C.6.0 - 504 Leland St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS NOVEMBER 15, 2021 HR-2021-168400 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 504 LELAND STREET C.6 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1931 house and construct new house on its site. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Demolish existing contributing building and construct a new house. The proposed building is two stories in height, with a compound gabled roof clad in composition shingles, horizontal fiber cement siding and fiber cement shingle siding, a front- facing garage, and single and mulled 2:2 windows. Exposed rafter tails accent the eaves. One-story, rectangular-plan frame bungalow with a partial-width, front-gabled independent porch; single and double 1:1 fenestration with 3:1 wood screens. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH The house was built around 1931 as a rental property and had a remarkable turnover in tenants until the mid-1940s, when it was purchased by Cecil and Artie Bowden, who lived here until around 1948. He was a driver for the Firestone Test Fleet. From the late 1940s until the mid-1950s, the house was owned and occupied by a captain for the Austin Fire Department and his wife, as well as a salesman for Yaring’s, a ladies’ department store; the salesman is listed singly here in the 1958 city directory. The house had more renters in the 1960s and early 1970s. It was purchased by computer operator Michael Asthalter and his wife Kristin in the mid-1980s. DESIGN STANDARDS 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: Residential new construction 1. Location The proposed new building is set approximately 34’ back from the street. The existing house appears to have a shallower setback than the proposed new building. 2. Orientation The proposed building is oriented toward Leland Street. It features an integral front-loading garage, which is inconsistent with the garage patterns in the district. 3. Scale, massing, and height While there are no adjacent contributing properties, most of the contributing buildings elsewhere on the block are one story in height, with simple massing. The proposed building is two stories, with more complex massing. Its front porch is appropriately stepped down, which helps to minimize its height. 4. Proportions The proposed building’s proportions are somewhat compatible with the surrounding district, as its use of stepdowns help to minimize its height. However, the fenestration’s strong vertical elements contrast with this effort. 5. Design and style The proposed building’s design appears to be mostly compatible; however, its decorative roof details are not appropriate for a new structure. 6. Roofs The proposed building’s compound cross-gabled roof is somewhat complex, but does not appear to detract from the overall compatibility. The exposed rafter tails and triangular brackets are not appropriate, as they convey a sense of historicism C.6 – 2 inappropriate for new construction. 7. Exterior walls While the horizontal fiber-cement siding at the garage and secondary elevations is compatible with the surrounding district, the use of fiber-cement shingles as a main cladding material is less appropriate. A simpler cladding would reduce visual noise, lessening the new building’s impact on the streetscape. 8. Windows and doors The proposed windows and doors appear appropriate in style, materials, and location, though a less strongly vertical design would help to minimize the building’s height. 9. Porches The proposed porch is appropriate in scale and design. Its stepped-down height reduces the building’s visual impact on the streetscape. 11. Attached garages and carports The proposed building includes a front-facing integral garage, which is not compatible with the surrounding district, Most contributing buildings nearby appear to have detached garages at the rear of the lot. Summary The project meets some of 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 Craftsman influences. 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. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Comment on and release new construction plans. LOCATION MAP C.6 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos C.6 – 4 Demolition Permit Application, 2021 Occupancy History City Directory Research, September 2021 1959 1957 1955 1949 1947 1944 Ruth F. Shropshire, renter (widow of J.H.) Bindery worker, Steck Co. Lester and Marjorie Brown, renters Meat cutter, Hydens Super Market Clerk, Board of Education Lester and Marjorie Brown, renters Market manager, Hydens Grocery & Market B. Hugh and Elsie D. Brinkley, owners Captain, Fire Department Jack N. Brinkley, renter Student Cecil H. and Artie Bowden, owners Driver Cecil H. and Artie Bowden, owners Driver, Firestone Test Fleet 1941 William E. and Fannie Sanders, renters C.6 – 5 Assistant supervisor, Uvalde Construction Co. Scott and Lucille Clark, renters Bridge superintendent Thelma Grimes, renter Saleswoman, T. H. Williams & Co. Vacant Roy and Melissa McGown, renters Manager, soda fountain Renfro Drug Co. No. 1 1939 1937 1935 1932 1929 Thos A. Barnes, renter Address not listed Biographical information The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); May 15, 1934 C.6 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 18, 1942 and Aug 19, 1947 C.6 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jul 25, 1947 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jul 6, 1956 Permits C.6 – 8 Water Service Permit, 1931 Sewer Service Permit, 1931 Remodel Permit, 1980