City Council reverses HARC denial, approves facade alteration for 817 S. Austin Ave. with plaque condition

Georgetown City Council on June 10 reversed a denial by the Historic and Architectural Review Commission and approved a certificate of appropriateness for an altered street‑facing facade at 817 South Austin Avenue, subject to an added condition that the owner install a plaque recognizing the site’s historic use and name.

Staff presented the appeal of HARC’s March 2025 denial. Planning staff had concluded the application was generally compliant with the Unified Development Code design standards and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation, in part because the applicant proposes to remove a later stucco facade to reveal and restore an original double‑gable roof and truss system and to clean and repair Palmer brick. HARC, however, denied the request after finding the proposed exposure of the double gable and the lack of a historically typical parapet conflicted with downtown design guidelines on mass, form and storefront character. HARC’s earlier votes were 4–2 (August 2024) and 5–2 (March 2025) to deny iterations of the request.

The applicant, owner Adam Star and architecture team LRK, argued the project preserves and celebrates interior structural features — including large clear‑span trusses — and that the proposed elevation would activate a relatively underused block and engage pedestrians. Supporters from the public called the trusses historically significant and said the design would improve the gateway into the courthouse square. Opponents said the exposed gables and modern glazing were out of character for the square and urged preservation of the building’s rectangular, parapeted commercial form.

During council discussion several members said they respected HARC’s role and the difficulty of its decision but also noted staff found broad compliance with design guidelines. Councilmember Sean Hood offered a motion to add a plaque recognizing the site’s historic name (Lyndall Peterson and Company hardware and implements) and give staff authority to work with the owner on appropriate wording and placement; the amendment passed. The council then approved the COA as presented by the applicant, as amended. Councilmember Butler recorded a dissenting vote; the motion otherwise passed.

What happens next: The COA approval as amended allows the applicant to proceed with building plans and permits consistent with the approved facade. Staff will coordinate plaque wording and placement with the owner. HARC and staff materials cited the applicable guidelines (storefront restoration preference when original design evidence exists; vertical proportion and parapet considerations); those design standards will be applied in building permit review.

Why it matters: The decision highlights tension between restoring historically hidden building fabric and preserving prevailing visual rhythms on the courthouse square. The council decision permits a contemporary intervention that reveals original structure while requiring a contextual historic acknowledgement on the building.