DEPARTMENT: Office of Historic Preservation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Shanon Shea Miller
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 1
SUBJECT:
Resolution to initiate landmark designation for 726 Fredericksburg Rd
SUMMARY:
This resolution requests direction from City Council to move forward with historic landmark designation for the property at 726 Fredericksburg Rd. On December 2, 2020, the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) agreed with the finding of historic significance and supported the designation of the property as a local landmark.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On October 13, 2020, William Lambert submitted a request for review of historic significance of the property at 726 Fredericksburg Rd, known as Liz Davies Greenspace, located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood conservation district (NCD-5) of Council District 1. The Demolition & Designation Committee (DDC) held a virtual site visit on November 24, 2020. The request for a finding of historic significance was heard by the HDRC on December 2, 2020.
The property at 726 Fredericksburg Rd known as Liz Davies Greenspace is a triangular traffic island with a central sculpture and gardens. The greenspace was created in 1919 by the City of San Antonio when it purchased the property from the Beacon Hill Company. The City of San Antonio currently owns the property. The property meets criteria 1, 6, and 13, meeting the eligibility requirements for local landmark designation outlined in the UDC.
On December 2, 2020, the HDRC agreed with the finding of historic significance, recommended approval, and requested a resolution from the City Council to initiate the designation process.
ISSUE:
726 Fredericksburg Rd meets the criteria and is eligible for landmark designation. If Council approves a resolution to proceed with landmark designation, OHP would apply for a change in zoning to include a historic landmark overlay for the properties. The change in zoning requires approval from the Historic and Design Review Commission, Zoning Commission, and City Council. If approved by Council, the property would become a local historic landmark. Rehabilitation work would qualify for local tax incentives, and all future proposals for the property would require HDRC review.
ALTERNATIVES:
If Council does not approve a resolution to proceed with landmark designation, the designation process would come to an end. Because the property is owned by the City of San Antonio, any future projects affecting this parcel are subject to review by the Office of Historic Preservation and the Historic and Design Review Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Historic Preservation requests a waiver of the required zoning fees in an amount of $842.70 that would otherwise be paid to the City’s Development Services Fund. Should Council not approve the resolution to waive the fees, this amount would be paid to the Development Services Fund by the Office of Historic Preservation General Fund FY 2021 Adopted Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
The property is eligible for historic designation. The HDRC recommends that City Council initiate the historic designation process.