At their most recent meeting, Historic Landmark Commissioners were dismayed to find a Hyde Park project that they had approved had taken a turn for the extreme. “This a virtual demolition,” declared Commissioner Terri Myers. The house at 4207 Ave. H was once a contributing structure in the Hyde Park Historic District. It will no […]
local historic district
Geographic areas with a significant concentration of buildings united by their history and architecture.
Posted inPreservation
Penick Place historic bid goes ‘a bridge too far’
Will Penick Place be Austin’s next local historic district? It’s possible, but a rough start at the Historic Landmark Commission means that neighbors hoping to enshrine their neighborhood will have to rethink their priorities, and most likely scrap a dogged attempt to preserve vacant lots along Riverside Drive. Those pushing for a local historic district […]
Posted inPreservation
Push to landmark 1960s dairy homestead gets new life, and death, at City Hall
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 […]
Posted inPreservation
Austin’s new historic district: Aldridge Place
It’s been a long time coming, but City Council approved the Aldridge Place Local Historic District last week, making it the fourth such district in the city. Council members approved the district in a vote of 8-3 with Council members Jimmy Flannigan, Greg Casar and Ellen Troxclair voting in opposition. The newly created district is […]
Posted inPreservation
Fighting demolitions, Ebony Acres residents hope city will recognize their history
Spurred by a rash of proposed demolitions, several East Austin citizens are hoping to move forward with a historic district for their neighborhood later this month. Late last year, potential demolitions on Grant Street, E M Franklin Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue caught the attention of Ebony Acres residents. The demolitions were proposed by a single […]
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
In East Austin, another demolition
East Austin will soon say goodbye to yet another home built in the early 1900s. At last week’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting, commissioners voted to release a demolition permit for the house at 1613 Canterbury St. Commissioners Terri Myers, Grace McKenzie and Michelle Trevino were absent. Mike Chibib, who is one of the owners of […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic district will get new homes with commission blessing
A plan to build four new units in the Hyde Park Local Historic District sailed through the Historic Landmark Commission at its most recent meeting. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the project, despite some worry from a neighbor that it could be better. Chair Laurie Limbacher explained their vote. “We are charged with being a […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic District wins Planning Commission support
The proposed Bluebonnet Hills preservation district was back at City Hall this week. This time, it won the support of the Planning Commissioners. On Tuesday, commission members voted 5-1 to recommend creation of the Bluebonnet Hills Historic District, with Commissioner Brian Roark voting against. Commissioners Jean Stevens, Alfonso Hernandez and Richard Hatfield were absent. The […]
Posted inAustin, Preservation
Bluebonnet Hills district gets go-ahead … again
For a second time in as many months, the Historic Landmark Commission has endorsed the creation of the Bluebonnet Hills preservation district. Though the commission already voted to recommend the district in November, there was a noticing error for that hearing, and commissioners were asked to hold the hearing a second time. On Monday, they […]
Posted inDevelopment, Preservation
Proposed local historic district wins first victory
A proposed local historic district within Travis Heights won the unanimous support of the Historic Landmark Commission this week. “I received something like 17 letters in favor of this, and only one letter in opposition,” said Commissioner Terri Myers. Bluebonnet Hills is an area within Travis Heights bounded by Annie Street on the north, Leland […]