Dear City of Austin & Historic Landmark Commission, My name is Meghan Hughes, and I am writing to express the utmost importance of demolishing my current home that I own at 4200 Wilshire Parkway. My goal is to create a safe and beautifully designed dwelling, utilizing long-time Austin locals - Engineers, Contractors, and Architects. For over 17 years I’ve been a resident of 4200 Wilshire Parkway, I am very active in my community. I volunteer with the neighborhood association and have adopted Boggy Creek @ Airport Blvd. , and regularly clean the creek with my neighbors. I walk my dog everyday in the neighborhood and am engaged with the residents of Cherrywood. Prior to submitting the demolition application I went out of my way to inform my neighbors of my intentions, making my home plans available, and having the team available for questions. At the time of writing this letter, I am planning to host an open-house with the design and construction team as a courtesy to the neighborhood. My team is working to design and build a high-quality personal residence, not a speculative development for sale, that is sensitive to the neighboring context, trees, and the character of the neighborhood. This home was built in 1947 and has old inefficient windows, little insulation, rotten siding, doors that don’t fully lock (in fact an intruder broke into my bedroom two summers ago because of this issue), an HVAC system and ductwork that are over 30 years past their life expectancy with mold throughout the ducts, and a foundation that is in literal shambles, and doesn’t use best practices that we now have in 2024. A renovation of this home would be a significant and unreasonable hardship, resulting in too great of a financial burden to bare for a compromised end result, as there is a lack of valuable or potentially reusable materials, assemblies, and systems in the house, and due to obsolete building standards and construction practices that were utilized in 1947. A new home would greatly improve the existing conditions of the property, as well as improve my own health, safety, and welfare for years to come. The City of Austin has just completed a gorgeous improvement of the Pharr Tennis Center at Patterson Park, across the street from my home. I believe the improvements proposed at my property, supplemented by the recent improvements of the Pharr Tennis Facility, …
4200 WILSHIRE PARKWAYDEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATIONHISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSIONJULY 3, 2024www.emadiarch.comemadi MEET THE TEAM: OWNER: Meghan Hughes PROPOSAL FOR TOTAL DEMOLITION FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION: Please consider the approval for total demolition of the existing failing single-story, single-family home at 4200 Wilshire Parkway that is well beyond its reasonable lifecycle and to allow the design and construction of a new single-story, single-family home for the current resident, Meghan Hughes. This is not a speculative design to be built and sold, nor is it a rental or STR cash-flow property - it is a dream home. As evidenced by the numerous support letters provided as backup, Meghan has gone out of her way to openly inform the neighborhood of her intentions, and introduce the proposed improvements and team to her neighbors. A resident at 4200 Wilshire for over 17 years, Meghan intends to build a sensible new home keeping with the neighborhood’s charm, character, and qualities that drew her to it in the first place. The team is a collection of local, award-winning professionals, many of which are UT Austin graduates, long-time Austin residents, or native Austinites with extensive experience designing, engineering, and building thoughtful, considerate, and appropriate projects in Austin. The team is familiar with design, engineering, and construction in residential settings benefitted by large trees and nearby bodies of water. As part of the proposed demolition process, we will be reclaiming as much of the existing limestone as possible, to be elegantly reincorporated into the new home’s design. Additionally, we have coordinated with the Austin Fire Department and nearby Station #14 to donate the home for controlled training prior to demolition. This training opportunity will include new, advanced life-saving technology for AFD’s consideration. From AFD: “We want to thank you for working with the Austin Fire Department to provide an acquired structure for training. The work we can do in a real building is invaluable and prepares us to face the challenges of an active structure fire in the city.” The neighborhood was invited by Meghan to open-house that occurred on June 20, 2024 with this presentation and the Architect available. INTERIOR DESIGNER: Natalie Ammirato ARCHITECT & INTERIOR DESIGNER: EMADI - Ian Ellis, AIA, NCARB, RID & Jessica McCarty STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Fort Structures - Sam Covey, PE & Paula Wright, PE GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Archive Properties - Ken Dineen & Jordan Sheftel TEAM INFORMATION emadi4200 WILSHIRE PARKWAYHistoric Landmark …
