17.0 - 403 Orchard St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Demolition and Relocation Permits May 6, 2026 DA-2026-038798 403 Orchard Street 17 – 1 Proposal Demolish a ca. 1912 house, currently used as a business. Architecture This house is a single-story National Folk style building with an inset porch at one corner. The walls are clad in wood tongue and groove siding, and the windows appear to be original wood frames. There is a moderately pitched hipped roof clad in composite shingles. The foundation is pier and beam, with the house slightly elevated above grade. Newspaper records indicate that a permit was issued for two additional rear rooms in 1944, which was the only significant alteration to the building. Research In the first few decades after construction, the occupants of the property were employed in local industries that were situated near the adjacent railroad tracks, including the Austin Transit Company and an ice storage facility. The longest occupants were Leo Payne, who worked as an iceman, and Braulio and Maria Quintanilla, who worked as a cobbler and shoe salesman. They would remain at the address through at least the 1950s, and raised at least one son in the house. Department Comments This application will time out on July 20, 2026. Property Evaluation The 2025 Downtown Austin historic resource survey lists the property as a high priority and eligible for the National Register as an individual resource or contributing to a potential 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of the National Folk form and style that was once common to the area, with few remaining examples. 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 Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, relocation, or deconstruction and salvage over demolition, but approve the demolition permit application upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Location Map 17 – 2 Property Information Photos 17 – 3 Occupancy History City Directory Research, April 2026 Site Visit, 2026 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 Maria Quintanilla (widow of Braulio), owner Braulio and Maria Quintanilla, owners; Excelsior Shoe Shop Same as above Same as above, with Braulio Quintanilla Jr, renter; Palomo’s Studio Same as above Same as above 1944-45 Vacant 1941 1939 1937 1935 Leo Payne, owner; iceman Same as above Same as above; now a Checker at Capital Ice & Cold Storage Co Same as above 1932-33 William, Mary, and Leo Payne, owners 1927 1924 William and Mary Payne, owners Theodore and Tracy Boston, owners; trainman at Austin Transit Company 17 – 4 1922 1918 1916 1914 1912 1910 Same as above Vacant George W. Chancellor Carpenter Same as above Vacant Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 22 Sep 1912: 8. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 30 Sep 1935: 1. 17 – 5 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Feb 1940: 15. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 06 Apr 1941: 1. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 21 May 1944: 9. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 11 Feb 1945: 5. 17 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 June 1946: 6. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 Aug 1951: C10. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 July 1957: 12. 17 – 7 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 21 July 1957: A10. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 June 1958: B3. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 14 Dec 1970: 30. Permits 17 – 8 Sewer Tap Permit, 1917