In an emotional, accusatory hearing, the Historic Landmark Commission voted Monday night to initiate historic zoning on the school formerly known as Robert E. Lee Elementary. Since the case first appeared before the commission, AISD has voted to change the name of the school to Russell Lee Elementary, and the district’s subsequent removal of the […]
Preservation
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“Friendless” house to be demolished
Though historic zoning was initiated for the 1911 home on San Bernard Street, a depleted Historic Landmark Commission did not show enough support to move historic landmark status forward for the “house with no friends” last week. Because the homeowner opposed the historic zoning through a valid petition, a unanimous vote of the eight commissioners […]
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At Lee Elementary, the sign remains the same
Last week, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees took the bold step of changing the name of Lee Elementary School to Lee Elementary School. However, if a group pushing for preservation of the school’s original sign has its way, schoolchildren and parents will continue to enter the building under a sign bearing the […]
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Austin Monitor Radio: Preservation Austin
Representatives from Preservation Austin join Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to offer their take on historic zoning in the City of Austin. Sponsored by Austin Water. Post is embedded below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264259586″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
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House, not history, derails preservation bid
In order for a building to qualify for historic landmark status in Austin, it must meet two or more of the local historic designation criteria. That process can be complicated, but there are also issues that even a layman can understand with ease. As one East Austin case illustrated recently, it also must be a […]
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“House with no friends” wins over commission
Only one neighborhood representative spoke against the demolition. But the home at 1175 San Bernard St. found enough allies on the Historic Landmark Commission to ensure it will stay standing for another month. Commissioners voted to initiate historic zoning on the home in a vote of 7-3, with Commissioners Arif Panju, David Whitworth and Alex […]
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East Austin demo spurs talk of moratoriums and trust
There has been a lot of talk recently about a moratorium on demolitions in East Austin. On Monday, that talk surfaced once again, this time around a proposed demolition that will be put on hold for the time being while Historic Landmark commissioners look into whether the home should be designated historic. The Historic Preservation […]
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Planning Commission debates historic significance of Pemberton home
Now that it has won approval from two key city commissions, a bid to confer historic landmark status on a $1.4 million home in Pemberton Heights appears poised to succeed. The Planning Commission recommended Tuesday that City Council approve $8,500 a year in tax abatements for the 85-year-old house at 1502 Hardouin Ave., five weeks […]
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Panel shoots down tax abatement, for now
The former home of one of Austin’s most famous African-American baseball players may soon be restored, but that restoration will take place without the benefit of a city tax abatement this year. Historic Landmark commissioners voted 7-2 to deny the tax abatement for the Willie Wells house at 1705 Newton St. after the home failed […]
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Why would two homes cross the street? Preservation.
Though there were some initial reservations about the plan, Historic Landmark commissioners unanimously approved the relocation of two downtown homes at their last meeting. Commissioners approved the release of relocation permits for 606 and 608 E. Third St. on the condition that the developer, Manchester Financial Group, complete a state-required archaeological study and follow through […]
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Littlefield and Dabney-Horne homes to be preserved together
Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo could not bring herself to support moving the historic Dabney-Horne house away from its birthplace at 507 West 23rd St. “Looking at the site again was part of it,” she said Thursday as City Council deliberated on a deal struck between developer David Kanne and preservation advocates, in which Kanne […]
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Panel pushes for preservation, despite house deficiencies
Despite concerns that the physical structure lacks historic integrity, the Historic Landmark Commission has voted to move forward with historic zoning for the home of one of East Austin’s most prominent African-Americans. Commissioners voted 6-4 to initiate historic zoning on the home at 1308 E. 12th St., which was originally constructed sometime prior to 1933. […]