Preservation

A debate over the definition of the word “significant” was the topic du jour at the March 25 meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission. The word’s interpretation came into question because, when it comes to determining whether a home is worthy of historical landmark designation, it must meet two of the five requirements with significance: archaeology, […]

After last month’s revelation of the design plans for 1602 West Lynn St. left members of the Historic Landmark Commission reeling, the four weeks between then and now allowed the commissioners to begrudgingly accept the previously presented plans and comments from staff at their March 25 meeting. “Unfortunately, things went awry at the end and we’re […]

Despite what city staff called the “heartbreaking” condition of a historically contributing structure and an owner’s opposition to historic zoning, the Historic Landmark Commission determined Monday that a 117-year-old home was worth saving. In an effort to preserve one of the few examples of early-20th-century architecture from the German settlement in East Austin, the commission […]

Roofs are pesky. Every 25 years or so they need to be replaced, though not usually with an identical material. Over a quarter-century, technology advances, materials become more environmentally friendly, and roof materials can easily affect a home’s energy efficiency. That means historic homes are often left searching for outdated materials or options that mimic […]

In the storied neighborhood of Pemberton Heights there’s a little dead-end street known as Green Lanes that houses an enclave of seven homes, including that of Walter E. Long. Two of the original homes on the street have already been demolished, including the home that belonged to Long, and a third was recently approved for […]

Anyone would agree that the Pease Mansion in the Old Enfield Neighborhood is a historic landmark. But what about all the other surrounding properties that inevitably pale in comparison? For the Tudor Revival-style house at 1602 Pease Road, city staff seemed to think a historic designation was not merited. Despite being built for the Covert […]

Putting new construction on a historically zoned lot with an emblematic structure is not an everyday occurrence in Austin, so when it happens, it should be no surprise that it involves months of negotiation. After several months of back-and-forth with the Historic Landmark Commission, on Dec. 17, the commission unanimously approved the construction of three […]

For over a year, the Historic Landmark Commission has been going back and forth over the plans for the back lot of the Stanley Homestead at 1809 Newton St. “What we’re seeking is the Certificate of Appropriateness for the new construction that we are contemplating,” explained William Hodge, the architect representing the applicant at the […]