Efforts to redevelop a former ranch and summer camp in Northwest Austin have hit another snag with the city’s Historic Landmark Commission, which has voted for a second time to postpone the convoluted case.
The house at 7304 Knox Lane first appeared as a demolition case last spring, when commissioners unanimously ruled to initiate historic zoning of the property, citing its historic associations, archaeological significance and landscape features. Now, the case is returning as a bid for the home’s relocation, with aspirations to clear the way for a 13-lot subdivision in the Northwest Hills neighborhood.
The home in question is just one feature of the sprawling 5.77-acre property, which was once known to locals as Running Rope Ranch. For decades, former Army Capt. Warren P. Knox and his family opened their home to neighborhood youth, who enjoyed horseback riding, learning outdoorsmanship skills and swimming in the ranch’s spring-fed pool.
While Knox’s daughter-in-law remained at the home until her passing in 2022, new owner Jimmy Nassour says the road to redevelopment has been long and complex, due in particular to seven natural springs and evidence of past Native American mound-building activity throughout the site. After years of surveying and negotiating, Nassour has secured a 13-plot subdivision from the city of Austin, making Historic Landmark Commission approval his final hurdle.
Nassour, a real estate investor who recently made news purchasing the former Spider House Cafe, says his new development will set aside 3 of the 5.77 acres for environmental preservation, per restrictive covenants with the city.
“After 14 years of hurdles with the city of Austin, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental boards and more, I’ve attained a 13-lot subdivision for this property. … It will be 13 new homes, potentially 20 with (accessory dwelling units),” Nassour said. “The restrictive covenants we’re having to put in place are mainly there to protect the spring and so forth. We’ll have more setbacks and protections once the house is removed than there are now, for certain.”
While Nassour is seeking to relocate the home outside city limits, landmark commissioners are hoping he may consider moving the structure elsewhere on the site, a simpler job that will keep the home in its original context. Nassour maintains that such a project would be impossible given the subdivision’s restrictions.
Commissioners unanimously voted to postpone the case, which will appear for a consideration of historic zoning within the next 30 days. From there, commissioners may choose to recommend landmark status to City Council, though it will need a supermajority vote from the Planning Commission and City Council to supersede the owner’s wishes.
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Historic Landmark Commission: The city’s Historic Landmark Commission promotes historic preservation of buildings and structures. The commission also reviews applications and permits for historic zoning and historic grants.
