Tag Archives: historic preservation
Thursday, September 14, 2017 by Joseph Caterine
Development
Rezoning denial could mean east side showdown
Planning commissioners took a united stand Tuesday night by voting to deny a rezoning application for an east side property that contains the former Montopolis Negro School.The case has drawn controversy as it has moved through other city commissions, thanks…
Thursday, September 7, 2017 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Botched demo agitates Preservation Office
A pile of rubble on the east side could spark changes in how the city handles demolitions.At the most recent meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky presented “unfortunate news” about the demolition of 1401 East…
Friday, August 11, 2017 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Thursday, July 6, 2017 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Commission facing limited options, West Line demolition postponed
The Historic Landmark Commission once again exercised one of the few options it has and postponed a demolition in the West Line Historic District at its most recent meeting.Commissioner Kevin Koch pointed out that the commission’s options were “quite limited” given…
Friday, June 30, 2017 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Friday, May 19, 2017 by Jack Craver
Preservation
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…
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 by Joseph Caterine
Preservation
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…
Thursday, March 23, 2017 by Caleb Pritchard
Texas 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,…
Monday, February 20, 2017 by Audrey McGlinchy
Housing
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…
Friday, February 17, 2017 by Audrey McGlinchy
Development
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…
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 by Jo Clifton
City 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…
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 by Caleb Pritchard
Preservation
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…
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 by Audrey McGlinchy
Preservation
New East Austin survey tells story of loss
To the uninformed, Shonda Mace looked like she was being a real creep. On a morning last March, the young woman loitered in front of a home on East 22nd Street. She eyed the house in front of her before…
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
AISD
Historic Landmark Commission defies AISD, moves forward with historic zoning for Lee Elementary
Once again, the Historic Landmark Commission was the site of an ideological showdown over the fate of Russell Lee Elementary. And, on Monday night, it was also a face-off between the commission and the Austin Independent School District.Just prior to…
Tuesday, July 5, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Demolition avoided on Cesar Chavez
In a rare turnaround, a small East Austin home that has been a longtime rental in the neighborhood is now headed for preservation instead of demolition.Initially, the owners of 2205 East Cesar Chavez St. were seeking a demolition permit for…
Friday, July 1, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Clarksville demolition forestalled for now
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…
