Historic and Design Review Commission Meeting – August 6, 2025

The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) convened on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at [unknown time]. Chair J. Maurice Gibbs presided. A quorum was established with Commissioners Mammon, Savino, Velasquez, Galloway, Mazuka, Group, Cervantes, Holland, Fetzer, and Gibbs present. The meeting addressed several applications for certificates of appropriateness, including a contested restaurant deck, structural repairs, a mini-golf course, a demolition request, and a residential addition.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1, 5, 7, 8, 11: Approved unanimously with staff stipulations. Addresses: 414 Navarro, 217 Arden Grove, 1841 East Houston, 430 Austin, and 328 West Ellsmere Place. Certificates of appropriateness to be emailed within 10 days.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (435 Donaldson Avenue): Robin Foster, representing Monticello Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA), commented on proposed concrete column repairs, asking for staff monitoring and alternative treatments like steel banding.
• Item 4 (250 East Grayson): Lynn Canapek (312 Pearl Parkway) expressed support for the mini-golf project but voiced concern about preserving four large cypress trees on site, noting the plan to add Texas palms.
• Item 6 (1932 West Wesatch Avenue): Robin Foster (MPNA) requested interior photos of the accessory structure before demolition approval, citing lack of structural integrity evidence.
• Item 10 (2127 West Woodlawn): Robin Foster (MPNA) thanked the applicant for addressing previous stipulations and asked for additional conditions: installation of gutters to manage stormwater runoff and preservation of stone/removed windows from the existing home.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – 235 East Commerce (214 River Walk) – Proposed Elevated Restaurant Deck: Applicant Don McDonald (architect) presented a plan to activate Crockett Street with a dining deck extending 60 feet from the historic El Frank Saddlery Building toward the riverwalk. The deck would feature vines and planters to screen views from the adjacent Mokara Hotel. Opponents included Rusty Wallace (Omni La Mansion/Mokara managing director), who stated that the deck would block views, violate the peaceful atmosphere, and noted that only 17% of new restaurants survive past the first year. Mickey Steenberg (Mokara hotel manager) emphasized the hotel’s Forbes four-star reputation and economic impact. Micah Keene (attorney for Mokara owner) argued the deck is out of scale, would obscure significant architectural features, create noise (citing a decibel reading that would violate the ordinance), and increase fire risk. During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about rainwater management, noise mitigation, and insufficient engagement with the hotel. A motion to disapprove failed (2 ayes – Cervantes, Fetzer; 4 nays – Savino, Mazuka, Group, Gibbs). A subsequent motion to approve with all staff stipulations and an added stipulation to “work with the adjacent neighbor, Makari, during the CD phase or the DD to CD phase to further explore mitigation for their concerns” passed (5 ayes – Savino, Mazuka, Group, Fetzer, Gibbs; 1 nay – Cervantes).
• Item 3 – 435 Donaldson Avenue – Structural Column Repairs: Applicant Jeffrey Stromberg (by phone) sought approval for concrete pilasters to stabilize a coral gable style home. Commissioner Savino, who had pulled the item, noted that a site visit by the Design Review Committee (DRC) confirmed the pilasters would not obscure windows, would stop short of the parapet, and would have a smooth finish to distinguish them from original stucco. The commission approved unanimously with staff stipulations.
• Item 4 – 250 East Grayson – Mini-Golf Course at Pearl: Applicant Blaine Towns (by phone) confirmed that no existing cypress trees would be removed; palms would be placed on the opposite side of a cistern. Commissioner Fetzer recused himself. Concerns about tree preservation were addressed. Motion to approve with staff stipulation and an added condition that “final site and landscape documents showing the preservation of existing Cypress trees be submitted to OHP for review” passed unanimously.
• Item 6 – 1932 West Wesatch Avenue – Demolition of Accessory Structure: Owner Mitzi Sandel described the accessory building as structurally unsound (rotten wood, collapsed roof, cracked foundation) and requested demolition due to economic hardship. She noted her inability to rent or sell the property. Commissioner Group argued the application met economic hardship criteria and had a salvage plan. A motion to approve based on economic hardship failed for lack of a second. A motion to “allow the DRC to make a site visit at the next opportune time” passed (5 ayes – Savino, Group, Fetzer, Gibbs, Cervantes; 1 nay – Mazuka). The DRC site visit was scheduled for the following Wednesday, with the case to return on August 20, 2025.
• Item 10 – 2127 West Woodlawn Avenue – Two-Story Rear Addition: Applicant Janelle Chase proposed a second-story addition and RV carport on a lot in the floodplain. Commissioner Fetzer questioned the 16-foot RV height and 9-foot ceiling height. Chase stated she would consider stormwater management per city requirements and noted no windows would be removed. The Monticello Park Neighborhood Association had requested gutters and window preservation. Staff recommended approval. Motion to approve with staff stipulations passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2: Approved (5-1) with staff stipulations and a condition to continue working with the Mokara Hotel on mitigation.
• Item 3: Approved unanimously with staff stipulations.
• Item 4: Approved unanimously with an additional stipulation to preserve existing cypress trees.
• Item 6: DRC site visit ordered; vote on demolition deferred to August 20, 2025.
• Item 10: Approved unanimously with staff stipulations.
• Consent Calendar: Items 1, 5, 7, 8, and 11 approved as a block.
• Item 12: Postponed.

The meeting adjourned approximately at [unknown time].