From: To: Subject: Date: Historic Preservation Office 1703 Alameda Dr--hearing scheduled for June 4 Thursday, May 29, 2025 3:24:18 PM You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution hello, I am newer to this neighborhood, having purchased my house on Alta Vista a bit less than a year ago. My house was built in 1948; I love old houses, which is one of the main reasons I bought in this neighborhood--for the historic character of the houses. It seems a shame to demolish something that contributes to the charming older feel of the neighborhood. I would like to register my opposition to the demolishment of this house. Can the owners not add on in the back somehow? Yes, old houses deteriorate and need work. Houses are brought back all the time from very poor condition. That's what you let yourself in for when you buy one. I hope they will consider leaving the old structure and adding to it, thus respecting the atmosphere and feel of the historic area. sincerely, Annie Possis -- Annie Possis "Somebody needs to do something — it’s just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”--Jerry Garcia "Don't be good: Be fearless."--Sanford Meisner “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you really are.” --Carl Jung "One of the coolest feelings a human can experience is to feel so small in a world that’s so big."--Marc-Andre LeClerc "The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it – basically because you feel good, very good, when you are near or with them."--Charles Bukowski 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 PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 2, 2025 HR-2025-057111 WEST LINE HISTORIC DISTRICT 1107 EASON STREET 15.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct three residential units. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Construct three units through the HOME incentive on the site of a previously non-contributing resource to the National Register district. All three units will be two stories with accessible roof decks. Two of the units will be side-by-side and face Eason Street, with the third to the rear of the property, towards an alley. RESEARCH Not much is known about the original inhabitants of the property at 1107 Eason Street. There is record of a Sidney Ralph Jeffers, associated with this address, who graduated from the University of Texas in 1949, shortly after the first house on the site was constructed. DESIGN STANDARDS The City of Austin’s Historic Design Standards (March 2021) are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and are used to evaluate projects in National Register districts. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Residential new construction 1. Location The front two units will be placed much closer to the street than the previous house, but they will be generally in line with neighboring setbacks. The rear unit will face the alley behind the property 2. Orientation Each of the front units will have their short sides facing the street, which is not typical of the surrounding area. However, when paired, the orientation of both will closer resemble the surrounding properties in terms of width and orientation. 3. Scale, massing, and height Two narrow, two-story housing units are not in keeping with the scale, massing, and height of their neighbors. However, the design has been altered to reduce the verticality of the original proposal. The footprints and exterior design of the two front units are generally the same but rotated 180 degrees from one another along the shared wall. 4. Proportions As mentioned above, the two-story residences have proportions that are much more vertical than surrounding properties. 5. Design and style As a side-by-side duplex, each two stories tall with additional roof decks, the style of the front building is not in keeping with surrounding houses. However, other highly modern designs have been approved in historic districts. Standard 5.4 calls for modern styles to use modern architecture details, which is true here. There is no likelihood of this design to be confused with …
1107 Eason St. Triplex Neighborhood Context Lap Siding Lap Siding & Stone Board & Batten Stone Brick Stucco and Stone Neighborhood Context - Elevations Alley Elevation WW St. Elevation W 12th St Neighborhood Context - West Lynn @ 12th Eason St FACADE A - LAP SIDING & RUNNING BOND 1009 Eason St. 1105 Eason St. 1108 Elm St.
