Despite a last-minute push to preserve its unique exterior, the fate of a Central Austin home was sealed by the Historic Landmark Commission at its last meeting. The home at 3108 Grandview St. was originally brick before being covered with plaster. It was inhabited by “prominent plasterer” Ben Leifeste, who worked his trade of “palm […]
Preservation
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Pemberton bid for historic zoning raises questions about Austin’s racist past, historic future and policy on tax abatement
Is historic preservation honoring Austin’s racist past? That’s the question that came up at the most recent meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission during a sprawling conversation that ultimately landed on how the city manages its historic tax exemptions. In the end, commissioners recommended historic designation for the 1930 William F. and Eleanor Warren House […]
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Corrected: Homes could thwart convention center project
On Monday, the Historic Landmark Commission heard a proposal that could move three of downtown Austin’s oldest homes to make way for development surrounding its largest hotel. Doug Manchester from the Manchester Texas Financial Group presented his plan to move two, possibly three, homes across the street from their current location at 604, 606 and […]
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Rosewood Courts preservation fight finds new life
Anyone who thought the bid to save Austin’s Rosewood Courts was over just lost a bet. This Thursday, City Council will consider initiating historic zoning on the East Austin housing project. Council Member Ora Houston has sponsored a resolution supporting both the zoning change and the nomination of Rosewood Courts to the National Register of […]
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Crestview home finds new life in Del Valle
When the demolition of 1208 Stobaugh St. came before the Historic Landmark Commission in November, it seemed to strike a nerve with Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky, who – faced with an agenda full of demolitions – urged the city to “stop throwing perfectly good houses in our landfills.” Although the demolitions haven’t slowed over […]
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City buys time on emotional West Lynn demolition
There’s trouble in Old West Austin, where the expense and maintenance of one of the city’s older homes is once again threatening its existence. The Slaughter-Dildy House at 611 West Lynn St. is a contributing structure in the West Line National Register Historic District, and it is slated for demolition. The home, which was built […]
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Seeking more info, HLC stalls demolition for now
For the first time under the 10-1 City Council system, all of the members of the Historic Landmark Commission were appointed and present at the commission’s final meeting of 2015. And, with everyone accounted for, it looks like some of the ideological questions the new commission has been struggling with since summer persist. Some of […]
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Addition delayed to allow neighbors research time
A plan to expand a 1910 house in an area of town known as “Gypsy Grove” has some neighbors unsettled, but they will have at least one more month to come up with a solution, or reconcile themselves with the addition. Jacob Weisfeld, who is currently a junior attending UT-Austin, purchased the house at 610 […]
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Landmark Commission OKs Crestview demo
At its most recent meeting, the Historic Landmark Commission was asked to consider 14 demolitions, which is on the low end of normal this year. One of the few demolitions that didn’t pass on consent was the demolition of 1208 Stobaugh St. in Crestview. Commissioners voted unanimously to release that demolition permit, with Commissioners Terri […]
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Clarksville demolition sails through city process
Last week, plans to demolish a contributing home in the Clarksville National Register Historic District moved forward after less than 15 minutes of discussion at the Historic Landmark Commission. Pecan Valley Homes can now move forward with the planned demolition of 1806 West 10th St., which will allow it to build a larger home. A […]
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Questions circle East Austin demolition
A skeptical Historic Landmark Commission voted to initiate historic zoning on an East Austin house this week, despite the objections of the owner, who told a story that some commissioners had trouble swallowing. In the words of Commissioner Blake Tollet, “Something’s wrong here.” Commissioners voted 6-2 to initiate historic zoning with Commissioners Alex Papavasiliou and […]
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Roessner-designed home slated for demolition
There are many factors the city weighs when considering what is and isn’t a historic property. On Monday, the Historic Landmark Commission considered the cost of expensive, ongoing upkeep that only delays the inevitable. Though no one cast doubt on the home’s architectural pedigree, Jagjit Yadav, who owns 3800 Balcones Drive and lives there with […]