[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477073,"mediaKeyId","5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e","parentId",5713533,"title","Commission approves removal of masonry ruins at Horton Duvall site, citing safety concerns","audioSeconds",1092,"startMs",1796000,"endMs",2888000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e&start=1796&end=2888","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477073/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commission-approves-removal-of-masonry-ruins-at-Horton-Duvall-site-citing-safety-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477073-9c3643bf103cf44a92039d8c728ef317/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571664&Signature=DWNlVhB-y7fWAQA5LiATR4Dx3PywGBoZvX2bpwngjiL9bBT-3jUYNszX6ZyBjZXYyf8-ISLmRmJkhA1-rHNguRU2VQjxgqX5FabDofnU0Bqw6hrH~ePUTwV0sdaCamG7Tu5Bsl7b~avhAcyQGP3Cp7VEAcusjKJm1uFsdaTG1m5uAkVd2zzL9moT~ka0LAVJ0rt26X9clYs2KhT31MNMHD7GLmi4aiwBLBwc~c-tv87UkYPCfydG-eECtjT5hWV7f~ibbYoG346jzhYC-dtIUIuASQEEZ2L66WuMs5gs~L3TDY~MBYzUwh2ItReBUqGLDRoTIBbbtEtPrgdOdgPCpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Historic Landmarks Commission on Sept. 3 approved a certificate of appropriateness authorizing the respectful removal and recycling of the masonry remnants at the Horton Duvall House site at 6706 Bluff Springs Road, citing an imminent public-safety hazard after decades of deterioration.

City staff and the Texas Historical Commission reviewed the circa-1852 stone ruins and concluded the remains no longer retain sufficient integrity for local or state historic designation. Marlena Wright, representing the Development Services Department’s Case Review and Escalations Division, told the commission the site carries the city’s oldest active Building and Standards Commission order (issued 1998) and that repeated stabilization efforts have failed; staff said people had been camping in unstable wall cavities.

Kim McKnight, division manager for historic preservation, recounted a recent multi-agency site visit involving the city structural engineer, code compliance, the Texas Historical Commission’s architecture division and an archaeologist. The group concluded that removal of remaining walls with careful deconstruction and archaeological mitigation was the only feasible path given the structural instability and public-safety risk.

Commissioners asked about costs and liens; staff said accrued penalties from the BSC order totalled “probably over $300,000” and additional mowing, fencing and abatement liens had added several thousand dollars. Staff also said the city would pursue reuse and recycling of the quarried stone where practicable rather than landfilling it, and that an interpretive marker and archaeological survey were appropriate mitigations.

Staff noted that the historic zoning on the property will remain on the books, which preserves the city’s jurisdiction should a future owner seek to redevelop. The commission’s motion — to approve the certificate of appropriateness in concurrence with Architectural Review Committee feedback and the Texas Historical Commission response — passed unanimously by hand vote.

The commission and staff emphasized this was an exceptional case and not a precedent intended to alter the department’s general reluctance to approve demolition of historic landmarks. The Texas Historical Commission will move separately to remove the site from its Recorded Texas Historic Landmark list as part of the follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Historic Landmark","oneSentenceSummary","The Historic Landmarks Commission on Sept. 3 approved a certificate of appropriateness authorizing removal and respectful deconstruction of the masonry remnants at the Horton Duvall House site (6706 Bluff Springs Road) because the ruins pose an imminent public-safety hazard.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477077,"Commission recommends historic zoning for 1712 Rio Grande; owner pledges restoration and nonprofit use",585,1207000,1792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e&start=1207&end=1792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e/thumbnail_1207000.jpg","/articles/6477077/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commission-recommends-historic-zoning-for-1712-Rio-Grande-owner-pledges-restoration-and-nonprofit-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477077-7e1d6eb29ceec9a90aaf007069d95a84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571664&Signature=mPDrK1B-tMuhh9Ekr3OfCzGFuDD8Ga9B-W4TE7HQRyy2pJgwQ0kv5lMTt6jY3Lv55s~v3H6SmGCFIGLNmaPpYYku5u2YvRCOdv9RkZ5Jk3meA~dSwIm-rc-3TENnuYrntPkg4s6iiyIl~nht50IJp2m08krfCLxsp1qqWYjI6-v4E4CufeOna9nXqZxXMhbE6qkyonyfdjA4s6OHCqR0pCgRsRQUCzhX5r-WLhKyWTebPecO0T27QTp8lJpuydEOzRIuykzYr3PBTgPP3Yt6IUOxW2-987qAyL32PjHh9TgxbEa5lByvwOjr4cltMNcESIr35D75r4zPZzhW~c36AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic Landmarks Commission voted unanimously Sept. 3 to recommend historic landmark combining district zoning for the Margaret Badger and M.H. Reed House at 1712 Rio Grande Street.

