24.0 - 707 E Monroe St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS AUGUST 7, 2024 HR-2024-072700 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 707 EAST MONROE STREET 24 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct an ADU at rear of property. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Construct a two-story accessory dwelling unit on the site of a previously permitted and demolished carport at the rear of the property. ADU is proposed to be 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, with a garage facing the existing side driveway. Two exterior doors, one adjacent to the garage and one to the side under a second-floor porch, provide access. Several large windows appear at the north and west elevations, which are viewed as the front of the ADU. In addition to the second-floor side porch, the exterior walls feature awnings over all windows. Roof is to be hipped and set at a moderate pitch. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Two-story craftsman house with porch at one front corner and a front gable facing the street at the other. Second floor was built as an addition to the rear of the property. Windows are in good condition and the screens appear to be original. The main roof is a large side gable that creates a good amount of height to the house, which is set slightly above the street elevation. Siding appears to be asbestos or similar, and the house is raised on piers with a vented crawlspace. The house at 707 East Monroe Street was constructed around 1941 as part of the development of south Austin that was occurring throughout the area at the time. The building was first owned by Cecil & Minnie Warren. Mr. Warren worked as a porter, then as a chef, at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel on Congress Avenue. Mrs. Warren lost a brother in World War II, off the coast of France. As of 1947, the house was owned by Mrs. Ruth Phelps, who worked as a stenographer at the Texas State Board of Embalming. After another ownership change, the house was bought by Frank & Madie Tisdale, who lived there for several years, with their daughter eventually marrying and moving in 1955 to Japan with her children to join her husband, who was serving overseas. 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 ADU is located at the rear of the property, at the location of a demolished carport, which has already been permitted, reviewed, and approved. The new construction would be visible from the street only when viewed from directly down the driveway. 2. Orientation The proposed ADU will face the front of the property, with two entry doors, one on each primary elevation. These two elevations are not designed to clash or cause confusion about orientation. 3. Scale, massing, and height Design proposes a two-story ADU, which matches the two-story house in height. However, the original house’s height is reached by having large side gables, which allows the height to be reached as the structure progresses to the rear of the property. The ADUs height is reached immediately. Given this, the location of the ADU at the rear of the property negates concerns about sudden verticality in the design. 5. Design and style The ADU design has some features that match the craftsman style house, such as horizontal siding and roof overhangs. However, other elements such as numerous window awnings and tall, spindly porch supports do not match the original 24 – 2 house. The large, single-light windows do not appear compatible unless more detail is supplied by the applicant. The garage door does reflect the previous use of the space as a carport. 6. Roofs A hipped roof, as proposed, does not match the historic home in form or material. The roof and window awnings are all proposed to be standing seam and appear very modern compared to the craftsman style of the house. 8. Windows and doors Windows proposed in this design are simple and do not feature divider grilles or lights. Due to the size of the openings, this product may detract from the historic house. 9. Porches The second-floor porch has narrow wood supports at its corners, which appear spindly given the height and depth of the assembly and is out of place when compared to the original house. The minimal rail and balustrade, however, do have similar dimensions to similar elements at the front porch of the house. 11. Attached garages and carports The garage for the ADU is proposed to be recessed at one side of the building. Given the previous covered carport in this location, and its location at the end of the side driveway, this is an appropriate design at this location. Summary The project meets some of the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to 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 moderate-to-high 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of craftsman style construction. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. 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 Approve the application. LOCATION MAP 24 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 24 – 4 Previously approved demolition application, 2024 Frank & Madie Tisdale, owners, salesman at Lone Star Supply Company (also William Tisdale, same occ.) Current view, application, 2024 Occupancy History City Directory Research 1955 1953 1952 1947 1944 1942 1939 Frank & Madie Tisdale, owners Bennie Fojtik, owner, salesman at Austin Baking Ruth Phelps, owner, stenographer at Texas State Board of Embalming Cecil & Minnie Warren, owners, chef and clerk at Stephen F. Austin Hotel Cecil & Minnie Warren, owners Address not listed Historical Information 24 – 5 The Austin-American, January 13, 1955 (ProQuest) The Austin-American, March 4, 1945 (ProQuest) Permits 24 – 6 Water service permit, 1941