C.4.0 - 1505 Travis Heights Blvd — original pdf

Backup

HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS OCTOBER 25, 2021 HR-2021-126308 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1505 TRAVIS HEIGHTS BOULEVARD C.4 – 1 PROPOSAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Partially demolish contributing residence to replace all siding, windows, railings, and roof. Convert attic into second floor and crawlspace into basement. 1) Convert attic to second floor: modify roofline, increasing pitch and replacing existing material with metal roof. Add shed-roofed stucco dormers to secondary elevations to create habitable attic space. Add rear balcony with metal guardrails, creating a flat-roofed rear porch below. 2) Partially demolish and remodel front porch: replace original wood handrails at porch with metal safety railings. Replace original box columns and masonry piers with painted metal posts. Remove original porch gable and replace with metal shed roof. Add built-in steel planters in front of porch. 3) Remove and replace original horizontal wood siding with fiber cement board-and-batten siding. 4) Remove and replace original 1:1 wood windows and screens with undivided fixed and casement windows. 5) Remove original wood front door and replace with fully glazed double doors. 6) Convert crawlspace into basement: construct rear deck and access stairs. Construct basement-level patio. The proposed basement walk-out is stucco, with sliding glass doors and horizontal metal handrails at stairs. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS One-story Craftsman bungalow with gabled roof, horizontal wood siding, mulled 1:1 wood windows, and a full-width porch supported by boxed columns on brick piers. Intact decorative details include deep eaves with exposed rafter tails and triangular knee braces at gable ends. The house at 1505 Travis Heights Boulevard was built for Fred and Julia C. Penick before 1924. Fred Penick was a bank teller, cashier, and clerk at the American National Bank for most of his career. Julia Penick, active in various community- building and youth enrichment programs, ran a summer camp with her older children. Penick had previously been employed as a camp employee at Yosemite National Park. 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: Repair and alterations 1. General standards The proposed project removes intact historic material from the building’s exterior without attempting repair of deteriorated elements. Replacement elements do not look the same and are not made of the same materials as the original elements. 2. Foundations The original building skirt, steps, and masonry cheek walls appear to have been removed without Historic Preservation Office review in 2020 during express-permitted foundation repair work. Instead of rebuilding these elements from photographic elements, per design standards, the proposed project obscures the foundation at the main façade with incompatible steel planters. 3. Roofs While a shingle roof is the most appropriate option for replacement material, the proposed project’s metal roof is allowed by the design standards. However, the proposed project alters roof configuration and pitch and removes historic decorative detailing. The shed-roofed dormers appear out of proportion with the main façade. C.4 – 2 4. Exterior walls and trim The proposed project removes all historic-age horizontal wood siding and trim, replacing historic elements with vertical board-and-batten fiber cement siding and minimal trim of different profiles, without considering repair. 5. Windows, doors, and screens The proposed project removes all historic-age windows, doors, screens, and trim, without consideration of repair. The proposed replacement windows do not match the historic windows in configuration, size, profile, material, details, or finish. The proposed front door replacement enlarges the existing opening and removes the current door in favor of fully-glazed double doors. 6. Porches The proposed project replaces historic-age porch piers, columns, railings, skirting, and trim with elements that are not compatible in style or materials. Additionally, it removes the original gable roof—including character-defining decorative details—replaces it with an incompatible shed roof, altering the porch’s original dimensions and height. Summary The project does not meet the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Travis Heights-Fairview Park 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). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of the Craftsman style. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. 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. COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Retain as many character-defining features as possible, including siding, gable vents, wood windows, piers, columns, and railings. Consider alternatives to raised roof ridge. Push back addition as much as possible from front of house. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Comment on and release the plans, encouraging the applicant to implement Committee feedback to the greatest extent possible. LOCATION MAP C.4 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos C.4 – 4 Google Street View, 2020 Application, 2021 C.4 – 5 Zillow.com, undated Occupancy History City Directory Research, August 2021 C.4 – 6 Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Assistant cashier, American National Bank Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Assistant cashier, American National Bank Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Assistant cashier, American National Bank Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Assistant cashier, The American National Bank Examiner, State Highway Department Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Assistant cashier, The American National Bank Examiner, State Highway Department Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Assistant cashier, American National Bank Saleswoman, Mathis Flower Shop Philip H. Sharnquist, renter Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Assistant cashier, American National Bank Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Teller, American National Bank Fred M. and Julia C. Penick, owners Teller, American National Bank Joyce Penick, renter Student, University of Texas Fred M. and Julia C. Penick, owners Teller, American National Bank Manager, cafeteria, Fulmore School Fred M. and Julia C. Penick, owners Teller, American National Bank Manager, cafeteria, Fulmore School Fred M. and Julia C. Penick, owners Teller, American National Bank Manager cafeteria Fulmore School Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Teller, American National Bank Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Teller, American National Bank Fred M. and Julia Penick, owners Clerk, American National Bank 1922 Address not listed 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1937 1935 1932 1929 1927 1924 Biographical Information C.4 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 13, 1943 and The Austin American (1914-1973); Jun 11, 1939 The Austin American (1914-1973); May 12, 1940 and The Austin American Statesman (1973-1980); Oct 15, 1977  Permits C.4 – 8 Sewer Connection Permit and Water Service Permit, 1931 Building Permit, 1941