REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, November 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 1203 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the committee may be participating by videoconference. 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, contact Cara Bertron at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Judah Rice, Chair Jeffrey Acton Trey McWhorter AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order or, for remote participation, no later than noon the day before the meeting, will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 2. Approve the minutes of the Operations Committee regular meeting on July 22, 2024. Approve the minutes of the Operations Committee regular meeting on November 19, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Discussion of Historic Sign Standards. Discussion of ways to approach concerns about structural issues in older buildings. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Cara Bertron at Austin Planning at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Operations Committee, please contact Cara Bertron at (512) 974-1446 or cara.bertron@austintexas.gov.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 11 a.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 2004 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive AUSTIN, TEXAS CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Judah Rice, Chair Jeffrey Acton Trey McWhorter DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order or, for remote participation, no later than noon the day before the meeting, will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 2. Approve the minutes of the Operations Committee regular meeting on July 22, 2024. Minutes not available for approval. Approve the minutes of the Operations Committee regular meeting on October 17, 2025. MOTION: Approve the minutes by Commissioner McWhorter. Commissioner Acton seconded the motion. Vote: 3-0. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Staff briefing regarding previous historic sign cases in Austin and good practices from other cities. Presentation by Cara Bertron, Program Manager II, Austin Planning. Staff briefing not available. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion of Historic Sign Standards. • Commissioners reviewed suggestions from Commissioner Koch, including to clearly define hardship and when exceptions to the historic sign standards may be made, non- complying signs, and unique district character. • Commissioners reviewed good practices from other cities, including standards for both new and historic signs. Commissioners appreciated example graphics of recommended and not recommended work, as well as tables outlining sign requirements by neighborhood. • Commissioners discussed the issue of outdated standards and other documents being available online without context that they are obsolete. • Make the process for historic sign review clear, including 5-day administrative approval. • Discuss neon signs and the percentage of window coverage: are these priorities? Should they be changed? • Commissioners will do field research to identify effective and iconic signs for comparison against the historic sign standards, including on both older/historic and new large-scale buildings. • Discuss historic signs with Preservation Austin, sign fabricators, and historic sign restoration companies. Integrate historic sign standards into Historic Design Standards in the future. • • Consider significant murals on buildings that themselves may not be eligible for landmark designation. • Mary Marrero, Austin Law, responded to commissioner questions. 5. Discussion of ways to approach concerns about structural issues in older buildings. • Item will be discussed at a future meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Monday, July 22, 2024 – 11:00 AM Permitting and Development Center Conference Room 1203 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr Austin, TX 78752 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: X X abs Witt Featherston Kevin Koch Carl Larosche DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No public communication. BRIEFINGS 1. Historic Sign Guidelines • Commissioners discussed issues with outdated guidelines and application forms that people find online. Staff clarified that archived public records cannot be removed. • Commissioners mentioned numerous violations of the historic sign regulations. • Commissioners discussed revising the sign guidelines to acknowledge the scale of large new buildings with signage many stories up. Clarify how the percentages in the guidelines apply to these buildings. • Commissioners discussed the need to consider address numbers and temporary signage in the guidelines. • Commissioners recommended adding illustrations (e.g., for building bays/modules) so that applicants can better understand the guidelines before planning and proposing signage. 2. Demolition By Neglect • Commissioners discussed the demolition by neglect process, including certification, enforcement, and the importance of communicating with the property owner throughout the process. • Commissioners suggested early communication with property owners to make them aware that demolition might not be an option based on eligibility for historic zoning. 3. Demolition Versus Relocation Permit Processes • Commissioners discussed making relocation applications easier in terms of process, as well as the need to have more relocation contractors and reduce relocation costs. • Commissioners reviewed a Council resolution and response regarding relocation. • Commissioners discussed considering the full lifecycle of buildings, including embodied carbon and landfill waste. ADJOURNMENT
