13 C14-2025-0003 - 6th and Walsh; District 9 - OWANA Letter of Support — original pdf

Backup

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 July 7, 2025 Re: Item No. 13 - C14-2025-0003 Letter of Support for Rezoning of W. 6th Street & Walsh Street Dear Chair Azhar and Commissioners, On behalf of the Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), we write to express our strong support for the proposed rezoning of the property at W. 6th Street and Walsh Street to LI-PDA. While OWANA is typically cautious about supporting LI-PDA zoning—particularly when paired with a CS base—we believe this project represents a unique opportunity and LI zoning already exists just across West 5th Street, directly south of the site. The current proposal reflects an extraordinary level of collaboration between OWANA, Manifold Real Estate, and the Griffith family. Together, we’ve developed a Restrictive Covenant that memorializes extensive community protections and shared goals, balancing smart urban development with respect for the neighborhood’s historic character. A Context-Sensitive, Forward-Looking Project The site occupies a prominent location on the east side of Walsh Street, between W. 6th and W. 5th Streets. Early versions of the project envisioned a single 90-foot structure. Through multiple design iterations and extensive feedback, all parties reached a consensus on a tiered approach: starting at 60 feet along W. 6th Street and stepping back to 90 feet, then 120 feet toward W. 5th Street. This strategy ensures compatibility with the Harthan and Castle Hill Historic Districts to the north and complements the scale and momentum of the Sixth & Blanco development across the street. OWANA was particularly impressed by the conceptual design, which embraces the urban fabric of our historic neighborhood while introducing thoughtfully scaled, pedestrian-friendly architecture. We view this project as the best and highest use of the site—a well-integrated complement to the mixed-use corridor emerging along West 6th. Key Community Benefits The Restrictive Covenant incorporates provisions that reflect the intent of DB90 and exceed its baseline requirements. Highlights include: • On-site affordable housing: 10% of units at 50% MFI or 12% at 60% MFI, with third-party audits and compliance oversight, and a 40-year minimum affordability term. • 75% active ground floor uses along West 6th and Walsh Streets, helping to foster a vibrant, walkable district. • 18-foot-wide sidewalk zones, providing generous pedestrian space and enhanced landscaping. • Height transitions and building step-backs designed to mitigate impacts on nearby historic properties and preserve the pedestrian scale along W. 6th Street and Walsh Street. • Bird-friendly design standards, Green Building certification, and below-grade parking to reduce the project’s environmental and visual impact. • Prohibition of short-term rentals in all residential and commercial units. • Public benefit: a $25,000 contribution toward a neighborhood enhancement project or installation of public art along the West 6th or Walsh frontages. Accountability, Transparency & Collaboration The Covenant also ensures ongoing oversight and accountability through: • OWANA’s right to review permitting documents within a 10-day window prior to construction. • Independent annual compliance audits for affordable housing. 13 C14-2025-0003 - 6th and Walsh; District 91 of 2These mechanisms are designed to protect neighborhood interests long-term, while enabling responsible and much-needed development. In conclusion, OWANA is proud to support this proposal. The project reflects thoughtful urban planning, meaningful community engagement, and a commitment to preserving what makes the Old West Austin neighborhood special. It demonstrates that density and historic preservation can coexist when approached with care, collaboration, and creativity. We respectfully ask the Planning Commission to support this rezoning request and help bring this exceptional project to life. Given the strong neighborhood support, detailed community protections, and the seven month collaborative planning process behind it, we also respectfully request that this item be approved on the consent agenda. The project is tentatively scheduled to break ground in March 2026, and timely approval will help keep the process on track. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Stephen L. Amos Steering Committee Chair Old West Austin Neighborhood Association 13 C14-2025-0003 - 6th and Walsh; District 92 of 2