After some hesitation, the Historic Landmark Commission has begun the process of historic landmarking for a Cherrywood home that was once the site of the Schieffer Dairy. The house, which is located at 3901 Brookview Road, is a 1961 replacement of the original 1948 home. But neighbors hoping to stop its demolition successfully made a […]
Preservation
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First Tobin House battle waged at landmark commission
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single home facing demolition with a website of its own means a fight is on the way. That was certainly the case at the most recent meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission. Commissioners voted unanimously to initiate historic zoning for the house at 405 W. 14th St., […]
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City’s East Austin Historic Resources Survey fails first big test
In one of its first tests, the recently adopted East Austin Historic Resources Survey has failed the demolition-seeking owner of a well-known community activist’s home. Adriana Salazar, who is with owners A New Hope Real Estate Investments Inc., spoke in favor of the demolition and asked the Historic Landmark Commission to make a decision on […]
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Planning Commission plays Historic Landmark Commission in demolition appeal case
In the first case of its kind, the Planning Commission, acting in place of the Historic Landmark Commission, denied an appeal of demolition permits released in July. Property owner D & L Rent Properties LP originally filed for demolition of two houses at 1207 and 1209 W 22½ St. on April 20, with plans to […]
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Two adjacent East Austin streets, two tales of development
Danny Fowler stands in the middle of his driveway holding a vase full of red flowers. He is taking them to his neighbor, who lives just across the street, over the crest of the steep hill that cuts this East Austin cul-de-sac in two. The street, which begins as E.M. Franklin Avenue before morphing into […]
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Pending demolition highlights need for preservation education
After about three months of discussion, a midcentury modern Rosedale home is officially destined for demolition. When the Historic Landmark Commission last took up the proposed demolition, it proved to be a flashpoint for ongoing intra-commission tension. This time around, commissioners agreed that it was time to move forward with the demolition of 2506 Great […]
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Council kicks off process to reform Historic Landmark Commission
City Council on Thursday voted to initiate a code amendment that could make it easier for the Historic Landmark Commission to overrule the wishes of property owners. Mayor Steve Adler overcame his own skepticism to vote for the measure, which passed 9-2 with Council members Ellen Troxclair and Delia Garza in opposition. The aim is […]
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For historic grants program, use-it-or-lose-it process leaves dollars unspent
Historic sites around Austin could be on the receiving end of money from the city’s fast-growing Hotel Occupancy Tax if the advisory body formed to examine how the tax revenue is allocated recommends that City Council relax the application process. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Visitor Impact Task Force, members learned that a portion of […]
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Changes coming to Historic Landmark Commission
Mayor Steve Adler went on record at Tuesday’s City Council work session as opposing a loosening of the regulations for the Historic Landmark Commission to begin the process of designating Austin homes as historic. At the same time, Council Member Jimmy Flannigan said he was ready to remove a member of the commission who has […]
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Another house, another fight at the Historic Landmark Commission
Once again, the Historic Landmark Commission was transformed into an ideological battleground. This time, the battle was centered on what ultimately proved to be a fairly uncontroversial landmark designation in the North University neighborhood. The Brundrett-Winkler House, which was built in 1916, is located at 104 West 32nd St. Though it resembles a bungalow, Historic […]
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Fighting demolitions, Ebony Acres residents hope city will recognize their history
Spurred by a rash of proposed demolitions, several East Austin citizens are hoping to move forward with a historic district for their neighborhood later this month. Late last year, potential demolitions on Grant Street, E M Franklin Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue caught the attention of Ebony Acres residents. The demolitions were proposed by a single […]
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Travillion steps up to the plate for Montopolis Negro School compromise
Barely an hour after taking his ceremonial oath of office at his first Travis County Commissioners Court meeting, Commissioner Jeff Travillion took on a big special assignment. At the request of County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, Travillion committed to brokering a compromise between the owner of the Montopolis Negro School building in Southeast Austin and neighborhood […]