Libby Chennell 4113 Lullwood Rd Austin, TX 78722 To the neighbors, friends, and stewards of our community, Austin has been rapidly changing; everywhere you look there are single family homes being subdivided into multi-dwelling lots and developers tearing down heritage properties in favor of monotonous modern boxes focused more on the bottom line than the integrity of the neighborhood. It can be frustrating to imagine the impact this can have on our wonderful, diverse, and welcoming area. In renovating and adding to her home at 4200 Wilshire Parkway, Meghan Hughes, a member of the community for nearly 20 years, is thoughtfully preserving the beauty and integrity of the houses in our historic mid-century neighborhood. She has ensured that her design preserves the limestone masonry found afront most original Wilshirewood/Delwood 2 homes and is taking steps to ensure that the project benefits the surrounding area by allowing the nearby Airport Rd. fire station to utilize her pre-renovation home for training. Meghan is a great example of what makes our community so special, taking an active role in cleaning up our local public greenspace (which is how I came to know her), and helping so many of her neighbors in times of need. I so appreciate having her here and look forward to how her home renovation adds to our ever-changing bit of Austin. Sincerely, Libby Chennell
Lisa Laratta 4008 Cherrywood Rd Austin, TX 78722 Tuesday June 4, 2024 To whom it may concern, Thank you, Lisa Laratta I am writing this letter in enthusiastic support of the complete demolition of the current home of Meghan Hughes at 4200 Wilshire Pkwy and the subsequent build by emadi architects. I have been Meghan’s neighbor for over a decade and I am aware of the problems the current aging home poses to her comfort, lifestyle and finances. I know that she will proceed with the new building plans with integrity and care for the property and her neighbors, bringing value and beauty to our neighborhood. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Neighbor support letter - 4200 Wilshire Pkwy, 78722 1 message Meghan Hughes < To: Ian Ellis < >, Jessica McCarty < > > Sat, Jun 8, 2024 at 12:40 PM Ian Ellis > Meghan Hughes Realtor @ propertie’s | Christie’s International 303.263.0904 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Grace Tsao < Date: Fri, Jun 7, 2024 at 6:33 AM Subject: 4200 Wilshire Pkwy, 78722 To: < > > In reference to Meghan Hughes address: 4200 Wilshire Pkwy, 78722 Cheers, Grace Tsao 1510 Wilshire Blvd, Austin, TX 78722 I support Meghan Hughes's new home plans. I have lived next door to Meghan for years and know that this home will be a lovely addition to our neighborhood.
I am writing in regards to Meghan Hughe’s application for a demolition permit at 4200 Wilshire Pkwy. As someone who has volunteered alongside Meghan Hughes in various neighborhood initiatives, I have seen her dedication to our community firsthand. The plans for their new house reflect a deep understanding of our neighborhood’s character and an admirable vision for its future. The design respects the spirit of our area, while tastefully enhancing its aesthetic. This thoughtful approach will seamlessly integrate the new construction with the existing homes, maintaining the neighborhood’s cohesive charm. June 9, 2024 Thanks, Kevin Sullivan Kevin Sullivan 1309 Crestwood Rd Austin, TX 78722
To whom it may concern, I would like to express my enthusiastic support for Meghan Hughes in her application for a demolition permit at 4200 Wilshire Pkwy. As an architectural designer and a fellow resident, I am impressed with the proposed plans for the new house. The design is an excellent blend of old and new, capturing the historical essence of our neighborhood while introduc- ing contemporary elements that enhance its overall aesthetic. This balance ensures that the new construction will not only respect but also enrich the character of our community. It is a thoughtful vision that preserves our heritage while thoughtfully integrating modern touches. June 12, 2024 Best, Frances Peterson Frances Peterson 1409 Crestwood Rd Austin, TX 78722
Dear Members of the Historic Preservation Committee, I am writing to support my neighbor, Meghan Hughes, in her application for a demolition permit at 4200 Wilshire Pkwy. The proposed plans for her new house are done with great sensitivity to our neighborhood’s existing charac- ter. The design preserves the spirit and scale we all value, while adding a tasteful enhancement to our area. This thoughtful approach ensures that the new construction will blend seamlessly with the surrounding homes, maintaining the aesthetic harmony of our neighborhood. I believe approving this permit will not only benefit Meghan but also help sustain the cohesiveness and appeal of our community. Thank you for considering my support. Sincerely, Matthew Peterson 4106 Lullwood Rd Austin, TX 78722 06-14-2024
