PRESENTER
Katie Totman, HPO
SUBJECT:
HLC Case HST25-134: Public hearing and recommendation to City Council for owner initiated local landmark designation of the property located at 648 W Mill Street, in the Mill Street Historic District.
HISTORIC DISTRICT/LANDMARK NAME: Mill Street Historic District
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 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.
b. HISTORIC CONTEXT: 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.
c. SITE CONTEXT: 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.
d. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The primary structure is designed in the Craftsman style. It features a rectangular footprint with a metal cross-gable roof and exposed brackets. It has a covered front porch with square wood columns with top and bottom trim. It has wood siding and one over one 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 structure against all six (6) criteria and determined the following:
(1) Possesses significance in history, architecture, archeology, or culture; and
(4) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; the primary structure is an intact example of the Craftsman architectural style and is a contributing resource to the Mill Street Historic District. Defining features include expose roof brackets, the prominent covered front porch and dual front facing gables.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Staff finds that the property is eligible for local landmark designation based on finding e and evaluation criterion 1 and 4.