[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6491164,"mediaKeyId","5653846-a80d434a26c1ab6b6d277add68f14730","parentId",5653846,"title","Commission allows accessory structure permits at 1533 Upson Drive only after landscaping compliance","audioSeconds",1937,"startMs",2126145,"endMs",4063575,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653846-a80d434a26c1ab6b6d277add68f14730&start=2126&end=4063","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653846-a80d434a26c1ab6b6d277add68f14730/thumbnail_2126145.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6491164/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commission-allows-accessory-structure-permits-at-1533-Upson-Drive-only-after-landscaping-compliance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491164-beb4748ffca97482f833bbe2428fbb51/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671017&Signature=d48iXZqKsVUyRTyOkbGvF6nbxw9crCrM2TOu-v5SUO-VcaU4ljc3~PJoj3aSzP55Qbg7AW15He7aRuM0DlnIg8oMUQPOn3b~If5AVhOpn9K6p7ltS9Y8hXcarcc45vbPQwNPRz~a-6Lo2sEvw4NrIOH8~lpyAlT21ZVNhB4HsLC6369j0RfWZeEkMBrMOo4jRkW3YzOcztVRBk9BYd2roElIOZC0zjAiXvskKk3Qmll-KfSpKaFaCbGT7E5WWxirGIWDWoQaGeDBqSsMnf2kUXTg~zzAD~bbUqYByNP9zrNiDWvveSNbaJknFi8Sx1wt7wxfFVJZ-Z7H2b67HYxwdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of El Paso TX","date","2025-08-21T23:00:16.823Z","article","The El Paso Historic Landmark Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for an accessory structure at 1533 Upson Drive, with a condition that only permits for that accessory work will be issued until the property achieves 50% living ground cover in the front yard.

Staff told the commission the accessory structure and deck were built without permits and that earlier administrative approval was granted in 2024 after a review held without quorum. When permit‑review drawings were later submitted, plan reviewers found the recent drawings differed from the plans the commission had implicitly approved; in particular, staff said the deck footprint was slightly larger toward the rear than the originally reviewed plans.

Staff recommended approval with modifications based on the El Paso historic‑district design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Among staff’s recommended conditions was that the city would not issue permits for non‑accessory work until the property returned to compliance with landscaping standards; staff asked the commission to require 50% living ground cover in front yard areas and to submit a landscaping plan to the preservation office.

Applicant representative Gabriel Flores and owner‑representative (on the phone) said the project began as an attempt to make a long‑existing subgrade area safe and usable. Flores explained the site included a deep, reinforced area (“9 feet deep” finished‑floor differential) and that engineering work—rebar, footers and stamped structural drawings—had been submitted for the repairs and to support the deck. Flores told commissioners he and the homeowners were trying to bring the property into compliance and said the structure was not intended as a permanent attempt to avoid review.

Commissioners asked about the applicability of compatibility guidelines for non‑contributing properties; staff said that because the accessory structure had already received administrative approval under the prior (inaccurate) drawings, the commission’s current review was limited to the changed dimensions. The commission approved staff’s recommendation in a motion that limited permits for this work to the accessory structure until the property complied with the landscaping requirement.

As a result of the action, the applicant was told to expect a written certificate of appropriateness from staff that the applicant can take to planning to apply for permits for the accessory structure. Staff said applicants may submit engineering and permit documents immediately, but that permitting for other work on the property will be withheld until landscaping compliance is demonstrated. Staff clarified that artificial turf or nonliving ground cover will not count toward the 50% living‑ground‑cover requirement, while mature plants and certain drought‑tolerant shrubs and trees would count.

