Historic Landmark Commission Applications in Review for September 3, 2025 Regular Meeting This list does not constitute a formal agenda and is subject to change. A final agenda will be posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. The public may comment on formal agenda items in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to comment once per item and are allowed three minutes to speak. To participate remotely by telephone, speakers must register by noon on the day before the hearing via the QR code and link at the end of this document. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Commission Approve the minutes from the August 6, 2025, regular meeting of the Historic Landmark PUBLIC HEARINGS/DISCUSSION AND ACTION Historic Zoning Applications 2. PR-2025-041615 – 607 E. 38th St. Council District 9 Proposal: Commission-initiated historic zoning. (Postponed by applicant on August 6, 2025) Applicant: Historic Landmark Commission City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 3. C14H-2025-0086 – 1712 Rio Grande St. Malcolm and Margaret Badger Reed House Council District 9 Proposal: Applicant-initiated historic zoning Applicant: Dave Anderson City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Historic Landmark and Local Historic District Permit Applications 4. HR-2025-102555 – 6706 Bluff Springs Rd. Horton-Duval House Council District 9 Proposal: Deconstruct existing ruins Applicant: Marlayna Wright City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 5. HR-2025-099714 – 1504 E. 11th St. Ethel Pearl’s Beauty Salon Council District 1 Proposal: Rehabilitate and repair building exterior. City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 National Register Historic District Permit Applications 6. HR-2025-075283; PR-2025-062597 – 705 Brownlee Circle West Line National Register Historic District Council District 9 Proposal: Construct a new building. (Postponed by HLC on August 6, 2025) Applicant: David Webber City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 7. PR-2025-088150 – 2514 Wooldridge Dr. Old West Austin National Register Historic District Council District 10 Proposal: Demolish a contributing building. Applicant: Clean Tag Permits City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 8. PR-2025-095243; PR-2025-095042 – 1709 Drake Ave. Travis Heights National Register Historic District Council District 9 Proposal: Demolish a contributing building and construct a new building. Applicant: Stuart Sampley City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 Demolition and Relocation Permit Applications 9. PR-2025-086196– 902 W. Johanna St. Council District 3 Proposal: Demolish a building. Applicant: Bob Allsop City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Briefing on National …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission September 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, no later than noon the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Justin Fleury Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Martin Luecke Hanna Cofer, Secretary Ashika Ganguly Annie Fierro Jennifer Bristol, Chair David Sullivan Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 20th, 2025. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: The Clovis at Mckinney Falls, SP-2024-0202D Applicant: Jake Brown; LDG Development, LLC Location: 6507 Mckinney Falls Parkway, Austin, Texas 78744 Council District: N/A - Extra Territorial Jurisdiction Staff: Mohamad Abdulkader, Senior Environmental Review Specialist, Development Services Department; 512-974-6303; Mohamad.abdulkader@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Variance request is as follows: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill 8 feet to 15 feet. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation on Austin’s reservoirs monitoring and management efforts — Brent Bellinger, Conservation Program Supervisor, Watershed Protection Department FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Elizabeth Funk, Watershed …
The Clovis at Mckinney Falls 6507 McKinney Falls Parkway SP-2024-0202D Mohamad Abdulkader Environmental Review Specialist Senior Development Services Department 2 OUTLINE Property Data Synopsis Site Constriction/Regulation Variance Requests Grading Exhibits Variance Recommendation and Conditions 3 Property Data Cottonmouth Creek Watershed Suburban Watershed Classification Desired Development Zone Not located over Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Austin 2-Mile ETJ Synopsis 4 15.97-acre site located at the intersection of McKinney Falls Parkway and Dee Gabriel Collins Road Elevation ranges from 631’ along to 578’. Site is generally flat, though there are some steep slopes along the orange highlighted areas shown below. Site Constriction/Regulation Accessibility – A driveway constructed fill 8’ to 15’ is required by the Travis County Fire Marshall to provide two different access points to the property. 5 Variance Requests 6 To allow fill from 8 to 15 feet in the Desired Development Zone. (LDC 25-8-342) Grading Exhibit (Fill) 7 Variance Recommendation and Conditions 8 Staff recommends the variance, having determined that the required findings of fact have been met. Staff condition: 1. Contain the fill with an engineered structural retaining wall. 2. Parking lot trees (1.5” caliper from ECM Appendix F) within 50 ft. radius of all parking spaces. 9 THANK YOU 10 References Google Earth GIS property profile Variance packet 11
