HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 3, 2024 PR-2024-063913; GF-2024-073037 4620 CRESTWAY DRIVE 25 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca.1958 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH PROPERTY EVALUATION One-story Modern-style house clad in rustic stone and vertical wood siding, with full- and half-height ribbon windows, a low-sloped side-gabled roof with deep eaves, and a monolithic stone chimney. The house at 4620 Crestway Drive was constructed in 1958 for John E. and Mildred Williams Douglas. Dr. John Douglas was an ear, nose, and throat physician with a practice in the Medical Arts Square on Red River Street. Douglas also served as chair of the Mental Health Committee of the Travis County Medical Society and president of the Austin Flight Club. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high to moderate integrity. The building has visible structural damage. 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 Mid-century Modern architecture, using expansive glazing, rustic materials and a low-slung form to respond to the topography of the site and its hillside views. 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 does not appear to retain a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then relocation over demolition, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 25 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 25 – 3 25 – 4 25 – 5 Demolition permit application, 2024 25 – 6 Google Street View, 2024 https://katehamlin.com/properties/4620-crestway-dr, 2020 Occupancy History City Directory Research, June 2024 1959 John E. and Mildred Douglas, owners Historical Information The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 13 Mar 1955: C6. 25 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 Oct 1963: 30. The Austin …
26 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 3, 2024 PR-2024-064274; GF-2024-073040 1500 EAST 12TH STREET PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Demolish a store building constructed between 1889 and 1911. Two-story store building with one-story rear additions. It has a hipped roof with a central hipped dormer at the 12th Street elevation, 1:1 wood and vinyl windows, and horizontal wood siding covered with vinyl siding that has been partially removed. A shallow frame awning shelters the two entry stoops at 12th Street, while the two entrances on Comal Street remain uncovered. The building’s second-floor porch was originally open.1 The building at 1500 East 12th Street, originally addressed as 1400 East 12th Street, is estimated to have been built around 1910 per the 2016 East Austin Historic Resource Survey. However, the building’s earliest occupant—grocer Christian J. Wilhelm—is associated with the address as far back as 1889. Wilhelm, a native of Burnet, lived above his shop and sold groceries and beer; he also bartended briefly on Congress Avenue. Wilhelm was active in politics and ran for several civic roles, including Travis County Commissioner. In 1910, he and his family moved to Houston and sold the property at 1400 East 12th to Dessau merchants Ernest and Louisa Eisenbeiser. The Eisenbeiser store functioned sold produce and dry goods, and also had a saloon and restaurant. The Eisenbeiser family lived above the store and occasionally rented out living space for tenants. During Prohibition, the saloon was closed by City ordinance, though it later reopened. By 1934, it was a popular spot for German food, music, and beer, boasting novelties like a marble beer vault and a resident accordion band. Improvements to the building were made during this time, potentially including the enclosure of the open second-floor porch. After E. F. Eisenbeiser died in 1947, his wife, Louisa, continued to run the business for about two years; by 1950, she had sold the building to African American businessman Buford Johnson and its furnishings to widow E. M. Barton. Johnson primarily owned grocery stores, but by the mid-1950s, the building at 1500 East 12th Street had greatly expanded its offerings to the neighborhood. The Fifteen Hundred Beauty and Barber Shops operated out of the building, along with Club Fifteen Hundred, a bar and music venue. The Gamma Eta Alpha chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity also took up residence there. The oldest fraternity to allow …
From: To: Subject: Date: Eric Standridge Fahnestock, Sam 1500 East 12th street Tuesday, June 4, 2024 9:32:24 PM [You don't often get email from https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] . Learn why this is important at External Email - Exercise Caution Hello Sam, My name is Eric and my am a member of the OCEAN, the planning contact team for central east Austin. I drove by this building today and noticed what appears to be active demolition/deconstruction in progress. Upon looking it up it on the city permit search it appears historic was rejected yesterday. I’ll admit I don’t know what that means, but I have been involved in numerous discussion about this building for years, mostly how it’s a demolition by neglect case study. Along with the IQ Hurdle house across the street and the South Gate Lewis house, this intersection has three eligible buildings which is rare in Austin generally. Surely, a 109 year old building identified as worthy of preservation in the east Austin historic survey would at least get a hearing at the landmark commission. Please call me to discuss. Thank you, -eric standridge 512-947-5766 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 "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov."
