D.3.0 - 2003 Hamilton Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PR-2021-149935; GF-2021-164878 2003 HAMILTON AVENUE D.3 – 1 PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Construct a 1,050 square foot one story rear addition and convert the house from single family to duplex use with alterations to the front façade. One-story, rectangular-plan, front -gabled frame bungalow with synthetic siding, single and double 1:1 and 2:2 fenestration, and a front-gabled independent porch on ornamental metal posts; stone foundation skirting. The applicant proposes the demolition of the existing roof and front façade to convert the house to a duplex, replacement of all windows and doors, and the installation of new doors and windows and a new full-width front porch. The existing façade has a single-leaf front door, a single and double set of 2:2 fenestration, and a partial-width front-gabled independent porch on ornamental metal posts. The proposal envisions the construction of a full-width independent porch with railing, installation of three neo-Craftsman doors (one for each unit, and a central door for entry to a storage unit, and installation of new windows consisting of a triple set of 6:1 windows on each side of the doorways and single 6:1 windows down the sides of the house. The existing front-gabled roof will be removed and replaced with a hipped roof. PROPERTY EVALUATION The house is located next to the landmarked Yerwood-Simonds house and would be contributing to the potential College Heights historic district, which would also incorporate the Richard Overton House. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate 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 vernacular bungalow with little architectural merit, and which has compromised integrity of materials. It is important in context, however, because College Heights was a Black subdivision for which prospective property owners had to pay cash, following redlining practices of the day. This resulted in the construction of simpler, less ornamental homes in the neighborhood as compared to houses built in non- redlined areas where financing was more flexible. b. Historical association. The house is located in College Heights, which imbues it with some significance in the context of a potential historic district, but does not have individual significance necessary for landmark designation. 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 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 Consider a less radical approach to modifications to the front façade that might retain the potential for contributing status for this house in a future College Heights historic district. Staff appreciates the sensitive approach shown here for Craftsman style modifications, but this house never had those affectations. Staff further recommends release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, consisting of 8.5 x 11 photographs of all elevations, printed on photographic paper, a dimensioned sketch plan, and a narrative history for archiving at the Austin History Center, as the house does not rise to the level of an individual landmark. D.3 – 2 LOCATION MAP D.3 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D.3 – 4 Google Street View, 2019 Occupancy History City Directory Research, September 2021 1959 Walter D. and Mary White, owners Walter – Construction worker Mary – Maid 2503 McCallum Dr 1957 Walter D. and Mary White, owners Walter – Construction worker Mary – Maid 3921 Balcones Dr 1955 Walter D. and Mary White, owners Walter – Construction worker Mary – Maid 1952 Walter D. and Mary White, owners Walter – Construction worker Mary – Maid 2108 Bridle Path 1949 Walter D. and Mary White, owners 1947 Reverend Thos M. and Callie Bruton, owners District superintendent Methodist Church Thos M. Bruton Jr., renter Student 1944 Henry G. Grant, owner Defense worker 1941 Henry G. Mesidora E. Grant, owners Porter Delta Chi Fraternity D.3 – 5 Porter 1939 Henry G. and Musidora E. Grant, owners 1937 Henry G. Mesidora E. Grant, owners Porter Delta Chi Fraternity 1935 Henry G. Mesidora E. Grant, owners Porter Phi Sigma Delta Fraternity 1932 Henry G. and Musidora Grant, owners Porter Phi Sigma Delta Fraternity 1929 Henry G. and Musidora Grant, owners 1927 Henry G. and Grant, owners Porter 304 W 19th Street 1924 Address not listed Permits Sewer Connection Permit, 1944 D.3 – 6 Building permit for the construction of a frame rear addition (1961) and another frame rear addition (1971) Biographical Information Henry G. and Musidora Grant (ca. 1926 – ca. 1945) Henry Grant appears in the 1910 U.S Census as the 12-year old son of house painter H.G Grant and his wife, Luicia, who owned their home in Wheatville. Henry Grant was the 7th of H.G. and Luicia’s 10 children listed in the family home, and was a student. The 1920 U.S. Census shows Henry Grant, 22, still living in the home of hos parents in Wheatville. He was a porter and waiter. Henry Gilbert Grant, Jr. married Musidora Rucker in Travis County in 1925. Henry and Musidora Grant appear in the 1930 U.S Census as owners of the house at 408 W 18th Street in Austin; their house was worth $1,700. Henry Grant was 30, had been born in Texas, and was a butler at a sorority house. Musidora Grant was 28, had been born in Texas, and was a public school teacher. They had a son, Henry, Jr., 2, who had been born in Texas. Also in the home were two lodgers, who appear to be the younger brother and sister of Musidora Grant: Kaziah and Elmira Rucker. Kaziah Rucker was 18, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. Elmira Rucker, 16, had been born in Teas and had no occupation listed. The 1940 U.S. Census shows Henry and M.E Grant as the owners of this house, which was worth $2,200. Henry Grant was 41, had been born in Texas, and was a butler for a fraternity house. His wife, M.E, 37, had been born in Texas, and was a teacher in the county schools. They had a son, Henry, Jr., who had been born in Texas, and had no occupation shown. Henry Grant died in San Francisco, California in 1972. Walter D. and Mary White (ca. 1948 – at least through 1970) The 1940 U.S. Census shows Walter and Mary White as the renters of the house at 1193 Singleton Avenue in Austin. Walter White was 30, had been born in Texas, and was a laborer in building construction. Mary White was 28, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation shown. They had 3 children: Walter, Jr., 9; Albert, 8; Loretta, 5; and daughter Bobby Gene, an infant. All the children had been born in Texas. The family lived in rural Travis County in 1935. Walter D. White was living at this address when he died at the VA Hospital in Houston in 1970. He was born in 1910 in Winchester, Texas and was a general laborer. D.3 – 7