Historic Landmark CommissionMarch 28, 2022

C.3.a - 1505 Alameda Dr - 2.28.22 HLC backup - public comments — original pdf

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From: To: Subject: Date: Donna Morrow PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda Sunday, February 20, 2022 12:16:27 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Case # HR 22-006510-1505 ALAMEDA DR. ATTN: Amber Allen: This isn't a contributing historic structure. I hope the demo & new construction will be more in character with this recognized National Historic area. I do not object to the demo if trees are left intact & not damaged. Donna Morrow 504 Terrace Dr 78704 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. From: Cc: Subject: Date: Allen, Amber Objections, 2/28/2022 Monday, February 21, 2022 1:09:57 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Liaison, Chair and Vice Chair of the Landmark Preservation Commission, I reside within the Travis Heights Fairview Park National Historic District. These applicants are aware of the significance of the neighborhood and property or their cases would not be coming before the Historic Landmark Commission. I have been active in the neighborhood although I am not aware of the any of below applicants contacting or presenting to the membership of the South River City Citizens Neighborhood Association, the organization that supported the Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Historic District, or the Historic Preservation Committee that successfully applied for the designation. Until these properties are fully documented and archived at the Austin History Center, I object to the demolition of the following agenda items and cases in the Travis Heights-Fairview Historic District being heard by the Historic Landmarks Commission at the 2/28/2022 meeting: C.1. 804 Rutherford Place – Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District – DEMOLISH a contributing building and build new construction (postponed January 24, 2022) C.2. 512 E. Monroe Street – Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District – DEMOLISH a contributing house and build new construction (postponed January 24, 2022) C.8. 700 E. Monroe Street – Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District – DEMOLISH a contributing building and build new construction C.9. 1505 Alameda Drive - Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District – DEMOLISH a contributing building and build new construction C.10. 1803 Kenwood Avenue - Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District – DEMOLISH a contributing building and build new construction C.11. 1315 & 1317 Newning Avenue - Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District – DEMOLISH a contributing building As you may be aware from earlier correspondence, several houses in the Sherwood Oaks subdivision were recently demolished without a hearing although the properties met the requirements of being more the 50 years old and having noteworthy occupants and hosting events of historic significance. Moving forward, how can our community do better to engage and recognize the importance of our shared mission? Thank you for your consideration and service, Wendy Price Todd CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Brennan, Laura Wednesday, February 23, 2022 10:41 AM PAZ Preservation Register opposition for demolition of 1505 Alameda *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi,     I would like to register my opposition to the demolition of 1505 Alameda. What else should I do to make my voice  heard?    Thanks,   Laura  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Nicole Marie Wednesday, February 23, 2022 11:20 AM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi there,      I am an Austin resident and would like to register my vehement opposition to the demolition of 1505 Alameda. Enough  of this city's character has been demolished and this would be another devastating loss. These buildings need protection  from developers at all costs. Please let me know if there's anything else I need to do to make this happen.     Thank you,   Nicole Marie  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Allison Cook Wednesday, February 23, 2022 2:36 PM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda - Case HR 22-006510 *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello,     I'm writing to register my opposition to developer Vance Cobb tearing down the house at 1505 Alameda Drive in Travis  Heights. This is a unique house that deserves to be protected as an historic structure.     Thank you for your consideration.    Allison Cook  1702 Alta Vista Ave.  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 6:37 PM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda House *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Good evening, my name is Hermingildo Garcia Jr, I just want to say that I am opposed to the demolition of this house!  Please register my self as in opposition. I don't wish to speak, but opposing the demolition.     My address is 117 W. William Cannon Dr. Austin, TX 78745.    Kind Regards,   Hermingildo Garcia Jr         Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S9, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone    CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Ulla Florholmen Wednesday, February 23, 2022 7:59 PM PAZ Preservation Please save 1505 Alameda Dr. Case # HR 22-006510 *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution ***    Dear Amber Allen,    Please save this historical building that is one of the few old Bauhaus buildings remaining in Austin and which adds to  our neighborhoods historic character.    Kind regards,  Ulla Florholmen  1506 Travis Heights Blvd  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.  1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Matthew McCarty Thursday, February 24, 2022 8:32 AM PAZ Preservation Opposing the demolition of 1505 Alameda *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution ***    Hello Amber,    I’m a resident at 413 W. Annie St., Unit B, Austin, TX, 78704. I’m very much opposed to the demolition of this beautiful  historic home and am writing to express as much.    I hope all of us can work together to preserve what’s left of Austin history, not continue to allow developers with  enough money to change the city on a whim.    Regards,  Matthew McCarty      Sent from my mobile device. Apologies for any typos.  