Number of potentially significant buildings, structures, or sites recommended for historic landmark designation by the Historic Landmark Commission, but for which a demolition permit was released
Status
In 2022, demolition permits were released for three buildings recommended for landmark designation by the Historic Landmark Commission.
- 416 W 12th Street (Delta Kappa Gamma House) (previously approved in 2020)
- 2501 Inwood Place (Casa McMath)
- 2502 Park View Drive (Chrysler Air-Temp House)
- 2002 Scenic Drive (Delisle House)
Trending
The number for 2022 represents no change from the number in 2021.
Note: To see the underlying data for the chart, please select the "View Source Data" link.
Additional Measure Insights
Under city code, the only means to prevent demolition of a
significant historic property is through landmark designation. To qualify, a
property must meet at least two of five criteria for significance. Most of the
time, this means a building must be both historically important and
architecturally distinctive. In relatively few cases does the commission vote
to recommend historic zoning over the owner’s objection.
Additionally, state law set a supermajority requirement for landmark designation without owner consent, requiring that a ¾ majority of both the Historic Landmark Commission and City Council vote in favor. Both cases from 2020 were recommended for historic designation by staff and received majority—but not supermajority—votes from the Historic Landmark Commission.
This indicator is the annual number of demolition requests for properties that meet the high bar set by the landmark criteria but fail to meet the higher bar of supermajority support in the face of owner opposition. Landmark designation without owner consent is exceedingly rare.
As a result, the Historic Landmark Commission must release
most demolition permits it considers. This includes demolitions within National
Register Historic Districts, over which the commission has only an advisory
capacity unless a property independently meets the historic landmark criteria.
Voluntary local designation, particularly through the
creation of historic districts, remains the most effective tool for protecting historic
properties. Many more properties could qualify for designation as a
contributing part of a historic district than meet the landmark criteria. Historic
districts treat historic resources more holistically in their context, which
allows more neighborhoods that reflect underrepresented communities to be
recognized and protected.
Measure Details and Definition
1) Definition: Number of potentially significant buildings, structures, or sites recommended for historic landmark designation by the Historic Landmark Commission, but for which a demolition permit was released.
2) Calculation method: Calculated the total number of potentially significant buildings, structures, or sites recommended for historic landmark designation by the Historic Landmark Commission, but for which a demolition permit was released.
3) Data Collection Process: Data collected from Historic Landmark Collection records and city building permit demolition records.
4) Measure Target Calculation: There is no target for this measure, but the City of Austin is monitoring this as a community measure.
5) Frequency Measure is Reported: Annually (Calendar Year)
Date page was last updated: January 2023