After a trip through the Planning Commission last week, the fate of famed University of Texas track coach Clyde Littlefield’s former house remains uncertain. Commissioners voted 4-3 to deny historic zoning for the West Campus home, with Chair Danette Chimenti and Commissioners Nuria Zaragoza and Jean Stevens voting in opposition. The vote was not enough […]
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
Chestnut house will stay put, for now
Last week, an East Austin house got a temporary stay of relocation at the Historic Landmark Commission. Though the owner would like to see the house relocated to make way for more houses, the neighborhood and commission are certain that an alternate plan could be found, giving the house another month in its current location. […]
Posted inPreservation
Tricky East Austin case gets more complicated
The story of the Waller on Swede Hill project and why City Council won’t likely consider historic zoning for the Stasswender House until August is a complicated one. Early this year, in an attempt to stave off a proposed condo development in East Austin, the Swede Hill neighborhood asked the city to consider historic zoning […]
Posted inPreservation
West Austin home demolition moves forward
In accordance with the owners’ wishes, the demolition of a West Austin home built in 1939 will be moving forward. “I think this is simply a case of a house that’s being demolished because it doesn’t fit somebody’s needs,” said Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky. “We’ve just seen so much of that happen in Austin […]
Posted inPreservation
Commission says Lightsey house should stay
The endless struggles of Lightsey 2 made their way through the Historic Landmark Commission on Monday. There, commissioners voted in favor of historic zoning for the main house at 1805 Lightsey Road unanimously, throwing a wrench into plans to demolish the residence to make way for the Lightsey 2 development. Commissioners Terri Myers and Dan […]
Posted inCity Council, Local Politics
Zimmerman appointments given a rough ride
Following their rejection of two of Council Member Don Zimmerman’s nominees to city commissions, City Council members narrowly approved his appointment to the Historic Landmark Commission Thursday. However, they did not have to go through the painful process of removing Zimmerman’s most controversial appointment, Rebecca Forest, to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. Forest sent a […]
Posted inPreservation
East Austin will lose home to demolition
The Historic Landmark Commission approved a proposal at its meeting Monday to demolish an East Austin home originally built in the 1920 early 1900s. The house at 1409 Canterbury St. will be demolished to make way for new construction, despite a neighborhood plea to place a moratorium on demolitions in the neighborhood. Commissioner Terri Myers […]
Posted inPreservation
Pine Street Station headed down the tracks
Though it is not what either side wanted, the Historic Landmark Commission voted Monday night in favor of a compromise at Pine Street Station. Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky explained that the owner of the land, the Capital Metro Transportation Authority, does not object to landmarking the building. It does object to landmarking the land. […]
Posted inPreservation
Proposed East Austin demo agitates neighbors
The Historic Landmark Commission will decide the fate of an East Austin home built in the early 1900s. The owner of the Canterbury Street home would like to demolish it, but neighbors have asked for a hold on demolitions in the area altogether. Last week, the commission voted unanimously to postpone the case. Commissioners Mary […]
Posted inPreservation
With second thoughts, duplex project advances
It may have taken a couple of years, but the Historic Landmark Commission has given its blessing to plans for four new duplexes on the lot of a historic home in the North University neighborhood. Cater Joseph was asking permission to demolish an outbuilding, garage and carport in order to construct the duplexes at 305 […]
Posted inPreservation, Zoning
Possible strip club makes museum wary of deck
With a proposed Congress Avenue strip club drawing fire from groups across the city, it might not be the right time for other tenants of 422 Congress Ave. to ask for changes. Though the owners of Shiner’s Saloon explained that they had nothing to do with any strip clubs, last week their Historic Landmark Commission […]
Posted inPreservation
West Austin demo leaves preservationists cold
It may not be the worst-case scenario, but residents of Old West Austin still showed up to protest the demolition of a 100-year-old house that will soon be replaced by an ultra-modern residence. The 1917 house, which is located at 1208 West Eighth St., is a contributing structure in the Old West Austin Historic District. […]