1703 Alameda Response to questions posed at ARC • Comment made: • Design/Exterior Materials: • Questions about consistency and appropriateness in the historic setting. • Observed that the design appears to take inspiration from a new neighboring house (stucco), rather than fitting the established character of the street. • Response • We have reconsidered using stucco as the primary siding and will be using a combination of Siding from the 1700 Block of contributing houses. Which include: • Board and Batton • Horizontal Siding • Brick/Stone • Renderings and drawings have not been updated as the turnaround time was short, but will re-submit ASAP. Introduction – Response to questions posed at ARC. • Comment made: • Garage Placement and Grade Issues: • Concerns about the garage being set lower relative to the main floor, producing a split-level effect. • Questions about the site plan's handling of natural grade and the garage's elevation, with some confusion based on the submitted drawings. • Excavation is being used to keep the building's profile lower, but this may create practical or visual inconsistencies. • Response • 5’ elevation gain (526’-532’) in house footprint • Visitability of the entire main living area was the primary focus • Combination of excavation in the back yard to help reduce the overall height of the house and grading in the front of the house to help blend the driveway to the natural grade will be used. Introduction – Response to questions posed at ARC. • Comment made: • Suggestions included reconsidering the prominent arch (possibly removing it or replacing with a framed opening) to help scale and reduce visual disjunction. • Response • The Arch will be removed and replaced with a framed opening (Arch still present in Included Renderings). Rough Renderings Rough Renderings
Dear Historic Committee Representatives, eleven disease to us. Family. Plain and simple. along with dementia. a designated As we get older and our two boys are growing important older and living Parkinson's disease able to provide them to stay in Austin, Where they wouldn't feel "in the way" (their When the opportunity 14lk to her about the vision and excited house that will add quality by. to see us expand with family. out of town, which makes traveling tough. years ago, and is currently Both sets of in laws, our loving and is up, we are learning what truly matters parents, with mom was diagnosed from the side effects with intense dream; that one day we would be that was safe and comfortable dealing we had a wonderful Something are getting Sydney's for But recently space for our parents. with their grandkids, for extended words) came up to speak with Joyce, but could come and go as they please. the previous owner of 1703 Alameda, and periods of time. An in laws suite. for our home, she was not only interested in selling to us but eager Ultimately , we want to create a cohesive and beautiful to our neighborhood, something our neighbors would be proud to live Thank You, ' ' �;;;:; and Lior and Oliver Talpaz) � Current owners of 1705 Alameda Drive and 1703 Alameda Drive May 26, 2025
P U B L I C H E A R I N G I N F O R M A T I O N Although applicants and/or their agents) are expected to attend a public hearing, you are not required to attend. However, if you do attend, you have the opportunity to speak FOR or AGAINST the proposed development or change. You may also contact a neighborhood or environmental organization that has expressed an interest in an application affecting your neighborhood. During a public hearing, the board or commission may postpone or continue an application's hearing to a later date or recommend approval or denial of the application. If the board or commission announces a specific date and time for a postponement or continuation that is not later than 60 days from the announcement, no further notice is required A board or commission's decision may be appealed by a person withstanding to appeal, or an interested party that is identified as a person who can appeal the decision. The body holding a public hearing on an appeal will determine whether a person has standing to appeal the decision. An interested party is defined as a person who is the applicant or record owner of the subject property, or who communicates an interest to a board or commission by: ? delivering a written statement to the board or commission before the public hearing that generally identifies the issues of concern (it may be delivered to the contact person listed on a notice); or ? appearing and speaking for the record at the public hearing; and: ? occupies a primary residence that is within 500 feet of the subject property or proposed development. ? is the record owner of property within 500 feet of the subject property or proposed development; or ? is an officer of an environmental or neighborhood organization that has an interest in or whose declared boundaries are within 500 feet of the subject property or proposed development? A notice of appeal must be filed with the director of the responsible department no later than 14 days after the decision. An appeal form may be available from the responsible department. For additional information on the City of Austin's land development process, please visit our website: www.austintexas.gov/abc Written comments must be submitted to the board or commission (or the contact person listed on the notice) before a public hearing. Your …
Brian Randall From: Sent: To: Subject: Saved. Thanks Brian Randall Monday, May 5, 2025 2:20 PM Sydney Schatz RE: 1703 From: Sydney Schatz < Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 5:21 PM To: Brian Randall < Subject: Fwd: 1703 > Just received from another neighbor. --- Sydney E. Schatz ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: JANET WEAVER Date: Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM Subject: 1703 To: < We are fine with house demolition. Good luck with project. Jan and Bob 1702 Sent from my iPhone 1
Historic Landmark Commission, We are writing to you in support of the current house at 1703 Alameda Dr should be demolished. We have lived on Alameda Dr. for 10 years, and that house has been falling into more and more disrepair. We would happily see it go, but like to see a new build that preserves the character of Travis Heights. Sincerely, Amy and Craig Rochette 1707 Alameda Dr.
