Historic Landmark Commission approves conditional repairs, siding change at 4332 Trowbridge Drive

The City of El Paso Historic Landmark Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness with conditions for after‑the‑fact alterations at 4332 Trowbridge Drive, requiring removal of an added tile wainscot, replacement of the altered siding with either original‑style wood shake or the siding product presented to the commission, and a plan to arrest deterioration of a detached garage. No new permits will be issued until the property is brought into compliance.

The decision followed a staff presentation noting the house in the Austin Terrace Historic District is a non‑contributing structure built in 1917 and that some of the recent work — including a tile wainscot applied over brick and replacement siding — had been completed without prior approval. Staff described the existing stucco‑like coating over brick as sprayed on and unstable, and demonstrated that much of the accent tile can be removed but with some damage to the underlying brick.

“The proposal is for replacement of the wood‑shake siding in kind or with the product recommended by staff and shown in today’s presentation,” staff member Moe said during the item’s introduction. Staff cited Chapter 20.28 of the City code and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation in recommending that original materials be retained when feasible and that replacement materials match the original in material and profile when repair is not possible.

Commissioners reviewed samples of simulated wood shake siding shown at the meeting. Staff noted the product demonstrated at the meeting aims to simulate wood shake but that some simulated products appear too uniform compared with the original material; staff encouraged use of a product with staggered shading or replacement in kind where possible. At the meeting commissioners expressed that the middle siding sample presented by staff was acceptable and that the accent tile should be removed.

A motion was made to approve staff’s recommendation with modifications requiring removal of the accent tile, replacement of the siding with either in‑kind wood shake or the staff‑recommended siding product, a plan to arrest deterioration of the detached garage, and a prohibition on issuance of new permits until compliance; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The commission’s approval directs the property owner to remove the visually discordant tile wainscot, repair or replace damaged masonry to match original coursing where feasible, and submit a stabilization and repair plan for the accessory structure. Staff explicitly noted that previously painted masonry that predated designation or was permitted may remain painted, and that high‑pressure cleaning methods or sandblasting are not appropriate for masonry cleaning.

The commission record shows the decision was made following the presentation of photographic documentation and on‑site observations. Staff said they had visited the property to observe removal attempts and to confirm the condition of the brick below the applied finishes.

Next steps are administrative: the owner must submit the required repair and stabilization plans and obtain no permits until staff confirms the property has been returned to compliance with the modifications approved by the commission.