B-07 (C14H-2021-0006 - Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; District 9 Part 1).pdf — original pdf

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ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET HLC DATE: PC DATE: November 16, 2020 December 14, 2020 January 26, 2021 CASE NUMBER: C14H-2021-0006 (Formerly HDP-2020-0440) APPLICANT: Historic Landmark Commission HISTORIC NAME: Delta Kappa Gamma Building WATERSHED: Shoal Creek ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 416 W. 12th Street Council District: 9 ZONING FROM: GO to DMU-H-CO SUMMARY STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the proposed zoning change from general office (GO) district to downtown mixed use – Historic Landmark (DMU-H) combining district zoning. While staff appreciates the property owners’ dilemma in what they now view as a financial and maintenance burden, the building has demonstrated significance as reflected by its individual inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. National Register designation in and of itself does not prevent modification or even demolition of the building, but in the City of Austin, National Register designation does automatically qualify a building as eligible for landmark designation, which does place a barrier on demolition. Staff cannot recommend that a building individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places should be demolished, and must recommend landmark designation for the building to determine if the Commission or the Planning Commission, and ultimately the City Council votes to grant the building historic zoning. Given the architecture and history of this building, staff would recommend landmark designation even if the building were not listed on the National Register. In the meantime, staff recommends that the applicant for the demolition permit continue to develop proposals to incorporate the building into new development plans for the site, which staff acknowledges may preclude the construction of a high-rise building on this site. In staff’s evaluation, preserving portions of the exterior finishes of the building into an interior space of the proposed new building is not sufficiently respectful of the integrity, design, and significance of the existing building. Continuing conversations about the relationship of historic and new may result in a proposal that is much more palatable to both the owners of the building and the interests of preserving buildings that have demonstrated historical significance. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: November 16, 2020: Initiated historic zoning. Vote: 9-0-2 (Papavasiliou and Jacob off-dais). December 14, 2020: Recommended historic zoning (Tollett/Koch). Vote: 9-0-1 (Papavasiliou absent; Featherston abstaining). PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: 1 of 32B-7 DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 under Criteria A and C for its significance in the areas of education and architecture; which also fulfills qualifications for city historic landmark designation criteria for architectural significance and historical associations. As a property individual listed on the National Register of Historic Places, under City Code, it does not need to meet additional criteria for designation as a historic landmark. The applicant opposes city landmark designation, so this case will require a super-majority vote for historic zoning at either the Historic Landmark Commission or the Planning Commission to advance to the City Council. ACTION: PHONE: 974-6454 ORDINANCE NUMBER: CITY COUNCIL DATE: February 18, 2021 ORDINANCE READINGS: 1ST 2ND 3RD CASE MANAGER: Steve Sadowsky NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: Austin Independent School District, Austin Lost and Found Pets, Austin Neighborhoods Council, Bike Austin, Central Austin Community Development Corporation, City of Austin Downtown Commission, Downtown Austin Alliance, Downtown Austin Neighborhood Assn. (DANA), Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Historic Austin Neighborhood Association, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation, Old Austin Neighborhood Association, Preservation Austin, SELTexas, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, West Downtown Alliance, Inc. BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: Architecture: Please see the attached nomination of the building to the National Register of Historic Places. Historical Associations: Please see the attached nomination of the building to the National Register of Historic Places. PARCEL NO.: 0208011010 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 1 & PART OF LOT 2 BLOCK 150 ORIGINAL CITY ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAX ABATEMENT: $16,681 (non-homestead property); city portion: $5,631 (no cap). APPRAISED VALUE: $3,610,592 PRESENT USE: Office building CONDITION: Good PRESENT OWNERS: Delta Kappa Gamma Society 416 W. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701 DATE BUILT: ca. 1956 ALTERATIONS/ADDITIONS: None apparent. 