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: 09/03/2025 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: The Clovis at Mckinney Falls SP-2024-0202D NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Jake Brown; LDG Development, LLC LOCATION: 6507 Mckinney Falls Parkway, Austin, Texas 78744 COUNCIL DISTRICT: N/A - Extra Territorial Jurisdiction ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: Mohamad Abdulkader, Senior Environmental Review Specialist Development Services Department; 512-974-6303; Mohamad.abdulkader@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: Cottonmouth Creek Watershed, Suburban Classification, Desired Development Zone Variance request is as follows: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill 8 feet to 15 feet. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends this variance, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. STAFF CONDITION: 1. Contain the fill with an engineered structural retaining wall. 2. Parking lot trees (1.5” caliper from ECM Appendix F) within 50 ft. radius of all parking spaces. Development Services Department Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: The Clovis at McKinney Falls Ordinance Standard: Current code/WPO Variance Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill 8 to 15 feet. A. Land Use Commission variance determinations from Chapter 25-8-41 of the City Code: 1. The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege available to owners of other similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development subject to similar code requirements. Yes. Other owners with similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development have access to the ROW. The Travis County Fire Marshall review is requiring two different access points to the property through both McKinney Falls Parkway and Dee Gabriel Collins Road. The northwest site of the property adjacent to Dee Gabriel Collins Rd. consists of slopes 25% and greater. The applicant proposes fill 8 to 15 feet to construct a driveway in compliance with fire access regulations that require finished driveway slopes to be 10% or less. 2. The variance: a. is not necessitated by the scale, layout, construction method, or other design decision made by the applicant, unless the design decision provides greater overall environmental protection than is achievable without the variance. Yes. The requested fill variance is necessitated by the lot configuration, existing topography, roadway connectivity, and the need for a second fire lane access. The proposed location of the second driveway is limited due to the Travis County Sight Distance restrictions at the Dee Gabriel Collins Rd. and McKinney Falls Parkway intersection. b. is the minimum deviation from the code requirement necessary to allow a reasonable use of the …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, September 3, 2025 – 6:00 PM City Hall – Council Chambers 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78701 Some Commission members may be participating by videoconference. View the meeting online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allocated three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, please use the QR code or link at the end of this document. For questions, please email preservation@austintexas.gov. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ben Heimsath, (D-8) Chair Roxanne Evans (D-2), Vice Chair Jeffrey Acton (Mayor) Harrison Eppright (D-1) Kevin Koch (D-3) Judah Rice (D-4) Harmony Grogan (D-5) Carl Larosche (D-6) Jaime Alvarez (D-7) Bat Taniguchi (D-9) Trey McWhorter (D-10) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first (10) speakers who register to speak before the meeting will be allocated three minutes to speak about an item(s) that is not posted on the agenda. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Historic Landmark Commission regular meeting on August 6, 2025. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DISCUSSION AND ACTION Historic Zoning Applications 2. 3. PR-2025-041615 – 607 E. 38th St. Council District 9 Proposal: Commission-initiated historic zoning. (Postponed by applicant on August 6, 2025) Applicant: Historic Landmark Commission City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 Staff Recommendation: Do not grant historic zoning, as the property does not meet two criteria for designation. Strongly encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse or relocation, then material salvage and reuse, but approve the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. C14H-2025-0086 – 1712 Rio Grande St. Reed House Council District 9 Proposal: Applicant-initiated historic zoning Applicant: Dave Anderson City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Grant the proposed zoning change to add historic landmark combining district zoning (H) to the base zoning. Historic Landmark and Local Historic District Applications 4. HR-2025-102555 – 6706 Bluff Springs Rd. Horton-Duval House Council District 9 Proposal: Deconstruct existing ruins Applicant: Marlayna Wright City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Approve the Certificate of Appropriateness in concurrence with Committee feedback and Texas Historical Commission response. 