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 […]
Historic Landmark Commission
The city’s Historic Landmark Commission promotes historic preservation of buildings and structures. The commission also reviews applications and permits for historic zoning and historic grants.
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” […]
Posted inPreservation
Robert E. Lee sign change erodes trust between city commission and school district
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 […]
Posted inLand Development Code, Uncategorized
Council moves to change demolition rules
Last week, City Council approved a resolution that could change how civic buildings are demolished in Austin. The resolution, which was sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, could require all demolition permits for civic buildings that are 50 years or older to have a public hearing. Council voted to approve the resolution in a […]
Posted inPreservation
“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 […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Coming around
I told you so… City Council Member Don Zimmerman may not get his Council colleagues to embrace his libertarian beliefs, but he appears hopeful that there may be a day when they view city staff with as much suspicion as he does. On Thursday, Zimmerman posted a video excerpt of a recent meeting of the Council […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inPreservation
“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 […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inAISD
Historic commission postpones Robert E. Lee decision
Last month, the Austin Independent School District voted to change the name of Robert E. Lee Elementary school, which currently honors a Confederate general from the Civil War. Although renaming issues persist, the concern has largely been resolved. However, at the request of a group of Austinites, the Historic Landmark Commission considered at its Monday […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]