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 […]
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 inAustin
Is gentrification a human rights issue in Austin?
Over the past few months, the city’s Human Rights Commission has been taking a hard look at preservation and gentrification. Though such issues might seem outside the commission’s purview, onetime City Council candidate Fred McGhee has a different opinion. McGhee’s complaints come after the Historic Landmark Commission rejected historic zoning for the Rosewood Courts in […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inCity Hall
Ethics Commission reprimands Historic Landmark commissioner
Two weeks after sanctioning City Council Member Don Zimmerman for campaign finance violations, the Ethics Review Commission reprimanded Arif Panju, after finding that he had violated city conflict of interest rules by participating in a discussion over a proposed historic preservation district that would include his own home. The reprimand followed nearly three hours of […]
Posted inPreservation
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 […]
Posted inPreservation
East Austin cottage relocation plan worries some
A plan to relocate four Calcasieu cottages from East Austin has stalled at the Historic Landmark Commission for the time being, with some commissioners deciding the current plan is just too risky to endorse. Built by the Calcasieu Lumber Company of Austin in the 1920s and 1930s, the cottages at 2819 and 2821 Manor Road […]
Posted inPreservation
Landmark Commission hears tale of two houses
A novel bid to preserve two unrelated homes in West Campus passed through the Historic Landmark Commission on Monday night. Commissioners approved a half-mile move for the historic Dabney-Horne House, in the hopes that its relocation could save the Clyde Littlefield Home just down the road. Currently, the Dabney-Horne House is located at 507 West […]
Posted inPreservation
“Risky” demolition permit plan inspires preservation effort for downtown church
In August, a suggestion to pursue a demolition permit for Austin’s St. Martin Lutheran Church sparked controversy in the congregation and preservation community. Though no decision about the permit has been made and church leaders maintain the permit is a means to gather information, the prospect of tearing down the church remains a point of […]
Posted inPreservation
Midcentury modern home sparks modern debate
Everyone seemed to agree that it is a lovely house. But that wasn’t nearly enough to quell a debate on historic tax abatements that overwhelmed a West Austin historic zoning case at the Historic Landmark Commission last week. The homeowner, Pierre Filardi, was seeking historic landmark designation for his residence at 3941 Balcones Drive. As […]
Posted inCity Hall
Commission opts to proceed with complaint against Historic Landmark commissioner
Few members of the Ethics Review Commission indicated at a Monday hearing whether they believed that ArijArif Panju, a member of the Historic Landmark Commission, violated city conflict-of-interest rules over votes he took on a policy affecting his neighborhood. The commission nevertheless voted 10-1 to proceed to a final hearing on the matter on Sept. […]