2 5. HR-2025-099714 – 1504 E. 11th St. Ethel Pearl’s Beauty Salon Council District 1 Proposal: Rehabilitate …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, August 6th, 2025 – 6:00 PM City Hall – Council Chambers 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78701 Some Commission members may be participating by videoconference. View the meeting online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. COMMISSION MEMBERS: X X X X X X Ben Heimsath, (D-8) Chair Roxanne Evans (D-2), Vice Chair Jeffrey Acton (Mayor) Harrison Eppright (D-1) Kevin Koch (D-3) Judah Rice (D-4) X X X AB AB Harmony Grogan (D-5) Carl Larosche (D-6) Jaime Alvarez (D-7) Bat Taniguchi (D-9) Trey McWhorter (D-10) DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first (10) speakers who register to speak before the meeting will be allocated three minutes to speak about an item(s) that is not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes from the July 2, 2025, regular meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission. MOTION: Approve the minutes per passage of the consent agenda on a motion by Commissioner Larosche. Commissioner Acton seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0. The motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DISCUSSION AND ACTION Historic Zoning Applications 2. C14H-2025-0022 – 1701 San Gabriel St. Stedman-Graves House Council District 9 City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 Staff Recommendation: Grant the proposed zoning change from family residence (SF-3) to family residence-historic combining district (SF-3-H) zoning. Sean Reynolds spoke in favor of historic zoning. MOTION: Close the public hearing on a motion by Commissioner Acton. Commissioner Larosche seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0. The motion passed. MOTION: Approve the historic zoning application per staff recommendation on a motion by Commissioner Koch. Commissioner Larosche seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0. The motion passed. 3. PR-2025-041615 – 607 E. 38th St. Council District 9 Proposal: Commission-initiated historic zoning Applicant: Historic Landmark Commission City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 Staff Recommendation: Do not grant historic zoning, as the property does not meet two criteria for designation. Strongly encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse or relocation, then material salvage and reuse, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Barbara Epstein spoke in favor of historic zoning. Chad Bradbury spoke in favor of historic zoning. Jorge Alzaga spoke in opposition to historic zoning. George Gonzalez spoke in opposition to historic zoning. Barbara Epstein spoke in favor of historic zoning. Jorge Alzaga spoke in opposition to historic zoning. MOTION: Close the public hearing on a motion by Commissioner Larosche. Commissioner Rice seconded the …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: C14H- HLC DATE: August 6, 2025 PC DATE: CC Date: APPLICANT: Lisa Vela, Next Level Permits, LLC (commission-initiated) HISTORIC NAME: WATERSHED: Waller Creek ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 607 East 38th Street, Austin, TX 78705 ZONING CHANGE: SF-3-CO-NP to SF-3-H-CO-NP COUNCIL DISTRICT: 9 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Do not grant historic zoning, as the property does not meet two criteria for designation. Strongly encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse or relocation, then material salvage and reuse, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: architecture and historical associations. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGER: Austin Lukes, 512-978-0766 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Neighborhoods Council, CANPAC (Central Austin Neighborhood Plan Area Committee), Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Hancock Neighborhood Assn., Homeless Neighborhood Association, North Austin Neighborhood Alliance, Preservation Austin DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The 2019 Historic Resource Survey of North Loop, Hancock, and Upper Boggy Creek lists the house a medium priority. This survey does not give recommendations for landmark designation. BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: § 25-2-352(3)(c)(i) Architecture. The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. Originally built as a side-by-side duplex in the Hancock neighborhood, the property at 607 E. 38th St. is one of the last remaining and most intact examples of this typology in this part of the city. It features wood frame construction clad with lapped teardrop siding with a narrow profile. While many earlier built properties in Hancock, as well as surrounding neighborhoods such as Hyde Park1, were subdivided to house additional tenants during the Great Depression, this house was purpose-built for two units. This is visually apparent by the two equally sized and prominent front doors at the corners of the building, each covered with a modest gable over their respective entries. The house is elevated …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: C14H- 2025-0086 HLC DATE: September 3, 2025 PC DATE: CC Date: APPLICANT: Drenner Group (Dave Anderson) HISTORIC NAME: Margaret Badger and M. H. Reed House WATERSHED: Shoal Creek ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 1712 Rio Grande Street ZONING CHANGE: GO-ETOD-DBETOD to DMU-H-ETOD-DBETOD COUNCIL DISTRICT: 9 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the proposed zoning change to add historic landmark combining district zoning (H) to the base zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: architecture and historical associations. