From: To: Subject: Date: Historic Preservation Office 2307 Windsor Rd. 2 Friday, February 28, 2025 1:47:29 PM [You don't often get email from https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Learn why this is important at External Email - Exercise Caution We are in support of the demolition permit for the property located at 2307 2 Windsor Rd.: Case # PR-009478. We have lived in Old Enfield for 45 years and are hesitant about disturbing the fabric of our historic neighborhood. The house on this property has always been hidden behind foliage so it has little street presence. Due to the slope of the property engineering the foundation is a difficult and expensive task. I understand the current dwelling does not have adequate structural integrity for these conditions. Therefore I support the proposed demolition. Best, Bill and Marianne Dorman 1505 West Lynn Austin, TX 78703 Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious or phishing email, please report it using the "Report Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov".
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS APRIL 2, 2025 HR-2025-028113 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1507 LORRAIN STREET 8.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct a side garage and stabilize the front porch. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish a non-historic side attached carport. 2) Construct an attached garage, set back slightly from the front house the original house. 3) Construct a rear deck covered with a low-pitch metal roof tied to the original house. 4) Stabilize and slightly alter the appearance of the front porch, including removal of metal rail and supports facing the street. ARCHITECTURE Described in the district’s National Register nomination as a Craftsman Bungalow in style, the property at 1507 Lorrain Street has a horizontal appearance despite being two stories in height. There is a deep front porch that spans the entire width of the front elevation, which is supported by two large stucco clad posts and the corners and two thin metal pillars at the center. These metal fixtures, along with a thin metal handrail, are likely to have been later additions to the porch. The porch is covered by an ample side-gable roof that features a smaller front gable projecting out towards the front which features two second-floor windows. At one end of the house is a chimney, and at the other a non-original two-car carport. The house is clad in buff stucco, except for the horizontal wood siding present at the side gable ends, and the roof is covered in orange composition shingles. RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS The longtime owners of the property after initial construction were Jesse & Marie Rice, who lived in the house from 1947 until at least the 1960s. They had three daughters and one son who lived with them until marrying and moving out in the 1950s. During this time, both parents worked at various roles in the insurance and real estate industries. For a time, they both worked at a music instrument repair and piano tuning business. Marie Rice passed in 1965 at the age of 67 and was survived by her husband and children. 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 Any architectural elements that are to be removed …
Tisha Ritta, Permit Consultant Pulley Studios, Inc February 19, 2025 City of Austin – Residential Plan Review / Historical Preservation Office Re: 1507 Lorrain St – Renovation Project Narrative Hello, The existing home, built in 1918, is a contributing property within the Old West Austin National Register Historic District. The homeowner’s goal is to rehabilitate the structure and property while preserving its historic character. Although properties within a National Register Historic District are not regulated by the Austin Landmark Commission, we have aligned our proposed scope with the City of Austin Historic Design Standards. While the proposed work falls under a New Construction application with the city, we want to clarify the intended scope to facilitate an expedited review process. Below is a detailed explanation of the proposed renovation for 1507 Lorrain St.: Interior Remodel The interior remodel will include framing for one new bedroom and bath, complete plumbing and electrical upgrades, installation of new insulation, and a new AC unit on the second floor. No square footage will be added or removed from the main home conditioned space, and the overall height of the structure will remain unchanged. The proposed new Garage is less than 20 feet tall. Rear Addition At the rear of the home, there is currently an uncovered concrete landing and stairs leading to an exit, situated on top of a rock patio that has become overgrown with dirt. We propose removing these existing elements and replacing them with a 156 sq. ft. wood porch with a low-pitched metal roof and wood steps to grade Carport/Shed Removal & Garage Addition The existing attached carport, shed and concrete slab are deteriorating and encroach on the 5-foot side building setback. We propose removing the carport and shed structure, replacing the concrete, and constructing a new 360 sqft attached garage set further back, fully within the setback lines. The new garage will feature a composition shingle roof that matches and integrates with the existing roof structure of the home, along with smooth stucco to complement, yet not copy, the existing rough textured exterior stucco. Front Porch The proposed modifications to the front porch include stabilizing the existing columns and adding a new beam. The existing metal pillars and railing will be removed to create a clear span between stucco columns. A low stucco wall, 30” high will be built at the west edge of the porch, with two low …