Brian Randall From: Sent: To: Subject: Thank you. Brian Randall Monday, April 21, 2025 1:51 PM Sydney Schatz; Kimberly Ciolli RE: 1703 Alameda Drive ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Tom Robinson < Date: Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM Subject: Re: 1703 Alameda Drive To: Sydney Schatz < > > To: Historic Committee From: Tom Robinson 1710 Alameda Drive 78704 To whom it may concern This is to affirm my opinion that the current home at 1703 Alameda Drive 78704 NEEDS to be torn down. My wife and I have lived on Alameda Drive since 1981 and that house has always been an eyesore. We will be happy to see it go. Sincerely, Tom Robinson 1
Brian Randall From: Sent: To: Subject: Sydney Schatz < Monday, April 21, 2025 4:12 PM Brian Randall Fwd: Alameda 1703 > Hey Brian, this is from another neighbor! --- Sydney E. Schatz ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Janice Lowry < Date: Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM Subject: Alameda 1703 To: < > I wholeheartedly support the demolition of the house at 1703 Alameda Dr, 78704. This house has been neglected and in terrible shape for a decade. It has water stains on the ceiling and the walls, some parts of the walls are being held together by duct tape, and there is one area in the back bedroom where you can see through the walls to the outside. The house at best is going to harbor rodents and other urban wildlife if it doesn’t already. Please approve the demolition. Janice Lowry 1710 Alameda Dr Austin, 78704 Sent from my iPhone 1
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 …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-067016; GF-2025-068689 300 W 34TH STREET 22.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1935 house. ARCHITECTURE The single-story residence is nearly square in plan and is elevated on piers, with the crawlspace currently covered by sheet metal. There is a 1960s addition to one side, which is differentiated by its board-and-batten siding. The walls of the original house are clad in in narrow teardrop wood and covered with a hipped roof with a modest overhang. A front door is nearly centered on the main façade, with a decorative wooden covering providing shelter immediately at the entryway. There is a small concrete platform that serves as a porch, with stairs leading down to the front walk. RESEARCH From its construction until at least the 1960s, the property was used as rental housing for various tenants, most of whom were office workers or widows. These tenants typically lived at the house for no more than a few years before relocating or passing away. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2020 North Central Historic Resource Survey lists the property as contributing to a potential North University National Register district as well as a potential North University local 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 intact early 20th century rental housing with National Folk influences. 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. COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Consider using the preservation bonus of the HOME initiative to retain the existing structure along with new construction. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Encourage rehabilitation, relocation, or adaptive reuse of structure, then salvage and reuse of historic material, but release …
300 34TH ST UNIT A DEMOLITION 300 34th St. Austin, TX 78705 Project No. 077 Client Exmouth Holdings TX LLC PO Box 300264, Austin, TX 78703 Tel (713) 330 8050 jkhedari@exmouthholdings.com Architect Saint Elmo Architecture Studio 211 Rowland Dr, Austin, TX Tel (917) 573 1747 sergey@saintelmoarch.com ) . . W O R . UNIT B EXISTING 2-STORY WOOD FRAME ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) TO REMAIN (SEE SEPARATE ACTIVE 2025-047342 PR R- 434 ADDITION AND REMODEL) E ELECTRIC METER K C A B T E S D R A Y R A E R ' 5 1 ) T O L H G U O R H T ( EXISTING POWER POLE +602' ' 5 1 ( Y E L L A EXISTING CONCRETE RIBBON DRIVEWAYS TO REMAIN ' 3 3 . 