11.0 - 1505 W 32nd St — original pdf

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11.0 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS DECEMBER 4, 2024 HR-2024-150669 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1505 WEST 32ND STREET PROPOSAL Construct two additions and a rear housing unit. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish the front porch and entryway, along with the left wall. 2) Construct a new entryway and office at front center of building. 3) Construct a new addition left side, projecting in front and behind the original footprint. 4) Construct a second, two-story dwelling unit at rear of property. ARCHITECTURE The current appearance of the property is largely unornamented. There is a front porch, elevated three steps above grade and supported by four wood posts, that covers the front entry. To the right of this is a moderately sized window that appears to be a replacement. Apart from two small windows to the left of the porch, this is all the fenestration that appears on the street-facing elevation. The roof is side-gabled and set at a moderate pitch. The overall shape of the house appears to have not been altered, retaining its overall elongated rectangular plan. RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS Built around 1940, this house was owned for at least 20 years by Major & Rubie Harwood. Major Harwood worked in several government roles during this time, including at the WPA, the IRS, and the Texas Department of Agriculture. 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 additions 1. Location The additions are proposed at the front entry and at the left of the building, both of which project forward from the existing footprint. This would greatly alter the visual appearance of the house, as detailed in Standard 1.1 and 1.2. 2. Scale, massing, and height Both additions are matching in height to the original building. While not deferential in size, they are also not larger in scale than the original. However, the building’s shape would be significantly altered when viewed from the street. 3. Design and style Due to the simple and straightforward appearance of the original building, the additions can match the style of the majority of the house well. However, the front addition does this while destroying the front porch, which is the section of the street- facing elevation with remaining character. It would create a new front porch pushed further to the street, which would require an extended roof to cover it. The proposed design is a gable ended front projection, which appears to be neoclassical in appearance, which may minimally match the existing porch design. 4. Roofs Mentioned above, the projected porch would create a front-facing gable end, which would have a similar pitch to the existing side gable roof. 5. Exterior walls The proposed design closely matches the existing. 6. Windows, screens, and doors By installing several windows on the front and side elevations, the proposed design creates an appearance that is more in line with the surrounding district than what is currently there. The windows appear to be an appropriate design and their location and spacing is suitable for an addition visible from the street. 7. Porches and decks The new front porch, with the exception of design issues described above concerning the roof, matches the size and footprint of the existing. Residential new construction 1. Location Located almost entirely behind the main house, the second housing unit is well situated at the rear of the lot, specified in Standard 1.3. 11.0 – 2 2. Orientation The orientation of new construction is facing the street. 3. Scale, massing, and height While the proposed second housing unit is two-stories in height, this is not uncommon on the street or in the district. By locating it behind the main house, it will be minimally visible from the street. The massing is not taller than it is wide, so it doesn’t look out of place with the horizontality of the main house. 4. Proportions Mentioned above, the overall horizontality is not negatively affected by the second floor of the new construction and will be read as separate. 5. Design and style Similar to the additions, the design of the new construction is simple in design, which blends well with the existing house. 6. Roofs Unlike the main house’s gables, the roof is differentiated by being hipped on this structure, which is still compatible. The roof pitch is also similar to the main house, and blends in well. 7. Exterior walls The simple horizontal siding matches well and is appropriate. 8. Windows and doors Paired 9-over-9 units which are the most visible from the street don’t exactly match in proportions but are similar enough to be appropriate. The large garage doors create a rear parking area that is a fairly common sight in the district. 11. Attached garages and carports The garage and gym space that take up the ground floor of the new construction create a layout that is common in outbuildings within the district, particularly those with a historic second housing unit in their backyards. Summary The project meets some of the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Old West Austin National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate 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: a. Architecture. The building is a modest example of asymmetrical ranch-style architecture. 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, 11.0 – 3 cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on new construction and side addition. Recommend altering the front addition to minimally alter the current appearance of the front entryway. Postpone the public hearing to January 8, 2025 and invite the applicant to the December 11, 2024 meeting of the Architectural Review Committee. LOCATION MAP 11.0 – 4 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 11.0 – 5 Google Street View, May 2022 Occupancy History City Directory Research, November 2024 1959 1955 1953 1952 1949 1947 1944 1940 Major A. and Rubie S. Harwood, owners Inspector at State Department of Agriculture Major A. and Rubie S. Harwood, owners Registrar and Clerk at State Department of Agriculture Major A. and Rubie S. Harwood, owners Bookkeeper at State Department of Agriculture Major A. and Rubie S. Harwood, owners Clerk Major A. and Rubie S. Harwood, owners Department collector at Internal Revenue Same as above Same as above Major A. and Rubie S. Harwood, owners Timekeeper supervisor at WPA 1939 Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 Jan 1950: 17.