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HLC delays review of proposed EPCC-linked two‑story infill at 113 Rio Grande Avenue, asks for design revisions
Summary
The Historic Landmark Commission tabled a certificate of appropriateness application for a two‑story infill proposal on an empty lot owned by El Paso Community College, asking the applicant to revise the design to avoid a near‑replica of historic Queen Anne features and return with simplified elements.
The City of El Paso Historic Landmark Commission voted to table consideration of a new two‑story structure proposed for 113 Rio Grande Avenue in the Sunset Heights Historic District and asked the applicant to revise the design to be clearly contemporary while drawing inspiration from neighborhood context.
Staff said the vacant corner lot is owned by El Paso Community College and described the submitted design as heavily influenced by Queen Anne-era forms. Although staff praised the research and detail in the submission, it recommended redesign because the proposal risks creating a false sense of historical development by too closely resembling historic houses in the district. “We don't ask that buildings match what's there. … We ask them to be compatible,” staff said, citing the city’s design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
Commissioners and the applicant (GA Architecture) discussed potential edits. Commissioners suggested simplifying distinctive historic elements—specifically discussing removal or simplification of the curved turret/vertical corner element—and using materials such as brick in a contemporary manner. Jerry Gutierrez of GA Architecture said the project team used nearby buildings for inspiration and is willing to simplify the entry and revise the design.
The commission gave the applicant options: withdraw and resubmit with revisions or keep the application active and return at the next meeting. The applicant elected to keep the application active and work with staff to produce edits; the commission formally tabled the item to allow a revised submission.