27 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 3, 2024 PR-2024-064765; GF-2024-073045 1814 AIROLE WAY PROPOSAL Construct an addition to a ca. 1950 A.D. Stenger house. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH DESIGN STANDARDS 1) Construct a two- and one-half story addition. The proposed addition is clad in horizontal siding and stucco and features a horizontal louvered window above the existing entryway. It has a low-sloped roof and full-height and ribbon windows at secondary elevations. 2) Partially enclose the existing carport with vertical metal screening. 3) Replace existing windows with matching windows in existing openings. One- and one-half story Mid-century Modern house with stone, stucco, and vertical wood cladding, a compound flat and shed roofline, and fixed ribbon and full-height windows. The house at 1814 Airole Way was constructed by notable Austin architect and builder A. D. Stenger. Stenger, who purchased lots and built houses on spec for potential buyers, permitted the house in 1950, though it did not appear in City directories until 1955. The home’s first occupants were James and Claudine Lands. Lands worked as a representative of the Gulf Oil Company. In 1957, the Lands sold the house to William Bollman, who lived there with his family until at least 1970. 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. Repair and alterations 1. General standards The proposed project removes minimal historic fabric at the main elevation, with more removed from the rear addition. 5. Windows, doors, and screens The proposed replacement windows do not alter existing openings. 8. Attached garages and carports The proposed garage screening appears transparent. Residential additions 1. Location The proposed addition is located at the top, sides, and rear of the existing building. 2. Scale, massing, and height The proposed addition’s scale and massing are somewhat compatible; the impact of the addition at the rear and rear-side of the building is mitigated by the site’s topography. 3. Design and style The proposed design and style appear appropriate. 4. Roofs The proposed roofline appears mostly appropriate. 5. Exterior walls The proposed wall materials are compatible. 27 – 2 6. Windows, screens, and doors Proposed windows are mostly compatible. The applicant has amended the design to incorporate Committee feedback. Summary The project mostly meets the applicable standards. The applicant has amended the …
8 ' 6 . 3 E 7 " 0 7 ' 0 1 ° 5 0 N T N E M E K C A B T E S A Y E T I L I T 5 ' U R S A E 0 ' R 1 607.5' 5 ' S E T B A C K WW K C A B T E S ' 5 P O R T I O 3 9 ' - 2 " N 4 = 6 1 3 ' 613' P O R T I O 4 0 ' - 0 " N 3 = 6 2 3 ' 3' - 3 5/8" 623' ' 4 6 . 7 8 1 E " 0 0 6 0 ° 3 6 S ' 630' EXISTING PATIO TO REMAIN EXISTING STUDIO TO REMAIN 12' - 6" POOL " 0 - ' 5 2 1 5' - 0 " 1 / 2 C R Z 7' - 6 " 1 / 4 C R Z 30" MULTI TRUNK OAK 3 0' - 0 " F U L L C R Z PROTECTIVE FENCING 8" MULCH (SHOWN HATCHED) IN FULL CRZ NOT PROTECTED BY FENCING NEW WD. STEPS NEW WALKWAY TO CONNECT TO EXISTING E U L B N I I I N W O H S N O T D D A R O O L F D N O C E S EXISTING WALKWAY TO REMAIN ADDITION 6X8 HOT TUB 2' - 11 3/8" P O R T I O 4 0 ' - 0 " N 2 = 6 3 0 ' UNCOV'D WD. DECK ADDITION COV'D WD. DECK MAIN RESIDENCE FFE = 630' AV. ELEV @ GRADE = 625.25' EXISTING WALKWAY TO REMAIN EXISTING TO BE REMODELED EM RELOCATE EM HIGH PT @ GRADE = 630.5' P O R T I O 4 0 ' - 0 " N 1 = 6 3 3 ' COV'D PORCH EXISTING WALKWAYS TO REMAIN M A T E R I A L S T A G I N G P O R T T O I L E T C O N C . W A S H O U T S P O I L S P L A C E M E N T 25' S E T B A C K P A I N T W A S H O U …
28 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 3, 2024 PR-2024-065928; GF-2024-073054 3310 BOWMAN AVENUE PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1951 house. ARCHITECTURE One- and one-half story eclectic revival house with mansard and flat rooflines, 6:6 symmetrical windows at the main elevation, and a side-entry garage at the basement level. The house is clad in painted stone veneer and shingle siding, with a monolithic chimney and decorative shutters at windows and doors. RESEARCH The house at 3310 Bowman Avenue was designed and built by developer Bob Bowman, advertised as a modern French Provincial residence in the newly platted Tanglewood neighborhood. By 1955, the home had been purchased by Madeleine and Travis LaRue. LaRue, who owned a laundry and dry-cleaning business with his brother, followed in his politically minded father’s footsteps. After serving three terms on the City Council from 1963 to 1969, Travis LaRue was elected mayor of Austin in 1969. He served one term. LaRue’s tenure as mayor and councilman coincided with one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in the twentieth century. He made headlines as a councilmember by opposing a city vote for an improved fair housing ordinance, preferring a longer public process that included realty and development groups in the community outreach process