08.2 - 2410 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd - Applicant Response to Staff Recommendation — original pdf

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Applicant Response to Staff Comments 2410 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard HR-2026-106327 — Rogers Washington Holy Cross Historic District Historic Landmark Commission — October 7, 2026 We appreciate Staff’s review and the conclusion that the proposed project “mostly meets the applicable standards.” 2026 1007 HLC Report 2410 EMLK The following information is provided to clarify several items identified in the Staff Report and to respectfully request that the project be allowed to proceed without an additional month of delay. 2. Lot Configuration The property at 2410 E. MLK Jr. Boulevard has not been newly subdivided as part of this project. The property is identified as Lot 2 of the recorded Holy Cross Heights subdivision plat, recorded November 23, 1956, when Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was still known as East 19th Street. (Page 5) Accordingly, we request clarification or correction of the Staff Report statement that the subject property “was created as a result of subdividing 2406 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.” 2026 1007 HLC Report 2410 EMLK 8.1 Orientation, Setbacks and Height The proposed buildings comply with the district’s 27-foot maximum height. The actual building height is approximately 23'-9". Because of the natural slope of the property and necessary drainage considerations, the calculated overall height from average grade is approximately 25'-6", still below the 27-foot maximum referenced in the Staff Report. Staff specifically requested verification of compliance with that height limit. 2026 1007 HLC Report 2410 EMLK The front steps and covered stoop are approximately 26 inches above finished grade, responding to site drainage while maintaining an appropriately scaled entrance along MLK. 8.2 Design and Style In response to concerns regarding the vertical character of the front building, the front gable plate height of Building 1 has been lowered to reduce the perceived vertical mass. Page 1 of 8 The roof pitch is intentional. The steeper roof allows the interior ceiling to vault while maintaining the reduced exterior wall height. It also keeps the overall building height comfortably below the district maximum. The Staff Report acknowledges that the front-facing gable is appropriate given the width of the buildings and further finds that the overall materials and fenestration are appropriate. 2026 1007 HLC Report 2410 EMLK The design should also be considered within the context of more recent construction in this immediate portion of the district. Comparable two-unit and residential development have occurred nearby since approximately 2016, including: (Page 6-7) • 2414 E. MLK Jr. Boulevard — two-unit duplex development • 2500 E. MLK Jr. Boulevard — two-unit development • Lot 14 on Givens Avenue, immediately behind 2410 E. MLK • Lot 18 across the Givens Avenue cul-de-sac These projects represent the evolving infill context surrounding the property and demonstrate that the proposed scale and residential form are not inconsistent with newer construction in this portion of the district. 8.6 Windows and Screens The proposed windows are Marvin Essential Collection windows constructed of Ultrex fiberglass, not vinyl. (Page 8) Ultrex is a high-performance fiberglass material designed to provide narrower, more traditional window profiles while offering significantly greater durability and thermal stability than vinyl. The proposed window pattern is a simple 4-over-1 configuration with one-half screens, intended to reflect the proportions and appearance of historic windows in the neighborhood. The muntins are simulated divided lites located within the insulated glazing assembly, allowing the windows to maintain the visual character of divided panes while meeting contemporary energy-performance requirements. Staff has already found that the window sizes and locations are compatible with the district; the outstanding concern was primarily clarification of material and glazing configuration. 2026 1007 HLC Report 2410 EMLK Page 2 of 8 Site Constraints and Project Scale Each residence contains three bedrooms and 2½ baths and is less than 1,400 square feet, with attached carport parking. The design has been carefully developed around a number of significant site constraints, including: • existing drainage easements; • mature trees; • Austin Energy clearance requirements; • • • drainage and finished-floor requirements; and • impervious-cover limitations; lot dimensions; the inability to provide on-street parking along MLK Boulevard. The proposed shared driveway and concealed carports specifically address the parking issue while minimizing its visual impact. Staff recognizes that this arrangement keeps the view from MLK focused on the architecture rather than the parking and allows a single curb cut to serve both residences. 2026 1007 HLC Report 2410 EMLK Page 3 of 8 Timeline and Request The project was submitted to the City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission staff on August 21, 2026. On August 25, 2026, we were notified that the project would be scheduled for the October 7 Historic Landmark Commission hearing. The building permit application was subsequently submitted on September 30, 2026, prior to the October 1 fee increases. Staff's recommendation is now to postpone the public hearing until November 4 and refer the project to the Architectural Review Committee on October 14. 2026 1007 HLC Report 2410 EMLK Given that Staff has determined that the project mostly meets the applicable standards, that the requested height and window information has now been provided, and that modifications have already been made to address the perceived verticality of the front elevation, we respectfully request that the Commission allow the project to move forward without additional postponement. The homes are modest in size, respond to the constraints of a difficult infill site, provide needed off-street parking, and have been designed to be compatible with both the historic character and the more recent residential development of the surrounding district. We respectfully request approval of the project as presented. Thank you, Felicia Foster, TIBD, CPBD, FAIBD, Assoc. AIA Principal Barron Custom Design 512.637.4426 o 512.626.7078 c 361.416.0768 c felicia@barroncustomdesign.com Page 4 of 8 Recorded Plat: November 23, 1956 Page 5 of 8 Other New Construction in the District since 2016 This 2 unit duplex project was built next door at 2414 E MLK in 2016 This 2 unit project was built two doors down- 2500 E MLK in 2016 Page 6 of 8 This is the duplex built on the lot behind 2410 E MLK on Givens Avenue Lot 14: This is built across the culdesac on Givens Avenue- lot 18 These homes represent the newer construction in the district since 2016 Page 7 of 8 Window Information: Marvin Essentials Page 8 of 8