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.  1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Jan Child Thursday, February 24, 2022 8:55 AM PAZ Preservation Case # HR 22-006510 - 1505 Alameda Drive *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution ***    I am writing to OPPOSE the demolition of this Bauhaus treasure of a home at 1505 Alameda Drive.    It is one of the few remaining examples of Bauhaus/Modernist structures in Austin and all action should be taken to  prevent it being demolished. It is a much‐loved part of Travis Heights and adds to the historic character of the  neighborhood.    Thank you,    Janine Child  1118 Reagan Terrace  Austin TX 78704  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.  1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Thursday, February 24, 2022 9:00 AM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda Proposed Demolition This message is from Judith Donie.    As an Austin property owner, I am totally opposed to the demolition of 1505 Alameda.  I hope that you are able to stop this from happening.  1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Cherie Deutchman Thursday, February 24, 2022 9:12 AM PAZ Preservation HR 22-006510. 1505 Alameda *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution ***    I object to granting the request to demolish the referenced home.    Cherie Deutchman  1318 Travis Heights Blvd    Sent from my iPad  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.  1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Heather Siegel Thursday, February 24, 2022 9:52 AM PAZ Preservation Opposition to Demolition of 1505 Alameda *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed demo of 1505 Alameda. It is a beautiful historic building and a fantastic representation of our community. I hope that we can keep it. Best, Heather Siegel 3007 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Jo Sue Howard Thursday, February 24, 2022 10:44 AM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda potential demolition *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** As a long time Austinite and advocate for historic preservation, I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed demolition  of 1505 Alameda.  It is   is one of the few Bauhaus/Modernist structures from the immediate post-war period remaining in Austin and is deserving of preservation. Jo Sue Howard Owner of J. W. & Cornelia Scarbrough House  Sent from Mail for Windows    CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Gallagher Properties Thursday, February 24, 2022 11:40 AM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda Proposed Demolition *** External Email - Exercise Caution ***   I want to register my opposition to tearing down this historic building.  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Suni Harrell Thursday, February 24, 2022 11:46 AM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda Proposed Demolition *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** I strongly object to this demolition. Austin has been quietly killing off the historic value of our homes, businesses and culture. Those that want to build their own 'Mc Mansion' should just buy unused land to do that. Leave our history alone! CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: MJohnson Sunday, February 27, 2022 7:26 PM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** I am a former owner of this home. Though I no longer live in Travis Heights, I am devastated to hear that this very special unique home in Travis Heights might possibly be demolished. I dont understand the point of total demolition. There is plenty of lot to add and remodel without destroying it. Mary Johnson 7903 Valburn Dr Austin, Tx 78731 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: William Lehner Monday, February 28, 2022 12:15 PM PAZ Preservation RE: RE: Review case number PR-2021-200516 | GF 22-001167, ATTN: Amber Allen *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Good afternoon – I note that I never received a response related to my note below. Is this included in the record? I  received another notice this weekend about a hearing tonight (not much notice…). And in the agenda for the meeting  tonight, I saw a few emails attached but did not see mine. Was mine already included in the January meeting?      From: William Lehner   Sent: Monday, January 24, 2022 5:21 PM  To: preservation@austintexas.gov  Cc:  Subject: RE: Review case number PR‐2021‐200516 | GF 22‐001167, ATTN: Amber Allen  Importance: High    Good evening,    I was planning to attend the meeting this evening but now unfortunately am unable to join, so I wanted to share my  thoughts below regarding the demolition permit of 512 E Monroe (I reside at 510 E Monroe St. – i.e. the home directly  west of the home in question).     I wholeheartedly agree with the statement that my neighbor, John Trowbridge, already submitted to the committee  (sent last night at 11:51pm), and, to be clear I object to the outright demolition of the property at 512 E Monroe Street  and would hope that the builder/owner could work with the existing structure to make something unique in keeping  with the neighborhood. In addition to the salient points made by John in his statement, I have a few other thoughts to  add:     1) Our home is essentially the exact same structure/style as the home in question (I purchased this home in 2019),  as are the lot sizes/shapes. We have very long lots that have a steep drop down in the back. The original  structure of my home was preserved and restored, and the owners from late 90s/early 00s built a large addition  in the back to add more bedrooms, as well as a more modern studio/potting shed in the very back, creating a  very unique home that blends the old with the new. We have even updated the front porch to have railings that  are in keeping with the original molding/architecture style of the house and neighborhood. My reasoning for  pointing this out is that there is nothing precluding the owner of the new property of undergoing a similar  addition/renovation (vs. wholesale demolition). The lot is very large (over 0.3 acres) compared to others in the  neighborhood, and despite the large oaks (which John mentions in his note and I similarly am quite concerned  about owner trying to remove), it is doable to make a similar addition. This would preserve the curb appeal,  charm and character of the neighborhood, and I believe this is the precise reason this commission exists.   