8 4 W " 8 5 2 3 ° 2 6 S ' LOT 14 +600' +601' N27°27'02"E 150.00' 32'-5" PROPERTY LINE 5' SIDEYARD SETBACK DEMO A/C 3 ' - 0 " 1 2 ' - 1 1 " ' 1 1 - 6 " 3'-0" DEMO METAL SHED 9'-8" LOT 15 7,249.5 SF UNIT A DEMO EXISTING 1-STORY WOOD FRAME SINGLE FAMILY HOME INCLUDING FOUNDATION 8'-0" " 6 - ' 2 DEMO A/C 2'-6" 2 5 ' - 3 1 2 " 1'-10" 3 ' - 0 " DISCONNECT GAS METER G 1 0 ' - 1 " 6'-1" DEMO CONCRETE STEPS EXISTING CHAINLINK FENCE TO REMAIN PORTA POTTY 18'-31 2" 5' SIDEYARD SETBACK PROPERTY LINE +601' EDGE OF ASPHALT +602' +603' S27°27'02"W 150.00' HOME LANE EXISTING WIRE FENCE TO REMAIN EXISTING A/C EX. CONCRETE RIBBON DRIVEWAY +603' OVERHEAD POWER LINES (SEE AE CLEARANCE DIAGRAM) EDGE OF ASPHALT N EDGE OF ASPHALT No Description 01 DEMO PERMIT Date 5/22/2025 T E E R T S H T 4 3 T S E W ) . . W O R . ' 0 6 ( +597' +596' +596' +597' +598' +599' I E N L G N D L I U B I W OVERHEAD POWER LINES DISCONNECT WATER METER REMOVE ELECTRIC METER E 7 ' - 2 " 6'-0" 8 ' - 4 " 1 2 ' - 7 " EXISTING CONCRETE WALKWAY REMAIN DEMO CONCRETE PORCH AND STEPS 6'-0" 2'-9" 18'-61 2" 9 " 5'-8" 3'-7" 5 " 7'-9" 5 " 5 1 2 " 4 1 2 " 18'-6" DEMO CONCRETE WALKWAY AND STEPS 2'-9" ' …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-067729; GF-2025-068701 5007 DUVAL STREET 23.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1949 house. ARCHITECTURE Defined in the 2020 North Central Historic Resource Survey as minimal traditional in style, the house at 5007 Duval Street is a simple L-shaped structure that features a small front entry porch at the center of the front elevation, which is covered by a nearly flat roof supported by a wood post. The larger roof structure is a moderately-pitched side gable with a projecting front gable and features exposed rafter tails. The 6-over-6 windows are covered with screens and may not be original frames, though their locations are the same. The walls have been clad in asbestos tile, which may cover the original siding material. RESEARCH Upon construction at the end of the 1940s, the house was occupied by a series of renters. Not much is known about any of these inhabitants, with the exception of some small or local social events occurring at the address. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2020 North Central Historic Resource Survey lists the property as contributing to a potential North Hyde Park National Register District and a potential North Hyde Park local historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate 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 remaining example of minimal traditional architecture in the neighborhood. 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 Encourage rehabilitation, relocation, or adaptive reuse of structure, then salvage and reuse of historic material, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 23.0 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 23.0 – 3 …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 2, 2025 PR-2025-071283; GF-2025-074521 4812 MOUNT BONNELL ROAD 24.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Remodel a commercial property to reflect residential use. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Convert a building most recently used as a restaurant and bar to a residential use. Alteration of existing materials and structure that does not meet code requirements, including: 1. Removal of current roof and replacement with a similar, though not exact, system 2. Replacement of upper-level cladding with similar materials, such as wood paneling in place of existing plywood 3. Safety requirements such as replacing handrails and adding vertical supports to once side of the exterior stair ARCHITECTURE The building, formerly known as the Dry Creek Cafe, appears as a two-story structure when viewed from the street at Mount Bonnell Road, but features a lower level to the rear as the site elevation rapidly descends. From the front of the property, the lower floor walls are clad in stone veneer, with a center door fitted with a decorative screen door. A side wood stair leads to the upper floor porch, which is covered with a metal sheet roof. The porch wall is wood framed and clad in shingles, with the full wall covered with plywood and punctured by aluminum windows. At the rear of this level is a large wood deck with a simple wood railing and pickets lining its perimeter. At this portion of the building, there are two floors visible below, covered by brick veneer. RESEARCH Operating for many years as the Dry Creek Cafe, the property was a well-known local hangout overlooking the Colorado River and west of Austin. Built sometime around or before 1950, it was owned and operated by Sarah Boyd Ransom for several decades from 1956 until her passing in 2009. In 2021, after 68 years of service, it ceased operations. Since that time, the property has been vacant. During its early years of operation until the 1984, the property lay outside the city boundaries, with minimal development occurring in the area. The café served as a social gathering space serving burgers, beer, and other refreshments. Live