like San Antonio’s similar ordinance. LaRue’s requests for delaying decisions on codification of Civil Rights and push for “voluntary” integration were criticized by Civil Rights activists, but LaRue won the race for mayor in a landslide in 1969. As Mayor, LaRue pledged to lower taxes and run the city more like a business, with efficiency and economy at the forefront. LaRue supported student protests at the University of Texas after the Kent State shootings in 1970 and vowed to end water pollution in the city after his business was cited for releasing dry cleaning effluence into Waller Creek. Despite his 2-1 victory against incumbent Harry Akin in 1969, LaRue lost the mayor’s race in 1971 to school board president and car dealership owner Roy Butler. PROPERTY EVALUATION 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 may meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is an eclectic example of a modest suburban home with French Provincial …
Sam Fahnestock Historic Preservation Office City of Austin May 23, 2024 Subject: Request to consider initiation of historic zoning, Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo/Women in Construction Gazebo (9037 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail) Dear Mr. Fahnestock, We would like to include the Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo/Women in Construction Gazebo, located at 9037 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, on the Historic Landmark Commission’s June agenda for consideration of initiation of historic zoning. The owner, the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), has been notified of this request. The gazebo was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. Originally known as the Town Lake Gazebo, the Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo was the first public structure built in the effort to beautify the south shore of Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake). The Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), established in the 1950s for women working in the construction industry, spearheaded and raised funds for the project’s completion. The structure was built from 1969-1970 and features a striking hyperbolic paraboloid roof with folded plate ridges and valleys. Architect J. Sterry Nill designed a community structure that reflected the architectural trends of the 1960s and brought an iconic piece of architecture to the shores of Lady Bird Lake. The gazebo was later named after Fannie Davis, a charter member of the Austin chapter of NAWIC. The gazebo’s Mid-Century Modern design and contributions to the beautification of Town Lake meet the City’s Architecture and Community Value criteria for local landmark designation. It is also eligible for its Historical Associations with the development of the hike and bike trail, and women in construction. Thank you for your consideration and feel free to reach out regarding any questions or concerns. Thank you, JuanRaymon Rubio, Associate AIA Historic Landmark Commissioner, District 2 708.743.8148 BC-JuanRaymon.Rubio@AustinTexas.gov Motioned By: Commissioner Rubio BC-Kevin.Koch@AustinTexas.gov Seconded By: Commissioner Koch Kevin Koch, AIA Historic Landmark Commissioner, District 3
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS JULY 3, 2024 PR-2024-014961; GF-2024-030567 ROBERTSON/STUART & MAIR 801 LYDIA STREET 3 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1914 contributing building. ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STANDARDS One-story bungalow with Craftsman influences, partial width inset porch, horizontal wood siding, and decorative cement stairways. The Robertson/Stuart & Mair Design Standards are used to evaluate projects within the historic district. The following standards apply to the proposed project: 1.2.1.1. Do not alter or remove historic features unless they are deteriorated beyond repair. The proposal demolishes the existing building. Summary The project does not meet the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Robertson/Stuart & Mair Historic District. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Deny the demolition request. LOCATION MAP 3 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 3 – 3 3 – 4 Demolition permit application, 2024 Permits 3 – 5 3 – 6
