D.4 - HDP-2019-0711 - 4703 Ramsey.pdf — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION JANUARY 27, 2020 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS HDP-2019-0711 4703 RAMSEY AVENUE D.4 - 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1939 house. ARCHITECTURE One-story, rectangular-plan house clad in painted brick, capped with a side-gabled roof with composition shingles and shallow eaves. It has single and paired 1:1 wood windows and a full-width shed-roof porch with decorative metal supports. A small addition was constructed to the rear in 1950. A detached garage is located behind the house. The home’s small footprint and minimal detailing is typical for homes of the era and location. RESEARCH The house was built in 1939 and rented by NYA assistant director Raymond Leberban, then purchased by Forrest W. and Cecile Trafton around 1945. Forrest Trafton was a tile contractor. He began working for his uncle’s family business, Trafton Marble and Tile, before he and his father branched off to start their own business, Trafton and Son, in 1940. Cecile Trafton worked as bookkeeper and office manager for the business, and her brother John F. Rodriguez was an assistant manager. Son Capt. William Trafton later joined the business The Traftons lived in the home until Mrs. Trafton’s death in 1968; per deed records, it stayed in the family until 2006. Renters include grandson Mike Trafton and tilesetter Joe Castro, who may also have been associated with the Traftons’ business. STAFF COMMENTS 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 historic designation criteria for landmark designation (Land Development Code, Section 25-2-352). The property may demonstrate significance according to one criterion: a) Architecture. The house is constructed in the Minimal Traditional style. b) Historical association. While the house is associated with the Trafton family, who contributed their expertise as contractors to some of Austin’s most iconic buildings at midcentury, the Trafton & Son building at 3700 Guadalupe may hold stronger associational and architectural significance due to its exceptional exterior tilework that showcases the Traftons’ skills at both trade and salesmanship. However, the Commission may wish to consider Forrest and Cecile Trafton’s importance with regards to their house, given the uncertain integrity of the Trafton & Son building since 2011. c) Archaeology. The house was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d) Community value. The house 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 and adaptive re-use, then relocation over demolition, but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, consisting of photographs of all elevations, a dimensioned sketch plan, and a narrative history, for archiving at the Austin History Center.  LOCATION MAP D. 4- 2  PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D. 4- 3 Sources: Google Street View, 2019; Historic Preservation Office, 2020. Occupancy HistoryCity Directory Research, Austin History Center, December 2019 D. 4- 4 1992 1985- 86 1981 1977 1973 1968 1965 1962 1959 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944- 45 1941 Joe S. and Ophelia Castro, owners Retired Joe S. and Ophelia Castro, renters Tile setter No return Mike Trafton, renter Johnny and Susan Rose, owners Child care attendant, School for the Blind Forrest and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Forrest and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Forrest and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Forrest W. and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Forrest W. and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Forrest W. and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Forrest W. and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Forrest W. and Cecile Trafton, renters Forrest W. and Cecile Trafton, owners Trafton and Sons tile contractors Raymond D. and Mary Leberban, renters Assistant division director, NYA 1939 Address not listed  Biographical Information D. 4- 5 The Austin Statesman; Jul 26, 1968 The Austin American; Apr 19, 1936 The Austin Statesman; Aug 2, 1940 and May 13, 1949  D. 4- 6 The Austin American; Oct 18, 1953.  D. 4- 7 The Austin American; Oct 18, 1953 The Austin American; Sep 25, 1955  D. 4- 8 The Austin American (1914-1973); Nov 13, 1960 The Austin American; Mar 19, 1967  D. 4- 9 The Trafton & Son building at 3700 Guadalupe (now Planet K Gifts) won the Chronicle’s 2004 pick for “Best Building to Consider for Preservation.” While the building is still standing, its façade, roofline, and some character-defining features have been modified, obscured, and/or removed. Source: https://www.austinchronicle.com/locations/trafton-and-son-inc-227591/, Photos: Google Maps, 2011 and 2019. Building Permits Building permit, 6-22-39  D. 4- 10 Sewer tap permit, 7-7-39 Water tap permit, 6-21-39 Building permit for addition, 3-3-50