This petition asks the City of Austin not to shut down Casa de Luz due to its lack of parking. Tell the City to side with community, not cars!

Casa de Luz is a community center in the heart of Austin, Texas, across from Lady Bird Lake and the hike and bike trail. It hosts a Montessori-based school and a space for yoga, martial arts and meetings, but its main  public draw is its popular restaurant which serves delicious organic, vegan, and macrobiotic food.

Casa does not have enough parking spaces to meet city code. Across the lake, businesses in the the Central Business District are given a variance from the standard parking requirements. The Parks & Recreation Department and the City of Austin have the power to do the same for Casa, but have chosen not to. On August 3, a Municipal Court hearing resulted in an extension of time to allow Casa to work with the City towards resolution.

These are the nuts and bolts, but the heart of it is this: Casa de Luz is indeed a source of light to the people of Austin and beyond. Its closure (or even relocation), would be devastating to many. To the large community of people who frequent the restaurant, Casa is both a destination and an icon of the Good Life in Austin. It provides comfort and sustenance as a place of healing for the body, spirit, and community.

Because parking is scarce, Casa's guests often carpool or bike. Because of its proximity (across the street) from the hike and bike trail, guests will often finish off a good meal with a walk, or finish a good jog with a nourishing meal. The relationship between Casa and the Parks Department can be a win-win situation, as Casa draws more people to use the parks system and the trails simply by being there.   

Please join me in petitioning the City Council and the Parks Department to find a viable compromise with Casa.

-This petition is the sole initiative of a native Austinite and guest of Casa de Luz, and has been undertaken independent of Casa's efforts on its own behalf.