Sam Fahnestock Historic Preservation Office City of Austin June 27, 2024 Subject: Request to consider initiation of historic zoning, Bethany Cemetery (1300 Springdale Rd) Dear Mr. Fahnestock, We would like to include the Bethany Cemetery, located at 1300 Springdale Road, on the Historic Landmark Commission’s July agenda for consideration of initiation of historic zoning. The owner, the Bethany Cemetery Association, fully supports this request. Bethany Cemetery is a six-acre, private burial ground located in East Austin. The Bethany Cemetery Company was formed in 1893 in response to the needs of the African American community. Bethany Cemetery is considered Austin’s first black cemetery.1 The Cemetery contains graves on site as early as 1871 and is strategically situated along El Camino Real de los Tejas, a 17th/18th- Century Native American and Spanish Colonial trade route. Hundreds of Austinites are buried at Bethany Cemetery, many of which have dedicated their lives to the betterment of African Americans throughout the region. Dozens are associated with local Black churches, benevolent societies, trade unions, lodges, businesses, war veterans, and tragic events such as the Waller and Shoal Creeks Flood of 1915. Bethany Cemetery is a reminder of the development of Austin’s African American Community from the time of slavery and the Civil War through the present. The impact of the site and its interred are felt citywide to this day, as likely remnants of the Camino Real are intact, and Bethany Cemetery Association maintains an active curriculum program for public schools. The Cemetery’s strong community value, historical associations, archeology, and landscape features, more than fulfill the criteria for local landmark designation. Thank you for your consideration and feel free to reach out regarding any questions or concerns. Thank you, JuanRaymon Rubio, Associate AIA Historic Landmark Commissioner, District 2 BC-JuanRaymon.Rubio@AustinTexas.gov Motioned By: Commissioner Rubio Kevin Koch, AIA Historic Landmark Commissioner, District 3 BC-Kevin.Koch@AustinTexas.gov Seconded By: Commissioner Koch 1 Austin’s first public cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery, allowed a designated corner for “colored” Austinites in 1856, and the nearby Plummers Cemetery was established around 1898 (another private African American rural cemetery later purchased by the City of Austin). Evergreen Cemetery, established in 1926 to serve Austin’s African American Community contains the historic Highland Park Cemetery. Highland Park Cemetery was established in 1891 and reportedly served all races from 1891-1893. Oakwood Cemetery was established by the state in 1839 and later transferred to the City of Astin in 1856. Approximately 1,211 …
June 17, 2024 Subject: Bethany Cemetery Historic Designation To: Austin Historic Landmark Commission It has come to our attention that the Bethany Cemetery Association is applying for a city historic designation. Bethany Cemetery is an historic African American Cemetery purchased and developed by John Holland and William Tears in 1893. It contains the burials of many notable persons and has, for the past years, been overlooked and neglected. There is currently concern that development next door to the cemetery may bring unwanted use and potential damage to the site. The Travis County Historical Commission commends Sue Spears and the members of the Bethany Cemetery Association (BCA) in their efforts to protect and document the deep history of the cemetery and help educate the public about the lives of the important people buried there. We believe that a city historic designation will help provide a layer of recognition and protection to this valuable resource. African American historical research and tourism is quickly gathering importance as the community actively seeks information about lost relatives and the lives of people buried in traditional African American cemeteries. For too many years, much of the needed information has been lacking, and it is only recently that these histories have been available to the general public. There has been a strong uptick in interest from the public and preservation organizations (such as our commission) are now regularly contacted about such data. We feel that a City of Austin Historic Designation for Bethany will serve the community and foster African American Heritage Tourism in Austin. We ask that the City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission carefully review and accept the application of the Bethany Cemetery Association for a city designation in its efforts to protect, document and educate the public about this important historical and cultural site. If we can provide any further assistance, please let us know. Respectfully, James Robert “Bob” Ward Chair Travis County Historical Commission
June 25, 2024 Board of Directors Adam Adams Tom Byrd Joyce Conner William Doolittle Miguel Ángel Fernández de Mazarambroz John Kisalus Bob Perkins Dave Regan Jesús Treviño Bob Ward Executive Director Steven Gonzales Contact P.O. Box 41286 Austin, Texas 78704 P: 512-850-9073 F: 512-451-3110 Subject: Bethany Cemetery Historic Designation To the Austin Historic Landmark Commission, The Bethany Cemetery is one of the oldest African American Cemeteries in Austin. Established by John Holland, William Tears, Henderson Rollins and Allen Bradley in 1893, the cemetery has served the community since that time as the resting place for members of the Austin African American population. Before the creation of the cemetery, a section of the El Camino Real ran through the grounds and traces are still visible on the landscape. The El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association supports the efforts of the Bethany Cemetery Association in obtaining a local landmark designation for the tract. We feel that the presence of the trail serves to remind us of the historical interconnectedness that links us all together. Recognition from the City of Austin and your commission will help further the narrative of both the cemetery and the trail. Please let us know how we can further this effort and if we can be of additional service, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you, Bob Ward Public Relations Committee www.elcaminotrail.org