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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS APRIL 2, 2025 PR-2025-024836; GF-2025-027255 TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT 1324 ALTA VISTA AVENUE 9.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1968 structure. ARCHITECTURE The property at 1324 Alta Vista Avenue was built in 1968 in a modern style, with a flat roof and stack bond masonry. The elevation on the site creates the appearance of a split-level residence, with the entry facing Alta Vista Avenue being the topmost floor, and the lower floor being accessed via driveway on Milam Street to the side. To the rear of the property, a rental unit and covered carport continue the floors at around the same height, though the main entry is now at the side street grade. The walls are largely clad in stylized and painted board and batten wood sheets, along with stack bond masonry at portions of the front and side. Windows are generally small in height and, on the front section of the house, are under overhangs from a metal mansard. The rear section of the house features a ground floor that is slightly recessed from the floor above. RESEARCH Little is known about the first residents at this property from the 1968 construction. The current owner acquired it in 1995. Numerous repair interventions had occurred by that time, and the current owner has documented much of the work that has been undertaken since acquiring the property. These can be read in the “Conditions Assessment” and “Applicant Letter” documents located in backup. Deterioration has occurred throughout the house, relating to drainage issues, outdated or flawed technology, and poor original construction quality. 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 moderate 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: a. Architecture. The building is a decent example of modern multi-level 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 …
Photos of Existing Duplex Structure – 1324 Alta Vista Ave. Front main house / uphill side of duplex, east view from Alta Vista Ave. North side of main house / uphill side of duplex; this is the north wall of the main house living room. Photos of Existing Duplex Structure – 1324 Alta Vista Ave. West view of main house / uphill side of duplex; these doors offer the only natural light in the living room. South side of main house / uphill side of duplex. Photos of Existing Duplex Structure – 1324 Alta Vista Ave. Downhill rental unit – south side. Photos of Existing Duplex Structure – 1324 Alta Vista Ave. Downhill rental unit – east side. Photos of Existing Duplex Structure – 1324 Alta Vista Ave. Downhill rental unit, north side. Photos of Existing Duplex Structure – 1324 Alta Vista Ave. Downhill rental, west side.
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1324 Alta Vista Avenue Demolition Permit Application Reasons for Needing to Demolish the Existing Duplex Structure at 1324 Alta Vista Ave. The 1968-built duplex structure has many major problems that cannot be resolved / repaired, despite now 30 years of costly efforts by the current owner, and reportedly major efforts also by previous owners. The downhill rental apartment is no longer inhabitable (vacant since 2021) due to building deficiencies and drainage issues that cannot be corrected. Water intrusion and mold / mildew a constant have been a worsening situation. Details of many of those issues are described below. The current owner has resided in the duplex at 1324 Alta Vista Avenue since early 1995. While some serious problems were revealed during the inspection performed prior to purchase, within a few months of residing in the main house, and responding to problems reported by the renters living there at that time, a number of major additional problems were revealed. One of the next door neighbors shared that the builder of the duplex did notoriously subpar work, and she wasn’t surprised by issues the owner was encountering. During the next 3 decades major repair work was done in efforts to correct those problems, but some of the most problematic conditions are simply not correctable. That determination was made over time through discussions with a number of builders /contractors (including one who previously lived in the main house), and many thousands of dollars in repairs. The 1968 –built duplex was constructed during a period when some construction practices were employed that were found over time to be problematic (e.g. aluminum wiring, cast iron sewer pipes having severe / sharp bends / mechanical joints under concrete foundations, and flat roofs). In a survey of buildings done in the neighborhood conducted by those working on historic preservation efforts this house was for reasons unknown categorized as “contributing”. Some key items of information noted for the house in the survey were in error, including “metal roof” and stucco. At no time did the house have stucco exterior (but rather inexpensive painted wood sheet siding with 2” painted cedar trim, with a portion of that replaced with cement board siding in 2014). The only metal portion of the roof was on the mansard trim areas that were installed in 2014 to replace the composite mansard roofing sections (see photo below). It is the owner’s and architect’s opinion …
