RELEVANT DEFINITIONS

The Hyde Park Preservation Plan

and

Design Standards

December 9, 2010

RELEVANT DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................... 2

THE HYDE PARK PRESERVATION PLAN: OVERVIEW ................................................................ 5

1. THE NEED FOR A PRESERVATION PLAN ............................................................................................... 5

2. THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE HYDE PARK PRESERVATION PLAN...................................................... 5

3. THE SPECIFIC GOALS OF THE HYDE PARK PRESERVATION PLAN .......................................................... 6

THE PARTS OF THE HYDE PARK PRESERVATION PLAN ........................................................... 6

1. ADHERENCE TO DESIGN STANDARDS .................................................................................................. 6

A. The Neighborhood Conservation Combining District ............................................................... 7

B. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties................... 7

C. Hyde Park Local Historic District Design Standards................................................................ 8

D. Previous Agreements about Specific Properties in the District ................................................. 8

2. EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS ...................................................................................................................... 9

3. REGULATION PROCEDURE OVERVIEW ................................................................................................. 9

A. Review by the Development Review Committee ........................................................................ 9

B. Requirement of a Certificate of Appropriateness ...................................................................... 9

4. PERIODIC REVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 10

DESIGN STANDARDS .......................................................................................................................... 11

1. GENERAL STANDARDS ...................................................................................................................... 11

2. EXCLUSIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 12

3. RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS: SINGLE FAMILY AND CONTRIBUTING MULTIFAMILY - PRESERVATION AND

RESTORATION ...................................................................................................................................... 12

4. RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS: ADDITIONS TO CONTRIBUTING SINGLE FAMILY AND MULTI-FAMILY

STRUCTURES ........................................................................................................................................ 14

5. RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES ........................... 15

6. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY STANDARDS ............................................................................................... 17

7. MULTI-FAMILY PROPERTY STANDARDS............................................................................................. 17

8. PUBLIC SPACE STANDARDS ............................................................................................................... 17

Relevant Definitions

The following definitions are relevant to the understanding of this document.

Certificate of Appropriateness: The documentation provided by the Historic

Landmark Commission after review of proposed changes to a contributing

structure in the historic district certifying that the proposed change is in

conformance with these Design Standards. Certificates of Appropriateness are

governed by Section 25-11-2 and 25-11-212 of the City of Austin Land

Development Code, which provide that a person must obtain a Certificate of

Appropriateness to change, restore, remove, or demolish an exterior architectural

or site feature of a structure that is contributing to the historic district. The City

Historic Preservation Officer can approve applications for Certificates of

Appropriateness for the following:

1. Accurate restoration or reconstruction of a documented missing historic

architectural element of the structure or site;

2. Changes which do not affect the appearance of the structure or site from

an adjacent public street;

3. Construction of a ground-floor one-story addition or outbuilding with less

than 600 square feet of gross floor area

4. Two-story additions to the rear of two-story houses; or

5. A pool, deck, fence, back porch enclosure, or other minor feature.

Contributing Structure: A structure that fits the following criteria:

1. Contributes architecturally and/or historically to the historic character of

the historic district.

2. Is at least 50 years old and maintains a high degree of integrity in that it

retains its historic appearance.

3. Was built during the period of significance for the historic district.

The determination of whether a structure is contributing to the historic district is

made by the historic preservation professional who evaluated the survey and

inventory of the buildings within the district, in conjunction with professional city

staff. A structure is designated contributing to the historic district by the

ordinance establishing the district.

Altered structures may still be considered contributing to the character of the

historic district if the alterations are minor and have not significantly compromised

the integrity of materials and design of the building. However, a building which

has been significantly altered and no longer retains its historic appearance is no

longer contributing to the district, even if the building is over 50 years old.

Fenestration: The arrangement, proportioning, and design of windows and

doors in a building.

Façade: The front or principal face of a building.

Historic District: A historic area (HD) combining district is the collection of

structures which give an area its historic character. By definition, at least 51% of

the principal buildings within the historic area (HD) combining district must be

designated as contributing to the district.

Noncontributing Structure: A structure that fits the following criteria:

1. Is less than 50 years old.

2. Has been significantly altered over time so that the building no longer

conveys its historic appearance.

3. Has been moved into the district less than 50 years ago.

A building which is over 50 years old but which has been significantly altered is

non-contributing to the district until such time as the building is restored to its

historic appearance. Current city incentives are available to owners of these

properties to encourage restoration of the structure. Hyde Park Local Historic

District Design Standards do not apply to noncontributing structures.

Preservation: Measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and

materials of a historic property. Preservation work generally focuses on

maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive

replacement and/or new construction.