4 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS JULY 3, 2024 HR-2024-040291 BERNER-CLARK-MERCADO HOUSE 1807 EAST CESAR CHAVEZ STREET PROPOSAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS DESIGN STANDARDS Stabilize porch structure by repairing deck, balcony rails, and porch posts. Paint over graffiti. The proposed porch repairs were completed without a permit. Balcony railings, porch supports, and decking have been replaced. Graffiti remediation and new paint are proposed. 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 historic landmarks. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Repair and alterations 1. General standards Historic materials have been removed from the building; the extent of deterioration prior to removal is not clear. The replacement materials do not look the same as the removed historic materials. 6. Porches Deteriorated porch elements have been removed and replaced with inappropriate new materials. The repaired porch decking appears appropriately constructed. Summary The project mostly does not meet the applicable standards. COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Use the same profiles and designs for all woodwork. Porch columns, balustrades, and bracket detailing should be put back exactly, using historic photographs. Add transparent extensions to railings at original height where required by Code, e.g., a light metal topping rail. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Grant the applicant’s request to postpone the public hearing to August 7, 2024 to allow time to implement Committee feedback. LOCATION MAP 4 – 2
5 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS JUNE 5, 2024 HR-2024-051579 ROBERTSON/STUART & MAIR HISTORIC DISTRICT 1003 EAST 9TH STREET PROPOSAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Demolish an existing carport. Partially demolish and construct an addition, replace roof and windows, and construct a rear accessory dwelling unit. 1) Demolish carport at rear of property. 2) Restore exterior walls and replace windows and roofing. 3) Partially demolish the existing building at the rear southeast corner. 4) Construct a new two-story addition. The proposed addition, located immediately above the existing ridgeline, is two stories in height, with an irregular roofline and undivided fenestration. 5) Construct a two-story flat-roofed breezeway with roof deck from the addition to the rear ADU. 6) Construct a new ADU at the rear of the property. The proposed building has a side-gabled roof and is clad in stucco. It has fixed corner windows and a spiral staircase. ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STANDARDS One-story Folk Victorian house with partial-width inset porch, jigsawn porch trim, and wing-and-gable plan. The Robertson/Stuart & Mair Design Standards are used to evaluate projects within the historic district. The following standards apply to the proposed project: 1.2.1. Alterations to Contributing Buildings. 1.2.1.1. Do not alter or remove historic features unless they are deteriorated beyond repair. The proposed project removes and replaces existing windows and doors. While the existing windows do not appear to be of historic age and will be replaced in-kind, the existing screen door and front door appear to be from the historic period, though likely not original. 1.2.1.2. If replacing deteriorated historic features, match the original as close as possible. The proposed 2:2 window replacements and partially glazed door replacement appear mostly appropriate; however, the door replacement does not match the existing door. No photos of the original door are available. 1.2.2. Specific Standards 1.2.2.1. Front exterior walls The proposed project restores and refinishes the existing siding and trim at the front of the house. 1.2.2.2. Doors and door openings The proposed project does not alter existing door openings but removes the screen door and replaces the existing door; the replacement appears mostly appropriate. 1.2.2.3. Windows and window openings See 1.2.1.1. The proposed project does not alter the window openings at the front of the house. 