Yet another developer brought yet another big downtown-ish project to the planning commission for a rezoning on July 8, this time at West 6th and Walsh streets in West Austin. The commission recommended this one, too. The proposed zoning change would see a cluster of addresses on that corner currently developed under commercial mixed-use zoning […]
Old West Austin
This historic district is composed of Old Enfield, Pemberton Heights, and Bryker Woods. It borders the Clarksville Historic District and the West Line Historic District to the south. In 2003, the three neighborhoods were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Posted inZoning
Council gives first reading OK to major development on tiny slice of land
On a vote of 8-3, City Council last week approved on first reading a major change for a small sliver of property at 1209 W. Fifth St. The change would allow the developer to build up to 120 feet, a change that has neighbors up in arms. After hearing objections to the proposal from several […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board of Adjustment approves variances in the interest of health and safety
The Board of Adjustment heard a presentation on Tuesday from David Webber, of the Webber + Studio architectural design firm, who requested two variances for increased impervious coverage and floor area ratio at a property in Old West Austin. The property, located at 705 Brownlee Circle, is owned by Brad Hoskins. Currently, there is a […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board of Adjustment says maintaining area character is not sufficient hardship
While neighborhood character is an important aspect of design in a historic neighborhood, it is not the only thing the Board of Adjustment takes into account when considering a variance request to modify a home. Architect Ryan Bollom proposed adding a 450-square-foot, one-story addition to a 768-square-foot home in the historically Black neighborhood of Clarksville. At […]
Posted inPreservation
Five new demolition permits released for Old West Austin homes
A modified plan for five homes in the West Line Historic District moved forward at the Historic Landmark Commission on Monday night, but it required a leap of faith on the part of commissioners. Originally, five demolitions were part of a single development proposal in the Old West Austin neighborhood. Since then, the developers have agreed […]
Posted inLand Development Code
West Austin Triplex bid stalls at BoA
Time and money did not prove to be a sufficient hardship at the Board of Adjustment, where an Old West Austin homeowner hoping to build a triplex on a multifamily lot learned the price of 600 feet this week. William Schaub explained that he hoped to build three residential units on his property at 804 […]
Posted inPreservation
West Line home plans unsettle landmark commission
Despite some strong indications that it might be fruitless, Historic Landmark commissioners voted May 22 to postpone a recommendation for a new Old West Austin home in the hopes that something different might be built. Last year, the Historic Landmark Commission took several months and about six hearings to contemplate the demolition of the 1915 […]
Posted inPreservation
Panel considers a maybe-historic home in Old West Austin
In a somewhat unusual turn of events, the Historic Landmark Commission did not seem convinced that a 1939 home in the Old West Austin Historic District is all that historic, but it is open to hearing more about the house, following a postponement at its most recent meeting. The house, which is located at 1409 […]
Posted inPreservation
Council sacrifices Old West Austin building for park improvements
A fourplex in Old West Austin is likely to be demolished despite a push by Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo to save it in the name of historic preservation. A resolution put forward by Tovo to initiate historic zoning on the property at 1618 Palma Plaza failed, 3-8, with only City Council members Ora Houston […]
Posted inPreservation
Council debates building demolition in Old West Austin
City Council delayed a decision on a contentious historic preservation case Thursday after a property owner promised that he would not seek a permit to tear down the structure in the next week. Zach Armstrong, who is seeking to demolish a fourplex he owns at 1618 Palma Plaza in Old West Austin, assured Mayor Steve […]
Posted inPreservation
West Line bungalow to be demolished
After almost half-a-dozen trips to the Historic Landmark Commission, an Old West Austin house is officially beyond repair. The 1915 bungalow, which is located at 812 Theresa Ave., was known as the Anderson-Wattinger-Sucke-Naishtat House at the most recent meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission. In September, commissioners initiated historic zoning on the house, and at […]
Posted inPreservation
Something ventured, ‘nothing’ gained at historic commission
At their most recent meeting, Historic Landmark commissioners “accomplished nothing” for a 1932 fourplex known as the Palma Plaza Apartment House. With only seven members present, commissioners were unable to garner an effective number of votes to move forward with historic zoning, release the demolition permit or even postpone the case. As a result, the […]