music acts would often perform in the space, and events such as the 1980 Mount Bonnell Hill Climb bicycle race used the café a starting point. The institution also attracted patrons of various species, with news articles publishing articles about a lost bird and a eulogy for …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ____________________________________ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: The mission of the Historic Preservation Commission is to encourage and support historic preservation in Austin. The HLC was created to prepare and periodically revise an inventory of the structures and areas that may be eligible for designation as historic landmarks. The Commission also prepares, reviews and proposes amendments to the Historic Landmark Preservation Plan. The Commission reviews requests to establish or remove a historic designation, and makes recommendations on the requests to the Land Use Commission, as determined in accordance with Section 25-1-46 (Land Use Commission). Section 2-1-147 of the City Code. The duties of the Historic Landmark Commission are to: • Promote historic preservation activities in Austin • Review applications for heritage grant monies • Review applications for historic zoning cases • Review certificates of appropriateness and tax exemption applications for city landmarks • Review sign and building permits in historic districts Annual Review and Work Plan Year Page # 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. In 2024, the Commission was deeply involved in the first update of City of Austin Preservation Plan in more than 40 years. The Equity-Based Preservation Plan provides direction for historic preservation policies, programs, and tools in Austin. It was created through an inclusive, community-oriented process and adopted in 2024. The vision for equitable historic preservation in Austin is to actively engage communities in protecting and sharing important places and stories. Effective preservation uses the past to create a shared sense of belonging and to shape an equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and economically vital future for all.The plan was adopted by the Austin City Council last fall. The Commission earned national recognition for its work on this plan. The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) awarded the all- volunteer body with a Commission Excellence Award in Best Practices: Public Outreach/Advocacy for its initiation and stewardship of the Equity Based-Preservation Plan. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. The Commission’s actions throughout 2024 complied with the mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. (Make …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, June 4th, 2025 – 6:00 PM City Hall – Council Chambers 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, 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 X Roxanne Evans (D-2), Vice Chair X Jeffrey Acton (Mayor) AB Harrison Eppright (D-1) AB X Kevin Koch (D-3) VAC Judah Rice (D-4) X AB X X X 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 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. Meghan King spoke on Preservation Austin updates. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 7, 2025 – Offered for consent approval. MOTION: Approve the minutes per passage of the consent agenda on a motion by Commissioner Koch. Commissioner Alvarez seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DISCUSSION AND ACTION Historic Zoning Applications 2. C14H-2025-0022 – 1701 San Gabriel St. Graves House Council District 9 Proposal: Owner-initiated historic zoning. (Postponed May 7, 2025) Applicant: Sean Reynolds City Staff: Austin Lukes, Historic Preservation Office, 512-978-0766 Staff Recommendation: Grant the applicant’s request to postpone the public hearing to July 2, 2025. MOTION: Postpone the public hearing to July 2, 2025, per passage of the consent postponement agenda, on a motion by Commissioner Alvarez. Commissioner McWhorter seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion passed. 3. C14H-2025-0059 – 2500 Nueces St. Whitehall Cooperative Council District 9 Proposal: Owner-initiated historic zoning. Applicant: Whitehall Intentional Society City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Grant the proposed zoning change from multifamily-neighborhood plan (MF-4-NP) to multifamily-historic landmark-neighborhood plan (MF-4-H-NP) combining district zoning. Alessio Franko spoke in favor of historic zoning. Meghan King spoke in favor of historic zoning. …
