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stepped back 15 feet from their facades –which is in line with the hotel proposal.Opponents respond that the overlay remainsin effect as is.As if that isn’t enough to raise sand atCouncil, plans for the hotel include no onsiteparking. Kahn argues that parking iseasy to come by on North Congress at night,including leased spaces in lots and regularstreet parking. Critics find his logic maddening:If the hotel will wake up the area,won’t that mean a parking crunch will soonfollow? Yet with the city already contemplatingthe eradication of parking minimums inthe Central Business District – spurred bythe planning argument, among others, thatsubsidized (“free”) parking discouragespedestrian-oriented development – thismay not be the sticking point it would havebeen just a few months ago. In any case,Kahn maintains that he will find parkingoff-site (he told the Planning Commis sion itwould be “suicidal” to spend $90 mil lion ona project and not provide parking).As the case heads to Council, it’s almostan even score from the boards and commissions,with support from city staff, theDowntown Commission, and Design Commission,and opposition from the PlanningCommission and Historic Landmark Commission.Add a petition signed by some ofAustin’s most powerful citizens, and you getwhat promises to be a discussion much livelierthan the current street life on NorthCongress Avenue. – Elizabeth PaganoLINKS:para5, “large-scale projects”: http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2005-11-11/309109/para8, “Downtown Austin Plan”: http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2009-03-20/756261/HEALTH CARE EDUCATIONSTART LEARNING THE SKILLS YOU’LLNEED TO HELP OTHERS AS AMEDICALASSISTANTJob placement assistanceFinancial aid availablefor those who qualifyDay & evening classesavailableCall now or visitLINKS: “Then There’s This,” 1stparagraph:[http://www.austinchronicle.com/www.chcp.edunews/then-theres-this/]800.318.9576OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE:Dental AssistantDiagnostic Medical UltrasoundLimited Medical Radiologic TechnologistPersonal Fitness TrainerONLINE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE!For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of studentswho completed the program, and other important information, please visit ourwebsite at http://www.chcp.edu/disclosures and www.bls.gov/soc/.6505 Airport Blvd., Suite 102Austin, TX 78752a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o m JANUARY 18, 2013 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E 15