a(cid:56)ordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Austin. Sincerely Mark DuBois 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 995 of 100 5/2/25 Mayor Watson and City Council Members Austin City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber RE: Item 50 – 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vacation Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, I strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities. The application, already denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department and unanimously opposed by the Urban Transportation Commission, should not move forward. The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly supports keeping Sayers Street open. This corridor is essential for: ● Pedestrian safety and walkability ● Service and emergency vehicle access ● Trash collection and deliveries ● Placement of transformers and other critical infrastructure Keeping these functions off pedestrian-friendly streets is vital for neighborhood livability. Council Member Qadri supports staff and UTC recommendations to keep the street public, particularly in light of the fact that adjacent property owners are not in agreement—a key requirement under the City of Austin Transportation Code. Sayers Street is not only used by retail customers, as claimed by the applicant. Businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh rely on it for large vehicle access due to topographical constraints on Walsh Street. Further, the viability of the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed-use development—which includes 25 affordable housing units—depends on public access to 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 996 of 100 Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage entry. Street vacation would directly obstruct this important project and push more traffic onto Walsh Street. Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, appears to be pursuing privatization of Sayers Street for future development. Their petition targets only the east–west segment of the street and omits the north–south portion, a strategy that raises concerns about inverse condemnation and private gain at the expense of public utility and fair access. This application serves private interests and undermines community needs. It fails to meet city code requirements and risks degrading public infrastructure, affordability goals, and neighborhood integrity. I urge the Council to reject this application in full. Sincerely, Charles Rice 1313 W 12th St Austin, TX 78703 c4.rice@gmail.com cc:christopher.bueckert@austintexas.gov gilda.powers@austintexas.gov cc: zoning@owana.org 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 997 of 100 Bueckert, Christopher From: Sent: To: Subject: Kristi Stanford <kstanford@culligansw.com> Tuesday, May 6, 2025 1:34 PM Bueckert, Christopher FW: Item 50 2024-128390 LM -1114 West 5th Street Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged You don't often get email from kstanford@culligansw.com. Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Attn: Mayor Watson and City Council Members: Save Sayers. Thank you, Kristi Stanford From: Kristi Stanford Sent: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 12:24 PM To: 'gilda.powers@austintexas.gov' <gilda.powers@austintexas.gov>; 'christopher.beuckert@austintexas.gov' <christopher.beuckert@austintexas.gov> Cc: 'zoning@owana.org' <zoning@owana.org>; blake@swhuman.org Subject: Item 50 2024-128390 LM -1114 West 5th Street May 6, 2025 Attn: Mayor Watson and City Council Members Austin City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber RE: Item 50 – 2024-128390 LM Right-of-Way Vacation Dear Mayor Watson and City Council Members, We strongly oppose the proposed vacation of Sayers Street initiated by Anchor Equities and scheduled for the May 8th hearing. The proposal has already received unanimous opposition from the Urban Transportation Commission and was formally denied by the Transportation and Public Works Department. 1 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 998 of 100 The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), along with the owners of 503 and 505 Walsh Street, firmly support Sayers Street remaining open. This corridor is essential for pedestrian safety, service vehicle access, and future development viability. It provides critical infrastructure support - trash collection, deliveries, and transformer placement - while keeping such functions off pedestrian friendly streets. District 9 Council Member Qadri supports the UTC and staff recommendations to keep Walsh Street open based on the facts of this case, including that the area property owners were not in agreement. Sayers Street is also vital for businesses at 503 and 505 Walsh, whose operations had relied on large delivery vehicles that cannot access the properties from Walsh due to topography. Claims that the street is used only by retail customers are demonstrably false. Additionally, the planned “Sixth and Walsh” mixed- use development, which includes 25 affordable housing units, depends on continued public access to Sayers Street for utilities, loading, and garage access. Vacating the street would stall the project and increase traffic congestion on Walsh Street. We are concerned that Anchor Equities, which owns adjacent parcels, is seeking to privatize Sayers for future development. Despite claims of no immediate redevelopment plans, such intentions seem inconsistent with ongoing development activity in the area. The petition for vacation identifies only the portion of Sayers Street that runs east and west, not the portion that runs north and south. Anchor Equities seeks inverse condemnation for personal gain at the expense of other owners not having access to the street. This proposed vacation serves private interests at the cost of public utility, safety, and neighborhood integrity. The City of Austin Transportation Code also requires unanimous consent from adjacent property owners - 503 and 505 Walsh were neither consulted nor supportive. We urge you to reject this application in the interest of maintaining vital infrastructure, supporting affordable housing, and preserving a walkable, vibrant West Austin. Sincerely, Kristi and Blake Stanford 605 Oakland Ave. / 1504 W. 9th St. Austin, TX 78703 blake@swhuman.org 2 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 999 of 100 kstanford@culligansw.com CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious or phishing email, please report it using the "Report Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 3 12 2024-128390 LM - 1114 W 5th Street; District 9100 of 100