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGERS: Cynthia Hadri, 512-974-7620; Kalan Contreras, 512-974-2727 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Neighborhoods Council, City of Austin Downtown Commission, Downtown Austin Alliance, Downtown Austin Neighborhood Assn. (DANA), Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Historic Austin Neighborhood Association, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Judges Hill Neighborhood Association, Preservation Austin, Shoal Creek Conservancy, West Downtown Alliance, Inc. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The Historic Landmark Commission will review the addition of H zoning only at the upcoming September 3, 2025, public hearing. Base zoning changes will be evaluated at subsequent Planning Commission and City Council hearings. The 2025 Downtown Austin historic resource survey recommends the building as eligible for individual listing as a historic landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as eligible as a contributing structure in local and National Register historic districts. BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: § 25-2-352(3)(c)(i) Architecture. The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. The house is significant as a rare example of the American Foursquare style of the Prairie school of architecture in Austin. While prolific in the Midwest, Austin’s true Foursquare homes are few and far between. Frank Lloyd Wright is solely credited with creating Prairie style architecture. The style is defined by its horizontal lines, indoor-outdoor living spaces and open interiors. Though the building’s architect remains a mystery, some evidence suggests it is a …
ZONING APPLICATION FOR ZONING FILE NUMBER(S) TENTATIVE CC DATE CITY INITIATED YES NO YES NO ROLLBACK DEPARTMENT USE ONLY APPLICATION DATE TENTATIVE ZAP/PC DATE CASE MANAGER APPLICATION ACCEPTED BY PROJECT DATA OWNER’S NAME: PROJECT NAME: PROJECT STREET ADDRESS (or Range): ZIP COUNTY: If project address cannot be defined, provide the following information: ALONG THE SIDE OF APPROXIMATELY Frontage ft. (N,S,E,W) Frontage road FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH Distance Direction TAX PARCEL NUMBER(S): Is Demolition proposed? Cross street If Yes, how many residential units will be demolished? Unknown Number of these residential units currently occupied**: Is this zoning request to rezone a parcel that contains an existing mobile home park with five or more occupied units?** If Yes, how many? Type of Residential Unit: SF, duplex, triplex, townhouse/condo, multi-family, manufactured home: Number of Proposed Residential units (if applicable): If Yes, how many of the following: 1 Bedroom Affordable 2 Bedroom Affordable 3 Bedroom Affordable 4 or more Bedroom Affordable Unknown ** If 5 or more, tenant notification may be required and a certified form may be required with your application (LDC 25-1-712). Tenants must receive notification at least 270 days before the application is eligible for final ordinance readings by City Council. AREA TO BE REZONED: ACRES OR SQ FT Existing Zoning ___________ ___________ ___________ Existing Use ___________ ___________ ___________ Tract # # of Acres/SF ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ Max # of Res Units Per Acre ___________ ___________ ___________ Proposed Zoning ___________ ___________ ___________ Proposed Use ___________ ___________ ___________ Tract # ___________ ___________ ___________ Proposed # of Acres/SF ___________ ___________ ___________ Max # of Res Units Per Acre ___________ ___________ ___________ Proposed Total # of Units Per Acre ___________ ___________ ___________ Name of Neighborhood Plan: Page 7 of 19 rev 05/12/2023 RELATED CASES ZONING NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT (YES / NO) FILE NUMBER: ACTIVE ZONING CASE (YES / NO) FILE NUMBER: RESTRICTIVE COVENANT (YES / NO) FILE NUMBER: SUBDIVISION SITE PLAN (YES / NO) (YES / NO) FILE NUMBER: FILE NUMBER: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION (For the portion affected by this application) Provide either subdivision reference OR metes & bounds description. 1. SUBDIVISION REFERENCE: Name: Block(s)_____________ 2. METES AND BOUNDS (Attach two copies of certified field notesFILE NUMBER: DEED REFERENCE OF DEED CONVEYING PROPERTY TO THE PRESENT OWNER: VOLUME: SQ. FT: PAGE: OR DOCUMENT # or ACRES Is this a SMART Housing Project? Yes No If residential, is there other Tax Credits or …
From: To: Subject: Date: Contreras, Kalan case C14H-2025-0086 Friday, August 22, 2025 1:33:21 PM [You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] External Email - Exercise Caution The board of directors of the West Downtown Alliance supports the application for Zoning change for 1712 Rio Grande. Thank you, Scott Sayers 1800 Nueces St. CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious or phishing email, please report it using the "Report Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov".
