HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, June 5th, 2024 – 6:00 PM City Hall – Boards and Commissions Room 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the Commission may 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, email preservation@austintexas.gov or call Sam Fahnestock at (512) 974-3393. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ben Heimsath, Chair Witt Featherston, Vice Chair Kevin Koch Carl Larosche Trey McWhorter Harmony Grogan Jaime Alvarez Roxanne Evans Raymond Castillo JuanRaymon Rubio Tara Dudley AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first (10) speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 1, 2024 – Offered for consent approval. 1 BRIEFINGS Presenter: Robert Moore Plan Presenter: Cara Bertron 2. Presentation on Code Department and Building Standards Commission processes 3. Briefing on outreach, engagement, and next steps for the Equity-Based Preservation PUBLIC HEARINGS/DISCUSSION AND ACTION Historic Landmark and Local Historic District Applications 4. HR-2024-025501 – 1000 Blanco St. – Application withdrawn, no action required. West Austin Fire Station Council District 9 5. PR-2024-014961 – 801 Lydia St. Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District Council District 1 Proposal: Total demolition. (Postponed May 1, 2024) Applicant: Jennifer Hanlen City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Grant the applicant’s postponement request to the July 3, 2024 meeting. 6. HR-2024-040291– 1807 E Cesar Chavez St. Berner-Clark-Mercado House Council District 3 Proposal: Repair/replace deck and rails, paint exterior. Applicant: David Rudick City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Postpone the public hearing to July 5, 2024 and invite the applicant to the next meeting of the Architectural Review Committee to discuss remediation options. 7. HR-2024-051579 – 1003 E 9th St. Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District Council District 1 Proposal: Partial demolition/addition/remodel/build new construction accessory dwelling unit. Applicant: Joshua Mackley City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Postpone the public hearing to July 5, 2024, and invite …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, May 1st, 2024 – 6:00 PM City Hall – Boards and Commissions Room 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the Commission may 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, email preservation@austintexas.gov or call Sam Fahnestock at (512) 974-3393. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ben Heimsath, Chair ab Witt Featherston, Vice Chair x Kevin Koch x Carl Larosche x Trey McWhorter x Harmony Grogan x x x ab x x Jaime Alvarez Roxanne Evans Raymond Castillo JuanRaymon Rubio Tara Dudley DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first (10) speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Andrea Hill spoke on 900 Spence National Register Historic District demolitions. Clifton Ladd spoke on 409 E Monroe. Samantha Smoot spoke on 409 E Monroe. Meghan King spoke on Preservation Austin updates. Robin Sanders spoke on 409 E Monroe. Witt Featherston spoke on the HOME Initiative and Preservation Bonus. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. April 3, 2024 – Offered for consent approval. MOTION: Approve the minutes per passage of the consent agenda on a motion by Commissioner Larosche. Commissioner McWhorter seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0. The motion passed. BRIEFINGS 2. Presentation on Code Department processes Presenter: Sonya Herrera, Law Department CONSENT/CONSENT POSTPONEMENT AGENDA Historic Landmark and Local Historic District Applications Item 3 was pulled for discussion. 4. PR-2024-014961 – 801 Lydia St. Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District Council District 1 Proposal: Total demolition. (Postponed April 3, 2024) Applicant: Jennifer Hanlen City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Grant the applicant’s postponement request to the June 5, 2024 meeting. MOTION: Postpone the public hearing to June 5, 2024, per passage of the consent postponement agenda, on a motion by Commissioner Larosche. Commissioner Koch seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0. The motion passed. 5. HR-2024-025501 – 1000 Blanco St. West Austin Fire Station Council District 9 Proposal: Build new construction outbuilding …
13 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 5, 2024 PR-2024-026690; GF-2024-043975 WILLOW-SPENCE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 900 SPENCE STREET PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1915 contributing building. ARCHITECTURE The 1985 Willow-Spence National Register Historic District Nomination describes the property as a one-story wood-frame house with a hipped roof. A porch supported by wooden columns is located across the eastern three-fifths of the front facade.1 The Historic Resources of East Austin National Register Nomination describes the building as an exemplar of the pyramidal cottage style.2 RESEARCH The house at 900 Spence Street, originally addressed as 810 Spence Street, was built in 1915 by Alfred and Caroline. Alfred Johnson worked as an engineer at the Southland Ice Company. The Johnsons lived in the home for twenty years, after which time it became a rental. Martha Ann “Mattie” Speir purchased the house after the death of her husband, Nace, in 1943. She took in renters for extra income and lived in the home until her death in 1957. Bastrop natives Bernardino Casarez Romo and Santos Selvera Romo purchased the house in 1957. Married in 1945, the Romo family had 8 children; Bernardino Romo served on the Palm School PTA board. Bernardino Casarez Romo worked as an upholsterer when the family moved into 900 Spence Street around 1959. The Romos retained ownership together until Bernardino Romo’s death at age 97 in 2017, and Santos Romo kept the house until her death in 2021. