PRESENTER: Presenter
Katie Totman, Historic Preservation Officer
Body
SUBJECT: Title
HST25-134: Public hearing and recommendation to City Council to add a local historic landmark designation and rezone approximately 0.21 acres of Lot 5, New City Block 3019 from R-2 HD (Single Family and Two-Family District with a Historic District overlay) to R-2 HD HL (Single Family and Two-Family District with Historic District and Historic Landmark overlays), currently addressed at 648 West Mill Street
Header
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development Services
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The request for historic landmark designation was initiated by the property owner. The property is in the Mill Street Historic District and a landmark designation will not add any additional restrictions on the property.
The structure at 648 W Mill is a one-story Craftsman style residential structure, built c. 1919 for William Suttle and his wife Nancy. Together, William and Nancy had three children. In 1920, census records indicate William worked for a local flour mill as a superintendent and in his later years he worked as a real estate and insurance agent. William was a veteran of the Spanish American War and died in 1968. Nancy was a member of the Order of the Easter Star; a Masonic appendant body open to both men and women. She served in a variety of officer positions in the 1920s and ‘30s. The property is inside the boundaries of the Mill Street Historic District. Existing styles in the immediate vicinity include Folk Victorian, German Vernacular and Craftsman. 648 W Mill is on the west side of W Mill and toward the southernmost end of the district. The request was heard by the Historic Landmark Commission on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, and was recommended for approval (9-0-0).
ISSUE:
Per Chapter 66-54 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, proposed historic landmark designations shall follow the regular rezoning procedures and be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council for final determination.
In order for a property to be eligible for historic landmark designation, it must meet at least one (1) of six (6) eligibility criteria listed in Chapter 66 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Following a review of the property staff found the following criteria:
1) Possesses significance in history, architecture, archaeology, or culture &
4) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction:
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
• Action 2.2: Prioritize areas that are best suited for conservation and preservation.
• Action 2.5: Encourage diversification of commercial activity Downtown to build on and sustain existing historic resources and maximize structure utilization for economic expansion.
• Action 2.6: Consistently evaluate the areas designated historic for strategic expansion or new designations.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Objective - Adopt the new Land Development Ordinance that implements goals of our residents identified in Envision New Braunfels, including but not limited to protecting historic structures, preserving and increasing green space and tree canopy, protecting natural resources, and safeguarding the character, integrity, and stability of neighborhoods.
Performance Measures - Increased historic preservation programming and outreach; Increase National Citizen Survey overall satisfaction with “Preservation of the historical or cultural character of the community.”
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff concurs with the recommendation by the Historic Landmark Commission.
Mailed notification as required by state statute:
Public hearing notices were sent to owners of xx properties within 200 feet of the request. To date, the city has received no responses in opposition.