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-055263; HR-2025-060397 OLD WEST AUSTIN HISTORIC DISTRICT 1607 GASTON AVENUE 16.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct and expand a side addition and a rear detached pool house structure. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Expand existing side addition, including the footprint towards the street as well as towards the rear of the property. Addition will also include two dormer windows at the second floor that face the street. 2) Construct a detached pool house at the rear of the lot, facing the existing in-ground pool. 3) Install new second floor porch covering and supporting columns, replace existing railing, install wood shutters at existing front façade. ARCHITECTURE The house at 1607 Gaston Avenue is built was built in the Colonial Revival style, and has seen several alterations since construction, though the original form remains. These alterations include new cladding on all exterior walls, as well as a side addition that is set back from the front line of the house. The original front elevation, excluding the side addition, is separated into three bays, with the entry door at center. At the first floor, a porch extends the width of the house and is covered with a flat roof that also serves as a porch accessed from the second floor. Above, a low-pitched front gable frames the overall house shape. RESEARCH Constructed around 1950, the house was first occupied by Elmer Hinkel and his family until around 1955. Hinkel served as vice president at Texas State Bank. The next owner was Frank Culver, who had been elected as an associate justice on the Texas State Supreme Court in 1952, where he served through the decade. DESIGN STANDARDS The City of Austin’s Historic Design Standards (March 2021) are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and are used to evaluate projects in National Register districts. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Repair and alterations 1. General standards Porch alterations are generally in keeping with the Standards. Details that are proposed to be removed are non-historic and don’t match the historic appearance. While the construction of a second-floor porch roof is sensitive to the design of the front elevation and appears visually cohesive, it does not appear to be based on any historic images or documentation. 3. Roofs Extension of the front porch roof at the second floor is proposed to …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-061450; GF-2025-064676 WEST LINE HISTORIC DISTRICT 1210 WEST 12TH STREET 17.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1949 contributing house. ARCHITECTURE Built in the early postwar period like many of its neighbors, the house at 1210 West 12th Street is simple in its single-story form but does feature Classical Revival elements, including a projecting pediment covering a front porch and original multi- lite windows. The foundation is elevated slightly above grade, which adds visual importance to the front porch and entry. At this porch, there is a single front door to one side and a small circular window to the other. Aside from the pedimented front gable, the roof is a side gable set at a moderate pitch. The wall is clad in horizontal wood siding that appears original. Together, these elements create an image of a house that has not been modified since original construction and retains excellent integrity. RESEARCH The first owners of the property after construction of the existing house were Lydia and Queenie Littman. Lydia Littman moved to Austin when she was a child, and, after graduating from the University of Texas, worked at a real estate company upon completion of further education and training newly available in the city. She became very successful in this field and became involved in various community groups. By the time she purchased the house on West 12th Street in her 70s, had her own business in real estate, loans, and investments. Upon semi-retirement around the same time, she continued to work out of her home office until her passing at the age of 92. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the West Line National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of postwar residential architecture with intact Classical Revival elements. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The property does not possess a unique location, physical characteristic, …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-063285; HR-2025-062422 OLD WEST AUSTIN HISTORIC DISTRICT 1606 WETHERSFIELD ROAD 18.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a contributing garage structure and construct a new residence on the lot. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish a garage listed as contributing to the district. 2) Demolish a house listed as non-contributing to the district (not in this review, already approved). 3) Construct a two-story single-family residence is generally the same location as the non-contributing house. ARCHITECTURE The main house on this property is listed in the Old West Austin National Register nomination as being non-contributing to the district, and therefore not under this review for demolition. The garage at the rear, which is contributing, is a simple side gabled shed enclosure. The walls are clad in thin teardrop siding, which matches the main house. There is a single garage door at the front with a door to its side. Above, the roof is covered with corrugated metal showing signs of age and weathering. RESEARCH The property was initially occupied by Milda Lamar, later Milda Payne, during the 1930s. After this, it went through a series of renters during the 1940s before being bought by John & Wilma Jones until the mid-1950s. It does not appear that, for the first 30 years of its existence, the property housed any occupant for longer than eight years, with most living there for under five. DESIGN STANDARDS The City of Austin’s Historic Design Standards (March 2021) are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and are used to evaluate projects in National Register. