08.0 - 1507 Lorrain St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS APRIL 2, 2025 HR-2025-028113 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1507 LORRAIN STREET 8.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct a side garage and stabilize the front porch. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish a non-historic side attached carport. 2) Construct an attached garage, set back slightly from the front house the original house. 3) Construct a rear deck covered with a low-pitch metal roof tied to the original house. 4) Stabilize and slightly alter the appearance of the front porch, including removal of metal rail and supports facing the street. ARCHITECTURE Described in the district’s National Register nomination as a Craftsman Bungalow in style, the property at 1507 Lorrain Street has a horizontal appearance despite being two stories in height. There is a deep front porch that spans the entire width of the front elevation, which is supported by two large stucco clad posts and the corners and two thin metal pillars at the center. These metal fixtures, along with a thin metal handrail, are likely to have been later additions to the porch. The porch is covered by an ample side-gable roof that features a smaller front gable projecting out towards the front which features two second-floor windows. At one end of the house is a chimney, and at the other a non-original two-car carport. The house is clad in buff stucco, except for the horizontal wood siding present at the side gable ends, and the roof is covered in orange composition shingles. RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS The longtime owners of the property after initial construction were Jesse & Marie Rice, who lived in the house from 1947 until at least the 1960s. They had three daughters and one son who lived with them until marrying and moving out in the 1950s. During this time, both parents worked at various roles in the insurance and real estate industries. For a time, they both worked at a music instrument repair and piano tuning business. Marie Rice passed in 1965 at the age of 67 and was survived by her husband and children. 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 Any architectural elements that are to be removed appear to be non-historic, such as the metal rail at the front porch. The encaustic tile proposed at the floor of the porch may be overly decorative, but it is not out of place in houses of this form or other resources in the district. 6. Porches Removal of the metal fixtures would not result in the loss of original material. An appropriate front door replacement is proposed while retaining all surrounding trim. The proposed 30” stucco clad wall at the west side of the porch will not cause any visual obstruction of the house. 8. Attached garages and carports The current attached carport is not decorative and does not match the house in style or complexity. It is highly unlikely any of the material is historic and, while it is clearly visible from the street, the garage addition proposed in generally the same location would be a more appropriate match for the property. 8.0 – 2 Residential additions 1. Location The proposed garage is set to the side of the house, slightly behind where the existing carport is located. By placing it slightly behind the front of the house, it reduces the visual impact, though this may not be necessary due to it being proposed in the same area as an existing structure. 2. Scale, massing, and height Mentioned above, the garage is to be set slightly behind the front of the house at its side. It is also deferential in height and massing and complements the shape of the house by not introducing an alternate roofline. 3. Design and style The design of the garage addition is complimentary and does not add inappropriate architectural detailing to the overall property. Furthermore, the direct connection to the house is minimized to reduce the loss of historic material at the side wall. 4. Roofs Proposed roof complements the main house in shape, size, slope, and overhang. 5. Exterior walls Walls are proposed to be clad in smooth stucco, similar to the ground floor of the house, and is compatible 6. Windows, screens, and doors No fenestration is proposed at the garage. A simple garage door is proposed at the front, which reads as non-decorative and fits with the simple design of the addition. 9. Attached garages and carports While the current carport can fit two cars, the proposed garage is only one-car in capacity, which limits the overall width of the construction. Summary The project meets 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 good example of bungalow 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. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans. LOCATION MAP 8.0 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 8.0 – 4 Google Street View, February 2024 Occupancy History City Directory Research, March 2025 Jesse T. and Marie W. Rice, owners; Rice Real Estate Jesse T. and Marie W. Rice, owners; Rice Real Estate 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 Jesse T. and Marie W. Rice, owners; Realty Mortgage Investment Corp. & Beddow-Rice Insurance Company Jesse T. and Marie W. Rice, owners; Building contractor Jesse T. and Marie W. Rice, owners; Salesman at J.T. Rice Music Company Jesse T. and Marie W. Rice, owners; Salesman at Reed Music Company  Historical Information 8.0 – 5 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 Apr 1942: A9. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 02 Aug 1949: 18. 8.0 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 29 Oct 1965: 16. Permits Water Service Permit, 1947