07.0 - 1508 Pease Rd — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Permits in National Register Historic Districts March 4, 2026 PR-2025-015633; GF-2026-017650 Old West Austin Historic District 1508 Pease Road 7 – 1 Proposal Construct a new two-story residence on site of a previously approved relocation. Research From staff report presented at October 1, 2025 HLC, when the relocation application was heard: 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. 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 new construction 1. Location Proposed setback from the street is 36 feet, which is less than the previously relocated structure on site. The neighboring properties on the block have varying setbacks, ranging from 25 feet to over 50 feet, so this proposed location fits within the neighborhood context. 2. Orientation Like other properties in this section of the district, the design is oriented towards the street with the front door and driveway facing the right of way. 3. Scale, massing, and height Unlike the previously relocated structure, the proposed building is a full two stories in height and, at its highest point, is slightly above 35 feet tall. There are no stepdowns as the building gets closer to the street, with the wall closest to the street being fully two stories in height. However, while the relocated structure was the shortest or least imposing on the block, the proposed design is not wholly out of scale with surrounding contributing properties. The roof pitch may create the appearance of excessive height, but the side gabled roof allows that maximum height to be located far from the street. 4. Proportions As mentioned above, neighboring contributing properties are generally tall and two stories in height. While the modest size of the relocated building is lost, the proposed design does not substantially stand out from its neighbors. 5. Design and style Design elements of the proposed building are generally simple and do not add any false historicism or may be confused with a contributing property, while still maintaining a finished appearance. Use of brick and stucco are found in the district and will not appear wildly out of place. 6. Roofs The side gabled roof will make the overall form exceed 35 feet in height and may push the limits on what is too tall. 7 – 2 However, the form being side gabled will make the overall height read as less extreme, and consideration should be given to slightly reduce the roof pitch where possible. Roof is to be clad in tile, which does have some use cases in the district. 7. Exterior walls Brick and stucco cladding, as mentioned above, are appropriate to the district and are well proportioned with brick generally on the ground floor exterior walls and stucco above. 8. Windows and doors Windows and doors are appropriate in their proportions and spacing. It is recommended that simulated divided lites be avoided in favor of external muntins and mullions, but this is less of a priority at new construction where the form will not be confused with original or historic. 9. Porches None proposed, though the front entryway will be slightly recessed. However, this will not read as a front porch in form. 10. Chimneys A new chimney assembly is proposed at the left of the front elevation. It is set well behind the front of the structure and meets the Standards. 11. Attached garages and carports A two-car garage is proposed at the right half of the front elevation of the building. The design standards call for any new garage to be set back from the front wall where possible, and that garage locations should match others in the district. On both these points, the design does not meet the Standards. Though there are examples of garages on the front wall of contributing structures, they are typically one-car, off to the side (rather than incorporated into the main building form), or otherwise not requiring half the front elevation be used for garage doors. Summary The project meets some of the applicable standards. Department Comments Previous Historic Landmark Commission action: October 1, 2025: Relocation application was heard by HLC and approved on the consent agenda. This application times out on May 18, 2026. Staff Recommendation Comment on plans for new construction and release the application. Location Map 7 – 3 Property Information Photos 7 – 4 Demolition application, 2025 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 7 – 5 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 7 – 6 Water service permit, 1947