SUSAN M. PARTEN, P.E. 1324 Alta Vista Avenue Austin, TX 78704 Ph: Email: HLC Board Members City of Austin, Texas March 17, 2025 Subject: Demolition permit application – 1324 Alta Vista Avenue Dear HLC Board Members: Hopefully you’ve had an opportunity to review the other information I’ve provided previously detailing and sharing photos for just some of the problems with the duplex structure at 1324 Alta Vista Avenue. I thought it might be useful to also provide some history, as related to the period during which I’ve owned the property, and efforts taken to try to mitigate problems and work with the existing structure. I know this is a lot of information to share with you, but I feel it’s important that the City understands the extent of the problems and major efforts and expenses undertaken to try to address those problems that have finally led to the decision that demolition is unavoidable. I purchased the property in early 1995, and it has been my primary residence since that time, which is at least about twice the tenure of any other owner. While the house was under contract for purchase, an inspection revealed many major problems, some of which hadn’t been disclosed in the real estate listing, and the purchase price was significantly reduced to try to cover at least some of those repair expenses. As a civil engineer who even then had substantial experience with surface runoff and groundwater intrusion management practices, as well as other types of construction repairs, I felt that the problems revealed with the structure could be managed and corrected. Those were things like rotted deck, aluminum wiring, leaking flat roofs(four flat roofs) needing repair/replacement, a very long and deep French drain needed uphill of the entire structure where moisture had been observed to be impacting the eastern wall of the lower level of the uphill side of the duplex (the portion buried into the hillside along Alta Vista), etc. Starting in 1995 I began making those major repairs to the structure. I had several French drains installed (four total, in various locations around the building), replaced the roof multiple times during the past 30 years, replaced the rotted deck, etc. etc. One of the previous residents is a local remodeling contractor who had worked with my brother to restore an old church that my brother had bought and donated to a meditation group near …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS APRIL 2, 2025 PR-2024-008236 4901 RIDGE OAK DRIVE 10.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1951 house. ARCHITECTURE Believed to have been designed by Austin architect Barton Riley1, the house at 4901 Ridge Oak Drive was constructed around 1951 for Edgar Perry III, grandson of Edgar Howard “Commodore” Perry. The single-story house is set on a triangular parcel that slopes towards the east, offering an optimal view of downtown. Clad in a combination white stone, concrete, and vertical wood siding, the house emphasizes its horizontality with two long wings in an L-shape. The north side of the lot features a driveway that curves around the house and terminates at a carport. There is an entry to the kitchen in this location, indicating that the doorway in the middle of the house, facing Ridge Oak Drive and opening onto the foyer and living room of the house, was designed to be the main entry. Arranging two doors in this way indicates that the automobile entry may have been seen as more of a service entry. The longer of the two wings extends to the north and includes living areas and bedrooms and features a rear door from the dining room to a broad deck that provides a view of downtown Austin. It also features ample swimming pool, which abuts a retaining wall. A flat roof covers the entire house, with moderate overhangs on several sides. Fenestration is generally not large but is grouped in several areas to create a ribbon window appearance. At the rear of the house, near the deck, is a large brick chimney that extends above the flat roof by a few feet. From the street, the exterior walls, windows, and doors are weathered but appear to be in fair condition. RESEARCH The Perry family has a long history in Austin that stretches across the city, both architecturally and civically2. The house at 4901 Ridge Oak Drive was constructed for Edgar and Kathleen Perry to live in after their 1951 marriage and was completed when Edgar Perry III was in his early 20s. In the short years after their moving in, Edgar was involved in several family business ventures, including Southwest Ledge Stone Company, Terminix Termite Control3, and, most recently, the Perry Manufacturing Company, which produced plastics and other newly developed materials for domestic use4. He also became involved in, and …
Dear Historical Review Committee, My husband Reagan and I own the home in question so we appreciate the volunteered time and expertise that has gone into the review of the property. We have presented to the Architectural/Historical Review Board in another community and it was a much different experience so we can appreciate and revere the process for Austin and those that are active participants in it. That being said, I am no architectural expert, I am a family medicine doctor and like most docs when we are trying to understand or face an issue what we know how to do is research it so that is what I have done here. Thank you in advance for reading this packet as truly this decision in regard to 4901 affects no one more than my husband and myself. In the packet provided by your staff it mentions this house is thought to be designed by Barton Riley. He graduated from UT in 1950 and initially worked for several large firms before joining Emil Niggli and later going on his own in 1963. This home would have been in the works and built when he was basically fresh out of school and working for someone else. I would question his specific stamp on the design. I searched for Barton Riley online and there is a website which features his works and even has homes listed for sale. Mentioned specifically on the website with available pictures were 4515 Balcones, 4610 Crestway, and 5405 Western Hills. See thumbnail photos below – these homes exhibit exposed beams, unique fireplaces, floor to ceiling windows, asymmetry, short choppy staircases, beautiful wood paneling, exposed natural stone walls. In short, they are well kept, subjectively attractive, inhabitable, nearby in location and what I would say classify as excellent examples of MCM. As above, I am no expert, so what constitutes midcentury modern design? According to Architectural Digest: clean lines, floor to ceiling windows, open floor plans, indoor-outdoor living, built-ins, functionality. According to Wikipedia: wide homes with partially brick/glass walls, low footprint with floor to ceiling windows, exposed ceilings and beams, open floor plans, ergonomically designed furniture, short staircases connecting rooms throughout the house. Ironically our home in Corpus Christi is a 1970 Midcentury Modern home so we have no negative bias against the design in whole, I would just contend that 4901 Ridge Oak is not an ‘excellent example’ …
