For a second time, the Historic Landmark Commission has denied historic zoning for a home that was once the site of the Schieffer Dairy. Though the house at 3901 Brookview Road is now headed for demolition, it has spurred the neighborhood to push for the creation of a new local historic district to prevent such […]
historic preservation
Official actions of a municipality such as the City of Austin taken to preserve structures with their jurisdiction. Preservation is often accompanied by a property tax exemption.
Posted inPreservation
Bouldin demolition raises odd questions, provides no answers at Historic Landmark Commission
There was a great deal of confusion on the dais at the Historic Landmark Commission meeting Monday night following a plea from a homeowner opposed to the proposed demolition of her own home. “I really don’t understand how it works. I’m really not even sure who it is that wants it demolished,” said homeowner Joanne […]
Posted inPreservation
Council upholds demolition of two West Campus properties
After waiting nearly 400 days, a property owner in the West Campus neighborhood will be able to demolish two buildings that have been held up by neighbors seeking to get them classified as historic landmarks. City Council voted narrowly Thursday to reject an appeal of a decision by the Historic Landmark Commission last year to […]
Posted inPreservation
Planning Commission initiates historic zoning for Emancipation Park site
A week before the release of the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Equities’ 70-page report, the Planning Commission took a small step during its March 28 meeting in fixing what local historian Fred McGhee called a “broken historic preservation process” by initiating historic zoning for 2724 E. 12th Street, one of the […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Texas House bill takes aim at historic preservation rules
Fans of keeping historic buildings just as they are have sounded the alarm over a legislative bill that could bring wholesale change to preservation policies across the state, including here in Austin. State Rep. Gary Elkins, a Republican from northwestern Houston, filed House Bill 3418 earlier this month. It would alter the state’s Local Government […]
Posted inHousing
When the loss of a historic home adds to much-needed housing stock
Reedy Spigner, 45, straddles a gray carpet strewn with empty glass bottles and pieces of tape – just some of the things left behind in a move. In front of him is an entire wall of windows. From there, he looks out onto E. 22nd Street and is transported some 35 years into the past. […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit criticizes city’s historic program management
Citing a lack of staff dedicated to the city’s historic preservation program, an outdated fee collection system and inadequate coordination between historic preservation staff and those higher up in the chain of command, the Office of the City Auditor has concluded that the Planning and Zoning Department “is not effectively administering” the historic preservation program. […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inPreservation
County considers calls to preserve Montopolis Negro School building
A group of activists scurrying to preserve a segregation-era schoolhouse brought their case before the Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. Led by East Austin advocates Fred McGhee and Susana Almanza, the group urged the court to help protect the Montopolis Negro School on Montopolis Drive just east of U.S. Highway 183. Austin Stowell of […]
Posted inPreservation
Midcentury modern demolition brings dysfunction to the fore at Historic Landmark Commission
Ideological tension at the Historic Landmark Commission bubbled to the surface Monday over the proposed demolition of a midcentury modern home built in the 1950s. Commissioners were evenly split on whether to release the demolition permit for the home at 2506 Great Oaks Parkway in a vote of 5-5. That vote prevented the demolition from […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic zoning debate reaches new heights at BoA
Are brand-new houses just as eligible for historic zoning as older homes? The answer may not surprise you: No, they are not. The fact that this question was the subject of a half-hour discussion at the Board of Adjustment, however, is worthy of notice. At the heart of the discussion was an unusual variance granted […]