16.mm - 2307 Windsor Rd #2 - public comment — original pdf

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April 30, 2024 City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767 Re: 2307 Windsor Road #2 (PR-2024-018182; GF-2024-030562) Commissioners, Mid Tex Mod, the leading voice for the preservation of Modern architecture in our region, submits this letter of opposition to the proposed demolition of the house at 2307 Windsor #2. As the Central Texas chapter of DOCOMOMO US, Mid Tex Mod's mission is to raise awareness of buildings, sites, neighborhoods, and landscapes of the Modern movement and to advocate for their preservation, documentation, and sustained use. Mid Tex Mod strongly opposes the release of a demolition permit for 2307 Windsor #2 and respectfully requests that the Commission initiate historic zoning given that the property meets the following criteria for landmark designation: • Architecture. The O'Quinn House, built in 1950, was designed by Arthur Fehr of Fehr and Granger. The property predates and was likely influenced the design of the celebrated Charles Granger House in Judges Hill Historic District. The O'Quinn House is a contributing resource to the Old West Austin National Register Historic District, and is a unique example of Mid Century Modernist architecture. No other Modernist structures were listed in the entire Old West Austin National Register Historic District. • Landscape feature. The O'Quinn House contains original significant landscape elements, incorporating the natural landscape into the Modernist design, including decorative stonework procured from 1853 Texas Capitol, wrought iron fencing that graced the 1888 Texas Capitol, bricks and other elements from UT's Old Main, and an iconic dry stack limestone fence constructed of hand hewn stones salvaged from Anderson Mill, a local grist mill operating from 1861 to 1894. Our organization fully supports efforts to preserve the architecturally and historically significant residence. I have included photos below, and a 1953 article from the American Statesman ("History of Rock Walls of Hilltop Home") describing the house and the O'Quinn family. Regards Charles Peveto, Interim President Mid Tex Mod, Central Texas Chapter DOCOMOMO US