C.4.0 - 1107 Gaston Ave — original pdf

Backup

C.4 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS DECEMBER 17, 2021 HR-2021-190552 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1107 GASTON AVENUE PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Partially demolish building and construct two-story side and rear additions with basement. Replace front door and sidelights. Replace roof, gutters, and downspouts. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Partially demolish building to remove existing attached garage, rear additions, and rear windows/walls. 2) Rebuild garage as side addition with new second story above. The proposed addition includes a front-facing garage, multi-light casement windows, and exterior brick to match existing. 3) Construct two-story rear addition with basement and terrace. The proposed addition is clad in brick, precast panels, and glass, with single and mulled multi-light casement windows. The terrace includes metal handrails. 4) Replace front door and sidelights. 5) Replace roof and gutters/downspouts to match existing. Two-story brick house with Monterey-style balcony, hipped roof, masonry chimney, multi-light steel casement windows, and attached front-loading garage. The house at 1107 Gaston Avenue was built in 1939 for John Harvey, Sr. and Lucille Nash. John Harvey Nash was a car salesman from Waco who established the John H. Nash Automobile Company in 1927. The dealership started off selling Chrysler-DeSoto vehicles. By 1935, Nash had changed the dealership’s name and focus to Capitol Chevrolet, which became one of Austin’s largest and most influential car dealerships. After Nash’s death, the business remained with the Nash family; John Harvey Nash, Jr. became the company’s president and Lucille Nash retained her position as vice president. Lucille Nash remained in the house until at least 1959 after her marriage to James Motheral, a concrete company owner. During her time in the house, Lucille Nash—a trained musician—also became president of the Austin Symphony. 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 National Register districts. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Residential additions 1. Location The proposed additions are located at the front/side and rear of the property. The side addition is slightly stepped back from the front of the house. 2. Scale, massing, and height The proposed additions are two stories in height, with a basement level visible only from the rear. While the addition matches the existing building in height, its large scale in comparison to the existing building limits its ability to appear subordinate. 3. Design and style The proposed addition appears appropriate in design, style, and detail proportions, matching the existing house in materials while remaining articulated as a new addition through the stepback and modern fenestration. 4. Roofs The proposed roof form and slope appears compatible with the existing building. C.4 – 2 5. Exterior walls The proposed exterior materials are compatible with existing. 6. Windows, screens, and doors The proposed windows, screens, and doors are compatible, with the exception of the wide garage bay door, which dominates the addition’s street-facing elevation. 7. Porches and decks The proposed rear porches appear somewhat compatible; though their materials do not complement the historic house’s design, they are not visible from the street. 9. Attached garages and carports The proposed front-facing garage matches the orientation of the existing garage, though front-facing garages are not generally present on contributing buildings in the district. However, its increased width may dominate the main façade; per design standards, one-car garages should not be expanded to two-car garages. Summary The project meets some of the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Old West Austin 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 may meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building, designed by the firm of C. H. Page and Son, displays Monterey-style influences. b. Historical association. The property is associated with the Nash family, Austin business and civic leaders. 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 Should the Commission feel that the Nash family’s association with the property justifies designation, consider initiating historic zoning. Otherwise, comment on and release plans for new construction upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP C.4 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos C.4 – 4 C.4 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, November 2021 Applicant, 2021 James E. and Lucille D. Motheral, owners President, Trans-mix Concrete and Superior Stone Products Inc. 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 Lucille D. Nash, owner (widow of John H.) Vice-president, Capitol Chevy Lucille D. Nash, owner Vice-president, Capitol Chevy Lucille D. Nash, owner (widow of John H.) Vice-president, Capitol Chevy Lucille D. Nash, owner (widow of John H.) Vice-president, Capitol Chevy John Harvey and Lucille Nash, owners Capitol Chevrolet Co. John H. and Lucille Nash, owners Capitol Chevrolet Co. John H. and Lucille Nash, owners Capitol Chevrolet Co. Biographical Information C.4 – 6 The Austin American (1914-1973); Nov 4, 1928 The Austin American (1914-1973); May 26, 1929 C.4 – 7 The Austin American (1914-1973); Nov 17, 1929 The Austin American (1914-1973); Mar 16, 1930 C.4 – 8 The Austin American (1914-1973); Apr 7, 1935 The Austin American (1914-1973); Jun 18, 1939 C.4 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Nov 24, 1942 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jun 2, 1943 C.4 – 10 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Aug 4, 1945 The Austin American (1914-1973); Feb 29, 1948 C.4 – 11 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Aug 26, 1949 C.4 – 12 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Aug 27, 1949 C.4 – 13 C.4 – 14 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Aug 17, 1951 C.4 – 15 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Mar 28, 1958 C.4 – 16 Permits The Austin American Statesman (1973-1980); Oct 1, 1979 and Oct 5, 1979 Sewer service permit, 1939 C.4 – 17 Water service permit, 1939 Building permit, 1939 Building permit, 1981