From: To: Subject: Date: Dan Brotman Historic Preservation Office 4200 Wilshire Parkway GF 24-073048 Monday, June 24, 2024 2:21:07 PM You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution To whom it may concern on the historic landmark commission: I wish to voice my opposition to the demolition of 4200 Wilshire Parkway. The "hearing" the committee set for this project is at a really inconvenient time for most.Why would you schedule a hearing at 6 pm on the night before a national holiday weekend. Was it so that no one could oppose the demo? 6pm at City Hall on JUly 3rd? Is this a joke? Last year the commission allowed Richard Lent to build at 4206 Wilshire Parkway. I opposed the demo and rebuild because the house in no way keeps with the historic designation of this street. His "one story" house (that is tall as many two story buildings) made up of cheap modular materials is an eyesore and immediately has an effect on my house at 4204 Wilshire Pkwy, Austin, TX 78722. The owners have installed cameras directly pointed at my property. They have installed landscaping that makes it virtually impossible for me to back up out of my driveway safely Materials and Height of property are extremely inconsistent with the historical house on this street. In short, just a big mobile home on 3 foot piers that towers over my original 1948 home. Is that what they are going to build at 4200 Wilshire? Wilshire Parkway used to be a tight knit street and now houses are being demolished one after the other. One individual demoed a house at 4208 just so they could have a bigger yard. At 4201 you allowed Mary Wilson to build a VERY dangerous fence that blocks off site around the corner so that an accident is bound to happen. You allowed her to build a pool in her front yard. Is that is line with historical homes from the 1940s. All these changes have changed Wilshire Parkway into a street most likely seen in California. Do you really want the older long term owners and renters on this street to be pushed out in favor of these homes? Please contact me at 512 587 3770. Regards, Dan Brotman Owner of 4204 Wilshire Parkway since 2010 CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email. Please use …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 3, 2024 HR-2024-074315 WEST LINE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1205 WEST 10TH STREET 14 – 1 PROPOSAL Remodel a ca. 1929 house. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Replace windows and doors. The proposed new windows are aluminum-clad wood 1:1 double-hungs at the main elevation, and divided-lite casements at secondary elevations. No changes to openings are proposed within 15’ of the front of the house. The proposed new door is a half-lite door matching the existing size and placement. The secondary door will be replaced with a window of the same head-height as the existing door. 2) Replace stone veneer at secondary elevations with brick. 3) Repaint existing siding and trim. ARCHITECTURE One-story house with basement. The house is front-gabled with a partial-width porch and wood windows with 1:1 screens. The corrugated metal roof, with exposed rafter tails and triangular brackets at eaves, is supported at the main elevation by wrought metal columns. The porch gable features decorative bargeboards. The house is clad in horizontal wood siding, with masonry skirting at basement level. The house at 1205 W. 10th Street was constructed around 1929. Its first occupants were Ray and Elsie Glenn. Ray Glenn worked as a hoseman with Engine No. 2 at the Austin Fire Department. By the early 1940s, Frank and Elvira E. Cerniglia had purchased the home, remaining there until at least 1959. Frank Cerniglia worked as a painter and was employed by Seton Hospital during the late 1940s and ‘50s. RESEARCH 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 The proposed project removes historic windows from the building and replaces them without changing openings. It fills an existing door with a window and removes non-original historic-age stone veneer from secondary elevations. The applicant has amended the design to include Committee feedback. 2. Foundations The proposed project removes and replaces the foundation skirting at secondary elevations. 5. Windows, doors, and screens The proposed changes are compatible. The applicant has amended the design to implement Committee feedback. Summary The project meets the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the West Line National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is …