T.B.P.E. Registration # F-9361 February 26, 2025 Mr. Travis Habersaat, Architect Jay Corder Architect 2700 W. Anderson Lane, Suite 309 Austin, TX 78757 RE: Visual Structural Assessment 4901 Ridge Oak Drive Austin, TX 78757 On February 25, 2025, Arch Consulting Engineers PLLC visited the above referenced project to assess the structural condition of the existing house and masonry retaining wall along the property line adjacent to Crestway Drive. Mr. Brad Farris, P.E. of Arch Consulting Engineers PLLC and Mr. Travis Habersaat of Jay Corder Architect were present at the site meeting. A home inspection report prepared by Power Check Inspections, PLLC dated February 21, 2025 was provided for our review. Structural drawings of the existing house were not available. It should be noted that the findings, opinions, and conclusions of this report are based on visual observations only and reflect only the accessible features of the property. Arch Consulting Engineers, PLLC has not performed any testing of the concrete or soils at the site which may or may not reveal defects that are not visible. Structural Systems Description: The existing structure of the single-family residence is a wood framed roof system supported by wood stud framed walls bearing on a concrete foundation. The foundation appears to be a combination of slab on grade and suspended concrete over a crawl space. The roof is flat with little to no slope. The exterior cladding consists of a combination of stone veneer and wood siding. General Evaluation: During the site visit, distress was noted in various locations including exterior stone veneer and interior flooring, walls, and ceilings. The cracking in the finish materials is likely a result of foundation movement. Additionally, there were various locations where the roof appears to be leaking as evidenced by wet spots in sheetrock ceilings and rotted exterior fascias and soffits. Response to Specific Areas of Concern: 1) Foundation Movement As noted above, various cracking at the interior and exterior walls, flooring, and ceilings were seen. Also, in numerous locations the existing soil appears to be higher than the foundation leading to rotten siding and possibly rotten wall framing. The soil should be lowered and graded away from the house to promote rapid drainage away from the house. In areas of rotted siding, the siding should be removed to expose the wall framing and determine the extent of necessary repairs and/or replacement. 2579 Western Trails Blvd. Suite 230 …
POWER CHECK INSPECTIONS, PLLC Http:www.pwrcheck.com COMPLETE HOME INSPECTION - POWER CHECK 4901 Ridge Oak Dr Austin, TX 78731 Inspector Chad Nemec TREC 24017 Certi ed Professional Inspector . . . PROPERTY INSPECTION REPORT FORM Michael Dickson Name of Client 4901 Ridge Oak Dr, Austin, TX 78731 Address of Inspected Property Chad Nemec Name of Inspector 02/21/2025 12:30 pm Date of Inspection TREC 24017 Certified Professional Inspector TREC License # Name of Sponsor (if applicable) TREC License # PURPOSE OF INSPECTION A real estate inspection is a visual survey of a structure and a basic performance evaluation of the systems and components of a building. It provides information regarding the general condition of a residence at the time the inspection was conducted. It is important that you carefully read ALL of this information. Ask the inspector to clarify any items or comments that are unclear. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INSPECTOR This inspection is governed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) Standards of Practice (SOPs), which dictates the minimum requirements for a real estate inspection. The inspector IS required to: use this Property Inspection Report form for the inspection; inspect only those components and conditions that are present, visible, and accessible at the time of the inspection; indicate whether each item was inspected, not inspected, or not present; indicate an item as Deficient (D) if a condition exists that adversely and materially affects the performance of a system or component OR constitutes a hazard to life, limb or property as specified by the SOPs; and explain the inspector’s findings in the corresponding section in the body of the report form. The inspector IS NOT required to: identify all potential hazards; turn on decommissioned equipment, systems, utilities, or apply an open flame or light a pilot to operate any appliance; climb over obstacles, move furnishings or stored items; prioritize or emphasize the importance of one deficiency over another; provide follow-up services to verify that proper repairs have been made; or inspect system or component listed under the optional section of the SOPs (22 TAC 535.233). RESPONSIBILTY OF THE CLIENT While items identified as Deficient (D) in an inspection report DO NOT obligate any party to make repairs or take other actions, in the event that any further evaluations are needed, it is the responsibility of the client to obtain further evaluations and/or cost estimates from qualified service professionals regarding any items reported as Deficient …
