D.7.0 - 1308 Alta Vista Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 28, 2021 PR-2021-079768; GF-2021-086716 1308 ALTA VISTA AVENUE D.7 – 1 PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Partially demolish and modify a ca. 1935 residence by altering the existing roofline to construct a roof deck; removing and adding windows and doors with fiberglass, wood, and vinyl units; repairing siding; and enclosing walkway and porte- cochère with storefront assemblies. Two-story Colonial Revival house clad in brick with 6:6 wood windows, full-width front porch with flat and gabled roof supported by boxed columns, recessed entryway with decorative pilasters, and arched porte-cochère. The house at 1308 Alta Vista Avenue was constructed in or before 1935 by Alden and Mabel Davis. Alden Davis was a businessman who managed the auto supply division at the Walter Tips Company, eventually becoming a member of the board of directors and vice-president of the enterprise. His wife, Mabel Davis, was a civic leader who founded, led, and participated in many charitable and educational endeavors throughout her long tenure in the home. Best known for her enthusiasm for gardening, Davis helped to found and manage Austin’s garden club circuit, opening her home to club members for events and regular meetings from the time it was constructed until her death. She served as Texas’ state chairman for roadside beautification and as a member of the Parks board, along with other positions of honor. The rose garden at Zilker Botanical Gardens is named for Davis, in honor of her contributions as chairman and founder of the Austin Area Garden Center, Inc. In her joint role as chairman of the Botanical Garden’s building committee, she worked with City Council and local architect Hugo Kuehne to construct the Austin Area Garden Center at Zilker Botanical Gardens. According to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department and Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy: [In 1954,] six Austin Garden Clubs requested permission from the City to erect a Garden Center on city property. Mrs. Mabel Davis lead the effort with founding clubs including the Violet Crown Garden Club, the Men’s Garden Club (now the Garden Club of Austin), Wilshire Area Garden Club, the Austin Women’s Federation Garden Group (now The Garden G.A.N.G.), Heart of the Hills Garden Club, and Western Hills Garden Club (now West Lake Hills Garden Club). [In 1955,] The City of Austin accepted the idea and in April of 1956, the group filed articles of incorporation with the Texas Secretary of State. The Austin Area Garden Center was born and worked to bring a building to Zilker Park to serve as the garden center for club activities, community education, and volunteer efforts. (Source: https://zilkergarden.org/who-are- we-history/) As the executive secretary for the Red Cross, Davis led the charge for volunteer nurses during World War II. In 1960, she was named “Woman of the Year” by the Travis County Medical Auxiliary; in 1961, the Austin Board of Real Estate named her the city’s “Most Worthy Citizen” for her service and leadership in numerous health-related boards, drives, and charitable causes, including a stint as state chairman of the American Cancer Society. In addition to ecological and health-related causes, Davis was a patron of the arts. As president of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs, she worked with the Municipal Art Guild to arrange exhibits for the public and chapter members. Her support of art and artists led the Austin American-Statesman to select her as the year’s “Outstanding Contributor to Art” in 1962. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW 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 at potential historic landmarks. The following standards apply to the proposed project: 1.1 Do not remove intact historic material from the exterior of a building. D.7 – 2 1.2 Always attempt repair first. Replacement should only be undertaken when absolutely necessary, and for the smallest area possible. 1.3 When historic material must be replaced due to damage or deterioration, replacement materials should look the same, perform reliably within the existing construction, and, in most cases, be made of the same material. 1.5 When demolishing additions or features that were built after the building’s period of significance, minimize damage to the building. The proposed project removes street-facing windows for insertion of a door, and one stained-glass window at secondary façade for replacement with a new window. It proposes removal and replacement of porch handrail and rear deck guardrails. Repairs and in-kind replacement are proposed for deteriorated exterior cladding. 3.1 When replacing roof material, use a material that is appropriate to the building’s history and character. 3.2 When replacing roof material, retain the configuration; pitch; soffit detailing; character-defining features such as chimney, gutters, and ventilation systems; and design, configuration, and detailing of eaves. 3.3 Retain and repair historic decorative roof elements such as exposed rafter ends, bargeboards, brackets, and cornices. If elements are damaged beyond repair, replace them in-kind. 3.4 Do not add decorative roof elements that were not historically present. The application proposes that all new roof materials match existing shingle roof. Most character-defined features are retained, though the pitch will be modified to accommodate the roof deck and added hipped structure. 4.1 Repair, rather than replace, historic material, unless it is deteriorated beyond the point of stabilization or restoration. Replace only those portions of an exterior wall or trim that are deteriorated beyond repair, leaving the rest of the wall or trim intact. 4.2 When replacement or patching is required, use a compatible material that has a matching profile and texture, and that will not damage the historic material. 4.3 When repointing a masonry wall, use replacement mortar that matches the historic mortar in composition, joint profile, and color. 4.5 Minimize changes to side walls that are visible from streets (not including alleys). Repairs and in-kind replacement are proposed for deteriorated exterior cladding. 5.1 Repair, rather than replace, historic windows, doors, and screens; and their trim, surrounds, sidelights, transoms, and shutters, unless they are deteriorated beyond the point of stabilization or restoration. 5.2 Historic windows on non-street-facing walls may be replaced for energy efficiency if other high-impact energy efficiency upgrades have been completed or are included in the same project. 5.3 If historic windows must be replaced, match the size and details of the existing window, including configuration, profile, and finish. 