Austin planners decline to back historic zoning for Running Rope Ranch; owner opposed

The Zoning and Planning Commission voted 3-7 on Feb. 6 against recommending historic zoning for a portion of the Running Rope Ranch property at 7304 Knox Lane in northwest Austin.

The case (C14H-2024-0162) was initiated by the Historic Landmark Commission after review of a relocation permit. Calenden Charis, Planning Department staff, told commissioners the Historic Landmark Commission found that part of the property met criteria for historical archaeology, landscape features and community value and recommended historic zoning for the area identified as critical environmental and water-quality zones. Charis said the Texas Historical Commission had long ago recorded an archaeological site on the property and that University of Texas investigators had indicated a high probability of significant archaeological resources in the area.

The commission's staff recommendation largely matched the Landmark Commission's but excluded land set aside for a planned detention pond. "Both staff and the HLC support the applicant's proposal to move two intact historic buildings on the site, a log cabin and a tack barn, from outside the H-zoned…