In a somewhat surprising turn of events, a lack of consensus over a West Line home kicked off the historic zoning process at the Historic Landmark Commission’s most recent meeting. The owner of a 1915 bungalow at 812 Theresa Ave. is seeking permission to tear it down. But a combination of neighborhood opposition, history and […]
Preservation
Posted inPreservation
New East Austin survey tells story of loss
To the uninformed, Shonda Mace looked like she was being a real creep. On a morning last March, the young woman loitered in front of a home on East 22nd Street. She eyed the house in front of her before snapping two photos of it. “I take a façade, which is the front of the […]
Posted inPreservation
East Austin demolition pause raises questions at Historic Landmark Commission
The Historic Landmark Commission started off with a bang Monday night, when an unorthodox postponement of a group of East Austin demolitions put some commissioners on the defensive, left staff confused and sparked a shouting match in City Council chambers. Commissioner Terri Myers and Chair Mary Jo Galindo explained that Council Member Ora Houston had […]
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New balcony approved for Ma and Pa Ferguson house
Though it took a reluctant Historic Landmark Commission two votes to approve it last month, the Ma and Pa Ferguson House gets to have a nonhistoric balcony. Again. The home at 1200 Enfield Road was once home to Ma and Pa Ferguson, each of whom served as governor of Texas. Despite their significance, their house […]
Posted inPreservation
‘Battle of the historic restoration titans’ continues at Landmark Commission
There are plenty of heavy hitters on either side of the debate surrounding a proposed demolition of a contributing structure in the West Line National Register Historic District. What the debate lacks is a resolution, after the Historic Landmark Commission postponed it once again at its most recent meeting. The owners of the 1915 bungalow […]
Posted inPreservation
Jenny Lind Porter home wins stay of demolition
The house once owned by Texas poet laureate Jenny Lind Porter will be around for another two months, but after that its fate is anyone’s guess. On Monday, the Historic Landmark Commission once again considered the request for a demolition permit for the home, which is located at 1715 Summit View Place. And, once again, […]
Posted inAISD
Historic Landmark Commission defies AISD, moves forward with historic zoning for Lee Elementary
Once again, the Historic Landmark Commission was the site of an ideological showdown over the fate of Russell Lee Elementary. And, on Monday night, it was also a face-off between the commission and the Austin Independent School District. Just prior to the commission’s meeting, AISD sent a letter officially opposing historic zoning for the school, […]
Posted inDevelopment
New plan fails to impress in the wake of unapproved East Austin demolition
Almost two years later, one East Austin homeowner is back at the Board of Adjustment asking for a variance redo, with a promise to reconstruct the demolished home it had promised to preserve. At this point, owner 2100 E. 14 Ventures LLC is seeking a variance for the property at 2100 E. 14th St. to […]
Posted inPreservation
Small demo points to a “big issue” in East Austin
Though the Historic Landmark Commission finally had a chance to weigh in on a neighborhood demolition, that demolition will still be moving forward after members of the commission ruled that an East Austin home was not a good candidate for historic zoning. Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky said that the house at 2101 Maple Ave. […]
Posted inPreservation
Demolition avoided on Cesar Chavez
In a rare turnaround, a small East Austin home that has been a longtime rental in the neighborhood is now headed for preservation instead of demolition. Initially, the owners of 2205 East Cesar Chavez St. were seeking a demolition permit for the home. However, since then, Kenneth and Myung Soon Lemond have changed their minds […]
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Clarksville demolition forestalled for now
Yet another Clarksville home is up for demolition. And, once again, the neighborhood isn’t willing to let it go without a fight. This time, developers hope to scrap the modest home at 1926 West 10th St. to make way for a new home. But a majority of those on the Historic Landmark Commission hope that […]
Posted inPreservation
Poet’s Old West Austin mansion faces demolition
The future of Jenny Lind Porter’s Old Enfield home hangs in the balance after a Historic Landmark Commission postponement Monday. The house, which is located at 1715 Summit View Place, is a contributing structure to the Old West Austin Historic District but has fallen into disrepair. Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky said he was “startled” […]