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Residential new construction 1. Location The proposed location of the new construction is in nearly the same footprint as the existing non-contributing house, and the setback will be generally equal to the neighboring houses on the block. 2. Orientation House is to be oriented towards the street, like others in the district. The proposed garage is attached to the house, which is not typical in the neighborhood, where garage structures are often detached and behind the house. 3. Scale, massing, and height While the existing house was originally a single story with a two-story rear addition (which likely removed its integrity when the district was inventoried and nominated), the proposed is two stories from the outset, which creates a more cohesive design. However, …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-041615; GF-2025-052681 607 EAST 38TH STREET 19.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1935 house. ARCHITECTURE The house at 607 East 38th Street is a side-by-side duplex set on an elevated foundation on a sloping grade adjacent to Hancock Golf Course. Unlike many homes in the nearby Hyde Park neighborhood, which were converted to duplexes during the Great Depression in the 1930s, this property appears to have been originally constructed as two units. This can be seen in the two entrances at the front corners, which are covered by small, decorated gables overhanging their respective stoops. The walls are clad in a narrow teardrop siding, and windows all appear to be original 1-over-1 hung units. A short metal rail is present at the perimeter of each stoop, which are accessed by stairs oriented parallel to the front elevation. A moderately pitched side gabled roof covers the house, with visible rafter tails at the front. RESEARCH Throughout its early history, the property was inhabited by a series of renters, none of whom appear to have lived at the address for longer than a few years. Records indicate that the north half of the property was largely vacant for most of the 1940s, which could possibly indicate that both sides were occupied by the same tenant. The house consistently had students living there throughout the decades given its proximity to the universities near to the south. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS Case history: A previous demolition permit for this address was heard by the Historic Landmark Commission at the January 24, 2022 meeting. At that meeting, the Commission voted to release the permit pending a City of Austin documentation package. However, that documentation package was never submitted to the Historic Preservation Office, and the permit was never released due to the approval requirements not being met. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2019 North Loop-Hancock-Boggy Creek historic resource survey lists the property as a medium priority. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of Craftsman style residential duplex construction. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. …
From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Fahnestock, Sam 6-4-25 Landmarkk Commission Agenda Item #20 Wednesday, June 4, 2025 8:59:12 PM image001.png image002.png External Email - Exercise Caution Please let the commissioners know how much we appreciate their postponement of Item #20 so that the Hancock Neighborhood Association can vote on it as requested by Mr. Bradbury, and let them know that the current applicant to demolish 607 E. 38th is the same applicant who applied to demolish it two years ago, contrary to their discussion at the meeting. I think one of the reasons he delayed his demolition was that he could not find a way to reduce the costs of moving his water and wastewater line as required by the city, who told him he had to bring the water line to the front of the property and then along 38th St. to tie into a 6-inch line---and the cost just to bring it to the front of the property was $20,000. Barbara Epstein From: "Fahnestock, Sam" <Sam.Fahnestock@austintexas.gov> Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 11:19 AM To: "Fahnestock, Sam" <Sam.Fahnestock@austintexas.gov> Cc: "Contreras, Kalan" <Kalan.Contreras@austintexas.gov>, "Lukes, Austin" <Austin.Lukes@austintexas.gov>, "McKnight, Kim" <Kim.McKnight@austintexas.gov>, "Wagner, Sofia" <Sofia.Wagner@austintexas.gov> Subject: HLC Call-In Information 6/4/25 Dear applicants and community members, In order to join the Historic Landmark Commission meeting virtually this evening, please call the highlighted number below: Phone Number: 1-408-418-9388 Webinar Number: 2497 118 7900 Webinar Password: 2456 This meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm. Please plan to call the number above at least 15 minutes ahead of time 5:45 pm. Initially when you call in you will hear music before being queued into the actual teleconference of the meeting. Once on the teleconference it will be silent prior to the start of the meeting (everyone is muted). Once the Commission is in session, participants will hear audio of the meeting and then shortly be joined live with the meeting. All participants should remain muted. When it is your time to speak, unmute your phone by entering *6. If you are also viewing the live recording of the meeting (http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live) while on the phone, make sure this is on mute while you’re speaking, or else everyone in the meeting will hear echoing feedback. Meeting Order: Roll call and reading of the agenda (Please remain on mute during this time). The Commissioners may ask clarifying questions about items on the consent agenda and/or …
