[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6496627,"mediaKeyId","5590909-0460f451835813d7b166d8c84fd508b3","parentId",5590909,"title","Historic commission approves several Certificates of Appropriateness, denies relocation request and defers window enforcement inspection","audioSeconds",2588,"startMs",2713000,"endMs",5301000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590909-0460f451835813d7b166d8c84fd508b3&start=2713&end=5301","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590909-0460f451835813d7b166d8c84fd508b3/thumbnail_2713000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496627/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Historic-commission-approves-several-Certificates-of-Appropriateness-denies-relocation-request-and-defers-window-enforcement-inspection","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496627-8b2c3d85f6d8baa84f895ece3e75d0bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776056570&Signature=AMAX8at5Fiw583GamJWbKTn0qgEZMViRiqIWiSfZE3haq4DdsWLBAwliRKpqnPWpaH7EZ8rHsXKxjL~lWdXpdSqzu57zkhtQOcW2mzCWSYaemCDmPeq2vYBa4RvaIQpqP4gpbXxscDuLE-8bJq6Hnl-9aJ-csElIV-GrtBgYGyyV9hdkePACIPbKfLOyR7XL0GNbIOTyK9iSY6U-qQfxbVR~48flTq3TceLHIlZYw8SCrQZPeRevZnJJoVbPK6KbyuzXiXeTnJPlXsms~-afYjMdjyZ~HgGLK7Apl6qp280-GoS9zyT2gasAbBwvg85m4kUQAuxbr0BMTlfRkuaNtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston","date","2025-08-14T00:00:00Z","article","At its Aug. 14 meeting the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission approved multiple Certificates of Appropriateness and related items on the consent and regular agendas, accepted a neon sign design with conditions, deferred a window enforcement matter for further inspection, and denied a proposed relocation of a contributing house.

Staff presented a package of consent items and multiple individual applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs). After public comment and deliberation the commission accepted staff recommendations on a number of individual projects and the modified consent list.

410 Main Street (COA E‑1): The commission approved restoration of the historic façade and a new second‑floor balcony after staff conditioned the approval to include transoms in the design, to set the balcony width to match the canopy shown on Sanborn maps, to remove vertical and horizontal joints on the second‑floor façade, and to simplify the storefront consistent with historic documentation. The applicant and property owner described a plan to remove a later slipcover, investigate existing brick and cornice details, and restore surviving surrounds and transoms where documented. Commissioners asked that staff and one commissioner coordinate on evidence uncovered during early demolition to ensure the final details align with surviving fabric.

3312 Beauchamp Street (COA E‑2): The commission approved a two‑story addition behind an existing 1920 bungalow with staff conditions to remove the proposed front screen porch from the design and to eliminate a brick skirt detail on the proposed first‑floor elevation. The applicant agreed to lower the porch roof pitch to a very low slope (commission requested a low pitch rather than a tall hip), to keep original stucco on the historic house and to use cementitious siding for the new second‑floor volume so that the addition remains visually subordinate.

702 Euclid Street (COA E‑3): Staff recommended approval with conditions and the commission approved a new two‑story residence on a vacant lot with conditions to align the second‑floor front wall with the first‑floor wall, to reduce the roof pitch from 8/12 to 7/12, and to confirm the front setback aligns with neighboring houses on the block (the applicant stated the front setback on the submitted plan had been adjusted to approximately 26 feet 4 inches). Commissioners asked the applicant to refine the upper‑floor massing so the new house reads as compatible with surrounding scale.

309 Balan Street (COA E‑8): The commission approved a rear two‑story addition connecting a main house to a non‑contributing garage apartment with conditions to simplify gable shingles, use simpler 1‑over‑1 windows on the addition (rather than larger prairie‑style muntin patterns), and to simplify the proposed skirt profile so the addition reads as background to the historic house rather than an attempt to replicate historic massing.

201 West 15th Street signage (COA E‑9): The commission approved signage for a new business in the Houston Heights West Historic District with a condition that the applicant use a neon approach compatible with the Heights design guidelines and to work with staff on final detailing. The applicant proposed a routed cabinet with illuminated letter elements; the commission and staff recommended a neon or neon‑style channel solution that will meet the district’s non‑internally‑illuminated character while preserving creative sign design.

