Commission fails to reach recommendation on historic zoning for East Austin house

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 by Madeline de Figueiredo

After a series of votes, the Planning Commission failed to reach a decision on recommending historic zoning for an East Austin house, leaving the issue to be decided by City Council without their input.

The property at 900 Spence St. in East Austin was built in 1915 and was described in city documents as an example of National Folk architecture, specifically the pyramidal cottage style.

recommended the property for local landmark designation and eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. The survey highlighted the house as a key example of early 20th-century residential development in Austin, with its occupancy history reflecting broader settlement patterns in the Willow-Spence neighborhood.

The property owner, DMP Austin LLC, submitted a demolition permit application this year and has opposed the historic zoning request.

City documents said the house reflects key demographic shifts in the Willow-Spence neighborhood. Originally built by Alfred and Caroline Johnson, it later became home to Martha Ann "Mattie" Speir and then the Romo family, who lived there from 1957 until 2021. The Romos' ownership marked a transition to Mexican American residency in the area, mirroring broader social and economic changes in East Austin throughout the 20th century.

The commission was split on their recommendation for the rezoning.

"We've lost so much history with regards to African Americans and Hispanics in this city, and the fact that the city staff is recommending it because of its importance I think we should let it go forward and let it play out," Commissioner Alberta Phillips said, noting that those who are opposed to the historic zoning were not present in the meeting. "This is about history, it's about Austin telling its story. ... I think we have a duty and responsibility to really lean into the values of this community especially given the changes we've seen in this neighborhood."

While the owner was not present at the meeting, staffers said that they have cited the condition of the building and the cost of preservation in previous meetings as their underlying motivations for opposing the rezoning.

Some commissioners expressed concern over the potential for preservation given the current state of the building, with respect to both the architectural and physical integrity, and advocated for developing new housing on the property.

"I understand the values of historical preservation, but I also understand that buildings don't last forever and sometimes it's OK to lose one or two old homes that are not specifically explicitly historically relevant in and of themselves for progress and for the good of the city," Commissioner Ryan Johnson said. "I think this is one of those cases where the home does espouse a certain style but it is not especially noteworthy in and of itself."

After two motions failed to yield a majority vote, the historic zoning request will move forward to City Council without a recommendation from the Planning Commission.