Staff presented the nomination and said the 1907-era house is a rare Austin example of the American Four Square variant of the Prairie School, with significant architectural character and associations to local figures. The 2025 Downtown Historic Resource Survey recommended the building for both individual local landmark and National Register consideration.

Applicant representatives told the commission they intend to restore historic character — including opening the front porch — and to add a small rear addition not visible from the street. Architect Terry O’Connell said the project’s plan includes residential use in the lowered basement level and offices for the Shepherd Family Foundation on the upper floors; owner Robin Shepherd said her intent is also to incubate small nonprofits there.

Commissioners discussed the house’s uncommon architectural style in Austin and neighboring landmarks that add context. After a motion to recommend the staff’s proposal and a second, the commission voted unanimously in favor.

The commission’s action sends the historic zoning recommendation forward; subsequent planning commission and city council hearings will evaluate base zoning changes tied to the project’s planned mix of residential and nonprofit uses. The owner said demolition is not part of the plan and that restoration is the intent; a future certificate of appropriateness will be required for the specific restoration work.","The Historic Landmarks Commission unanimously recommended adding historic landmark combining district zoning to 1712 Rio Grande Street, a rare American Four Square-style house in Austin. The owner said the plan is to restore the house and use the basement for residences with nonprofit and office uses above.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477081,"Austin commission releases demolition permit for 607 E. 30th St. pending city documentation",580,637000,1217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e&start=637&end=1217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e/thumbnail_637000.jpg","/articles/6477081/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-commission-releases-demolition-permit-for-607-E-30th-St-pending-city-documentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477081-de06ddd3cd74bd970081282a8397b46e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571664&Signature=VdPzobN1uPcgfbVMGXQTt-IaZ4yM32pFDMyN7~6~qtOLYpBZkPatW61PzO~~TP~6kiyNaMj7lXcFQtyW-urTnkQ5KtZcVN8wKGw8tcVRvTNeKp1KvrpEgA3yUp1wCVrGDznn18OcrgBr9xAgE~AlHK7n1UZ94f~i1JR7~iy2gXiIS2uqphmPTfiIM9HX3ZcOVelPZjtXidIDcUu4k6XGePjtHCElGoAyLLA4E8gIcNFM~Qjg2TarCiWxOXtSb9iomWbT6tsJtmENgdGJTWfqYs0ezAspKhG2mvkqd3rdVNgVKgqsPaml2hzz9KSQdIBCKRJNnZEKokOtY2qlsQqwpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic Landmarks Commission voted unanimously Sept. 3 to release a demolition permit for the duplex at 607 East 30th Street, provided the owner completes a City of Austin documentation package first.

Staff told the commission the 607 East 30th property was an intact side-by-side duplex representing a locally underrepresented typology but that the building did not meet the commission’s criteria for historic zoning based on “historical associations.” Luke, a staff member who presented the case, said the house retains original materials and construction practices but lacked a unifying historical narrative among occupants that would raise it to landmark status.

