PRESENTER: Presenter
Katie Totman, HPO
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SUBJECT: Title
HLC Case HLM26-282: Recommendation to City Council for an owner-initiated historic landmark designation of the property addressed at 633 South Castell Avenue.
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DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood & Community Planning
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 5
APPLICABLE CITATIONS:
Sec. 66-54. Designation of historic landmarks.
(a) These provisions pertaining to the designation of historic landmarks constitute a part of the comprehensive zoning plan of the city. Each historic landmark shall bear the words "Historic Landmark" (HL) in its zoning designation. Such designation shall indicate that such property is subject to the terms of this article; however, with regard to site plans, uses, setbacks, and other development land use regulations, such property shall be governed by its zoning district.
(b) A historic landmark shall be considered by the commission only with the written application of the property owner expressly requesting that the property be so designated. Property owners of proposed historic landmarks shall be notified prior to the commission hearing on the recommended designation. At the commission's public hearing, owners, interested parties, and technical experts may present testimony or documentary evidence which will become part of a record regarding the historic, architectural, or cultural importance of the proposed historic landmark.
(c) Upon recommendation of the commission, the proposed historic landmark shall be submitted to the planning and zoning commission within 30 days from the date of submittal of designation request. The planning and zoning commission shall give notice and conduct its hearing on the proposed designation within 45 days of receipt of such recommendation from the commission. Such hearing shall be in the same manner and according to the same procedures as specifically provided in the general zoning ordinance of the city. The planning and zoning commission shall make its recommendation to the city council within 45 days subsequent to the hearing on the proposed designation.
(d) The city council shall schedule a hearing on the commission's recommendation to be held within 45 days of receipt of the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission. The city council shall give notice, follow the publication procedure, hold hearing, and make its determination in the same manner as provided in the general zoning ordinance of the city.
(e) Upon designation of a building, object, site, or structure as a historic landmark or district, the city council shall cause the designation to be recorded in the Official Public Records of Real Property of Comal County, the tax records of the city and the Comal Appraisal District as well as the official zoning maps of the city.
(Ord. No. 96-9, § I, 2-26-96; Ord. No. 2005-53, § 2, 6-27-05)
Sec. 66-56. Criteria for the designation of historic landmarks and districts.
A historic landmark or district may be designated if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
(1) Possesses significance in history, architecture, archeology, or culture.
(2) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local, regional, state, or national history.
(3) Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
(4) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction.
(5) Represents the work of a master designer, builder, or craftsman.
(6) Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood or city.
(Ord. No. 96-9, § I, 2-26-96)
FINDINGS:
a. The request for historic landmark designation is initiated by the property owner.
b. HISTORIC CONTEXT: The structure at 633 South Castell Avenue is a one-story Folk Victorian residential structure, built c. 1898 according to the applicant and Comal Appraisal District data. The structure is included in the 1922 Sanborn map, along with two accessory structures. By 1930, there were four accessory structures including a single-story garage near the house, a two-story garage structure that is still on the site, and two smaller accessory structures at the back of the lot. The front porch appears to have been modified between 1922 and 1930 from a linear porch to a curved porch. According to plat research, this area along S Castell was originally platted as an extension to the Jahn Addition by Emma and C.A. Jahn in 1911. Census records show that Carl Alves occupied and owned the property in 1920 and was the City Mayor at the time. The house number at that time was 803 S Castell and it likely changed between then and the 1950s based on Sanborn map evidence.
c. SITE CONTEXT: Architectural styles on this block vary from Folk Victorian to Craftsman to Queen Anne. 633 South Castell is located on the south side of South Castell and is near the intersection of Jahn and South Castell. The primary façade faces south toward South Castell Avenue.
d. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The primary structure is designed in the Folk Victorian style. It features a modified L-shaped footprint with a corrugated metal roof and cross gable roof form. It has a covered front porch with turned wood columns and a railing with turned spindles. The front door is at an angle causing the front porch to curve at the front porch. The siding on the house is wood, and it also features four-over-four wood windows.
e. EVALUATION: To be eligible for historic landmark designation, a property shall meet at least one (1) of the six (6) criteria listed in the ordinance. Staff evaluated the structures against all six (6) criteria and determined the following:
(4) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; the primary structure is an intact example of the Folk Victorian architectural style. Defining features include a modified L-shaped footprint, an angled covered front porch with turned wood columns and spindles, and decorative details in the front roof gable.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
Community Identity
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
• Action 2.2: Prioritize areas that are best suited for conservation and preservation.
• Action 2.6: Consistently evaluate the areas designated historic for strategic expansion or new designations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of historic landmark designation based on findings b through e.