Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Planning commission backs limited historic zoning for 907 East 13th Street, 10–1
Loading...
Summary
The Austin Planning Commission recommended limited historic zoning for the front portion of the Goins/Versy Nitschke House at 907 East 13th Street after staff and the Historic Landmark Commission found it eligible; the recommendation passed 10–1, with Commissioner Ahmed dissenting.
The Austin Planning Commission voted 10–1 to recommend limited historic zoning for the front portion of the Goins/Versy Nitschke House at 907 East 13th Street, siding with a unanimous Historic Landmark Commission recommendation and staff analysis.
Planning staff told the commission the property — identified in the 2016 East Austin Historic Resources Survey as eligible for local landmark designation and potential listing in the National Register — was the subject of a demolition permit review that prompted the city-initiated historic-zoning case. Staff recommended zoning only the original front portion to allow removal of non-original additions and permit new construction behind the preserved façade, citing Land Development Code language used to evaluate significance.
Preservation advocates and nearby neighbors urged the commission to act. "Our neighborhood association is unanimously in opposition to the demolition of the property," said Scott Menzies, president of the Robertson Hill Neighborhoods Association. Mary Kale, chair of Preservation Austin's advocacy committee, noted the property is among the oldest in the area and said preservation would help address historic underrepresentation of marginalized communities in the city's fabric. "This is an opportunity to rectify that and preserve the cultural fabric," Kale said.
River Daiano, a next-door neighbor and the property's former owner, told commissioners she provided contract documents and a handwritten deed at the prior sale and said she had planned renovations that would have preserved the front two rooms. "I always wanted the front two rooms to be saved," she said.
The property owner’s representative, Will Campos, asked for postponement to allow River time to purchase the property and said the house has significant structural and code issues that make renovation financially challenging. "From a structural perspective... there's pretty extensive repairs that need to be done," Campos said, arguing postponement would let a potential sale determine the outcome.
Commissioners debated whether the case's merits — architectural and historical significance — should outweigh concerns about housing density and precedent. Commissioner Powell, who moved to accept staff's recommendation, said the commission should decide on the property's historic merits rather than ownership questions. Commissioner Ahmed voiced concern that approving historic zoning here could limit housing density in a rapidly growing area and create precedent for similar cases.
Ultimately the commission approved the staff recommendation, with Commissioner Ahmed the lone dissent. The recommendation will move to city council, which will make a final decision on the designation.
The commission also noted the property owner had requested postponement to June 9 to explore sale options; staff confirmed the city-initiated historic process proceeds regardless of ownership and that council will be the deciding body.
Next steps: The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for a final decision. The owner has requested a postponement to June 9, and interested neighbors said they are pursuing a possible purchase to preserve the front portion.
