In a significant development for East Austin’s Rosewood neighborhood, property owner Paul Stables has proposed a zoning change intended to allow for the construction of a new bar at 1201 East 11th Street. This request has drawn considerable backlash from local residents and city officials, resulting in a lengthy review process lasting over nine months.
The proposal not only seeks to amend the neighborhood conservation combining district but also aims to revise the Urban Renewal Plan that has historically limited the types of establishments permitted in the area. Stables asserts that the city has provided “no reason” for the current prohibition of cocktail lounges, which he sees as a restoration of his property entitlements.
During a recent meeting on September 23, the Planning Commission exhibited ambivalence regarding the request, with deliberations reflecting the community’s mixed sentiments. Neighborhood residents, including members from local churches such as Ebenezer Baptist and Our Lady of Guadalupe, have expressed their opposition vocally, with many citing a petition that garnered over 400 signatures. Critics of the proposal pointed to a troubled history in the area characterized by an overconcentration of bars and liquor stores in the 1980s and 1990s, which led to social issues that the community has worked hard to address.
Fannie Akingbala, chair of the Ebenezer Social Justice and Advocacy Ministry, articulated the concerns of many locals during the meeting, stating, “In every instance, we’ve come together to oppose it. Our minds are made up.” The residents’ resolve reflects a commitment to maintaining the character of their neighborhood, distancing it from its past struggles.
Commissioner Imad Ahmed initiated a motion to decline the zoning change, reflecting the sentiments shared by many community members. Joined by Commissioner Nadia Barrera-Ramirez, Ahmed emphasized that allowing another bar could negatively impact the community by exacerbating crime and disorderly conduct. “I think the concerns that they have about added crime and disorderly conduct are valid, and that’s why I oppose the applicant’s request,” he stated.
However, the proposal faced a divided vote at the commission meeting, concluding with a 4-4-1 result. While Ahmed and three other commissioners supported the motion to reject the zoning change, four others voted against the motion, and the commission’s chair, Alice Woods, chose to abstain. Consequently, the application will now be forwarded to the City Council for a final decision devoid of a formal recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Urban Renewal Board had abstained from making a recommendation the week prior. Their memo outlined that efforts to limit new nightlife venues along East 11th and East 12th Streets have been integral to the Urban Renewal Plan since the city’s adoption of it in 1999, reinforcing community sentiments against the establishment of new bars.
City planner Jonathan Tomko also provided input during the proceedings, pointing out that the proposed zoning change would represent the second major alteration to the Urban Renewal Plan in just five years. He reiterated that the last round of changes, completed in 2022, had reaffirmed the ban on new cocktail lounges in the area, although some narrow exceptions were made for pre-existing businesses and specific city-owned blocks designated for future mixed-use developments.
As the discussion continues, the East Austin community remains watchful as city officials navigate this contentious proposal, weighing the potential impacts on the neighborhood against the desires of the property owner seeking new commercial advantages.
image source from：austinmonitor