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Willow-Spence 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 may meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of the National Folk style. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations; however, the Commission may wish to consider further research on the Romo family. The house’s occupancy history is a good example of the settlement patterns of the district. 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 was not evaluated for its ability to possess a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 5, 2024 HR-2023-043027 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1409 ALTA VISTA AVENUE 10 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1926 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH One-story Craftsman with horizontal wood siding, screened wood windows, decorative shutters, a hooded entryway with decorative brackets, and a clipped-gable roof. The house at 1409 Alta Vista Avenue was built around 1926. Until 1947, its occupants were mostly short-term owners and renters, including an engineer, a state highway inspector, an office manager, and a mechanic. The home was then purchased by Frank and Lura Connolly. Frank Connolly was the editor, owner, and publisher of the Texas Tax Journal, while Lura worked both at the journal and as a Red Cross nurse. The Connollys sold the home in the late 1950s to Anna and William Duncum. William Duncum worked as a public school teacher. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Travis Heights-Fairview Park 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 modest Craftsman architecture in Travis Heights. 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 appear to 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 demographic group. e. Landscape feature. The property does not appear to be a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Strongly encourage adaptive reuse and rehabilitation, then relocation over demolition, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. The Historic Landmark Commission must review plans for new construction in National Register Historic Districts before the permit is released. LOCATION MAP 10 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 10 – 3 10 – 4 Application, 2023 1952 Frank R. & Lura J. Connolly – Texas Tax Journal Publication Co., Littlefield Bldg. Occupancy History City …
X – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 5, 2024 SB-2024-052120 CONGRESS AVENUE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 816 CONGRESS AVENUE PROPOSAL Construct a freestanding address sign. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The proposed sign is a freestanding directory sign for multiple building tenants, located at the northeast corner of 9th Street and Congress Avenue. DESIGN STANDARDS The City of Austin’s Guidelines for Signs in Historic Districts or City Historic Landmarks are used to evaluate projects in National Register districts. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Number of Signs: The Commission allows one sign per building, unless the building has multiple tenants; in this case, the Commission may allow one sign per façade module, if the façade modules correspond to tenant spaces. The Commission may also allow one sign for each street frontage if the building is at an intersection. A single directory sign is appropriate for a large building with multiple tenants. The proposed sign is a single directory sign for a multi-tenant building, located at the intersection of two streets. Sign Types: The Commission may allow window signs, awning signs, projecting signs, and flush mounted signs for most commercial buildings. Freestanding signs are allowed for office and retail uses in historic residential buildings. The proposed sign is a freestanding sign, though it is not located at a historic residential building. Sign Size: The maximum size for signs depends on the sign type: Projecting (blade) signs: 6 square feet. Flush-mounted signs: 7% of the overall façade area, with a maximum height of 2 feet and a maximum size of 20 square feet. Window signs: The lesser of 20% of the window or 8 square feet. Awning signs: The lesser of 20% of the awning panel or 8 square feet. Large commercial buildings (over 3 stories): Cumulative signage may not exceed 40 square feet per façade and must comply with a signage plan for the building. The proposed sign is approximately 36 square feet. Sign Design, Coloring and Materials: Use simple shapes, such as rectangular or oval signs. The Commission recommends painted wood or metal signs with matte finishes for all signs; plastic, reflective materials, and unfinished surfaces are not allowed. Limit the colors used in a sign to no more than three. For sites with multiple signs, all signs should have corresponding or matching designs, coloring, and materials. Signs should match or complement the existing color …
