08.0 - 1207 Bickler Rd — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Permits in National Register Historic Districts August 5, 2026 PR-2026-088618; HR-2026-095060 Travis Heights-Fairview Park Historic District 1207 Bickler Road 8 – 1 Proposal Construct a rear addition at a ca. 1927 house. Project Specifications 1) Partially demolish areas behind the front rooms of the property, including sections currently located in a drainage easement. 2) Construct a rear, two-story addition in a similar location to the non-original single story addition to be demolished. Architecture The structure is a single-story Craftsman bungalow with a front facing gable roof. To one side of the front façade is an inset porch with the front door located to the side wall, not facing the street. Several decorative elements remain, including brackets and millwork on the window screens. The walls are clad in original wood lapped siding and the house is set on a slightly elevated foundation. Research Upon construction in 1927, the property went through numerous owners, most of whom were employed in local businesses. City directory research indicates that no owner resided at the address for longer than five years, and there appears to be no familiar or professional relationship between any of the owners. 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 1. General standards Demolition is located behind the front rooms of the house and at an existing rear addition. It is recommended to retain as much of that material as possible either in place or as reuse elsewhere in the project. Residential additions 1. Location The proposed location is entirely behind the main house and will be minimally visible from the sides. Compared to the existing rear addition, it is not expected to project out from the side and will remain more out of sight from this angle. 2. Scale, massing, and height Due to the location being behind the main house, the two-story addition will be reduced visible through retention of the two front rooms. While it is recommended that the front of the second floor start further back from the front of the house, the site limitations prohibit pushing this space further back, and the design overall meets the standards. 3. Design and style The design of the rear addition is compatible with the original section of house. It does not include features to try and match too closely, but retains the rhythm and language of openings present in the Craftsman style. 4. Roofs Proposed roof is a front facing gable set at the same pitch as the original house. Due to the stylistic differentiation 8 – 2 described above, this form meets the standards without standing out visually. Roof cladding will be composition shingles, which is a common material in the district. 5. Exterior walls Horizontal fiber cement siding will be used at the two-story addition, which is generally a good match with the historic. It is recommended that, like the original, the change in lap widths occur at the top of walls rather than approximately halfway up the second floor wall. 6. Windows, screens, and doors Window widths, spacing, and arrangement are all appropriate to the style of the original house. Window heights, particularly on the front façade, will be shorter due to the height of the front facing gable, but this is also typical of the style and is found throughout the district. The front door is proposed to be replaced, with the new fixture oriented towards the street. While it is understood that the new front door will greatly aid in circulation, and such a design generally meets the standards, it is recommended to also retain the existing door in its current location and fixed in place in order to retain the sense of the original entryway. 7. Porches and decks Front porch will be retained, and the proposed rear porch will not be visible from the street. 8. Chimneys No new chimneys are proposed. 9. Attached garages and carports A side carport roof is proposed at the north of the lot. Due to restrictions relating to permeable coverage, there will be no support posts in the ground and the covering will be attached to the house. It is highly recommended that care be taken to not tie into the historic material in close proximity to this location. Summary The project meets the applicable standards. Department Comments This application will time out on October 19, 2026. City permit records for this property include the following: a 1981 building permit to create a sunroom; a 1981 building permit for repair and remodeling; and a 1984 building permit for an addition to create a duplex. However, none of these permit documents have been digitized and are not included in the permit section below. Property Evaluation The property contributes to the Travis Heights-Fairview Park 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 Craftsman bungalow 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. Architectural Review Committee Feedback Consider retaining the existing front door in place at the side wall and fix it in place so that it is no longer operable. Consider a reversible window covering for energy efficiency needs rather than full replacement. 8 – 3 Staff Recommendation Comment on plans for proposed addition and release the application. Location Map 8 – 4 Property Information Photos 8 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, July 2026 Permit application, 2026 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 1927 John Hancock, owner Robert & Georgia Whisenant, owners; meat cutter at Hyden’s Super Market Robert Pace, owner Edwin & Hazel Knaak, owners; manager at Austin Laundry & Towel Service Same as above, now working as a salesman Dale & Isabell Linder, owners; clerk at State Highway Department Vaughn & Gussie Linder, owners Floyd & Velma Herring, owners; accountant Roy & Mary White, owenrs; associate at Hugo Kuehne John & Vera Crawford, owners; bookbinder at The Steck Company Same as above Herbert & Hattie Quick, owners; salesman at J.R. Reed Music Company Address not listed Historical Information 8 – 6 Birth notices; The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 Dec 1938: 26. (left) & The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 Sep 1946: 9. (right). The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 May 1933: A1. Permits 8 – 7 Water service permit, April 1956