Reconstruction: New construction which replicates the form, features, and

detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object.

Reconstruction replicates the appearance and historic location of a non-surviving

feature. Examples of reconstruction include the construction of new window

screens which replicate historic screens on a structure, or the replacement of

missing eave brackets or porch features. Reconstruction should be attempted

only when physical and/or documentary (photographic) evidence is available of

the size, scale, proportion, and materials of missing features.

Rehabilitation: The repair, alterations, and additions to a historic property which

make a compatible use of the property possible, while preserving those portions

or features of the structure which convey the historic, cultural, or architectural

values of the structure. Rehabilitation generally involves the construction of

additions to historic buildings.

Restoration: The accurate depiction of the form, features, and character of a

property as it appeared at a particular period of time by removing features from

other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the

restoration period. A restoration project is one that restores the historic

appearance of a building by removing later additions or modifications, such as

synthetic siding, aluminum windows, reconstructing missing architectural

features, and preserving the historic fabric of the structure.

Period of Significance: A time period during the history of a neighborhood or

district when a substantial amount of construction activity took place. For Hyde

Park, the period of significant is from 1892 to 1960. The majority of resources in

the district (87%) were built during this period of significance.

The Hyde Park Preservation Plan: Overview

1. The Need for a Preservation Plan

Hyde Park has one of the largest concentrations of historic homes in the City of Austin.

Its proximity to downtown and the University of Texas, along with an increasing interest

in redeveloping downtown Austin, has resulted in tremendous development pressure on

the neighborhood.

Local Historic District designation is intended to protect and enhance existing historic

resources. By establishing local historic district zoning, the City of Austin provides a

mechanism to ensure that architectural changes within the local historic district are

compatible with the historic character of the district. Buildings within these districts may

not have sufficient historical or architectural significance on their own to be designated as

Austin Historic Landmarks, but they have significance as part of their neighborhood

fabric.

2. The Overall Purpose of the Hyde Park Preservation Plan

Because of the innate historical and architectural value of Hyde Park as a neighborhood,

the primary emphasis for the Hyde Park Local Historic District will be preservation. In

so far as possible, the existing form, integrity, and materials of a historic property or a

contributing structure will be maintained.

Restoration, as defined by the Secretary of the Interior Standards, is acceptable when the

original appearance can be verified through photographic or other evidence.

Currently, a few historical and contributing structures originally intended as residences

are being used for other purposes. As long as “those portions or features which convey its

historical, cultural, or architectural values” are preserved, such compatible reuse or

rehabilitation is also acceptable.

Hyde Park also recognizes that change is inevitable. Changes in lifestyle between 1891

and the present require different uses of space. Additions, secondary dwelling units, and

new residences or commercial structures will be built.

Consequently, the aspects of the Hyde Park Preservation Plan and Design Standards that

address new construction aim for appropriateness of construction, determined by

compatibility of two types:

1. Compatibility with neighborhood architectural patterns. Despite the

diversity of housing types in Hyde Park, most residential structures in the

neighborhood share architectural patterns, including but not limited to an

entrance in the front of the house, a front porch, a pathway from the sidewalk

to the front entrance, and windows that are taller than they are wide. For a full

list of Hyde Park neighborhood patterns, see Hyde Park Neighborhood Plan

(City of Austin Ordinance No. 000413-63, August 13, 2000).

2. Compatibility with the Hyde Park Compatibility Standards, authored by

Black, Atkinson, & Vernooy.

3. Compatibility with the immediately surrounding structures. New

buildings should be reviewed in the context of their surroundings.

Designation of the Hyde Park Local Historic District does not require property

owners to make changes to their properties, such as returning buildings to their

historic appearance. Additionally, the review of construction projects within the

district that results from district designation is limited to those projects that affect

the exterior of the building and its site; interior remodeling projects do not require

review and approval.

3. The Specific Goals of the Hyde Park Preservation Plan

The goals of the Hyde Park Local Historic District Preservation Plan are as

follows:

 Preserve the historic fabric of Hyde Park.

 Prevent the demolition of contributing buildings in the neighborhood.

 Encourage the rehabilitation, maintenance, and retention of historic

structures.

 Ensure that alterations to existing buildings are compatible with the historic

character of the structure and the district.

 Assist property owners and designers in developing plans for historic

properties and encourage the compatibility of new structures in the historic

district.

 Encourage sustainable design and building practices in the neighborhood.

This document is a tool for the following interested parties:

 Property owners, tenants, contractors, design professionals, realtors or

anyone else planning new construction or a change to the exterior or site of a

building within the district.

