C.1.0 - 804 Rutherford Pl — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS FEBRUARY 28, 2022 HR-2021-205974 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK 804 RUTHERFORD PLACE C.1– 1 PROPOSAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Demolish a contributing duplex and detached carport. Construct a new single-family residence with pool and two-story cabana. 1) Total demolition of existing contributing duplex and detached carport. 2) Construction of new single-family residence with pool and two-story cabana. The proposed primary building is two stories with a habitable attic and roof deck. It features an irregular flat, gabled, and shed roofline; fixed-pane and casement full-light fenestration in irregular pattern; stucco cladding; and a front-facing garage. The pool cabana is two stories in height with stucco cladding, a gabled roofline, and fixed-pane windows on two elevations; the west and south secondary elevations are windowless. ARCHITECTURE The 2020 Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Nomination lists 804 Rutherford Place as the only example of a representative domestic property constructed with a “mixed” architectural style. This unique eclecticism includes Mission, Tudor Revival, and Swiss influences. The nomination’s description is as follows: The small apartment building at 804 Rutherford Place is a good example of an eclectic, mixed design that draws from three styles, in this case Mission Revival, Tudor Revival, and Swiss. The building is two stories in height, with buff- and tan-colored brick walls and a flat roof. The front elevation has a symmetrical arrangement, with a one-story, partial-width entrance volume extending from the rectangular main building volume. The projecting entrance has Tudor Revival details including an arched entrance door, arched hood molding over the door, narrow windows with decorative shutters, and flared wrought iron stair railings. The main two-story volume has little decoration. It has single 1/1 windows on the first floor and two sets of paired 1/1 windows on the second floor. Its modest Mission Revival details are limited to a narrow, divided light, arched window in the center of the upper floor, and a stepped parapet. The Swiss detailing includes the scalloped bargeboard. All window openings have brick sills, and the parapet coping is brick.1 Notably, the building at 806 Rutherford Place is constructed with a similar plan, form, and fenestration pattern, though 806 Rutherford shows only Mission influences. 806 Rutherford was constructed in 1925 by the Austin Real Estate Abstract Company. 803 E. Riverside Drive, constructed by the same company in 1925 and displaying similar Mission styling to 806 Rutherford, is located immediately behind 804 Rutherford Place. RESEARCH The duplex at 804 Rutherford Place was constructed around 1931 by x-ray salesman Archie D. Alley, along with a garage. Archie and Hilda Alley, as well as Archie Alley’s mother and son Archie Jr., lived next door at 806 Rutherford Place.2 806 Rutherford was constructed in 1925 by the Austin Real Estate and Abstract Company, who developed numerous properties in Travis Heights and South Austin. The Alley family chose a similar form for their rental property at 804 Rutherford, though its decorative details and stylistic eclecticism are markedly more elaborate than those of its earlier neighbor. 804 Rutherford remained rental property throughout the twentieth century. Notable occupants included physician Robert Bratton and Theos B. and Velma Hill. Theos Hill, formerly a farmer and construction manager, was an Austin broker and politician. A popular pick for highway commissioner, Hill was appointed to the State Industrial Accident Board by Governors James B. Allred and W. O’Daniel. Hill chaired the delegacy to the Democratic Convention during his tenancy at 804 Rutherford 1 Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District nomination, https://atlas.thc.texas.gov/NR/pdfs/100006796/100006796.pdf 2 1940 census: https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui- content/view/60681792:6224?tid=&pid=&queryId=17367dfdccd1a65c8f0125d4dd4f71ce&_phsrc=GOU1&_phstart=successSource C.1– 2 Place, which was cut short due to his death by car accident in 1946. After Archie Alley, Jr.’s death in World War II, the Alley family appears to have sold the Travis Heights properties. A model airplane field in Zilker Park was named in Alley’s honor. 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 primary building is sited approximately 26’ from the street, with the two-story secondary building and pool at the rear of the lot. 2. Orientation The primary building is oriented toward Rutherford Place. However, the proposed front-facing garage does not comply with the design standards. 