SPECIFICATIONS A. Numbers: fabricated edge-lit channel letters, face of ‘retainer’ to be .50", painted faces inset .50", full backs, edge-lit section to be white acrylic, painted all exposed sides, bottom-mounted to monument, internally illuminated with 6500k white LEDs, power supply remote-housed in power supply box B. Monument: aluminum fabrication, inset illuminated acrylic reveal, power supply remote-housed in power supply box C. Removable Tenant Names: flat cut aluminum, painted all sides, mounted to painted angle, angle mounted to rule line with tamper proof mechanical hardware Finish Schedule P1: SW 6258 Tricorn Black, satin P2: MAP White, satin P3: Champagne or light gold TBD D. Tenant Rule Lines: painted 1" x 2" angle Mounting method TBD Electrical Note: Secondary12V wiring completed inside building; 12V LED power supply stored in UL-rated transformer enclosure along with sign wiring above drop ceiling or crawl space inside building as required. Primary electrical service to sign not included. Client's electrician to provide a 120-277 volt 20 amp dedicated sign circuit on a timer or photocell within 5' of each sign; sign includes 120-277 convertible transformers. Final connection to existing circuit included only if circuit is ready at time of install. BIG will coordinate directly with client's electrician as needed. Provided electrical whips to be 15ft long. Note that face of numbers will NOT be illuminated 9.00" 45.50" face of ‘retainer’ to be .50" A P1 6.50" 3.00" edge-lit section 1" square inset P2 .50" inset faces C P3 .25" 1.86" 12.50" A A P1 P2 B P1 C P3 D P1 " 0 0 . 4 2 " 0 5 . 0 3 ~ " 0 5 7. 5 TBD " 0 0 . 1 " 6 8 . 1 C P3 Face View ~28SF Scale 1:16 76.00" 96.00" 1.00" .50" Side Profile 2.00" 12.00" B P1 Signage dimensions, lighting and fabrication to be in compliance with all applicable local signage ordinances. These designs are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to modification per applicable code. P15056 9.12.2023 JJ 816 Congress Monument 816 Congress Single-sided Illuminated Monument Qty: 1 E.1 PERSPECTIVE VIEW Rendering represents typical visual intent only. Actual scale may vary. P15056 9.12.2023 JJ 816 Congress Monument 816 Congress Single-sided Illuminated Monument E.1 ILLUMINATION DETAIL Rendering represents typical visual intent only. Actual scale may vary. P15056 9.12.2023 JJ 816 Congress Monument 816 Congress Single-sided Illuminated Monument E.1 CLIENT-PROVIDED RENDERING Rendering represents typical visual intent only. …
SPECIFICATIONS A. Numbers: fabricated edge-lit channel letters, face of ‘retainer’ to be .50", painted faces inset .50", full backs, edge-lit section to be white acrylic, painted all exposed sides, bottom-mounted to monument, internally illuminated with 6500k white LEDs, power supply remote-housed in power supply box B. Monument: aluminum fabrication, inset illuminated acrylic reveal, power supply remote-housed in power supply box, removable back, internal framing to receive support(s) from back side C. Removable Tenant Names: flat cut aluminum, painted all sides, mounted to painted angle, angle mounted to rule line with tamper proof mechanical hardware D. Tenant Rule Lines: painted 1" x 2" angle Support and Footing: (see next page for detail) Client's electrician to provide a 120-277 volt 20 amp dedicated sign circuit on a timer or photocell Electrical Note: within 5' of each sign; sign includes 120-277 convertible transformers. Final connection to existing circuit included only if circuit is ready at time of install. BIG will coordinate directly with client's electrician as needed. Provided electrical whips to be 15ft long. Primary electrical service to sign not included. Finish Schedule P1: SW 6258 Tricorn Black, satin P2: MAP White, satin P3: Champagne or light gold TBD Note that face of numbers will NOT be illuminated 9.00" 45.50" face of ‘retainer’ to be .50" " 0 0 . 4 2 " 0 5 . 0 3 ~ " 0 5 7. 5 " 0 0 . 1 " 6 8 . 1 C P3 Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. AT&T Acrisure Innovation TENANT NAME TENANT NAME A A P1 P2 B P1 C P3 D P1 Face View ~28SF Scale 1:24 38.00" Seam 38.00" 1.00" .50" 96.00" A P1 6.50" 3.00" edge-lit section 1" square inset P2 .50" inset faces C P3 .25" 1.86" 12.50" Side Profile 2.00" 12.00" B P1 Signage dimensions, lighting and fabrication to be in compliance with all applicable local signage ordinances. These designs are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to modification per applicable code. P15056 4.4.2024 JJ 816 Congress Monument 816 Congress Single-sided Illuminated Monument Qty: 1 E.1 ILLUMINATION DETAIL Rendering represents typical visual intent only. Actual scale may vary. P15056 4.4.2024 JJ 816 Congress Monument 816 Congress Single-sided Illuminated Monument E.1 INSTALL LOCATION Per comments from IA/DWG on 1/10/24, monument repositioned as shown P15056 4.4.2024 JJ 816 Congress Monument 816 Congress Single-sided Illuminated Monument E.1 RENDERING Note that this monument will be …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 5, 2024 HR-2024-044761 SIXTH STREET NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 611 EAST 6TH STREET 13 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct a new commercial mixed-use building. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The proposed building is six stories in height, with residential units stacked above ground-level commercial space. Materials include brick, stone, and stucco. Full-height glazing is present on the ground floor, with divided 9-pane fixed windows at residential spaces above. The garage is accessed via Red River Street. The proposed project also includes plantings at East Sixth, Sabine, and Red River Street frontages. DESIGN STANDARDS The design standards established by Ordinance No. 20230720-160 (July 2023) and based on the Citywide Historic Design Standards for properties in the 500 and 600 blocks of East Sixth Street apply. The proposed project was evaluated based on the following applicable standards: 3) Commercial New Construction a) Location: Maintain the rhythm of contributing buildings on the street. Orient