14.0 - 1803 Travis Heights Blvd — original pdf

Backup

14.0– 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS MARCH 5, 2025 HR-2025-010863 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT 1803 TRAVIS HEIGHTS BOULEVARD PROPOSAL Construct an addition at rear of main house. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS ARCHITECTURE Remove a detached garage. Construction of a two-story rear addition, along with a carport. Constructed on a site that slopes slightly downward from one side of the lot to the opposite, the Tudor Revival style house is a single-story house built on a raised foundation with a small crawlspace. There is a porch at the front right side of the house, which features two arched openings to form a corner. The front door is at the center is within a slightly recessed brick arch and features a nested gable within a larger front-facing gable that frames a front window, which features original or replicated details such as screens. The house is clad in yellow-tan brick and features a side gable roof, with the front gable mentioned above projecting beneath the peak. At one side of the house is a brick chimney. RESEARCH Built around 1935, the property at 1803 Travis Heights Boulevard was owned for several years by Lee & Margaret Carson, with the former working at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. During World War II, there was a brief period where Donald and Lillian McCavick lived at the house. They are listed as owners in one city directory, which may not be accurate, as after the war the Carsons were once again listed as owners. The McCavicks were notable for their work in film and visual media. Donald McCavick served as a director at the University of Texas, where he advised on and developed visual learning aids, and was at one point interviewed about their importance, especially to returning veterans. After 1947, the Carsons sold the property to George & Edna Hall, who owned the house through 1957. 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 additions 1. Location Proposed addition is located at the rear of the property, where there is ample space to build. The addition will be visible from the street at one side but is set back completely behind the original house. 2. Scale, massing, and height The two-story addition will be taller than the one-story original house. Though it is taller, by locating the entirety of the addition to behind the back line of the main house allows it to visually defer slightly. As a result, the shape of the original house will be unaltered, as specified in Standard 2.2(b). 3. Design and style The design of the addition is not compatible with the original house and appears very modern. Specifically, the roof shape, the fenestration, and the proposes metal roof do not make reference to the historic. While, broadly speaking, a contemporary design might be compatible with historic, this is not the case here. Since attending the January 15, 2025 Architectural Review Committee, the design no longer calls for the front porch to be enclosed into conditioned space, which is more in keeping with the Standards. 4. Roofs While the proposed roof does not complement the historic, it is not expected to be largely visible from the street, which is specifically called out in Standard 4.1. 5. Exterior walls The majority of addition walls are proposed to be clad in stucco, which is a compatible material. 6. Windows, screens, and doors Window size and pattern are generally compatible with the historic. Materials are to be contemporary and not matching the historic but are in keeping with the rest of the addition’s design. 14.0– 2 9. Attached garages and carports A carport is proposed at the rear of the addition, to be accessed by an alley. Summary The project meets some of the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the 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 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: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of Tudor Revival 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, cultural, or historical value to the city. COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Enclosing the porch as proposed at ARC would likely cause the building to lose its status of contributing to the district. Consider removing this enclosure from the scope of work, especially due to the ample space available at the rear of the lot for an addition. The location of the addition is ideal, and the lot provides many options for how to lay it out. The proposed rooflines are not compatible with the historic, though it is so different there is no concern about false historicism. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans. LOCATION MAP 14.0– 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 14.0– 4 Google Streetview, January 2025 George H. and Edna Hall, owners; engineer, telephone company Clarence L. and Margaret A. Carson, owners; representative, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company Donald W. and Lillian (2) McCavick, owners; director at University of Texas Clarence L. and Margaret A. Carson, owners; representative, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company Occupancy History City Directory Research, February 2025 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1945 1941 1939 1937 1935 Vacant Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Address not listed Historical Information 14.0– 5 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 Apr 1945: A8. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Apr 1945: 20. 14.0– 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 Mar 1949: 3 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 21 Mar 1953: 5. Permits 14.0– 7 Water permit, 1935