Dallas Landmark Commission Meeting - November 2, 2026

The Dallas Landmark Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 9:30 AM. The meeting covered multiple Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) requests, a historic overlay application, and public testimony. Key issues included a digital LED sign at Fair Park, unauthorized work on the Stanley Marcus House, and a controversial remodel in the Queen City area. Votes were taken on each item, with some approved with conditions and others denied.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by unanimous consent at the conclusion of the meeting.

Consent Items (Agenda Items C2–C18)

• Most consent items were not discussed in the provided transcript. Item C2 (digital LED sign at Fair Park) was removed from consent and debated separately. The remaining consent items (including tree planting COAs in Peak’s Suburban Addition and various Winnetka Heights repairs) were not specifically voted on in the transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Noel Avaton (owner, 700 Paulus Ave) spoke in favor of D19 and D25, thanking the commission for their work and answering questions about shutter placement and historic overlay.
• Delaney Avaton (co-owner, 700 Paulus Ave) also expressed gratitude and was available for questions.
• Paul Santoyo (C2 applicant/installer) stated he was present to answer questions and agreed to staff conditions on anchoring and brightness; he could not speak to the building tenant’s purpose for the sign.
• Mark LeBorn (owner, 10 Nonesuch Road) testified in support of D20, explaining the history of renovations, the unauthorized work due to storm damage, and his willingness to comply with conditions. He apologized for not seeking prior approval.
• Caleb Thames (contractor, D21) argued that the dormers were necessary for additional space and that roof structure deficiencies justified the work; he acknowledged using vinyl windows without a permit.
• Francisco Gomez (contractor, D22) stated the owner was unaware of historic district rules, that the roof was a metal shingle type designed to mimic asphalt, and offered to replace siding but hoped to keep the roof and gable.
• Chad Jones (owner, D23) detailed how he had incorporated prior courtesy review feedback, explained the porch design to avoid visibility from the street, and noted the patio would cover less than 25% of the front yard.

Discussion Items

D19 – 700 Paulus Avenue (Raworth Williams House COA)

• Request: COA to replace an existing side addition with a new addition.
• Staff recommendation: Approve with condition that shutters on paired windows be eliminated.
• Applicant position: Preferred to keep shutters for rhythm but accepted removal.
• Commission discussion: Debate on whether shutters on double windows were appropriate; some members felt they cluttered the design.
• Outcome: Motion to adopt staff recommendation (including shutter removal) passed with one opposed (Commissioner Anderson).

D25 – 700 Paulus Avenue (Historic Overlay)

• Request: Landmark Commission authorized hearing to establish a historic overlay for the Raworth Williams House.
• Staff recommendation: Approve subject to preservation criteria with minor edits.
• Public comment: The Avatons thanked the designation committee and expressed no objections.
• Outcome: Unanimously approved.

C2 – 909 1st Avenue (Fair Park Music Hall LED Sign)

• Request: COA to install a 10-foot by 20-foot digital LED display board on a non-historic 1970s addition of the Music Hall.
• Staff recommendation: Approve with conditions: anchoring through mortar joints only; concealed conduits; automatic dusk-to-dawn dimming; brightness not to exceed 300 nits at night or 5,000 nits during daylight; no glare or visual intrusion.
• Task force recommendation: Approve with condition that anchoring go through existing mortar joints and existing brick be avoided.
• Public comment: Installer Paul Santoyo agreed to brightness limits and static content but could not provide the building tenant’s justification.
• Commission discussion: Concerns about setting a precedent for digital signs throughout Fair Park (a National Historic Landmark), 24/7 light pollution, and lack of applicant representation. A motion to table failed (65-day COA decision clock prevented tabling). A subsequent motion to deny without prejudice was made and passed.
• Outcome: Denied without prejudice; staff will coordinate with city staff for a potential December reapplication.

D20 – 10 Nonesuch Road (Stanley Marcus House)

• Request: COA for exterior rehabilitation of non-original library addition (unauthorized work) including brick veneer, faux-stone cladding, and window reconfiguration.
• Staff recommendation: Approve with conditions: replacement windows must be architectural-grade steel or thermally broken all-aluminum historic-replica profiles (no cladding); new glazing not tinted or reflective; brick must match existing; faux-stone must be architectural cast stone with white marble aggregate; massing/roof form unchanged.
• Task force: No quorum; comments only — supportive, asked for site plan (provided).
• Applicant position: Mark LeBorn accepted responsibility for unauthorized work, explained the damage, and asked for approval consistent with earlier renovations. He noted the proposed windows were aluminum-clad wood (motion later allowed clad windows as friendly amendment).
• Commission discussion: Clarification on window types; friendly amendment to remove prohibition on cladding.
• Outcome: Approved with amended condition permitting clad windows; all other staff conditions apply.

D21 – 731 N Glasgow Drive (Junius Heights Dormers)

• Request: COA to construct two new dormers on each side of the main structure (already built).
• Staff recommendation: Deny without prejudice because dormers are in a protected facade and inconsistent with preservation criteria.
• Task force recommendation: Deny without prejudice.
• Contractor testimony: Caleb Thames argued the dormers were needed for attic space and roof support; acknowledged the work was done without a permit and that windows were vinyl.
• Commission discussion: Commissioner Anderson supported approval, finding the dormers not adverse; others noted the vinyl windows were inappropriate but the dormers themselves might be acceptable.
• Outcome: Motion to approve as built passed with one opposed.

D22 – 2312 Jordan Street (Queen City Major Remodel)

• Request: Nine COA items covering siding, gable, soffit, windows, roof, porch columns, fence, and vents — all unauthorized work.
• Staff recommendation: Deny all nine items without prejudice.
• Task force recommendation: Deny without prejudice and restore original fabric.
• Contractor testimony: Francisco Gomez said the owner was unaware of requirements; offered to replace siding but wanted to keep the new roof and gable.
• Commission discussion: Commissioners described the changes as a complete transformation that erased the historic character; no support for partial approval.
• Outcome: Motion to deny without prejudice on all staff-recommended items passed unanimously.

D23 – 5714 Swiss Avenue (Swiss Avenue Historic District)

• Request: Three COAs: (1) rear/side wraparound covered porch; (2) replace front porch screens with all-wood windows and door; (3) pour 17’4" x 28’2" brushed concrete patio in front yard.
• Staff recommendation: Approve all with conditions: porch northeast wall recessed at least one foot; front door eliminated from window plan; patio not to exceed 25% of front yard hardscape.
• Task force recommendation: Same as staff.
• Applicant testimony: Chad Jones explained porch design to minimize street visibility, offered to shorten porch if needed, and agreed to patio size limits.
• Commission discussion: Debate on patio; some members felt adding a patio was not appropriate for Swiss Avenue, while others noted the ordinance allows up to 25% pavement. Staff confirmed the combined hardscape would be under 25%.
• Outcome: Motion to approve per staff recommendation passed 7-4 (roll call). Conditions on recess, door elimination, and total hardscape inclusion will be enforced.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: D19 (with shutter condition), D25 (historic overlay), D20 (with amended window clause), D21 (as built), D23 (with staff conditions).
• Denied: C2 (without prejudice, consent item pulled for discussion), D22 (without prejudice on all nine items).
• Votes: D19 passed with one opposed; D25 unanimous; C2 denied on voice vote with majority; D20 approved after friendly amendment (not rolled); D21 passed with one opposed; D22 denied unanimously; D23 passed 7-4.
• Next Steps: C2 applicant may reapply in December; D22 owners must submit a new application to restore the property; other approved items will receive COAs with noted conditions.

Meeting adjourned at 3:17 PM.