a new building consistently with the predominant orientation of contributing buildings on the same block. Set back a new building from the street at least: 15 feet, or the distance of the median setback of all historic buildings on the same block face, or in line with at least one adjacent historic building. The proposed project is oriented toward East Sixth Street. It is set back roughly in the same location as the previous non- contributing building. However, it does not maintain the rhythm of contributing buildings elsewhere on the street. b) Scale, Massing, and Height: Design new building facades to reflect the massing of nearby historic building facades. Visually divide wider building facades into vertical bays that reflect typical widths of historic buildings on adjacent properties or the same block. Construct lower stories to appear as equal in height as possible to the story heights of adjacent historic buildings. Use vertical and horizontal design articulation techniques such as shifts in wall planes and differentiating materials to reduce a building's apparent scale and massing. Use step-downs in building height, wall-plane offsets, and other massing variations to provide a visual transition when the height of new construction exceeds that of adjacent contributing buildings by more than one story. The proposed building is divided into vertical bays, but they do not appear to reflect the widths of nearby historical buildings. The lower story is roughly the same height as nearby contributing one-story buildings, articulated from …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 5, 2024 HR-2024-048021 1519 ALAMEDA DRIVE TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 14 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct a new house and pool. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The proposed new house is three stories tall, with a habitable basement and garage beneath the two main floors. Materials include concrete and stucco with vertical wood accents; alternately, vertical seamed metal and stone are proposed as accents. The proposed building comprises three rectangular masses with flat roofs of varying heights. Fenestration includes undivided corner and vertical windows, a front-facing garage, and an obscured front door atop a walled staircase. 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 proposed building appears appropriately sited. 2. Orientation The proposed building is oriented toward the street. The front-facing garage at the front of the building is not compatible with the standards. 3. Scale, massing, and height The proposed building’s scale and height exceed those of nearby contributing buildings, and its massing is more complicated. Wall-plane offsets are used to reduce its monumentality when viewed from the street. 4. Proportions The proposed building’s proportions are not compatible with the surrounding historic district. 5. Design and style Though the proposed building is internally consistent in design and style, it does not appear to reflect the design or style of the surrounding district. 6. Roofs The proposed flat roofs do not reflect the roof styles of surrounding contributing buildings. 7. Exterior walls The proposed wood and stucco materials are mostly compatible; stone and metal options are less compatible. 8. Windows and doors The proposed fenestration does not reflect the fenestration styles present in surrounding contributing buildings. 11. Attached garages and carports See 2. Summary The project does not meet most of the applicable standards. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans. LOCATION MAP 14 – 2
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 5, 2024 HR-2024-048010 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 2103 NEWFIELD LANE 15 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct an ADU and garage. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS DESIGN STANDARDS The proposed new building is a two-story garage apartment located behind the existing Tudor Revival house. It has a simple rectangular plan, with garage bays oriented toward the existing driveway. It has a simple side-gabled roof, horizontal siding, and divided multi-light windows. 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 proposed new building is located behind the existing building. 2. Orientation The proposed building is oriented consistently with other garage apartments in the district; though the garage faces outwards, it is in keeping with the historic pattern for outbuildings. 3. Scale, massing, and height The proposed building is appropriately simple in massing and its location at the rear of the lot de-emphasizes its two-story height. 4. Proportions The proposed building’s proportions appear appropriate. 5. Design and style The proposed building’s design and style are compatible with the district and the main house. 6. Roofs The proposed building’s simple roofline is compatible and helps to differentiate it from the more dramatic primary Tudor Revival house. 7. Exterior walls The proposed wall materials are compatible. 8. Windows and doors The proposed fenestration is compatible. 11. Attached garages and carports See 2. Summary The project meets the applicable standards. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans. LOCATION MAP 15 – 2
