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Commission defers decision on reclassifying 320 E. 20th in Heights East after historic date evidence presented
Summary
Drivers of the reclassification request said new permit and block‑book evidence shows the commercial building at 320 E. 20th was built in 1945 and should be non‑contributing; neighbors and commissioners asked for more material verification and a site‑visit report, and the commission deferred the item.
The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission deferred action on a request to change the classification of 320 East 20th Street in the Heights East Historic District from contributing to non‑contributing after staff testimony, owner statements and neighborhood comments.
Staff presented background showing the property had been labeled potentially contributing in the district inventory with a 1930 build date. The applicant’s agent and the owner said archival records and a Harris County block‑book permit record show construction activity in late 1944 and 1945. The agent, Becky Davis, said the building’s form — a small two‑story, post‑war utilitarian commercial storefront originally associated with a lumber yard — is characteristic of post‑World War II construction and outside the district’s period of significance, which the agent said generally ends by 1945 in the Heights East inventory. The agent argued the inventory entry should be corrected to maintain the inventory’s credibility.
Multiple residents and family members of the property owner spoke in support of reclassification. Owner Patsy Kelly said her husband’s family built the property in 1945 and that the lumberyard closed in the 1970s. Neighbors told the commission they had discussed the issue and supported reclassification.
Commissioners and legal staff asked for documentary verification and for the site inspector’s report. Commissioners noted the inventory discrepancy — a 1930 date in the district inventory versus HCAD and block‑book evidence pointing to 1944–45 — and asked staff to confirm whether historic materials survive in the storefront that would support keeping the contributing label.
Commissioner Yap moved to defer the item so that staff could provide the site‑visit report and additional documentation; Commissioner Stava seconded. The motion passed by voice vote and the item was deferred to a later meeting.
Staff told the commission that reclassification decisions are forwarded to city council because they change the resolution that established the historic district inventory. The commission heard from legal staff that a building classified as potentially or actually contributing triggers demolition review requirements that do not apply to non‑contributing resources, which was raised in the discussion as a reason the property owner sought reclassification.
The commission did not take a final vote on reclassification; staff will return with the site‑visit report and any additional archival documentation for the commission’s next review.
