11 C14-2024-0179 - 6th and Lamar - OWANA Letter of Support — 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 July 7, 2025 RE: Item No. 11 - C14-2024-0179 Support for Rezoning Case at 6th & Lamar Dear Chair Azhar and Commissioners, On behalf of the Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA), we write in support of the proposed rezoning of 6th & Lamar from CS-MU-V-CO-NP and CS-MU-CO-NP to CS-MU-V-ETOD-DBETOD-NP and MF-6-NP (for 603 and 605 Baylor Street), based on the substantial progress made through direct and sustained collaboration between OWANA’s Zoning Committee, nearby neighbors, and Endeavor Real Estate Group. From the outset, OWANA has been focused on ensuring the scale and design of this important site are compatible with the surrounding historic neighborhood while contributing positively to the urban streetscape and pedestrian experience. We appreciate Endeavor’s responsiveness to neighborhood concerns, particularly regarding building height, sidewalk width, and site access. These agreements are memorialized in a restrictive covenant between OWANA and Endeavor. Height and Massing Endeavor’s original proposal included a 143-foot glass tower. After 24 months of working sessions and feedback from residents and OWANA, the developer has significantly reduced and redistributed building height. The revised plan caps building heights at 112 feet along N. Lamar, with a thoughtful step-down to 62 feet along Baylor Street, offering an appropriate transition to the adjacent residential areas. Notably, the restrictive covenant outlines more nuanced height caps for sensitive portions of the site—ensuring building massing responds to both context and neighborhood priorities. See drawings below. Enhanced Pedestrian Realm OWANA also prioritized the pedestrian environment. Endeavor has now committed to generous sidewalk and planting zone widths along all three major frontages: • 18’ total along N. Lamar (11’ clear sidewalk + 7’ planting zone), • 7’ sidewalk + 7’ planting zone + 5’ bike lane along W. 6th Street, and • 12’ along Baylor Street, with a prohibition on vehicle drop-off areas to protect residential character. These changes will transform this highly visible corner into a more walkable and welcoming environment that complements the fabric of Old West Austin. Parking and Design Commitments Further commitments made by the developer include: • No surface or on-street parking on Baylor Street, and a minimum of 95% of parking provided below grade, minimizing visual and physical disruption to the streetscape; • Burying overhead utility lines along Baylor Street and the adjacent alley; • Exterior design considerations in relation to the neighborhood’s existing character. Short-Term Rentals and Enforcement The agreement also limits short-term rentals to no more than 10% of residential units—with permit requirements and annual audits available upon request—demonstrating a thoughtful balance between flexibility and community accountability. OWANA believes this agreement reflects meaningful and good-faith collaboration between the neighborhood and Endeavor. In addition, we support this particular case because of the detailed restrictive covenant that will be in place to enforce these commitments. 11 C14-2024-0179 - 6th and Lamar; District 91 of 5We believe this project will harmonize with the nearby developments along North Lamar and W. 6th Street. For all of these reasons, we respectfully request that the Planning Commission support this rezoning request. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Stephen L. Amos Steering Committee Chair Old West Austin Neighborhood Association 11 C14-2024-0179 - 6th and Lamar; District 92 of 5 6th streetbaylor street112.0' (zoning height)62.0' (zoning height)Revised Zoning Elevation AssumptionThis revised interpretation of the site treatment concerning the two residential parcels along Baylor affects the calculation of zoning height. Each of the original parcels must be assessed independently, with zoning height determined based on the average of the highest and lowest points along its boundary.6th streetbaylor streetlamar boulevard600 NORTH LAMARSKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL11 C14-2024-0179 - 6th and Lamar; District 93 of 5February 4th Massing View Along 6th St ) t h g i e h g n n o z ( i ' . 0 2 1 1 600 NORTH LAMAR SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL 11 C14-2024-0179 - 6th and Lamar; District 94 of 5 February 3rd Massing View Along Baylor n o i t c e s r e t n i e h t m o r f d e r u s a e m ( ' 5 . 7 5 ) y e l l a e h t d n a r o l y a B f o t h g i e h g n n o z i ' . 0 2 6 e h t m o r f d e r u s a e m ( ' 5 2 . 5 7 ) h t 6 d n a r o l y a B f o n o i t c e s r e t n i 600 NORTH LAMAR SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL 11 C14-2024-0179 - 6th and Lamar; District 95 of 5