OWNER INFORMATION INDEX OF DRAWINGS G1.0 G1.1 G3.0 D1.0 A0.0 A1.0 A2.0 A2.1 COVER SHEET PROJECT INFORMATION AND GENERAL NOTES SCHEDULES DEMOLITION PLANS SITE PLAN FLOOR PLANS EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS Rymer Residence 1205 W. 10th St. Austin, TX 78703 ARCHITECT: Norma Yancey, AIA SIDETRACKED STUDIO, PLLC 6521 Burnet Ln. Ste. 105 Austin, Texas 78703 phone: 870.219.6942 norma@sidetracked-studio.com Andrew Rymer 1205 W.10th St. Austin, TX 78703 LEGAL DESCRIPTION 41.86 X 99.33 FT AV OLT 4 DIVISION Z ZONING INFORMATION SF-3-NP SQUARE FOOTAGE INTERIOR REMODEL MAIN LEVEL: LOWER LEVEL: TOTAL IMPROVEMENTS: 1114 SF 977 SF 2091 SF Sidetracked Studio 6521 Burnet Ln. Ste.105 Austin, Texas 78757 870 219 6942 06.07.24 FIELD INSPECTION REQUIRED Prior to performing any bidding, new construction, and/or repairs, general contractor shall visit the site, inspect all existing conditions, and report any discrepancies to the architect. e c n e d s e R i r e m y R . t S h t 0 1 . W 5 0 2 1 3 0 7 8 7 X T , n i t s u A DATE ISSUED FOR 06.07.24 FOR PERMIT PROJECT NUMBER: 0000 COVER SHEET G1.0 GENERAL NOTES 1. THESE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS CONSIST OF ALL DOCUMENTS LISTED ON SHEET G1.0 AND THE INFORMATION ENCLOSED WITHIN. 13. CONTRACTOR TO COORDINATE STAGING AREA LOCATION AND ACCESS ROUTE WITH OWNER IN PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING. 2. CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING ALL COMPLETED WORK. CONTRACTOR SHALL REPLACE AND/OR RESTORE ALL MATERIALS STORED OR INSTALLED ON THE SITE SUBJECT TO DAMAGE OR THEFT. 3. CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSTRUCTING THE PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF ADOPTED CODES, LOCAL AMENDMENTS/RULES, AND STATE REGULATIONS. 4. CONTRACTOR SHALL VERIFY AND CORRELATE ALL DIMENSIONS ON THE JOB SITE. USE DIMENSIONS INDICATED. DO NOT SCALE DRAWINGS. 5. ALL PROPOSALS SHALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ALL SITE CONDITIONS AFFECTING WORK UNDER THIS CONTRACT. 6. IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE ARCHITECT OF ANY DISCREPANCIES IN THE DRAWINGS, OR ACTUAL JOB CONDITIONS WHICH WILL AFFECT THE EXECUTION OF THE WORK AS INTENDED. 7. CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPLY ALL NECESSARY LABOR AND MATERIAL NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE WORK DESCRIBED HEREWITHIN. 8. PROVIDE FIRST AID AND FIRE PROTECTION AS REQUIRED BY OSHA. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH NFPA 10 AND LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS. 9. CONTRACTOR SHALL COORDINATE MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, AND ELECTRICAL DIVISIONS WITH OTHER TRADES AFFECTING OR AFFECTED BY SAME. 10. ANY NECESSARY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM WORK SHALL BE …
OWNER INFORMATION INDEX OF DRAWINGS G1.0 G1.1 D1.0 A0.0 A1.0 A2.0 A2.1 COVER SHEET PROJECT INFORMATION AND GENERAL NOTES DEMOLITION PLANS SITE PLAN FLOOR PLANS EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS Rymer Residence 1205 W. 10th St. Austin, TX 78703 ARCHITECT: Norma Yancey, AIA SIDETRACKED STUDIO, PLLC 6521 Burnet Ln. Ste. 105 Austin, Texas 78703 phone: 870.219.6942 norma@sidetracked-studio.com Andrew Rymer 1205 W.10th St. Austin, TX 78703 LEGAL DESCRIPTION 41.86 X 99.33 FT AV OLT 4 DIVISION Z ZONING INFORMATION SF-3-NP SQUARE FOOTAGE INTERIOR REMODEL MAIN LEVEL: LOWER LEVEL: TOTAL IMPROVEMENTS: 1114 SF 883 SF 1997 SF 1 Sidetracked Studio 6521 Burnet Ln. Ste.105 Austin, Texas 78757 870 219 6942 06.25.24 FIELD INSPECTION REQUIRED Prior to performing any bidding, new construction, and/or repairs, general contractor shall visit the site, inspect all existing conditions, and report any discrepancies to the architect. e c n e d s e R i r e m y R . t S h t 0 1 . W 5 0 2 1 3 0 7 8 7 X T , n i t s u A DATE ISSUED FOR 06.07.24 FOR PERMIT 06.25.24 PERMIT RESUBMIT 1 PROJECT NUMBER: 0000 COVER SHEET G1.0 GENERAL NOTES 1. THESE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS CONSIST OF ALL DOCUMENTS LISTED ON SHEET G1.0 AND THE INFORMATION ENCLOSED WITHIN. 13. CONTRACTOR TO COORDINATE STAGING AREA LOCATION AND ACCESS ROUTE WITH OWNER IN PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING. 2. CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING ALL COMPLETED WORK. CONTRACTOR SHALL REPLACE AND/OR RESTORE ALL MATERIALS STORED OR INSTALLED ON THE SITE SUBJECT TO DAMAGE OR THEFT. 3. CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSTRUCTING THE PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF ADOPTED CODES, LOCAL AMENDMENTS/RULES, AND STATE REGULATIONS. 4. CONTRACTOR SHALL VERIFY AND CORRELATE ALL DIMENSIONS ON THE JOB SITE. USE DIMENSIONS INDICATED. DO NOT SCALE DRAWINGS. 5. ALL PROPOSALS SHALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ALL SITE CONDITIONS AFFECTING WORK UNDER THIS CONTRACT. 6. IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE ARCHITECT OF ANY DISCREPANCIES IN THE DRAWINGS, OR ACTUAL JOB CONDITIONS WHICH WILL AFFECT THE EXECUTION OF THE WORK AS INTENDED. 7. CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPLY ALL NECESSARY LABOR AND MATERIAL NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE WORK DESCRIBED HEREWITHIN. 8. PROVIDE FIRST AID AND FIRE PROTECTION AS REQUIRED BY OSHA. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH NFPA 10 AND LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS. 9. CONTRACTOR SHALL COORDINATE MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, AND ELECTRICAL DIVISIONS WITH OTHER TRADES AFFECTING OR AFFECTED BY SAME. 10. ANY NECESSARY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 7, 2024 PR-2024-021145; GF-2024-043942 7304-06 KNOX LANE 15 – 1 PROPOSAL Relocate an early twentieth century house with 1940s vernacular additions to a lot 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 …
