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Galveston Landmark Commission recommends designation for Yankty family house
Summary
The Landmark Commission voted to recommend designation of the Leopold and Ernestine Yankty Yankta House as a Galveston landmark and forwarded the request to the planning commission; city council will make the final decision on March 27.
The Galveston Landmark Commission voted to recommend that the Leopold and Ernestine Yankty Yankta House at 2114 Avenue O be designated a Galveston landmark, moving the request to the planning commission for review and ultimately to city council for a final decision on March 27.
Daniel, city planning staff, told the commission the property is the historic residence known in the staff report as the Leopold and Ernestine Yankty Yankta House and said, "This is the Leopold and Ernestine Yankty Yankta House built in 1844." He also said the house "has been modified since its original construction in 1884" and that it "underwent a complete remodel in 1926 when owned by the Romano family," which altered its style from Victorian to Colonial Revival. Staff added that the property is not located in the local historic district and is eligible for financial incentives available to new Galveston landmarks.
The staff report said 29 public notices were sent and one was returned in favor. After opening and closing the public hearing with no speakers, a commissioner moved to approve designation "given staff recommendations" and the motion passed. The planning commission is scheduled to review the recommendation at its Feb. 18 meeting before city council considers the designation at its March 27 meeting.
The staff presentation noted that changes made to the house over time have acquired their own historic significance and that the house has appeared in its current form for 99 years, language staff used to justify the designation despite alterations. The transcript contains inconsistent years for the house's original construction (both "1844" and "1884" are reported in the staff remarks); the commission voted on the designation based on the staff packet that includes the historical narrative and photos.
The motion recorded in the meeting was a recommendation from the Landmark Commission; the transcript and staff remarks make clear that the final legal designation decision rests with city council following planning commission review.