1.2.2.4. Roofs and roof features The proposed project extends the existing roof shape past the ridgeline, approximately 14’ 3” from the front wall of the house. …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 3, 2024 HR-2024-044761 SIXTH STREET NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 611 EAST 6TH STREET 6 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct a new commercial mixed-use building. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The proposed building is six stories in height, with residential units stacked above ground-level commercial space. Materials include brick and stucco with stone accents. Full-height glazing is present on the ground floor, with divided 9-pane fixed windows at residential spaces above. The garage is accessed via Red River Street. The proposed project also includes plantings at East Sixth, Sabine, and Red River Street frontages. DESIGN STANDARDS The design standards established by Ordinance No. 20230720-160 (July 2023) and based on the Citywide Historic Design Standards for properties in the 500 and 600 blocks of East Sixth Street apply. The proposed project was evaluated based on the following applicable standards: 3) Commercial New Construction a) Location: Maintain the rhythm of contributing buildings on the street. Orient a new building consistently with the predominant orientation of contributing buildings on the same block. Set back a new building from the street at least: 15 feet, or the distance of the median setback of all historic buildings on the same block face, or in line with at least one adjacent historic building. The proposed project is oriented toward East Sixth Street. It is set back roughly in the same location as the previous non- contributing building. The applicant has amended the design to incorporate Committee feedback in order to better maintain the rhythm of contributing buildings elsewhere on the street. b) Scale, Massing, and Height: Design new building facades to reflect the massing of nearby historic building facades. Visually divide wider building facades into vertical bays that reflect typical widths of historic buildings on adjacent properties or the same block. Construct lower stories to appear as equal in height as possible to the story heights of adjacent historic buildings. Use vertical and horizontal design articulation techniques such as shifts in wall planes and differentiating materials to reduce a building's apparent scale and massing. Use step-downs in building height, wall-plane offsets, and other massing variations to provide a visual transition when the height of new construction exceeds that of adjacent contributing buildings by more than one story. The applicant has amended the proposal, per Committee feedback, to adjust the building’s bay widths and articulation to better reflect the widths of nearby …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 3, 2024 HR-2024-048021 1519 ALAMEDA DRIVE TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 7 – 1 PROPOSAL Construct a new house and pool. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The proposed new house is three stories tall, with a habitable basement and garage beneath the two main floors. Materials include concrete and stucco with vertical wood accents; alternately, vertical seamed metal and stone are proposed as accents. The proposed building comprises three rectangular masses with flat roofs of varying heights. Fenestration includes undivided corner and vertical windows, a front-facing garage, and an obscured front door atop a walled staircase. 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: Residential new construction 1. Location The proposed building appears appropriately sited. 2. Orientation The proposed building is oriented toward the street. The front-facing garage at the front of the building is not compatible with the standards. 3. Scale, massing, and height The proposed building’s scale and height exceed those of nearby contributing buildings, and its massing is more complicated. Wall-plane offsets are used to reduce its monumentality when viewed from the street. 4. Proportions The proposed building’s proportions are not compatible with the surrounding historic district. 5. Design and style Though the proposed building is internally consistent in design and style, it does not appear to reflect the design or style of the surrounding district. 6. Roofs The proposed flat roofs do not reflect the roof styles of surrounding contributing buildings. 7. Exterior walls The proposed wood and stucco materials are mostly compatible; stone and metal options are less compatible. 8. Windows and doors The proposed fenestration does not reflect the fenestration styles present in surrounding contributing buildings. 11. Attached garages and carports See 2. Summary The project does not meet most of the applicable standards. COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Use dark colors to disguise massing and scale. Do not use option with wood siding. Ensure the garage blends. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans. 7 – 2 LOCATION MAP 7 – 3