3. Scale, massing, and height The proposed building is technically two stories in height, though the roof deck and habitable attic may cause it to appear visually heavier than the adjacent one- and two-story contributing buildings. Its massing is typical for new infill in the area, but less compatible with historic buildings in the district. 4. Proportions The proposed building’s proportions appear somewhat compatible with the district (see 3). 5. Design and style The proposed building’s design and style are not compatible with adjacent contributing buildings. It does not appear to take design cues from the district. 6. Roofs The proposed compound roofline is not compatible with adjacent contributing buildings. 7. Exterior walls The proposed stucco walls are somewhat compatible, though the adjacent contributing building is clad in textured stucco appropriate for the Mission Revival style. The proposed building’s style does not correspond to other buildings in the district (see 5). 8. Windows and doors The proposed street-facing facades do not have similar window and door opening patterns as nearby contributing buildings, nor are they compatible with nearby contributing buildings in terms of size, configuration, and profile. 9. Porches The proposed balcony and roof deck are not compatible with surrounding properties in the district. Summary The project meets few 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 may meet two criteria, though the Commission will need to determine if the historical associations rise to the level of significance of a landmark property: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of a unique architectural style and a rapidly disappearing building type. b. Historical association. The Commission may wish to consider its association with T. B. Hill, Austin politician and State Industrial Accident Board appointee. The building’s association with historical development patterns in Travis Heights-Fairview Park may also be of note, as it is one of two similar and adjacent duplexes associated with the Alley family. 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 appear to 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, C.1– 3 cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Consider whether the building’s association to T. B. Hill and the Alley family’s contribution to historic settlement and development patterns of Travis Heights are sufficient for initiation of historic zoning. Should the Commission decide against initiation, consider implementing a demolition delay of up to 180 days so that the applicant may explore and evaluate alternatives to demolition. Should the Commission decide against the delay, comment on and release the plans, and release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP C.1– 4 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos C.1– 5 C.1– 6 Demolition Permit Application, 2021 C.1– 7 Melanie Martinez, Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District nomination, 2020 C.1– 8 Street View showing 804 (1931) and 806 Rutherford Place, Jan. 2022. Occupancy History City Directory Research, December 2021 Bert H. Bomba, renter ½ - Vacant Paul W. Gladden, renter ½ - Vacant Vacant ½ - Ed E. Sieck, owner 1959 1957 1955 1952 Floyd R. and Pauline F. Rich, renters Meat cutter, Pope Grocery & Market Clerk, State Highway Department Lawrence E. Schulz, renter Harvey E. and Arlene Holtz, renters Physician, Scarbrough Building William W. and Harriett Tiller, renters USA T. B. Hill, renter J. C. and Harriett McArdle, renters USA Clerk, State Industrial Accident Board Theos B. and Velma Hill, renters Member, State Industrial Accident Board Theos B. and Velma Hill, renters T. B. Hill Brokerage Co. Dewey M. and Velma Knutson, renters Technician, Medial & Surgeons Clinic T. B. and Velma Hill, renters T. B. Hill Brokerage Co. Dr. Robert E. and Dale Bratton, renter Medical & Surgical Clinic Vacant Address not listed 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1937 1935 1932 1929 Permits Water service permit, 1931 C.1– 9 Water service permit, 1931 C.1– 10 Water service permit for next-door property, 1935 Historical information The Austin American (1914-1973); Jun 14, 1925 C.1– 11 The Austin American (1914-1973); Jun 14, 1931 The Austin American (1914-1973); May 21, 1933 C.1– 12 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Sep 3, 1938 and The Austin American (1914-1973); Sep 4, 1938 C.1– 13 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 17, 1946 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); May 21, 1946 and Jun 20, 1947 C.1– 14 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Aug 2, 1962