Houston historic commission issues demolition certificate, defers requested new construction at 1138 Fugate in Norhill

The Houston Archaeological Historical Commission on Sept. 11 accepted staff’s recommendation to issue a certificate of record for the demolition at 1138 West Fugate Street and deferred consideration of the applicant’s proposed new-construction design.

The property, a contributing circa‑1925 Norhill bungalow on a 5,000‑square‑foot lot, partially collapsed during previously permitted work. City staff and the property owner removed the remaining unstable structure after city inspectors identified a public‑safety hazard. The owner subsequently submitted plans for a new house that would total about 2,895 square feet (3,415 sq ft including garage), which staff recommended denying because the proposal did not meet the commission’s criteria for new construction in a historic district.

Why it matters: Commissioners and dozens of neighbors said the house sits in a relatively intact, modest‑scale Norhill area and that the proposed new design would change the block’s scale, privacy and character. Neighbors asked the commission either to require reconstruction…