From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments: Historic Preservation Office Regarding Case Number: PR 2025-041615 Wednesday, June 4, 2025 2:26:50 PM image001.png You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution To whom it may concern, as well as Sam Fahnestock, I am writing to oppose the demolition of 607 E 38th Street in Austin’s historic Hancock neighborhood. I live nearby on Texas Avenue, and it is vital that houses original to Hancock remain intact. Hancock is one of the few areas in Austin in which the majority of the original homes remain, and we must preserve Austin’s history as the city grows. This particular property contains a lovely duplex on a shady lot – it is absolutely worth preserving. Every time you permit the demolition of an original house, a bit more of the history that Hancock represents to our city disappears. I urge you to deny the demolition permit request. Thank you, Scott Brown - Scott Brown President 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 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-058881; GF-2025-060225 1606 CEDAR AVENUE 20.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1924 house. ARCHITECTURE Very simple in layout and modest in size, the house is an elevated single-story bungalow with a porch at the front corner. The front gabled roof adds height to the front, and the recessed porch provides some outdoor seating space as well as a transition from the steps up from the front walk to the front entry. Hung 1-over-1 windows on all sides appear to be replacement metal units, and the walls have been covered with asbestos shingle, likely after original construction. Rafter tails are present at the sides, and the elevated foundation is covered with a concrete skirt. Though the building is modest and does not feature many, if any, decorative elements, the building form represents a common type of construction once present in this section of East Austin that housed renters and service workers for the past 90 years. RESEARCH Constructed sometime around 1924, the house at 1606 Cedar Avenue was first owned by Sarah, Pernie, and Carrie Suldon until 1935. After this time, it was occupied for renters for at least 30 years, all of whom worked in various services and labor industries in Austin. While some of these renters saw milestones such as birth of children while living at the property, none appear to have been associated with the address for longer than five years. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2016 East Austin Historic Resources Survey lists the property as contributing to both a potential local historic district and a potential national historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of modest bungalow construction in East Austin. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The property does not possess a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, the neighborhood, or a particular …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 2, 2025 2025-051808 DA; GF-2025-059331 607, 611, AND 619 WEST MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD 21 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a commercial complex including a ca. 1939 warehouse building and ca. 1954 buildings designed by Austin architect August Watkins Harris. ARCHITECTURE Though the building now addressed as 611 W. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. is contiguous, it comprises three distinct parts. The earliest part of the building, addressed previously as 619 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is a one-story masonry warehouse building with stuccoed slipcover, large multipaned windows, and minimalistic detailing suggesting Moderne stylistic influences beneath the stucco. The adjacent 1954 two-story portion of the building, originally addressed as 611 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and designed by Austin architect A. Watkins Harris, is a flat-roofed Modern two-part commercial block with metal hopper and multilight picture windows, a suspension canopy with original sign, and stucco over masonry cladding. The 1954 one-story section of the building, originally addressed as 607 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and also designed by Harris, is a flat-roofed Modern one-part commercial block constructed with concrete under stucco. It features an expansive metal-and-glass storefront assembly. RESEARCH The original laundry facility at Rio Grande and W. Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, known historically as 615 W. 9th Street, was constructed in 1939 on a previously residential site. It was commissioned by Charles A. Burton, a dry cleaner, who slowly purchased and demolished the earlier houses on the block to create a large dry-cleaning complex over the course of fifteen years. Burton’s Laundry and Cleaners was an initial success, though labor shortages during and after World War II caused a good deal of upheaval among Austin’s textile cleaners. Burton regularly lamented to the Austin American-Statesman that the influx of dry-cleaning customers from the nearby University and the area’s bustling military installments--whose uniforms must be professionally cleaned and pressed--compounded with the accompanying shortage of laundry workers as Austinites joined the war effort to spell disaster for the dry-cleaning industry. Thus, Burton invested heavily in new textile cleaning technology. By 1954, he had commissioned architect August Watkins “Watt” Harris to design a new facility for his fully modern business. Prior to World War II, Harris had been a principal of Giesecke and Harris, a prolific firm whose PWA-funded projects spanned the state during the Great Depression. Notable projects included Russell …
