CONCERNS cont'd

The Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail is the thread that sews the lake to its surrounding neighborhoods. The trail is recognized by national runner magazines as one of the finest recreational running facilities in the nation. What makes it special? There is room to breathe and lots of nature to experience right in the heart of the city. Runners, walkers, strollers, bicyclists, meditators, picnickers, dogs and their owners all have a sense of freedom from urban chaos because of the openness of the lake area.  This openness is created because the current buildings are set appropriately back from the shore.

Contrast two comparable-use structures along the lake – the Hyatt and the Four Seasons. One crowds the shoreline, the other keeps a respectful distance and reasonable height. To any lake or trail user, the difference is stark.  The space in front of the Four Seasons allows room to stop, to watch, to sit, or as one visitor put it, ‘to saunter, like y’all do down here.’ The dark alleyway in front of the 200 foot Hyatt tower forces users to hurry through the corridor and to feel like intruders.  Intruders on a PUBLIC lake???

This web site is here because of a redevelopment proposal for the property at 222-300 E. Riverside, the third in the last year along Town Lake.  The project is the next in a line of 20+ properties to be redeveloped in the Town Lake area. The developer wants approvals from the city’s Parks Board and Planning Commission to create another Hyatt-type alleyway… to go against the decades-old consensus for the lake. The developer, CWS Capital Partners, wants to hurry people along, rather than allowing them room to saunter or sit a spell.  The combined primary and secondary setback requirements for this area of the Waterfront Overlay District are 200 feet.  Limited and very specific development is allowed in each of the setbacks, but the primary development must be setback the full 200 feet from the lake edge. This measurement was established with the l985 Waterfront Overlay Ordinance as a result of the Hyatt’s choice to crowd the shore.  CWS Capital Partners are requesting a variance from this 200 feet.  They would like to erect their three, 200 foot towers within the required setback from the shoreline.

We are concerned that by giving this developer such a concession, it not only creates another private-atmosphere tunnel along the lake, but sets a MAJOR precedent for the dozens of projects that are being planned on the shores of our beautiful, public lake. 

Please contact the Parks Board, Parks Staff,  City Planning Commission and the Austin City Council. Let them know that you are concerned. You want Town Lake to remain a special, accessible, public place.