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 5, 2024 HR-2024-056413 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 2100 TRAVIS HEIGHTS BOULEVARD 16 – 1 PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS Enclose the front porch and replace windows at a ca. 1958 house. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Enclose the front porch, using brick and siding to match the existing exterior. 2) Replace windows to match new windows at the porch enclosure. One-story brick-clad Ranch with an integral partial-width porch, aluminum 2:2 windows, and a low-sloped cross-gabled roof with deep eaves. The house at 2100 Travis Heights Boulevard was constructed in 1958. Its earliest residents were Roy B. Estepp and his family, who moved to Austin from Burnet in 1925. Estepp, a retired City employee, lived at 2100 Travis Heights with his wife until at least 1972. 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 The proposed project alters the historic form of the building and replaces historic-age windows. 4. Exterior walls and trim The proposed new siding and brick will match the existing materials; while compatible, they do not appear to be differentiated. 5. Windows, doors, and screens The proposed window replacements do not appear compatible; no information was provided on whether other efficiency improvements have been implemented per the design standards. 6. Porches The proposed porch enclosure does not maintain the open nature of the porch and is neither transparent nor reversible. Summary The project mostly does not meet the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Travis Heights-Fairview Park 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of a modest Ranch house. 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, …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 5, 2024 PR-2024-021145; GF-2024-043942 7304-06 KNOX LANE 20 – 1 PROPOSAL Relocate an early twentieth century house with 1940s vernacular additions outside the City limits. ARCHITECTURE The building at 7304 Knox Lane is an eclectic house with early Ranch and vernacular stylistic influences applied to what appears to be an early-twentieth-century vernacular farmhouse. It is one and one-half stories in height, with an L-shaped plan and intersecting partial-width porches. Its compound roofline features deep eaves with cedar shakes at gable ends. Fenestration includes 8:8 wood windows of varying dimensions. RESEARCH The house at Knox Lane and Running Rope Lane, known as 7304 or 7306 Knox, was constructed in the early twentieth century and augmented by the Knox family in the 1940s. The land was purchased in the 1930s by Mary Lou and Warren Penn Knox. W. P. Knox, the district commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, turned the property into a day camp for boys called Running Rope Ranch. Knox was a Vermont native who moved to Austin after World War I. After serving as an Army captain in World War II, he became involved in Central Texas outdoor youth activities, including work as the official operator of the Arrowhead Ranch Camp in Kerrville, before opening Running Rope Ranch in the 1940s. The ranch offered riding lessons, hiking and survival training, swimming in the spring-fed pool—the land boasted seven natural springs, which were later identified by Margaret Thomas Knox as a habitat of the threatened Jollyville Plateau salamander1—and other outdoorsmanship training. From 1959 to 1966, legendary Austin horsewoman Ginger Pool taught at the ranch.2 The Knox family operated the day camp for ten years. Knox, noted as “larger than life” in posthumous publications, had eclectic interests. He entertained his pupils by showcasing rope tricks he learned as a rodeo performer after WWI. He was a life member of the Marshall Ford Game Protective Association, volunteered on the Council of the Texas Confederate Home for Men, and taught Sunday school at University United Methodist Church. In later years, James and Margaret Thomas Knox and their children moved to the property. Margaret Knox, Captain W. P. Knox’s daughter-in-law, was the daughter of famed Austin architect Roy L. Thomas. She married aviator and P.O.W. James Knox in 1944. After he retired from the military, the couple moved back to his family home in 1966. …
22 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 5, 2024 PR-2024-037714; GF-2024-043948 501 TEXAS AVENUE PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Partially demolish, remodel, and construct an addition to a ca. 1922 duplex. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Remodel and construct a two-story addition and front-facing garage to the existing duplex. The proposed project also includes window and siding replacement. Duplex with Craftsman details at first and second floors, including exposed rafter tails, triangular brackets at gable ends, and decorative gable vents. It has 1:1 wood windows and horizontal wood siding. The house at 501 Texas Avenue, addressed originally as 501 E. 37th Street, was constructed around 1922. L. P. Rankin and his family were its first occupants. Rankin worked as a traveling representative of the Southwest Drug Corporation. After his death in 1938. Mrs. Leslie Rankin took ownership of the house and attended night school. Leslie Rankin and her two daughters all attended the University of Texas; Rankin later joined the Federated Business and Professional Women’s Club with her daughter Mary Helen. She rented out half of the duplex throughout her tenure in the home, until at least 1952. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2020 North Central Austin 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of a Craftsman-style duplex. 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 demographic group. e. Landscape feature. The property is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 22 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 22 – 3 Remodel application, 2024 22 – 4 1959 1955 1952 1949 1944 1941 1939 1935 1929 1924 Occupancy History City …