The Hancock Neighborhood Association’s president, Charles Darkwood, appeared in support of preservation but offered no new evidence to meet the designation threshold. The property owner, who identified himself as Jorge, told commissioners earlier he preferred to replace the building if able and asked to proceed with a new build that would blend with the neighborhood.

Commissioners noted the research staff provided since the item was initiated and said the property does not show new information that would change the staff recommendation. The commission’s motion — moved and seconded on the record — directed staff to release the demolition permit only after the owner completes the City of Austin documentation package. The motion passed unanimously by hand vote.

Commission Chair Heimsteth and other commissioners encouraged the owner to consider incentives such as the preservation bonus and to pursue documentation or salvage even if the demolition proceeds. The commission emphasized that the documentation requirement is the last formal step the commission could require before a permit is released in this timeframe.

The commission’s action closes the landmark-eligibility review for this application; the release of the permit remains conditioned on the documentation package being finished. If no motion had been made at the meeting, the demolition permit would have timed out and been released by default.

For now the site remains under the city’s review while the documentation package is prepared and submitted.","The Historic Landmarks Commission voted unanimously to release a demolition permit for a duplex at 607 East 30th Street after staff recommended against historic zoning, requiring the owner to complete a City of Austin documentation package before a permit may be issued.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477063,"Historic commission delays three demolition cases; asks applicants for more documentation and ARC review",1657,3183000,4840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e&start=3183&end=4840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e/thumbnail_3183000.jpg","/articles/6477063/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Historic-commission-delays-three-demolition-cases-asks-applicants-for-more-documentation-and-ARC-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477063-e1fc2028bbd018f42dd43dd796b2c5e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571664&Signature=IPXijTDBRzoIYTx78CYgGYqpVZnFlqLUS85U8z-WmpKLHinfSoik3OJE0mpJhr3n47vnGaVfnFg9VBSdVpdancxT~RRnxluFlapb4Zo8Gugfh8oLZzpbA7gdngDJ6eoxoN8dxOLb0f61Cn~zTiA-xmH8XQvncsJ4dA2j4Ysbm1cfY-xNpqQWGqcf5JiFYgq~cHcUSuM-ws-DwMeHOhhc1kNsBKw9ZUN3rUAaBoBBBminBs9bfFsC3g6YB5o5Qu19rSYv~Zl1vMqEOk-tsdERweWBxxvSoPCtHHeb3nrQFZAUL8jaBM~ioo6vpMVgq9euG9otZn0QdttRL-yNL67sBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic Landmarks Commission on Sept. 3 postponed review of three demolition requests — 2514 Wooldridge Drive, 1709 Drake Avenue and 902 West Johanna Street — to its Oct. 1 meeting and asked applicants to provide additional documentation and to consult the Architectural Review Committee where appropriate.

2514 Wooldridge Drive: Staff described the 1938 Georgian-style house as a contributing structure to the Old West Austin National Register District with moderate integrity. Linda Sullivan, representing the owner, said the intention is to salvage materials during demolition and to consolidate lots for a new house; architect Patrick Crane said new plans are ready but were not submitted with the demolition request. Commissioners asked for confirmation about the building’s historic alterations and recommended photographs and plan documentation to clarify the extent of rear additions and historic fabric. The commission postponed the item to Oct. 1 for additional documentation and review.

1709 Drake Avenue: Staff found the 1920s Craftsman bungalow contributes to the Travis Heights Fairview Park National Register District, but concluded it did not meet the two criteria for local landmark designation; staff recommended encouraging rehabilitation and adaptive reuse before demolition. Neighbors and the South River City Citizens’ Historic Committee spoke in opposition, noting intact bungalow features and the risk of precedent from two-story replacements. The commission asked the applicant to bring revised design options to the Architectural Review Committee and postponed action to Oct. 1.