918 Columbia Street (COA E‑10): Staff recommended denial and issuance of a correction order after inspectors found second‑floor vinyl window replacements installed without a permit or COA. The commission deferred final action and asked staff to complete a targeted site inspection and to identify which windows are original and which are not repairable; staff will provide a full inventory and a repairability assessment before the commission imposes a correction order or other enforcement measure.

417 Highland Street (COA E‑11): The commission denied a request to relocate and re‑site a contributing Queen Anne house and its proposed garage/yard configuration. Commissioners said the application would remove original context and fabric; members concluded the relocation proposal was not appropriate for the district and voted to deny the relocation request.

Staff said many other COA items on the consent list were approved as presented. Commissioners thanked departing members in the chair’s report and the planning department noted an administrative change: House Bill 1522 will alter notice‑posting timing effective Sept. 1, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Houston - Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved staff recommendations on multiple COA items (including facade, additions and new construction), approved a neon sign proposal with conditions, deferred a windows‑without‑permit enforcement case for a site inspection, and denied a request to relocate a historic house at 417 Highland.","taxTitle","Houston, Harris County, Texas","taxId",2797,"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},6496632,"Commission defers decision on reclassifying 320 E. 20th in Heights East after historic date evidence presented",1150,1526000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590909-0460f451835813d7b166d8c84fd508b3&start=1526&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590909-0460f451835813d7b166d8c84fd508b3/thumbnail_1526000.jpg","/articles/6496632/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Commission-defers-decision-on-reclassifying-320-E-20th-in-Heights-East-after-historic-date-evidence-presented","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496632-e18433f49240d4f5dfd3a797ef6a6273/orig.mp4?Expires=1776056570&Signature=RsuEGssSpm~4Rnovyd9djXSCmdCu0tdcdTEQTZiLm~F9uFgn3ww3SV6yvtE2s663pgax581kgS-FE~x9McuQM04nGmvKh12lqr~8waYJEEVMs~XIeKpGUyG4P1njx1kiHTQ2HpryF~SteriWYasvL8nT2YfcWnT68uiwlPNUXUhg8noi4F1eHjFGbiyX7kp3DwB20l6SLG9yi4pvcjRUCfbJ-Q7LIu8lbcPvvKgfvejy-EiPlpnv14qFZZd7vpmQV2R0MTRmtkgIfCbiQhaOAT0EWdTLMOuniiAkPABDAA5XSZeJf1Pc~NtyX3bZ72MpIm7n9u-9swxoLEyHrTIw4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission deferred action on a request to change the classification of 320 East 20th Street in the Heights East Historic District from contributing to non‑contributing after staff testimony, owner statements and neighborhood comments.

Staff presented background showing the property had been labeled potentially contributing in the district inventory with a 1930 build date. The applicant’s agent and the owner said archival records and a Harris County block‑book permit record show construction activity in late 1944 and 1945. The agent, Becky Davis, said the building’s form — a small two‑story, post‑war utilitarian commercial storefront originally associated with a lumber yard — is characteristic of post‑World War II construction and outside the district’s period of significance, which the agent said generally ends by 1945 in the Heights East inventory. The agent argued the inventory entry should be corrected to maintain the inventory’s credibility.

Multiple residents and family members of the property owner spoke in support of reclassification. Owner Patsy Kelly said her husband’s family built the property in 1945 and that the lumberyard closed in the 1970s. Neighbors told the commission they had discussed the issue and supported reclassification.

Commissioners and legal staff asked for documentary verification and for the site inspector’s report. Commissioners noted the inventory discrepancy — a 1930 date in the district inventory versus HCAD and block‑book evidence pointing to 1944–45 — and asked staff to confirm whether historic materials survive in the storefront that would support keeping the contributing label.

Commissioner Yap moved to defer the item so that staff could provide the site‑visit report and additional documentation; Commissioner Stava seconded. The motion passed by voice vote and the item was deferred to a later meeting.

Staff told the commission that reclassification decisions are forwarded to city council because they change the resolution that established the historic district inventory. The commission heard from legal staff that a building classified as potentially or actually contributing triggers demolition review requirements that do not apply to non‑contributing resources, which was raised in the discussion as a reason the property owner sought reclassification.

