C.4.0 - NRD-2020-0015_1616 Northumberland.pdf — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS APRIL 27, 2020 NRD-2020-0015 1616 NORTHUMBERLAND ROAD OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT C.4 - 1 PROPOSAL Construct a new rear addition, garage, and greenhouse. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish existing 1-story rear additions; replace with new 1-story addition and attached garage. The addition’s wing and garage will have a low-slope membrane roof, while its western gable will have a composition shingle roof with exposed rafter tails. The proposed new addition is clad in fiber cement lap siding with a parged foundation and stepped frieze board. Window types include 6:6 double-hung, multi-lite fixed, and 6- and 12-lite casement. 2) Demolish and replace existing front porch flatwork. 3) Widen and rebuild first-floor bay window. 4) Add new 4:4 double-hung window at west elevation. 5) Replace second-floor wood siding with fiber cement lap siding to match addition. 6) Replace composition shingle roof. 7) Restore and repaint wood trim, windows, doors, and shutters at main façade. 8) Build new detached greenhouse. The green house will be clad in fiber cement lap siding to match addition. It is capped with a gabled standing-seam metal roof atop exposed rafter tails. Decorative trim includes a frieze board and wraparound sill. It features casement windows at the north and east elevations and steel French doors at the south. RESEARCH The house at 1616 Northumberland Road was constructed in 1940 for Francis J. and Jane Johson Amsler. Francis Amsler was employed by the E.M. Scarbrough Company for almost 50 years, beginning his career as a teenager in 1923 before advancing to credit manager, treasurer, and vice-president of the company. Amsler was active in Austin’s business and retail community throughout his long career, serving as head of the Better Business Bureau, president of the Texas State Retail Merchants’ Association, chairman of the Austin Advertising Review Board, chairman of Downtown Austin Unlimited, and president of the Retail Credit Executives of Texas. The Amslers contributed to Austin in other ways as well; Jane Amsler was active in the Red Cross and Francis Amsler served the Austin Community War Chest, Child and Family Services, and the United Fund. The Amslers lived at 1616 Northumberland until at least 1974. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are used to evaluate new construction projects in National Register historic districts. Applicable standards include: 2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided. The proposed project removes mostly non-historic material that is not visible from the street, with the exception of the enlarged bay window; the rebuilt window retains the original design. 9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. The proposed addition is differentiated from the old in its one-story design, shallow-pitched membrane roof, and articulated transition between original brick and new fiber cement siding. It is compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the historic building. 10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its  C.4 - 2 environment would be unimpaired. If the proposed addition and garage were removed in the future, most of the existing historic fabric would remain intact. STAFF COMMENTS The house contributes to the Old West Austin National Register 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). The property may demonstrate significance according to City Code: a. Architecture. The house is constructed in an eclectic style, featuring Colonial Revival- and Monterrey-style influences. b. Historical association. There do not appear to be historical associations; however, the Commission may consider the contributions of retail executive Francis Amsler to Austin business and advertising. 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 Comment on and release the permit.  LOCATION MAP C.4 - 3  PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos C.4 - 4 Source: Google Street View, 2019 Occupancy History City Directory Research, March 2020 Note: Directory information available through 1959 only due to library closure. 1959 1955 1952 1949 1947 Francis J. Amsler, owner Francis J. and Jane J. Amsler, owners Treasurer, E.M. Scarborough Company Francis J. and Jane J. Amsler, owners Credit manager, E.M. Scarborough and Sons Francis J. and Jane J. Amsler, owners Credit manager, E.M. Scarborough and Sons Francis J. and Jane J. Amsler, owners Credit manager, E.M. Scarborough and Sons 1944-45 Francis J. and Jane J. Amsler, owners Credit manager, E.M. Scarborough and Sons 1941 Address not listed.  Biographical Information C.4 - 5 The Austin Statesman: May 23, 1934 The Austin American: Sep 8, 1935  C.4 - 6 The Austin American: Sep 27, 1942 and Jul 1, 1945  C.4 - 7 The Austin Statesman: Jan 29, 1952 The Austin Statesman: May 25, 1960 The Austin American: Nov 5, 1961  C.4 - 8 The Austin Statesman: Nov 21, 1963 The Austin Statesman: Aug 1, 1963  C.4 - 9 The Austin American: Apr 17, 1966  C.4 - 10 The Austin Statesman: Feb 4, 1973  C.4 - 11 The Austin American Statesman: Dec 11, 1974 The Austin American Statesman: Jul 27, 1980 Permits Building permit, 8-8-40 Water tap permit, 8-12-40  C.4 - 12 Sewer tap permit, 8-12-40 Water tap permit, 5-25-57 Building permit for addition, 11-12-59