902 West Johanna Street: The circa-1935 bungalow in the Bolden Creek area was listed as medium priority in a past survey. Project representatives said they explored reuse but cited foundation and structural issues and the difficulty of adapting the duplex to the owner’s needs. Community members urged postponement and suggested options such as converting to a single-family home or a rear addition. Commissioners accepted the applicant’s request to postpone, asked for photographs and any archival plans or attic photos that clarify historic fabric, and referred the applicant to ARC for informal feedback.

In each case commissioners emphasized documentation — photographs, permit history, and evidence of earlier additions — before final decisions on demolition. All three postponement motions passed unanimously by hand vote.","The Historic Landmarks Commission postponed three demolition requests (2514 Wooldridge Drive; 1709 Drake Avenue; 902 West Johanna Street) to Oct. 1, asking applicants to provide additional historic documentation, photographs, or to consult the Architectural Review Committee. Commissioners emphasized retention or sensitive reuse where feasible.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477068,"Commission postpones certificate-of-appropriateness review for 1504 E. 11th to Oct. 1; applicant asked to consult ARC",402,2825000,3227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e&start=2825&end=3227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713533-c162159baf29de4bc2fe2433dea39b1e/thumbnail_2825000.jpg","/articles/6477068/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commission-postpones-certificate-of-appropriateness-review-for-1504-E-11th-to-Oct-1-applicant-asked-to-consult-ARC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477068-ee5383fafe636bf649f73ff96c29f116/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571664&Signature=ZIRcfxqizSHzdJqr-RhdH3xCz8168vf1Ht-EVlqKJnRfd6oGaU2B49iwb-cWHTJhQky-H~jHD7wh4VEjW8fnrYPWWPVRkKU~0Vf5Ov5jPOxdXjhbzNT6rMxEQoWDA4Z7-5xvQUTuPVahj2gvvgAHuaSQeXgdKF9IvAY3Zs-nst7bbVSBDAJdnPRWe7GS8f0YO22sYKD4bo47Umv75MPBP4tOcx-HgZ3RJdFFrDQZ-cXdHkhR5AzbetEGG6uRULw7Z5yu~3zcrBm3QvZIW00-P4bHELMCg8LqbFiCB08cPD2I1lgg2wmiSivvzWAALhoxMQ1WBwxdItMuIpo~wrix8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic Landmarks Commission on Sept. 3 postponed consideration of a certificate of appropriateness for 1504 East 11th Street to its Oct. 1 meeting and asked the applicant to seek review by the commission’s Architectural Review Committee before returning.

Staff described the project as a rehabilitation to convert the building for residential use: remove nonhistoric vinyl siding and replace it with wood lap siding, replace nonoriginal front doors and windows, and infill several windows. The property was listed as a landmark in 2013 and includes a circa-1962 rear addition.

Mike, the project architect with Hammer Design, attended and said he would welcome committee feedback after commissioners raised concerns that the proposed large picture window on the east elevation and some altered fenestration proportions were not consistent with the house’s historic vocabulary. Commissioner Acton and members suggested discussing alternatives with the Architecture Review Committee to identify an approach that preserves proportions while meeting the owner’s program.

The commission’s motion postponing the item to Oct. 1 included an invitation for the applicant to present at the Architectural Review Committee and the option for administrative approval if the ARC finds the revised fenestration acceptable. The motion passed unanimously.","The commission postponed action on a certificate of appropriateness for work at 1504 East 11th Street (replace vinyl siding with wood, restore doors/windows, infill windows) to Oct. 1 and invited the applicant to the Architectural Review Committee to resolve fenestration proportions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves removal of masonry ruins at Horton Duvall site, citing safety concerns

Commission recommends historic zoning for 1712 Rio Grande; owner pledges restoration and nonprofit use

Austin commission releases demolition permit for 607 E. 30th St. pending city documentation

Historic commission delays three demolition cases; asks applicants for more documentation and ARC review

Commission postpones certificate-of-appropriateness review for 1504 E. 11th to Oct. 1; applicant asked to consult ARC