HAHC denies COA for two‑story garage/apartment at 2903 Houston Ave in Germantown
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Summary
The commission denied a certificate of appropriateness for a two‑story garage and garage apartment proposed at 2903 Houston Ave in the Germantown Historic District after staff found the design inconsistent with district guidelines and local context.
The Houston Archaeological Historical Commission on Nov. 6 denied an application for a two‑story garage and garage apartment at 2903 Houston Ave in the Germantown Historic District, adopting staff’s recommendation.
Samantha De Leon, planning staff, reported that the proposal called for a 760‑square‑foot two‑story garage and garage apartment adjacent to a contributing circa‑1905 bungalow. Staff recommended denial because the proposal failed to satisfy compatibility criteria: the project’s long balcony, window configuration and narrow massing were not representative of contributing two‑story structures in Germantown, and staff found no comparable two‑story garages among contributing properties in the district.
The project team’s representative, designer Eliseo Pita, told commissioners the plans had been revised in response to comments and that the design attempted to align roof pitch, height and window products with nearby properties. Neighbors and staff questioned the window inset and balcony visibility for a corner lot and noted that the Germantown context west of Houston Avenue aligns more closely with Woodland Heights than central Germantown.
After limited public comment and staff discussion, a motion to approve staff’s recommendation (denial) carried on a voice vote.
Ending: The applicant may revise and resubmit in accordance with Germantown design guidance or pursue other avenues; staff noted the application had received one letter of support but the design did not meet the district’s compatibility criteria.