2) My partner (Abbey, cc’d here) and I became quite close with the prior owner of 512 E Monroe St, Russell  Johnson. He had lived in that home for decades, and we spoke with him regularly about his wishes for the  future. He wanted to sell the home to someone that would preserve it and keep the character of the  neighborhood – ESPECIALLY the trees that he loved so dearly. Sadly, Russell passed away suddenly in December  2020, and did not have any will or binding statement to have that wish seen through, and therefore his home  1 was sold as‐is (despite my efforts to help find someone who was willing to restore the home and undertake that  project). I understand that is how things happen from a legal perspective, but I thought it important to share the  wishes of the prior resident, who valued so dearly the character of the neighborhood.     So I’d like those two points added to the thought process, again in addition to seconding the statement that John wrote.  I have included Abbey on this email as well as I know she shares the same thoughts. It would be fabulous for the owner  to work with the existing structure and keep the trees.     I appreciate the committee’s consideration of these remarks above and thank you for your time.     Best,  William Lehner        CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   2 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Mary McLeod Monday, February 28, 2022 1:31 PM PAZ Preservation; Brummett, Elizabeth C.9 HR-2022-006510 -- 1505 Alameda Dr. *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution ***    Dear Ms. Brummett,    I live at 1313 Alameda Dr. but did not get a notice of the request for a demolition permit for 1505 Alameda Dr. and only  found out about this last night. I have lived in Travis Heights since the early 1970s.    I would like to register my objection to the granting of a demolition permit for this house. It is an excellent example of  modernist architecture of the great Bauhaus School, which produced such renowned architects as Mies van der Rohe,  Marcel Breuer and the Albers and only met its end due to the rise of the Nazis. It is all the more to be valued because we  don’t have many examples of this style in the neighborhood. It contributes to the charming and interesting variety of  architectural styles, which make Travis Heights such a great place to live.    I am not opposed to 21st century architectural styles. Although there are a few examples of well designed new homes  here, most are soulless monsters of no architectural worth, which we will only regret in years to come. The existing  house could be redesigned/rebuilt on the inside and added to in the back if needed to make it a desirable home for a  contemporary family. I see no reason to destroy our architectural heritage in this case.    Thank you for your consideration,    Mary McLeod    1313 Alameda Drive  Austin, TX 7804  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.  1 Allen, Amber From: Romalda To: Subject: PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda demo permit *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution ***    Dear Landmark Commission,    If this house is not zoned as historic, it should be.  I oppose a demolition permit.    Romalda Allsup  2111 Quarry Road  Austin, TX 78703            CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.  1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: paige thomas Thursday, February 24, 2022 10:27 PM PAZ Preservation 1505 Alameda, built in 1947, is one of the few Bauhaus/Modernist structures from the immediate post-war period remaining in Austin and this little gem, which adds to our neighborhood’s historic character, deserves some TLC, not obliteration  1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Calli Alford Friday, February 25, 2022 11:22 AM PAZ Preservation Re: 1505 Alameda Proposed Demolition Hi Amber,    Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.     I oppose the demolition of the house located at 1505 Alameda due to its historical significance. Preserving older homes  is an important way to protect the culture, feel and aesthetic of the neighborhood. There are plenty of other  development opportunities in the Austin area.    Thanks,    Calli Alford    On Fri, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:16 AM PAZ Preservation <Preservation@austintexas.gov> wrote:  You can simply send me a statement via email.  Hi Callie,  Thanks,  Amber Allen                 Planner II, Historic Preservation Office  City of Austin – Housing & Planning Department  T: 512.974.3393   E: Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov  From: Calli Alford  Sent: Friday, February 25, 2022 11:01 AM     1 To: PAZ Preservation <Preservation@austintexas.gov>  Subject: 1505 Alameda Proposed Demolition  *** External Email - Exercise Caution ***   How do I register my opposition to the demolition of the subject property?  Good morning,              Thanks,  Calli Alford  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking  links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   2 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Alison Rucker Friday, February 25, 2022 8:39 PM PAZ Preservation Travis heights: 1505 Alameda *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution ***    Hello Amber Allen,    I would like to register my opposition to the demolition of the house currently at 1505 Alameda St.    Thank you,    Alison Rucker  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.  1 Allen, Amber From: Kristi . To: Subject: PAZ Preservation Concerning 1505 Alameda...... *** External Email - Exercise Caution ***   Built in 1947, is one of the few Bauhaus/Modernist structures from the immediate post‐war period remaining in Austin  and this little gem, which adds to our neighborhood’s historic character, deserves to be restored, not obliteration.  Kristina Todd    ‐‐  Sent from myMail for Android  CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Allyson Pease Sunday, February 27, 2022 5:15 PM PAZ Pls save 1505 Alameda *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** This is a request to save 1505 Alameda, built in 1947, is one of the few Bauhaus/Modernist structures from the immediate post-war period remaining in Austin and this little gem, which adds to our neighborhood’s historic character, deserves some TLC, not obliteration. I oppose it being demolished. Allyson Pease 78745        CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1