11.0 - 3304 Oakmont Blvd — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Permits in National Register Historic Districts June 3, 2026 PR-2026-053766 Old West Austin Historic District 3304 Oakmont Boulevard 11 – 1 Proposal Construct a rear addition and new front porch at a contributing property. Project Specifications 1) Construct a rear addition, held within the existing sides of the house. 2) Construct a front porch where there is currently only a concrete stair, as well as construct a covered porch roof not to exceed the width of the house. 3) Convert the existing garage into conditioned space and infill the existing garage door. Architecture This ca. 1950 house is a single-story and clad in buff colored brick. The main entry door faces the street at the center of the front facade. To one side, an attached single car garage appears to be original or constructed soon after the main house. The house is constructed on a raised foundation and there are three concrete stairs that leasd to the front door and a small entry landing. The main structure of the roof is side gabled with a projecting front gable to the left of the front door. Overall, the property isin excellent condition and retains integrity. Research Within the first ten years after its construction, the property had several owners who all lived at the residence for a short time. These included Milton and Idella Browning, the former of which worked in a director role at the State Department of Education, and Scott McGinnis, a self-employed realtor. 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: Repair and alterations 4. Exterior walls and trim Where a bathroom is being created within the existing house, a window will be changed out to a smaller unit, with the remainder infilled with matching brick. This will be located at the rear of a side wall, and will not be visually apparent from the street. 8. Attached garages and carports At the attached garage, the applicant plans to convert this space into additional conditioned floor area. The garage door will be removed and the wall infilled with a door, surrounded by horizontal siding to match the material on the side and rear. The City of Austin Historic Design Standards call for character-defining features of attached garages to be retained, which is not what is presented here. Residential additions 1. Location The rear addition is proposed to not extend beyond either side walls and will be minimally visible from the street. The front porch addition will be highly visible, but is not enclosed and will allow the house to remain largely visible and legible. 2. Scale, massing, and height Both additions are not proposed to exceed the existing height of the main house and will appear in scale with this 11 – 2 and surrounding properties. 3. Design and style Both the rear addition and porch design are simple and in keeping with the rest of the house. There may be some concern that the porch addition will be read as being original to the house, but its metal roofing and orientation, forming a covered carport, are likely to be read as a modern intervention. 4. Roofs The rear addition roof is proposed to tie into the existing at a slightly different slope to differentiate it, and the shingle material will match existing. The porch roof will be standing seam metal and read as very differentiated from the existing. There may be more concern about this change in material if the porch were enclosed, but this is not the case here. 5. Exterior walls Rear addition walls will be clad in horizontal siding, similar to what is present at the attached garage. This is a compatible material and there are no concerns here. 6. Windows, screens, and doors New windows and doors are simple and are compatible to the property. 7. Porches and decks The porch, which will extend from the front door to the north, is appropriately sized and fits with the slightly elevated setting of the house. However, the Historic Design Standards state that front porch additions should not be constructed unless there is some evidence that there was such a feature originally in that location. There has been no evidence found of such a porch at this property. Summary The project mostly meets the applicable standards. Department Comments This application will time out on August 17, 2026. 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 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 postwar 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. Staff Recommendation Comment on plans additions and release the application. Location Map 11 – 3 Property Information Photos 11 – 4 Permit application, 2026 Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2026 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 Dorothy Ponton (widow of Bruce), renter Odis & Julia Hill, owners; Brykerwood Service Station Scott McGinnis, owner; McGinnis Realtors Milton and Idella Browning, owners; State Department of Education Address not listed Historical Information 11 – 5 MARGARET MAYER American-Statesman Capitol Staff.  The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 23 Sep 1945: 7. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 May 1961: 7. 11 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Dec 1952: 8. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 June 1961: 14. Permits 11 – 7 Sewer Tap Permit, September 1946