2 of 32B-7 ORIGINAL OWNER(S): Delta Kappa Gamma Society OTHER HISTORICAL DESIGNATIONS: Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. LOCATION MAP 3 of 32B-7 November 14, 2020 City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission Austin, Texas Dear Landmark Commission Members: Mid Tex Mod is the regional chapter of the nonprofit DOCOMOMO US, the American chapter of DOCOMOMO International advocating for modern design worldwide. We are committed to raising awareness of mid-century modern architecture in Central Texas. Our Mid Tex Mod Board of Directors opposes the demolition of the Delta Kappa Gamma building at 416 West 12th Street. The property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C, in the areas of education and architecture. The International-style Delta Kappa Gamma Building was designed in 1956 by noted Austin architectural firm, Kuehne Brooks & Barr, and its design respects and compliments the residential scale of the surrounding neighborhood. The building serves as the international headquarters of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, founded in 1929 to support women in education. The property is recognized as a historically significant resource in the recently completed Old Austin Neighborhood Association Historic Resource Survey of Downtown Austin. The survey was grant funded through the Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant Program of the Texas Historical Commission and a Preservation Austin grant, and supported through the City of Austin’s Historic Preservation Office. The survey received a prestigious 2020 Preservation Merit Award from Preservation Austin. Mid Tex Mod strongly urges you to oppose the demolition of the architecturally and historically significant Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Headquarters Building at 416 West 12th Street. Sincerely, Elizabeth Porterfield, Board President Mid Tex Mod 4 of 32B-7Post Office Box 1282 13 November 2020 Austin, TX 78767 www.originalaustin.org RE: 416 West 12th Street – demolition permit request City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission Austin, Texas Dear Historic Landmark Commission Members: The Old Austin Neighborhood Association (OANA) Board of Directors opposes the demolition of the property at 416 West 12th Street. Within OANA’s boundaries (Lamar to Lavaca; Ladybird Lake to 15th Street), there is a unique neighborhood of old and new buildings. We advocate for the restoration of significant historic properties and support compatible development that helps maintain the historic and residential character of our neighborhood. 416 West 12th Street is included in the West-Downtown-Historic-Survey also known as the Historic Survey of the Old Austin Neighborhood. This survey was funded OANA funded with the support of the Texas Historic Commission and the City of Austin through for a Certified Local Government Grant. 416 West 12th Street is also listed as a historic property in the National Register of Historic Places (NR, 2012). Also, immediately to the east of this property is the Watson (A.O.) House, at 402 West 12th Street, a two-story nineteenth- century Austin Landmark. As a property listed in the National Register of Historic Places 416 West 12th is cited under Criterion A for Education, as well as Criteria C for Architecture. For these reasons OANA respectfully request your disapproval of the demolition permit request. Sincerely, Ted Siff, President Board of Directors Ted Siff, President Perry Lorenz Austin Stowell Blake Tollett, Secretary Ray Canfield, Treasurer Katie Jackson Charles Peveto Michael Portman Chris Riley Diana ZunigaCharles Peveto Austin Stowell 5 of 32B-7 November 13, 2020 Terri Myers, Chair City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission Re: 416 W 12th Street Demolition Permit Dear Ms. Myers, Preservation Austin exists to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. We write today to express our opposition to the proposed demolition of 416 W 12th Street, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Headquarters Building. We ask that the Historic Landmark Commission instead support historic zoning for this significant property in the areas of Architecture and Historical Associations. As the property is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this demonstrated significance is supplementary. Historical Associations: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society is a significant organization supporting women in education through scholarships and a fellowship program. The Society was founded in 1929 by a University of Texas professor, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, to encourage equal opportunities for women in education. Dr. Blanton was the first female State Superintendent of Public Instruction, making her the first woman elected to a Texas state office. By 1960, the Society had chapters in every state. The Delta Kappa Gamma Society played a large role in women’s history as an organization founded by women to support women, at a time when such support was scarcely found elsewhere. Women are typically left out of dominant historical narratives and underrepresented amongst protected heritage sites locally and nationally. We urge that this building be protected as landmark to women’s agency and collective power. Architecture: The 1955 building is an excellent example of postwar modern design by Kuehne, Brooks, and Barr. It features an International Style façade, functionalist floorplan, and a more traditional aesthetic in its finishes. The women of Delta Kappa Gamma sought to accommodate a diverse range of functions that their ever-growing organization demanded. Uninterrupted planes of single materials were a signature of the firm and can also be seen in their work at the American National Bank (now the Starr Building). 