20.0 - 1508 Canterbury St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Demolition and Relocation Permits October 7, 2026 PR-2026-075085; GF-2026-111431 1508 Canterbury Street 20 – 1 Proposal Partially demolish and construct an addition to a ca. 1903 house. Project Specifications Remodel and add a second story. Add a covered deck atop the second story. Replace existing windows, replace siding with stucco, and remove and replace porch. Architecture One-story National Folk cottage with full-width porch supported by turned posts, side-gabled roof, symmetrical wood-trimmed windows, and horizontal wood siding. Research The house at 1508 Canterbury was constructed around 1903. Its first owner-occupants were the family of Charles H. Alhardt, a grocer who also owned and operated the Lone Star Yeast Company. Around 1910, Alhardt sold the house and it became a rental property with relatively high turnover until it was purchased by Eulalio and Reinalda Saldana around 1918. Though Eulalio Saldana died shortly after, his widow remained in the home for the next ten years. After Mrs. Saldana sold the house, it again became a rental property, hosting a variety of working-class tenants including waiters, a concrete finisher, a painter, and students. Pete and Esther Martinez bought the home in the early 1950s, and remained there for at least a decade. Pete Martinez was a plasterer, while Esther Martinez worked at the Casa Blanca Café. 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 at potential historic landmarks. Staff have evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet the applicable standards for alterations or residential additions, as the proposed modifications are so extreme as to equate to total demolition when evaluated cumulatively: the proposed project removes almost all historic fabric from the existing 123-year-old house and adds second and third floors that entirely overwhelm the original. Department Comments This item first appears on the October 7, 2026 agenda of the Historic Landmark Commission. The Commission’s 75- day timeline for action will elapse on December 21, 2026. Property Evaluation The 2016 East Austin survey lists the property as contributing to potential local and National Register districts. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff have 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 style. 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. 20 – 2 Staff Recommendation Encourage a more compatible design, but approve the demolition permit application upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Location Map 20 – 3 Property Information Photos 20 – 4 Google Street View, March 2024 20 – 5 20 – 6 https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1508-Canterbury-St-Austin-TX-78702/29382702_zpid/ 20 – 7 Occupancy History City Directory Research, August 2026 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 Pete A. and Esther H. Martinez, owners - Plasterer Pete A. and Esther H. Martinez, owners - Plasterer Pete A. and Esther H. Martinez, owners - Employee at Casa Blanca Cafe Pete and Esther Martinez, owners – Plasterer Epifanio and Conjos Sandival, renters Mrs. Esther Mokarzel, owner -- Xavier Mokarzel’s widow and saleswoman at Salle Ann Shop Ladislao and Sallie Castro, renters – student at University of Texas Edward and Sarah M. Hernandez, renters – deliveryman for Austin Tailor Supplies 1947 Santos and Lottie Gonzales, owners - painter at Capitol Chevrolet 1944-45 Mrs. Jewel and Marvin Crawford, owners - Waiter 1941 1939 1937 1935 John F. and Vada Huff, renters - Concrete finisher Frank J. and Jennie Burdett, renters Charles and Dovie Reid, renters - Nurseryman at Ramsey’s Austin Nursery (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Charles H. and Christell Yoakum, renters - Painter 1932-33 (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Elisha R. and Lula McAnally, renters 1927 1924 1922 1918 1916 1914 1912 1910 1906 1903 (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Mrs. Reinilda Saldana - Eulalio Saldana’s widow (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Mrs. Reinilda Saldana - Eulalio Saldana’s widow (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Mrs. Reinalda Saldana - Eulalio Saldana’s widow (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Eulalio and Reinalda Saldana (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) James Gerard - Painter (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Isaac W. La France (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Justus O. Wilhelm - Machinist (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Justus O. Wilhelm - Machinist (Address listed as 1420 Canterbury St) Charles H. Ahlhardt - Clerk at Deen & Walling Address not listed Maps 20 – 8 Digital Sanborn Maps, Austin 1922, Sheet 77 Digital Sanborn Maps, Austin 1935, Sheet 218 Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 07 Oct 1903: 6. The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 16 Dec 1908: 7. The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 04 Apr 1908: 2. Austin American (Austin, Tex.), Ed. 1 Friday, May 20, 1921 20 – 9 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Aug 1948: 10C. 20 – 10 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 Dec 1957: B17. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 Oct 1963: B13. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 31 Jan 1964: 19. Permits 20 – 11 Sewer Tap Permit, March 1917 Building Permit, March 1978 Building Permit, April 1980