More East Austin hotel drama imminent

Today, East César Chavez Street neighbors and District 3 City Council Member Pio Renteria will gather to protest a proposed hotel. Developers are seeking a Conditional Use Permit to build a 65-room hotel at 1207 East César Chavez St. Neighbors worry that the hotel, bar and restaurant will harm the neighborhood, according to a press release, which also states that “residents say the project is not only far too large for the proposed site, but will exacerbate already severe congestion on East César Chavez, and increase cut-through traffic and parking on residential streets. They believe the hotel-restaurant-bar will also negatively impact the quality of life for neighborhood kids who attend the child-care center next door, and students at Sanchez Elementary School, around the corner. Neighbors fear the hotel project will create an entertainment corridor connecting nearby Rainey Street bars and restaurants with the more family-oriented East César Chavez Street.” Project opponents will hold a press conference at 5 p.m. at City Hall, just prior to the Planning Commission meeting.