6 of 32B-7 This National Register-listed building is recommended for individual landmark status in the recently completed Historic Resources Survey of Downtown Austin. Sponsored by the Old Austin Neighborhood Association, the survey was supported by a Certified Local Government grant received by the City of Austin and a matching grant from our nonprofit. Preservation Austin further supported the community’s hard-fought efforts with a 2020 Preservation Merit Award this fall for their public service. The survey’s purpose is to recommend significant landmarks and potential districts for designation, and to provide the information needed to make educated decisions about demolitions such as this. Significant resources go into these efforts with the understanding that they will make a difference to preservation outcomes moving forward. The city must stand by its historic resource surveys, in good faith, to protect our significant buildings and landmarks. We urge the Historic Landmark Commission to do so here. Austin cannot afford to lose this piece of women’s history or afford to lose another potential local landmark. Thank you for your service, and for all you do to protect Austin’s heritage. Sincerely, Clayton Bullock 7 of 32B-7Gaudette, Angela From: Sent: To: Subject: Sadowsky, Steve Monday, November 16, 2020 7:46 AM Gaudette, Angela Fw: 416 West 12th     Steve Sadowsky  Historic Preservation Officer  City of Austin, Texas  974‐6454    From: City of Austin <noreply@coadigital.onbehalfof.austintexas.gov>  Sent: Friday, November 13, 2020 5:21 PM  To: Sadowsky, Steve <Steve.Sadowsky@austintexas.gov>  Subject: 416 West 12th      This message is from Bob Ward.        November 13, 2020    To: City of Austin, Historic Landmark Commission  Re: 416 West 12th St    Dear Historic Landmark Commission members,    It has come to our attention that the house at 416 West 12th is slated for demolition. The Delta Kappa Gamma Society  International Headquarters was located at this site and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Founded in 1929, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society grew from a dozen women in Austin to over 70,000 across the United  States and Canada with an emphasis on supporting women in education through scholarships and other programs.     As Austin continues to grow and lose much of its historic fabric, it is important to preserve some of the few remaining  examples of historic architecture and cultural importance. The Travis County Historical Commission asks that you oppose  the destruction of this property.    Respectfully,      James Robert “Bob” Ward  Chair  Travis County Historical Commission      1 8 of 32B-79 of 32B-710 of 32B-711 of 32B-712 of 32B-713 of 32B-714 of 32B-715 of 32B-716 of 32B-717 of 32B-718 of 32B-7CONTEXT | EXISTING BUILDING HISTORIC REVIEW | AUSTIN,TX | BLOCK 150 | 2020033 | 11-10-202019 of 32B-7VISIONING | COMMEMORATIVE GARDEN HISTORIC REVIEW | AUSTIN,TX | BLOCK 150 | 2020033 | 11-10-202020 of 32B-7SITE PLAN REUSE OF EXISTING BUILDING MATERIALS +525'-0" +525'-0" +525'-0" +526'-0" +528'-0" +528'-0" i t e e r t S o n o t n A n a S " 9 - ' 6 " 4 9 1 - ' 6 4 1 " 6 - ' 8 " 1 6 - ' 8 1 " 0 - ' 4 " 2 0 - ' 4 2 " 0 - ' 0 " 1 0 - ' 0 1 " 4 - ' 3 " 2 4 - ' 3 2 " 8 - ' 1 " 2 8 - ' 1 2 " 3 - ' 9 " 4 3 - ' 9 4 +531'-0" +531'-0" 33'-2" 33'-2" 20'-0" 20'-0" 122'-6" 20'-0" 122'-6" +530'-0" 20'-0" 24'-0" 24'-0" +532'-0" 19'-6" 19'-6" +530'-0" +532'-0" LOADING 769 SF LOADING 769 SF E E ELEC. ROOM ELEC. 1,031 SF ROOM 1,031 SF E P O L E S P % O 6 L 1 S % 6 1 +538'-0" +538'-0" HISTORIC BUILDING MATERIALS TRASH 220 SF TRASH 220 SF M.E.P. / B.O.H. 1,596 SF M.E.P. / B.O.H. 1,596 SF ONE WAY ONE WAY LOBBY LOBBY 1,100 SF 1,100 SF +528'-0" " 4 - ' 3 2 " 4 - ' 3 2 BIKE LOBBY/ STORAGE BIKE LOBBY/ 564 SF STORAGE 564 SF " 3 - ' 9 4 " 3 - ' 9 4 RETAIL / OTHER 4,000 SF RETAIL / OTHER 4,000 SF +537'-6" 68'-0" 68'-0" " 9 - ' 4 " 5 9 - ' 4 5 " 9 - ' 1 " 4 9 - ' 1 4 " 1 1 - ' 2 " 0 4 - ' 3 4 COMMEMORATIVE GARDEN COMMEMORATIVE GARDEN +537'-6" +537'-6" +542'-0" +542'-0" 69'-0" 69'-0" 114'-2" 114'-3" 45'-2" 45'-3" 12th Street HISTORIC REVIEW | AUSTIN,TX | BLOCK 150 | 2020033 | 11-10-202021 of 32B-712TH STREET ELEVATION HISTORIC REVIEW | AUSTIN,TX | BLOCK 150 | 2020033 | 11-10-202022 of 32B-7SAN ANTONIO ELEVATION HISTORIC REVIEW | AUSTIN,TX | BLOCK 150 | 2020033 | 11-10-202023 of 32B-7SOUTH ELEVATION WEST ELEVATION HISTORIC REVIEW | AUSTIN,TX | BLOCK 150 | 2020033 | 11-10-2020114'-0"90'-0"128'-0"275'-4"263'-4"355'-4"339'-4"374'-4"0'-0"30'-0"114'-0"90'-0"128'-0"275'-4"263'-4"355'-4"339'-4"374'-4"0'-0"30'-0"24 of 32B-7 Southern Facade {W1004594.1} 25 of 32B-7 Southern Facade {W1004594.1} 26 of 32B-7 Western Facade {W1004594.1} 27 of 32B-7 Western Façade {W1004594.1} 28 of 32B-7 Western Façade {W1004594.1} 29 of 32B-7 Northern Façade {W1004594.1} 30 of 32B-7 Northern Façade {W1004594.1} 31 of 32B-7 Eastern Façade {W1004594.1} 32 of 32B-7