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 HR-2025-102555; C14H-1977-0009 HORTON-DUVAL HOUSE 6706 BLUFF SPRINGS ROAD 4 – 1 PROPOSAL Deconstruct ruins of landmarked building destroyed by fire in 1996. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Due to serious life safety concerns, the Case Review & Escalations Division of the City of Austin Development Services Department seeks to remove the masonry remnants of the ca. 1852 building, destroyed by fire in 1996. Though the ruins were potentially salvageable after the initial fire, the thirty intervening years have led to deterioration beyond repair, and they now pose a significant hazard to pedestrians on the nearby sidewalk and people using the vacant land as temporary shelter. As the remaining masonry was quarried, hewn, and assembled by enslaved laborers from the nearby Sneed property, who later dwelt in the building, DSD staff propose respectful disassembly of the stonework and sustainable recycling, rather than removing the stones to a landfill. ARCHITECTURE Though the building was once an L-shaped vernacular residence with Greek Revival stylistic influences, few standing walls remain. See backup for images. DESIGN STANDARDS The City of Austin’s Historic Design Standards are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and are used to evaluate projects at historic landmarks. Though the standards do not typically allow demolition of landmarked buildings, this unique case warrants an exception to the standards due to its extreme deterioration, decades of failed remediation, and imminent threat to public safety. PROPERTY EVALUATION As the property is also a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark,1 the Texas Historical Commission has performed a site visit and evaluation of the property (see backup), determining that the building no longer retains sufficient integrity to qualify for the RTHL program. Similarly, the property no longer possesses sufficient integrity to qualify as a local landmark. Stabilization attempts were made after the fire in 1996, though limited progress was made due to lack of funding (the owner had purchased the property at auction in 1992), and deterioration continued. COMMITTEE FEEDBACK As the building has suffered extreme deterioration and near entire loss of integrity, and now poses an imminent life safety hazard, respectful removal of what masonry remains is appropriate. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Approve the Certificate of Appropriateness in concurrence with Committee feedback and Texas Historical Commission response. Recommendations for mitigation measures include a revised state marker as well as archeological documentation, which would be the responsibility of …
July 18, 2025 Kim McKnight Division Manager, Historic Preservation City of Austin PO Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767 Via Email Re: Recorded Texas Historic Landmark project review, The Governor Horton Place (Horton—Duval House), Austin, Travis County (RTHL) Dear Ms. McKnight: Thank you for sending information regarding proposed project work to the Governor Horton Place, which is designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. This letter represents the comments of the Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commission. The review staff, led by Alexander Shane, has completed its review of the project documentation provided on June 5, 2025, and has the following comments, recommendations, and expectations: On June 9, 2025, Texas Historical Commission staff met with staff from the City of Austin at The Governor Horton Place (1972) on Bluff Springs Road. The City of Austin Planning Department provided documentation prior to the site visit indicating the historic property at 6706 Bluff Springs Road had deteriorated beyond salvage. The building succumbed to fire in 1996 and was left in a state of disrepair for many years with partial exterior walls remaining. We understand the proposed exterior scope of work to be the demolition of the remaining masonry walls and clearing of the site. The 1996 fire, along with no additional care of the building, led to further deterioration of the structure. The City of Austin Structural Engineer submitted a report dated June 9, 2025, in which it was noted that between October 2022 and June 2025 two stabilizing walls collapsed at the building, increasing the instability of the remaining walls. Our office understands the growing concern by the community and by the City of Austin that the site of The Governor Horton Place has become a safety issue due to the weakening of the remaining walls. Since there is no security at the site, fears have been expressed over potential injury, due to the large tract of property and numerous access points. Normally, the Texas Historical Commission would encourage the property owner to attempt a rehabilitation effort to stabilize the weakened walls and look for ways to pull in monies to assist with building preservation. Based upon the deteriorated condition shared by the City of Austin in information submitted and noted during the site visit by Texas Historical Commission staff, we understand the demolition and clearing of The Governor Horton Place. Because this property is not owned by the City of …
