17.0 - 1302 Garden St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Demolition and Relocation Permits June 3, 2026 PR-2026-057561; GF-2026-059385 1302 Garden Street 17 – 1 Proposal Demolish a ca. 1930 house. Architecture This property is a single-story and rectangular in plan set on a raised pier-and-beam foundation. There is a center porch which extends roughly halfway across the front façade. There are two front doors set side-by-side, which may indicate that this structure was once a duplex. A gable roof covers the porch, which meets the overall hipped roof structure behind it. The windows appear to be original, 1-over-1 units. The original teardrop siding and rafter tails remain present and, while weathered, the house retains good integrity of its original construction details. Research The first residents of the property were Fred & Vida Simpson, who rented the address for over ten years. Fred worked various roles in the soft drink industry, specifically in distribution and sales. By the mid-1940s, the house was owned by Beatrice & Thomas Townsley. At this time, Thomas was listed as a student and Beatrice worked as a waitress at the Terrace Motel Restaurant. By 1959, they had moved away and the house was occupied by renters once again. Department Comments This application will time out on August 17, 2026. Property Evaluation The 2016 East Austin historic resource survey lists the property as contributing to a potential local or National Register historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate-to-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 Craftsman style construction. 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 Demolition application, 2026 1940 aerial shows current double-pen symmetrical house (1302 Garden St is to the left of the structure circled) 17 – 4 Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2026 1959 1955 1952 1949 Jessie Sikes, renter Beatrice Townsley, owner; waitress at Terrace Motel Restaurant Same as above Thomas and Beatrice Townsley, owners; student and waitress 1944-45 Beatrice Setliff, renter; waitress (address listed as 1212 Garden St.) 1941 1939 1935 Fred & Vida Simpson, renters; 7-Up salesman Same as above Same as above, now a truck driver, Nu-Grape Bottling Co. 1932-33 Same as above, now a salesman, Nehi Bottling 1930 Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 21 Oct 1954: A9. (left) and The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Jan 1956: B3. (right) 17 – 5 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Mar 1965: 8. Permits Sewer tap permit, 1936