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Preservation
HLC debates 'original character' in Smoot-Terrace Park
In the city of Austin, a home is considered historic if it meets several criteria, among them being at least 50 years old. Thanks to the timeline associated with its remodeling choices, the home at 607 Oakland Ave. qualified twice…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 11, 2020
Rendon house denied historic preservation zoning
The East Austin home of the late Edward Rendon Sr. will not be getting the historic zoning designation desired by some members of the Rendon family. If granted, the designation would have halted the plans of Rose Rubio, a majority…
Preservation • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 24, 2020
Planning Commission recommends Rendon house for historic zoning over owner’s wishes
The Planning Commission took another step Jan. 14 to pave the way for historic zoning for the home of the late Edward Rendon Sr. despite continued opposition from one of Rendon’s 16 heirs. With a vote in favor of historic…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 16, 2020
Parks department staff occupy and transform a historic home in South Austin
A rare and intact example of a mid-1860s rural Travis County residence sits at 10140 Old San Antonio Road. After years of neglect, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department has taken over stewardship of the property and installed an administrative…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 6, 2020
HLC says Pemberton Heights home no longer deserves historic status
Remodeling the exterior of a historic home requires care, attention to detail – and a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Landmark Commission to sign off on the proposed design. Failing to involve the commission can have financial consequences on…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Dec 19, 2019
A divided landmark commission recommends Green Pastures Hotel
In the decades since Green Pastures opened in 1946, the restaurant has become a beloved venue known for its elegant, porch-wrapped home and verdant grounds. It was noteworthy when the proposed addition of a hotel to the property swept through…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Dec 18, 2019
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West Campus home fails to receive required votes for historic designation
The Historic Landmark Commission recently recommended historic zoning for a 19th-century West Campus home at 704 W. 22nd St. against the owner’s wishes. Planning commissioners have now voted to deny the recommendation for historic zoning, preventing the case from moving…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Dec 17, 2019
In the midst of preservation push, city permits demolition of church
After the Historic Landmark Commission initiated historic zoning for the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 1711 E. Oltorf St. last July, the status of the midcentury, A-frame church became tenuous as its integrity continued to degrade month after month.…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Nov 7, 2019
Rendon House deemed worthy of preservation due to exceptional merit of its prior owner
Edward Rendon Sr.’s contributions to the East Austin community have never been in question. However, whether or not his house is eligible to be zoned historic to commemorate his efforts has become a subject of debate. Rendon was an activist…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Nov 5, 2019
Historic Landmark Commission hesitantly approves Masonic lodge renovation plans
After months of discussions and tweaks to the original plans for the Royal Arch Masonic Lodge, the Historic Landmark Commission finally came to a compromise with designers for a 30-plus-story addition to the 93-year-old ancestral home of the Masons at…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Oct 31, 2019
Court approves Palm School protections but future of property uncertain
The Travis County Commissioners Court easily approved a set of restrictive covenants aimed at preserving the Palm School building if the county sells the property that is home to the historic structure. The court voted 4-1 in favor of a…
Preservation • By Jack Craver • Oct 30, 2019
County hears pleas to preserve all of Palm School property
The future of the Palm School property remains unclear after a public hearing where activists implored the Travis County Commissioners Court not to sell any part of the land to a private developer. While the court voted unanimously in June…
