04 NPA-2025-0025.03 - Lantana Tract 34; District 8 - Public Comment — original pdf
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rom: olga stan < > Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 1:50 PM To: Meredith, Maureen <Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov> Subject: Lantana rezoning vote Hi my name is Olga Stan and Gabriel Stan and live in Lantana subdivision neighborhood with address 7117 Othello Cv 78735. I would like to vote, to be build an commercial office building. Best , Olga ************** From: Jenny & Aaron Carrara < Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 2:46 PM To: Boudreaux, Marcelle <Marcelle.Boudreaux@austintexas.gov>; Meredith, Maureen <Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov> Cc: Scruggs, Ed <Ed.Scruggs@austintexas.gov> Subject: Homeowner input - C14-2025-0087 Marcelle and Maureen, First, I want to thank you both for the timely responses you provided to me last week as we learned of the proposed rezoning of land within 500 feet of our home in the Ridge at Lantana neighborhood. Many of us moved to this area of Austin decades ago because of the green spaces, trails and quiet; wanting to escape the fast-paced lifestyle, noise and traffic of the inner-city but also have quick access to downtown where we work and enjoy what the city has to offer. While we are not ignorant to development and rapid population growth in Austin, nor the sprawl to our area of the City, the request to rezone this plot of land from an office building to instead allow for the development of a hotel has been very surprising and jarring. First, I want to reiterate that those of us within the 500 ft impacted area have also been dealing with the USPS prohibiting use of our mailboxes due to vandalism weeks ago - they have indicated restoration could take up to six months. This has required affected residents to visit the local post office to pick up our mail and many of us had not yet done so when the signs were erected overnight on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. We ask that you give us all some grace in learning about all of these notifications in a timely manner since we continue to be hampered by this unavoidable situation - another example of crime in our neighborhood in which we have no recourse. 04 NPA-2025-0025.03 - Lantana Tract 34; District 81 of 2 Second, we understand that this area is currently zoned to be an office building of the same size but the application includes a letter from an interested hotel operator which is a dramatically different business model. Globally this proposed change raises concerns regarding security, safety and loss of privacy as a resident on Terravista in a neighborhood filled with young children. We have faced crime activity for years in Lantana, and many residents have "given up" relying on action from law enforcement to enhance our security or hold violators accountable. As currently zoned, an office building leased by reputable companies has, by nature, more predictable and consistent occupants during business hours - we are surrounded by those. They typically also have paid security. Conversely, a letter written by a hotel property as part of the application describes their interest in developing up to a five floor building with 150 keys. This constitutes a business that has clients with a high turnover who are inherently transient occupants 24/7, 365 days a year. Day to day, an office building holds stricter discretion and accountability over tenants whereas a hotel has far less legality over individual unaffiliated occupants - increasing our neighborhood's probability of criminal activity. I won't belabor with examples but scenarios of how these two developments would create dramatically different implications for our area are endless, causing deep concern for those of us who would have a hotel constructed in our backyards where our kids can freely, safely and privately play. Finally, I respectfully request that before you all make a recommendation to the Planning Committee on this application, that you conduct an onsite visit to this area of Austin to fully appreciate the puzzling request to build a hotel in this exact location. The Marriott recently constructed an AC Hotel within a mile of our neighborhood near restaurants and shopping, and there are two others (Hampton Inn and Residence Inn) within two miles - making a total of three hotels within two miles of our suburban neighborhood already. This application would usher in the first non-office building constructed within such close proximity to our physical homes and that deserves the highest level of scrutiny and thoughtful review as it will set the precedent for development to follow. I appreciate your time and respect the public service you all provide. I would appreciate being notified of all opportunities related to this application and process. Sincerely, Jenny Goerdel Carrara 04 NPA-2025-0025.03 - Lantana Tract 34; District 82 of 2