Historic commission delays three demolition cases; asks applicants for more documentation and ARC review

The Historic Landmarks Commission on Sept. 3 postponed review of three demolition requests — 2514 Wooldridge Drive, 1709 Drake Avenue and 902 West Johanna Street — to its Oct. 1 meeting and asked applicants to provide additional documentation and to consult the Architectural Review Committee where appropriate.

2514 Wooldridge Drive: Staff described the 1938 Georgian-style house as a contributing structure to the Old West Austin National Register District with moderate integrity. Linda Sullivan, representing the owner, said the intention is to salvage materials during demolition and to consolidate lots for a new house; architect Patrick Crane said new plans are ready but were not submitted with the demolition request. Commissioners asked for confirmation about the building’s historic alterations and recommended photographs and plan documentation to clarify the extent of rear additions and historic fabric. The commission postponed the item to Oct. 1 for additional documentation and review.

1709 Drake Avenue: Staff found the 1920s Craftsman bungalow contributes to the Travis Heights Fairview Park National Register District, but concluded it did not meet the two criteria for local landmark designation; staff recommended encouraging rehabilitation and adaptive reuse before demolition. Neighbors and the South River City Citizens’ Historic Committee spoke in opposition, noting intact bungalow features and the risk of precedent from two-story replacements. The commission asked the applicant to bring revised design options to the Architectural Review Committee and postponed action to Oct. 1.

902 West Johanna Street: The circa-1935 bungalow in the Bolden Creek area was listed as medium priority in a past survey. Project representatives said they explored reuse but cited foundation and structural issues and the difficulty of adapting the duplex to the owner’s needs. Community members urged postponement and suggested options such as converting to a single-family home or a rear addition. Commissioners accepted the applicant’s request to postpone, asked for photographs and any archival plans or attic photos that clarify historic fabric, and referred the applicant to ARC for informal feedback.

In each case commissioners emphasized documentation — photographs, permit history, and evidence of earlier additions — before final decisions on demolition. All three postponement motions passed unanimously by hand vote.