14.0 - 1508 Pease Rd Unit A — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS OCTOBER 1, 2025 PR-2025-108326; GF-2025-110165 OLD WEST AUSTIN HISTORIC DISTRICT 1508 PEASE ROAD, UNIT A 14.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Relocate a ca. 1937 house. ARCHITECTURE The house at 1508 Pease Road is a simple rectangle in plan with the front half of the house covered by a side gable roof. There are some Colonial Revival influences on the house, including a broken pediment with decorative urn molding above the front door and symmetrical front façade. The original siding has been covered or replaced with a vinyl-type material, and the windows have been replaced with vinyl units. Despite these alterations, the form of the house is intact. A concrete front porch, painted blue, is present in front of the house, which is slightly elevated above grade. RESEARCH When first constructed in the 1930s, the house was owned by William & Kay Ransom. William Ransom worked in the family’s drug store business as a salesman. After they moved, the house was occupied for over three decades by Matthew and Ethel Balagia. During this time, Matthew Balagia worked several jobs, including as a butcher and a clerk. In their ownership of the property, there was also a garage apartment at the rear of the house that was constructed and often housed students and workers. After her husband’s passing sometime after 1977, Ethel Balagia lived at the house for several more years. 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 Colonial Revival residential 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. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS An application for demolition of 1508 Pease Rd., Unit B was approved by the Historic Landmark Commission at the August 7, 2024, meeting. This structure consisted of a contributing two-story garage apartment. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse over relocation but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Relocation permits in National Register Historic Districts may not be pulled until the Historic Landmark Commission has reviewed plans for new construction. LOCATION MAP 14.0 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 14.0 – 3 Photo source, year Occupancy History City Directory Research, September 2025 1981 Mrs. Ethel B. Balagia, owner; retired 1977 Same as above 1974 Matthew M. and Ethel B. Balagia, owners; retired 1971 Same as above 1968 Same as above 1966 Same as above 1964 Same as above, now a meat cutter at Moore Hill Hall 1962 Same as above, now a clerk at USPFO 1959 Same as above, now a clerk at Adjutant General’s Department 1955 Same as above 1953 Same as above, now a meat cutter at Balagia Poultry & Market 1949 Same as above, now a butcher at Enfield Food Mart 1947 Same as above 1944 Same as above 1942 Same as above 1940 William & Kay Ransom, owners; Salesman at Ransom’s Drug Store 1937 Address not listed Historical Information 14.0 – 4 The Austin American (1914-1973), 1943 Oct 10 (left); The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), 1944 Feb 21 (center); The Austin American (1914-1973), 1945 Sep 30 (right) The Austin American - Statesman (1973-1980), 1976 Sep 10 (left); The Austin American - Statesman (1973-1980), 1976 Sep 11 (right) Permits 14.0 – 5 Water service permit, 1947