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Historic board overturns denial, clears wood window replacements at Norhill bungalow
Summary
The Historic Preservation Appeals Board on Aug. 25 reversed a July 17 denial by the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission and granted a certificate of appropriateness for wooden window replacements at 1108 E. 16th St. in the North Hill/Norhill Historic District.
The Historic Preservation Appeals Board voted unanimously Aug. 25 to overturn a July 17 decision by the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) and grant a certificate of appropriateness allowing replacement of 12 original windows at 1108 East Sixteenth Street in the North Hill (Norhill) Historic District.
The appeal was filed by homeowner John H. May Sr., who told the board the house’s original windows were failing and “open for shatter” in severe weather, and that the proposed double-hung primed pine wood windows by Sierra Pacific would “look exactly like the originals” and be “installed by professionals, painted and ready to go.” Staff presented the property details and the HAHC denial to the board.
Samantha De Leon of the Houston Planning and Development Department summarized the staff report and clarified that an automated email the applicant received after the HAHC action merely signaled that the HAHC had acted; it did not mean approval. De Leon said the departmental website and permit process require an applicant to upload any COA when submitting building plans.
Virginia Kelsey, vice president of the Norhill Neighborhood Association, said the neighborhood group generally favors retaining historic material but supports replacements that use wood windows “that match the style and character of the house.” Kelsey said the neighborhood’s position is to discourage vinyl windows and to encourage wood sash where replacements occur.
Board member Rob Hellyer moved to grant the appeal; Libby Viera Bland seconded. Board members present who stated their names in the roll call during the vote included Hellyer and Viera Bland; the chair, JD Bartel, announced the motion passed unanimously.
The homeowner may now proceed with the permitting process and must follow the city’s permit-submittal instructions, including uploading the COA as required by permitting services. Staff advised that any required building inspections and permit approvals remain part of the separate permitting process.