5.4 If historic windows visible from a front or side street must be replaced, relocate historic windows from a non-street- facing wall, if sizes allow. 5.5 Do not enlarge, move, or enclose historic window or door openings that are highly visible from a front or side street. It may be appropriate to restore historic door or window openings that have been enclosed. 5.6 If adding windows or doors is necessary, create new openings on a wall not visible from the front street. 5.7 If replacing a non-original door, identify the historic style of the door through research, or look to nearby similar properties to guide the choice of a replacement. The proposed project removes two street-facing windows for insertion of new double doors, and one stained-glass window at secondary façade for replacement with a new 1:1 double-hung window. 8.1 Retain historic attached garages and carports and their character-defining features, such as principal materials, roof materials, roof form, windows, window and door openings, and architectural details. 8.3 Conversion of attached carports into enclosed garages or living space, or garages into living space, is allowed in historic districts. a. Recess the infill of the carport’s front wall six inches at minimum. b. When infilling a carport, use exterior siding and window sizes and materials that are similar to and compatible with the historic building. Include at least one window on the front wall. The proposed project encloses the existing porte-cochère and south walkway with a glass and steel storefront. The project meets few applicable standards. D.7 – 3 STAFF COMMENTS The property contributes to the pending Travis Heights-Fairview National Register Historic District. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. The 1961 Sanborn fire insurance map shows a reduced front porch; expansion may have occurred during or after the home’s period of significance. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it may meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building displays Colonial Revival stylistic influences. b. Historical association. The property is associated with civic leader Mabel L. Davis. 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 appear to 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 does not appear to be a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Consider initiation of historic zoning based on architecture and association with civic leader Mabel Davis. Should the Commission decide against initiation, release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP D.7 – 4 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D.7 – 5 D.7 – 6 Source: applicant, 2021 Occupancy History City Directory Research, June 2021 Mabel L. Davis, owner Alden T. and Mable Davis, owners Alden T. and Mable Davis, owners Alden T. and Mable Davis, owners Executive vice-president, Walter Tips Co. Inc. (Northwest corner of W 2nd and Colorado) Alden T. and Mable Davis, owners Vice-president, Walter Tips Co. Inc. (Northwest corner of W 2nd and Colorado) Alden T. and Mable Davis, owners Vice-president, Walter Tips Co. Inc. (Northwest corner of W 2nd and Colorado) 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1937 1935 1932 Alden T. and Mabel L. Davis, renters Secretary, Walter Tips co. Inc. Alden T. and Mabel L. Davis, owners Department head, Walter Tips Co. Alden T. and Mabel Davis, owners Purchasing agent, Walter Tips Co. Alden and Mabel Davis, owners Department manager, Walter Tips Co. Vacant Address not listed Biographical Information D.7 – 7 The Statesman (1916-1921); Oct 6, 1920 and The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Mar 2, 1928 The Austin American (1914-1973); Mar 4, 1928 D.7 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 23, 1928 and Jun 28, 1932 D.7 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jul 11, 1938 The Austin American (1914-1973); Sep 25, 1938 D.7 – 10 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 26, 1939 The Austin American (1914-1973); Apr 30, 1939 D.7 – 11 The Austin American (1914-1973); Aug 24, 1941 D.7 – 12 The Austin American (1914-1973); Oct 12, 1941 D.7 – 13 The Austin American (1914-1973); Feb 6, 1944 D.7 – 14 The Austin American (1914-1973); Jan 14, 1945; The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jun 3, 1946 D.7 – 15 D.7 – 16 The Austin American (1914-1973); Oct 13, 1946 D.7 – 17 The Austin American (1914-1973); Dec 21, 1947 D.7 – 18 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); May 26, 1948 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Oct 1, 1948 D.7 – 19 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Dec 17, 1952 D.7 – 20 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Nov 13, 1953 The Austin American (1914-1973); Jan 3, 1954 D.7 – 21 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Dec 8, 1954 D.7 – 22 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 3, 1955 D.7 – 23 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 3, 1955  D.7 – 24 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 14, 1957; The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 15, 1957 The Austin American (1914-1973); Jan 26, 1958 and Feb 2, 1958 D.7 – 25 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 14, 1958 and The Austin American (1914-1973); Oct 26, 1958 D.7 – 26 The Austin American (1914-1973); Mar 29, 1959 D.7 – 27 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jul 16, 1960 D.7 – 28 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Feb 7, 1961 and The Austin American (1914-1973); Feb 19, 1961 The Austin American (1914-1973); Jan 14, 1962 and Dec 2, 1962 D.7 – 29 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jun 24, 1963 D.7 – 30 D.7 – 31 The Austin American (1914-1973); Jan 2, 1966 D.7 – 32 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Oct 3, 1966 D.7 – 33 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Mar 8, 1967 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Mar 20, 1967 D.7 – 34 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 17, 1968 D.7 – 35 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Dec 8, 1968 D.7 – 36 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jun 17, 1970 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); May 31, 1971 D.7 – 37 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Feb 20, 1972 and “Edwin Lasater Battled Misfortune Establishing Dairy Cattle Empire Purcell, S M” in The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Sep 17, 1972 D.7 – 38 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 27, 1973 (1921-1973); May 10, 1973 D.7 – 39 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); May 9, 1973 D.7 – 40 The Austin American Statesman (1973-1980); Jan 25, 1976 The Austin American Statesman (1973-1980); May 6, 1978 Maps Permits 1961 Sanborn map D.7 – 41 D.7 – 42