C.10.0 - 2109 Kenwood Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 PR-2021-124116/134075 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 2109 KENWOOD AVE C.10 – 1 PROPOSAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Construct a rear addition and deck, replace existing shingle roof with metal roof, demolish existing garage, replace front door, and construct a carport. 1) Partially demolish siding and windows at secondary elevations. Patch siding where window openings are removed. Two original windows will be salvaged from the east elevation and reinstalled on the south elevation. 2) Construct a rear addition and deck. The proposed addition is clad in stained cedar shingle siding and horizontal fiber cement siding. It is one story in height and is set back from the front of the house. Its roofline follows the existing gabled roof and includes two side-elevation skylights. Proposed new 1:1 windows are aluminum-clad wood, regularly spaced throughout, and fixed clerestory windows at rear above full-height sliders. 3) Replace existing shingle roof with standing-seam metal roof. 4) Demolish the existing garage and construct a new carport within the former garage’s footprint. The proposed carport is painted steel with stained wood roof. 5) Replace front door. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS Repairs and Alterations One-story house with partial-width gabled porch supported by boxed columns atop tapered river rock piers. The house’s cross-gabled roof is clad in shingles. It has horizontal wood siding at the façade’s gable end, with a combination of asbestos shingle siding and horizontal wood siding on the remainder of the house. It retains original single and paired 1:1 wood windows with historic-age screens. The house at 2109 Kenwood Avenue was constructed in 1945. Its first long-term occupants were James L. and Margaret Tarr, who moved in around 1948 from San Marcos. James L. Tarr was an executive district director with the Boy Scouts of America; later in his career, he became executive director for the nationwide organization. By 1953, the Tarrs had sold the home to the Straley family. James L. Straley was the credit manager for Bridges Furniture and an office administrator at the University of Texas, while Nancy Straley worked as a public school teacher and encyclopedia saleswoman. 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: 3. Roofs While a shingle roof is a more appropriate choice for the house’s style, the design standards do not prohibit metal roofs in historic districts. The proposed project does not alter the character-defining porch roof pitch. 4. Exterior Walls and Trim The proposed project salvages existing siding to patch, where needed. 5. Windows, Doors, and Screens The proposed project changes existing window openings and moves existing windows to accommodate the rear addition; however, it includes salvage and reuse of the removed historic-age windows. The proposed new door appears appropriate to the building’s age and style. 10. Accessory Buildings C.10 – 2 The proposed project demolishes a historic-age detached garage at the rear of the lot. Residential additions 1. Location The proposed addition is located at the rear of the existing house. It is set back approximately 35’ from the front wall of the house and minimizes loss of historic fabric by connecting to the modified rear elevation. 2. Scale, Massing, and Height The proposed addition is one story in height, and appears subordinate to the historic building. It is minimally visible from the street. 3. Design and Style The proposed addition is compatible with the historic building, with complementary proportions and patterns. It is differentiated by its use of modern cladding materials and slightly different window profiles at secondary elevations, as well as the stepped-down fully glazed gable end at the rear elevation. 4. Roofs The proposed addition’s roof form and slope complement the historic building’s roof. 5. Exterior Walls The proposed addition will be minimally visible from the street. Its primary and secondary cladding materials are compatible with the original house’s cladding. 6. Windows, Screens, and Doors The proposed addition’s fenestration patterns are regular and blend well with the original house’s patterns where they may be visible from the street. 7. Porches and Decks The proposed rear deck is compatible with the existing house and will be minimally visible from the street. 9. Attached Garages and Carports The proposed carport is compatible in size, massing, proportions, style, and materials. It is modern in design and does not compete with the existing house or give an appearance of false historicism. It is set back from the street and is located within the footprint of the existing garage. Summary The project meets the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Travis Heights-Fairview Park 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 displays eclectic Craftsman-style influences. b. Historical association. The property is associated with James L. Tarr, executive director of the Boy Scouts of America; however, the period of association is only 5-7 years in duration. 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 Comment on and release the plans. LOCATION MAP C.10 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos C.10 – 4 Application, 2021 C.10 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, August 2021 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 James L. and Nancy R. Straley, owners Office worker at University of Texas Teacher, Travis Heights School James L. and Nancy R. Straley, owners Credit manager, Bridges Furniture Inc. Teacher, public school James L. and Nancy R. Straley, owners Credit manager, Bridges Furniture Inc. Student James K. and Margaret Tarr, owners Assistant scout executive, Boy Scouts James K. and Margaret Tarr, owners District executive, Boy Scouts of America 1947 Vacant Biographical Information The Austin American (1914-1973); Oct 27, 1946 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jul 25, 1950 C.10 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 10, 1951 C.10 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 15, 1964 and The Austin American Statesman (1973-1980); Dec 8, 1978  Permits C.10 – 8 Water Service Permit, 1946 Sewer Connection Permit, 1947 Building Permit, 1945