Staff to review Keller Oaks house for potential landmarking; board raises enforcement concerns on demolition‑by‑neglect
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Summary
City staff said it will research the historic significance of the old Keller (1032 South Long) house behind Burger King at the Keller Oaks site after a citizen request; staff and the board also discussed slow progress on demolition‑by‑neglect cases and recent preservation grant disbursements.
During the director’s report the Historic Review Board discussed two standing items: a citizen request to evaluate the old Keller house (1032 South Long) near the Keller Oaks development for historic value, and ongoing demolition‑by‑neglect enforcement.
Keller Oaks house A neighbor submitted a letter asking the HRB to determine whether the old Keller house behind the Burger King site merited preservation. Staff said it had not yet performed a formal evaluation and that changes in Texas law have limited local governments’ ability to landmark privately held properties without property owner consent. The board asked staff to research the property’s history, prepare photographic documentation and report back before council action on the Keller Oaks project. City legal counsel offered to brief the board on recent state law changes and the procedures and thresholds involved in non‑voluntary landmarking.
Demolition‑by‑neglect and grant updates Staff reviewed the city’s demolition‑by‑neglect list and said some owners have begun work or submitted CFAs (certificates for approval) — for example, a fence CFA at 102 West Austin was approved and the owner plans a permanent fence in 2026 — but progress on some yellow‑flagged properties has been slow. Board members urged staff to work with code enforcement and municipal court when owners do not respond to letters or citations. Staff said the planning department will coordinate more closely with code enforcement and expects a new assistant director with historic‑preservation experience to help streamline enforcement earlier next month. Staff also noted that several 2024 preservation grant recipients have been contacted about submitting receipts and completing work to capture budgeted funds; one owner previously delayed after a bad contractor experience has resubmitted and expects to install windows in August.
Why it matters The Keller Oaks house question illustrates a tension between development review and preservation protections; demolition‑by‑neglect enforcement reflects the board’s ongoing challenge in moving neglected structures from citation to corrective action while respecting procedural and legal limits.
Follow‑up Staff will research the Keller Oaks house history and advise on legal options; legal counsel will be asked to provide a briefing on the statutory process for landmarks and limitations. Staff will also coordinate with code enforcement on demolition‑by‑neglect case processing and provide monthly enforcement updates to the board.