Updates on several items in the neighborhood.
Accessory Dwelling at 225 E Mistletoe:
The Board of Adjustment heard this case on August 5. The Board asked a lot of questions of Development Services, and spent quite a bit of time discussing the definition of “identical.” The motion made by the Board was confusing: a yes vote would’ve been against the ADU and a no vote would have been for the ADU. The Board themselves seemed confused by this. The Board voted 7 “No” to 4 “yes” – so the ADU permit was not revoked and is continuing to be built. However, due to the confusion, there is a possibility that the Board will take revote on this case. Two of the Board members admitted to accidentally voting the wrong way after the hearing. The hearing was recorded by the city and is available to be watched on the City’s website here but you can read a good summary of the hearing on NOWCastSA’s website here. I’ve spoken with Councilman Treviño’s office, and they believe that the Board will make a motion at this Monday’s upcoming hearing to take a revote. The revote would not happen until the September BOA Hearing.
430 and 434 E. Magnolia:
The cases for these two houses went before City Council on August 8 for Landmark Designation in order to stop their proposed demolitions. Councilman Treviño supported the landmarking, and these cases will continue forward to Zoning and then back to City Council for final approval. I will update with dates as I get them.
Tobin Hill North NCD:
In June Councilman Treviño submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) to create a Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) for the northern end of Tobin Hill. It was also passed at City Council on August 8th. This means that our area is next on the list to create an NCD. Another neighborhood, Monte Vista Terrace, is on the list ahead of us. We will be able to begin working on our NCD after Monte Vista Terrace completes theirs in about 6 months.
HDRC/OHP evaluating new or expanded Historic Districts in Tobin Hill:
A few weeks ago HDRC discussed the recent demolitions in the neighborhood and the possibility of proposing one or more new or expanded Historic Districts in Tobin Hill. The result of that hearing was that HDRC requested that the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) conduct a survey of the neighborhood to determine eligibility and boundaries, etc. OHP has begun a “windshield survey” of the neighborhood. They are over one third of the way finished this point. The survey is collecting photos, evaluating landmark eligibility of individual structures, and documenting contributing and non-contributing structures in the neighborhood. We will keep you informed as we get further updates on this.
Thank you to all who have come out for the various hearings and sent emails to the city and/or City Council about these issues happening in our area. It makes a difference!
