HAHC Meeting: New Commissioners, Reclassification, and Certificates of Appropriateness – September 11, 2025

The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) met on September 11, 2025, at 2:34 PM. The meeting featured a largely new commission, with nine new members sworn in earlier that day. The commission addressed several agenda items, including the reclassification of a property, a slate of consent items for certificates of appropriateness (COAs), and several individual COA applications involving demolition, new construction, and alterations. A key dispute centered on a property in Norhill where a house collapsed during renovation, leading to a split decision on demolition and new construction.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved a revised consent agenda (items C2–C8, C11–C15, C17–C21) with staff recommendations, covering alterations, additions, new garages, window replacements, and signs in various historic districts. One commissioner abstained from items C13 and C14.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kate Simmons (representing VET Renovations, applicant for 1138 Fugate): Argued that the proposed new construction at the site is comparable to examples in the broader Norhill neighborhood, such as 901 Key Street, and that the ordinance permits looking beyond the block face when comparable examples are absent. She asserted the demolition was not illegal, citing a storm and city permission to remove brick.
• Mary Emily Schultz (Norhill resident): Opposed the new construction at 1138 Fugate, stating it would change the character of Norhill by reducing green space, light, and overshadowing original bungalows.
• Virginia Kelsey (VP of Deed Restrictions, Norhill Neighborhood Association): Opposed the 1138 Fugate design, citing violations of NNA guidelines on height, setbacks, FAR, and second-floor porch placement. She requested approval of an earlier design. For 1008 East 14th Street, she opposed the window design for 1011 La Green Street, preferring wood windows with smaller frames.
• Letha Allen (Norhill resident/board member): Opposed the 1138 Fugate proposal, warning it would set a dangerous precedent at a prominent intersection. For 1008 East 14th, she argued the 2,500-square-foot addition is out of scale for Norhill’s modest homes.
• Brian Wilson (neighbor, 1136 Fugate): Opposed the new proposal for 1138 Fugate, citing the larger size (FAR 0.58 vs. NNA guideline of 0.45), greater height (9-foot vs. 8-foot plate), reduced setbacks (4 ft vs. 10.4 ft), and privacy concerns. He supported the earlier 2,250-square-foot design.
• Sam Gianukos (Creole Design, applicant for 1008 East 14th): Supported the addition, noting it meets city code and deed restrictions, and agreed to lower the second-floor plate height to 8 feet and hip the roof.
• Paula Cabina (Acres Homes resident): Requested city help for a senior citizen’s fire-damaged home and inquired about securing a city contract for her services.

Discussion Items

• Chair Election (Item A): Commissioner David Buchek was unanimously re-elected Chair. Commissioner John Cosgrove was elected Vice Chair.
• Reclassification of 320 East 20th Street (Item B): Staff recommended reclassification from contributing to non-contributing, citing a 1945 construction date (post-period of significance for Heights East Historic District) and the building’s commercial, non-bungalow character. The applicant, Mark Standridge, presented evidence including an aerial photo and argued the structure lacks architectural merit and sits on a commercial corridor. The commission approved the reclassification.
• Item C1 – 1138 West View (Fugate) – Demolition and New Construction: The property’s contributing house collapsed during an approved renovation. Staff recommended denial of a COA for demolition (issuance of a COR) and denial of the proposed new construction. The Historic Preservation Appeals Board (HPAB) had remanded the new construction back to HAHC. After testimony and deliberation, the commission voted to deny the COA for demolition. On the new construction, the commission (with a motion by Commissioner Blakely, seconded) voted to defer the new construction application, asking the applicant to submit a revised design that meets the ordinance criteria for new construction in a historic district, respecting scale, massing, and setbacks of contributing structures.
• Item C9 – 1535 Oxford Street – Alteration/Addition: For a non-contributing house, staff recommended approval with a condition for a 2-foot inset on the north elevation to meet height standards. Commissioner Cosgrove expressed concern about the design’s compatibility. The commission approved staff’s recommendation with conditions.
• Item C10 – 1008 East 14th Street – Alteration/Addition: For a contributing house, staff recommended approval with conditions to lower the second-floor plate height to 8 feet and hip the roof. After debate, the commission approved with an additional condition to adjust the ridge height (motion by Commissioner Blakely, seconded).
• Item C16 – 1011 La Green Street – Window Replacement: For a contributing house, staff recommended approval for replacing four original wood windows with Renewal by Andersen windows. The commission approved with a condition that the frame be partially obscured to match a typical inset installation.

Key Outcomes

• Reclassification Approved: 320 East 20th Street reclassified from contributing to non-contributing.
• Demolition Denied, New Construction Deferred: For 1138 West View (Fugate), the COA for demolition was denied (COR issued). The new construction application was deferred for a revised design.
• COA Approved with Conditions: 1535 Oxford Street (inset on north elevation); 1008 East 14th Street (8-foot plate height, hipped roof, adjusted ridge height); 1011 La Green Street (window frame obscured).
• Consent Calendar Approved: 18 items (C2–C8, C11–C15, C17–C21) approved with staff recommendations.
• New Officers Elected: Chair David Buchek and Vice Chair John Cosgrove were elected.
• Staff announced ongoing work on Norhill Design Guidelines and thanked outgoing commissioners Dominic Yap, Charles Stava, and Ben Kush.