2.1 - 7304 Knox Ln - Applicant Findings — original pdf

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7304 KNOX LANE Carter Design Associates (CDA) was retained to review existing research and the residential structure located at 7404 Knox Lane, Austin, Texas. The review was to determine whether the structure met the criteria for historic zoning by the City of Austin. On September 19th, 2024 CDA met on site with the Owner to assess the historic merits of the primary residence and if the criteria were met was there an intact historic structure that could be relocated onsite. The residential structure consists of multiple additions and modifications made by the Knox family throughout their lifetime and ownership of the property. All findings and hypotheses are based on visual observation and research limited to mapping, photographs (contemporary and historic) and written accounts. The original intent of CDA’s review concerned the historic criteria and how, if at all, the structure met the stated criteria. The history of the property suggested that the building had been modified, and there might be an “original” historic building that would better meet the criteria. Our work was to uncover this historic structure and determine how it could be relocated on the site. Findings The site visit forced a revision of the working hypotheses 1. The residence had been radically modified over time and what appeared to the historic features were actually constructed with replica materials. 2. The site/land is just as important as the residential structure 3. The outbuildings better tell the story of the Knox family, based on historic accounts. Today, the residence is a L-shaped plan with a two-story portion to the East; a curved, wrap around covered porch to the Southeast; enclosed shed-roofed porch to the West; and an early one-room addition to the South. Most of the exterior finishes such as the roof, board and batten siding, doors, windows, screens, siding, shutters and trim are modern construction and/or replacements. The finishes do not reflect an historic photo (See Photo X -) which appears to be the South façade of the residence, nor is there any of the (olive-green) stucco mentioned on page 71 of the Austin Originals – Chats with Colorful Characters by Robyn Turner. Many of the interior finishes have been replaced with modern materials chosen for aesthetic reasons by the Owners and intended to reflect an older rustic style. (Exhibit C) Using historical aerial photos, we can begin to put to piece together the evolution of the residence construction. The 1940, City of Austin aerial photograph shows the L-shaped plan with two perpendicular gable roofs, a rectangular covered porch to the Southeast, a faint shadow of where the fireplace is, and what would be the shed roofed covered porch to the West. In the 1958 aerial photo, we can see a faint outline of the single room addition to the South and a detached structure built to the West of the house. This configuration is visible until the 1984 aerial photograph. This roof line changed in the 1997 aerial photograph, which matches the roof line visible today. (Exhibit A) Historic photos and building permit records indicate major modifications were made to the residence in the early 90s. A search of Austin’s public permits shows several permits were pulled in April of 1990. The permits pulled included mechanical (1990-009682 MP), electrical (1990-009682 EP), water (1990- 290755A2W), and waste water (1990-173886 W). These permits coincide with the changes shown between the 1984 and 1997 aerial photos. The East wing of the original L-shaped plan was heavily modified, possibly demolished, to be more than double its original foot print and a second story added. The front porch was replaced with a larger rounded porch. The roof, siding, windows, doors, trim and decorative features reflect this 90s era of construction and replacement. There is little original material or finish left inside or out that reflect the pre-1990 structure. While the residence consists of an eclectic architectural style, which may be seen as unique and noteworthy, these defining features date to the early 90s and fall outside of the historic criteria. Although some historic materials have been retained, they have not been retained in their original location and have been used based on the Owner’s sense of aesthetics and not for historic preservation. Little material remains from the original house that retains its historic context to warrant preserving or relocating. The outbuildings prove more interesting, especially when viewed in light of the historic accounts of the family’s boy’s camp and wildlife rescue endeavors. The accessory outbuildings reflect typical utilitarian farm type uses with lean-to shed or simple gabled corrugated metal roofs and metal or board and batten walls. The detached structure and its attached greenhouse just East of the residence is a simple wood framed structure with a flat roof. A small single pen, square hewn, half notch corners, log structure with lean-to sheds on either side of the door sits under a large oak tree just to the Northeast of the residence, likely used for small animals such as chickens. A small wood tack shed set on skids sits to the Northeast of the log structure. Of the structures visible in the 1940s aerial photo, only the log structure, the horse stall shed, the tack shed and an equipment shed remain. Many of the outbuildings built in the 50s to 60s have either been demolished, collapsed, or partially collapsed. (Exhibit B) The Knox Family utilized the property as a farm for animals including horses, a refuge for small animals, and bee keeping as well as a day camp for boys. The outbuildings reflect the nature of these activities. Thus, the house becomes an accessory to the to the primary historic association of the property. Request: Allow for a full demolition of the primary residence and outbuildings not recommended for relocation. CDA’s Recommendations: keeping purposes. • The property’s existing conditions be documented and provided to historic archives for record • Relocate the tack shed and log structure to the East side of the proposed extension of Knox Lane. These would be relocated in the environmental protection area noted on the 2016 site plan. • Provide a historical marker and/or kiosk explaining the site’s history and evolutions over time. • Utilize this as a trailhead for a walking path connecting Knox Lane to Chimney Corners and passing the spring fed pool made by the Knox Family. • Be aware there may be archeological findings as construction for infrastructure and future residences is performed. We recommend shovel tests to help assess the archeological potential