The commission also asked that the applicant submit a specific landscape plan to the preservation office so that most landscape compliance steps could be reviewed administratively and would not require a return to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Historic Landmark Commission 08/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Historic Landmark Commission approved the accessory structure at 1533 Upson Drive after reviewing as‑built changes and required the property to achieve 50% living ground cover before non‑accessory permits are issued.","taxTitle","El Paso City, El Paso County, Texas","taxId",2792,"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},6491168,"Historic Landmark Commission approves exterior muntins for windows at 4652 Capel Circle",1199,823691,2022775,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653846-a80d434a26c1ab6b6d277add68f14730&start=823&end=2022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653846-a80d434a26c1ab6b6d277add68f14730/thumbnail_823691.jpg","/articles/6491168/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Historic-Landmark-Commission-approves-exterior-muntins-for-windows-at-4652-Capel-Circle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491168-66efd35460244844e0eb28e6633a92ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1775671017&Signature=DYUfHtXtn9ZxSEC3tvruq4gX9WBoOlYMmYIlHzN1AK45EC32y0t94yfa13G6Y~d77npuDyuQ9c2~SnUJp5LP~W881Pi~72pX-6lpWgw4eya1~cb0idwrwVYwclGrxrEXzOBSSOuxxFzaWjDZL9HFqr~6yKDD2C8lBqz01OS-G2-7UKTYKbxLPoihyIrndkyJPYyhVT3XtgYd9sLU3ltEo7AEkv8WAZ7eZ26PYNrN6HEEX9st6FiK8e-9thcu6BVKj3sjD33qosqNC4iBbKf0cLPzOK1NdiyHzedpaOcDhAaDGWQh8W26AOftUCPt2qvoYsJryRZHN-KdiSRg13NJ-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso Historic Landmark Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness with modifications for window work at 4652 Capel Circle, directing the property owner to add three‑dimensional exterior applied muntins to the front windows and the first side window and to obtain any required permits retroactively.

The commission heard from historic‑preservation staff that the house—located in the Austin Terrace Historic District and identified as a contributing property—had its original casement windows replaced with non‑operable, single‑pane units without the required permits. Staff recommended exterior applied muntins to simulate the original multi‑light appearance rather than full window replacement.

Staff summarized the design guidance the commission relied on and recommended as the basis for its decision, noting that replacement windows in historic districts should match the original window type, style, operation, configuration and finish when feasible and that repairs are preferred to replacement. The staff presentation said the current front windows are single‑pane picture windows that “don’t match the historic windows at all” and that surrounding properties on the block showed similar unpermitted changes.

Homeowner Glenn West told the commission he was unaware that the prior owner’s contractor had not pulled permits and described circumstances that led to the windows’ replacement, saying, “I didn’t know they didn’t get a permit for the windows. I had no clue.” West agreed to the staff proposal to apply exterior muntins that simulate the original divisions and said he would pursue an after‑the‑fact permit after the work was completed.

Commissioners moved to approve the staff recommendation with the modification that three‑dimensional exterior applied muntins that simulate or match the original muntins be applied to the front windows and the first side window near the front of the house. The motion carried with no recorded opposition; the commission directed staff to send the owner a certificate of appropriateness letter describing the required modifications and the recommended next steps.

The commission and staff advised the owner about low‑cost options to simulate historic muntins, including exterior applied muntin bars affixed with specialized double‑sided tape (staff referenced 3M VHB tape as an example). Staff also advised that the owner should submit any available older photographs of the house to the historic preservation office to help match a muntin pattern consistent with the original windows.

Staff noted that window permits are required citywide regardless of historic status and that, because the windows were installed without permits, the owner should expect to apply for an after‑the‑fact permit; the office will inspect installation and sealing as part of that review.

The commission’s approval applied only to the modifications listed in the certificate of appropriateness and did not alter applicable city ordinances or the underlying design guidelines.","The El Paso Historic Landmark Commission granted a certificate of appropriateness with modifications for windows replaced without a permit at 4652 Capel Circle, requiring exterior three‑dimensional applied muntins on front windows and the first side window and recommending an after‑the‑fact permit.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission allows accessory structure permits at 1533 Upson Drive only after landscaping compliance

Historic Landmark Commission approves exterior muntins for windows at 4652 Capel Circle