09.0 - 1412 Preston Ave — original pdf

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9 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS MARCH 5, 2025 HR-2025-005732 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1412 PRESTON AVENUE PROPOSAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Completely remodel the main façade, convert the existing carport to an enclosed garage, and construct a rear addition. 1) Remodel the existing house. The proposed project converts the covered carport to an enclosed garage. It replaces all windows and reconfigures the existing front façade to include an arched entryway, arched full-height windows at the enclosed brick vestibule, new hipped rooflines, and a copper awning. It replaces the existing siding with slurry-finish brick and adds limestone sills and coping. 2) Construct a rear one-story addition. The addition has molded trim at the first-floor cornice and a white steel Chippendale-style roof balustrade around each elevation. The project adds a double-width brick chimney and a second copper awning to the rear of the house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS The house at 1412 Preston Avenue is a two-story building clad in brick veneer and horizontal siding. Original windows are steel casements; some have been removed and replaced without permits. The house has a partial-width inset porch, a carport added to the front of the original garage, and a compound cross-gabled roof. 1412 Preston Avenue was constructed for Christopher Claus Eckhoff and his family in 1949. The Eckhoffs appear to have sold the property to the Zidd family in the early 1950s. Dr. Edward Zidd, a surgeon, moved to Austin from San Antonio in 1946 and practiced there until his death in 1969. Zidd was a hobbyist pilot and member of the Chamber of Commerce. 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: Repair and alterations 1. General standards The proposed project removes intact historic material from the building’s exterior and replaces elements that do not appear to be deteriorated beyond repair. Replacement materials and elements do not look the same as the existing materiais. 3. Roofs The proposed project replaces the shingle roof in-kind, but changes the roofline at the main façade. It adds decorative copper awnings that were not historically present. 4. Exterior walls and trim The proposed project replaces existing siding with brick to match the existing brick. It adds limestone and decorative brickwork where none existed historically. 5. Windows, doors, and screens The proposed project replaces historic-age windows that do not appear to be deteriorated beyond repair. Proposed window replacements at main and secondary elevations alter the window patterns, materials, opening sizes, and configurations. 6. Porches The proposed project does not maintain the open nature of the front porch. 8. Attached garages and carports The proposed carport conversion does not recess the front wall of the enclosure. Residential additions 1. Location The proposed new addition is located to the rear of the existing house. 2. Scale, massing, and height The proposed addition is one story and will not be visible from the primary streetscape. 3. Design and style The proposed addition’s decorative details are not compatible with the existing house, though its general form and massing are. 9 – 2 4. Roofs The proposed addition’s flat roof is compatible. 5. Exterior walls The proposed addition’s materials are compatible. 6. Windows, screens, and doors The proposed addition does not appear to be visible from a street on the front or side. 8. Chimneys The proposed chimney appears compatible with both the historic building and the addition in terms of size, style, materials, and proportions. Summary The addition mostly meets the applicable standards, but the façade alteration does not meet the standards. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS The property has an active code violation for work without a permit under case CC-2025-006171. A stop-work order has been issued by the Code Department for all exterior work. 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. Work has already begun on the house without a permit, and a stop- work order has been issued by the Code Department. 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 does not appear to convey architectural significance. 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 Comment on plans, encouraging the applicant to retain the existing façade to allow the building to continue to contribute to the historic district. LOCATION MAP 9 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos Google Street View, February 2024 9 – 4 9 – 5 9 – 6 9 – 7 Historic review application, 2025 9 – 8 9 – 9 9 – 10 Code Officer Jamal Lewis, Code Department, 2025. CC-2025-006171. Occupancy History City Directory Research, February 2025 The property is listed as contributing to the Old West Austin National Register Historic District. 1959 1957 1955 1952 Edward and Virginia E. Zidd, owners – physician Edward and Virginia E. Zidd, owners – physician Edward and Virginia E. Zidd, owners – physician Address not listed Historical Information 9 – 11 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 Sep 1947: 12. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 Jan 1951: 18. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 29 Apr 1951: C7. 9 – 12 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 June 1958: A13. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 Feb 1959: B9. Wheeler, Frankie.  The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 Mar 1961: D14. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 02 Feb 1966: 6. 9 – 13 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 29 Aug 1969: 16. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 27 July 1969: D10. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Aug 1969: 39. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 May 1970: F4. Permits 9 – 14