09.1 - 706 E Monroe St - Photos & Letter — original pdf

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06/09/2026 June 18, 2026 City of Austin Development Services Department Historic Preservation Office / Austin Planning Re: Residential Total Demolition Permit Application — 706 E Monroe Street, Austin, Texas To Development Services and Historic Preservation Staff: We recently acquired the property at 706 E Monroe Street and are submitting this Residential Total Demolition Permit application to begin the City’s required review process for the existing bungalow and related accessory structure. We understand that the property is located within the Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District context and that review by Historic Preservation staff and/or the Historic Landmark Commission may be required before any permit may be released. At this stage, we are evaluating multiple paths for the existing bungalow. Demolition is not our first or only path. In parallel with this permit application, we are actively exploring preservation alternatives, including retention of the structure as part of the overall site plan and potential relocation/donation to a house preservation nonprofit. We are submitting the application now so that the required City review can proceed while those preservation and relocation conversations continue. Based on the information currently available to us, we understand that the bungalow may be a contributing-age structure within the National Register district context, but we do not believe it independently meets the City’s criteria for local historic landmark designation. Specifically, while the structure may meet the age threshold, we are not currently aware of facts indicating that it has individual architectural significance, significant historical associations, unique community value apart from the broader district context, archaeological significance, or landscape significance sufficient to support individual landmark designation. We welcome staff’s review and will provide additional information requested by Historic Preservation staff. We are submitting an updated combined survey for 700 and 706 E Monroe, including current tree information. No tree removal is proposed as part of this demolition permit application. We are not proposing to impact the critical root zone of any protected or heritage tree or to prune more than 25% of any protected-size tree canopy as part of this application, except as may be separately reviewed and approved by the City. We understand that any required tree protection and erosion/sedimentation controls must be installed and inspected before demolition or removal work occurs. The application materials identify the existing bungalow and the existing accessory shed, approximately 125 square feet. No demolition, relocation, or removal work will occur unless and until all required City approvals, historic review, utility disconnections, notices, tree protections, inspections, and related permit requirements have been completed. We also understand that because the property is located within a National Register Historic District context, review of future replacement construction may be required before any demolition permit is released. We are continuing to evaluate the overall site plan for 700 and 706 E Monroe, including tree-sensitive design, potential replat issues, and the possibility of retaining or relocating the bungalow. We will submit any required replacement-plan materials for review before seeking permit release. Please let us know if any additional information would be helpful for Development Services, Historic Preservation, tree review, or the Historic Landmark Commission. Sincerely, Hannah Ma Owner / Applicant Alexander “Hy” Martin Owner / Applicant