The commission did not take a final vote on reclassification; staff will return with the site‑visit report and any additional archival documentation for the commission’s next review.","Drivers of the reclassification request said new permit and block‑book evidence shows the commercial building at 320 E. 20th was built in 1945 and should be non‑contributing; neighbors and commissioners asked for more material verification and a site‑visit report, and the commission deferred the item.",{"_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},6496636,"Houston historic commission backs three National Register referrals, including First City National Bank",779,587000,1366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590909-0460f451835813d7b166d8c84fd508b3&start=587&end=1366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590909-0460f451835813d7b166d8c84fd508b3/thumbnail_587000.jpg","/articles/6496636/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Houston-historic-commission-backs-three-National-Register-referrals-including-First-City-National-Bank","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496636-efc588d2e1f26c866fd08a14237bc1a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776056570&Signature=I0Gl1BHVSt8ZQ4~tdSMh6KRZD5U0bYB~D8OHsiCiDiJptkOSDKLevvdE2EsEBfHcYmKqmBGv4Dpbjlvwx23mjv90EoOMi5OrNfkESgItTQfgk3uKDf~PQ5xLZzfveZAZli5oemjdQ7LPC16Sz~jnhDS0FfVn1fBWRi7COBAs1DcRu2g4vqpxhVOoU~X1Ysd7eAhfNzBi9LAn81G5fLCgV03wfEWEc2o6I80CuuoQ~39E-3w7VXOBhueQuAqlHB1h3jE3vK3ZR8AFZ~pt3LYbeh87GUml3bR~izFmP25qZLfxQBLOzbOdKBJB5yUK~D~Cz1sqzVol1OVXbyuX6ZxgCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission voted to forward three staff-backed nominations to the Texas Historical Commission for consideration on the National Register of Historic Places.

Staff presented the nominations for the 1961 First City National Bank complex at 1021 Main Street and 1101 Fannin Street, Inwood Manor at 3711 San Felipe Street (completed 1964), and Margaret Root Brown College at Rice University, 6100 Main Street (completed 1965). Commission staff described each as retaining sufficient integrity to merit nomination at the local level under the National Register criteria cited in the staff reports.

For the First City National Bank complex, staff said the 32‑story office tower, the hyphen and the nonhistoric parking garage remain functionally related and retain a high level of integrity of location, setting, design, workmanship, feeling and association despite some exterior material changes. Staff recommended support of a referral under criterion C for architectural significance at the local level.

Staff recommended that Inwood Manor, a 16‑story New Formalist residential tower in River Oaks designed by Newhouse and Taylor Architects and converted to condominiums in 1977, be referred under criterion C for architecture with a period of significance of 1964. Staff noted the building’s cruciform plan, exposed cast concrete frame, original aluminum windows and historic landscaping as surviving features.

For Margaret Root Brown College at Rice University, staff recommended referral under criterion A (education) and criterion C (architecture) at the local level, noting the building’s role in expanding on‑campus housing for women in the 1950s–60s era and that Brown College “is the only building that can convey the history of women’s education at Rice University.” Preservation Houston offered public support for the Brown College nomination during the hearing.

Commission members did not register objections when staff asked whether the referrals could proceed; staff indicated it would send the referral packages to the Texas Historical Commission for formal review. Several commissioners asked procedural questions about what National Register listing does and does not do at the local level; staff and commissioners noted that National Register listing is an honorary designation and does not, by itself, establish local landmark protections but can be a prerequisite for state and federal tax‑credit reviews that carry specific preservation standards.

The decisions clear the way for state review; final National Register listing is handled by the Texas Historical Commission and the National Park Service.

Director’s report: at the start of the meeting staff flagged a separate administrative change — House Bill 1522’s amendment to the Texas Open Meetings Act will change the commission’s public notice schedule effective Sept. 1, 2025. The change reduces a time‑of‑posting rule to three business days and prohibits counting city holidays when computing the posting window, which staff said will alter the commission’s internal deadline for posting agendas.","The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission signaled support for three nominations — First City National Bank (1021 Main/1101 Fannin), Inwood Manor (3711 San Felipe) and Margaret Root Brown College (Rice University) — and cleared staff to forward the referrals to the Texas Historical Commission for final consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Historic commission approves several Certificates of Appropriateness, denies relocation request and defers window enforcement inspection

Commission defers decision on reclassifying 320 E. 20th in Heights East after historic date evidence presented

Houston historic commission backs three National Register referrals, including First City National Bank