 The Historic Landmark Commission, in its evaluation of whether to grant a

Certificate of Appropriateness for any project covered by these Standards.

The Parts of the Hyde Park Preservation Plan

1. Adherence to Design Standards

Documents and City Code sections governing buildings within the Hyde Park

Local Historic District include the following:

A. The Neighborhood Conservation Combining District (NCCD)

B. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic

Properties

C. The Hyde Park Local Historic District Design Standards

D. Previous Agreements about Specific Properties in the District

A. The Neighborhood Conservation Combining District

The City of Austin Neighborhood Conservation Combining District (NCCD)

(Ordinance No. 020131-20) already regulates the modification and construction

of buildings and other structures in Hyde Park. It also provides for standards that

affect fences, driveways, accessory buildings, garages, maximum building

coverage, maximum impervious cover, maximum height, setbacks, and building

facades, among other things. In no case shall the standards established by the

NCCD be invalidated by any additional standards; they may, however, be

narrowed by additional standards in order to ensure compatibility with the historic

patterns of the Hyde Park neighborhood, an issue which is not addressed by the

NCCD.

B. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of

Historic Properties

This Preservation Plan adopts The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the

Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating,

Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (by Kay D. Weeks and Anne E.

Grimmer, 1995, U.S. Department of the Interior). This document provides

detailed descriptions and instructions for preservation, rehabilitation, restoration,

and reconstruction of historic structures.

Basic standards for rehabilitation were developed in 1976 and are as follows:

 A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that

requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its

site and environment.

 The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The

removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that

characterize a property shall be avoided.

 Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and

use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as

adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings,

shall not be undertaken.

 Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic

significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.

 Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of

craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.

 Deteriorated historic features, finishes, and construction techniques or

examples of craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be

preserved.

 Chemical or physical treatments such as sandblasting that cause damage to

historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if

appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.

 Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected

and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures

shall be undertaken.

 New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not

destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall

be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size,

scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property

and its environment.

 New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken

in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity

of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

For the complete document, readers are referred to www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/

standguide.

C. Hyde Park Local Historic District Design Standards

The Design Standards itemized in this document (beginning on page 11) are in

addition to those of the NCCD and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The

Hyde Park Local Historic District Design Standards provide a guide for decision-

making for changes in the exterior appearance of buildings and sites within the

Hyde Park Local Historic District. In the event there is a contradiction between

the Hyde Park Local Historic District Design Standards and the Secretary of the

Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the Hyde Park Local

Historic District Design Standards will govern.

D. Previous Agreements about Specific Properties in the District

1. For specific properties where zoning was carefully crafted and agreed to

between the neighborhood and property owners, specifically Part 5 (Hyde

Park Civic District), and specific properties noted at 4307 Speedway

contained in Ordinance NO: 020131-20, as well as the zoning for 511 W. 41st

per Ordinance 20088065-062, the neighborhood and property owners

strongly urge the Historic Landmark Commission to respect those

agreements in their determination of a Certificate of Appropriateness.

2. For the property located at 4300 Speedway, no shed roofs shall be permitted.

Otherwise, the standards established for that property by Ordinance No.

0201131-20, which created the Hyde Park Neighborhood Conservation

Combining District, together with the commercial design standards for

development along urban roadways as set forth in Subchapter E of Chapter

25-2 of the City Code, shall fully constitute the applicable design standards for

4300 Speedway. Those collective standards for 4300 Speedway are

incorporated in this preservation plan by reference. Applications for exterior

changes, including those for demolition, relocation, and building permits, shall

by reviewed by the historic preservation officer and the Historic Landmark

Commission under the City Code’s guidelines for review in a National

preservation plan.

2. Educational Efforts

The Hyde Park neighborhood, primarily through the agency of the Hyde Park

Neighborhood Association, conducts a variety of educational efforts:

 Articles in the monthly neighborhood newsletter, the Pecan Press

 Presentations at the monthly neighborhood association meetings

 Special meetings when required

 A yearly homes tour designed to exhibit historic and contributing houses,

accompanied by a booklet that describes the history of the houses

 A website that includes historical information about the neighborhood and

links to relevant preservation and design resources

Hyde Park intends to continue these educational efforts in order to raise the level

of knowledge and awareness about the historic significance of the neighborhood

among both Hyde Park residents and the larger city of Austin. It also intends to

post this preservation plan and design standards document on its website, as an

educational measure.

3. Regulation Procedure Overview

Every application for a building permit for a new structure, an addition to an

existing structure, or the replacement of doors, windows, and roofing materials

within a Local Historic District must be routed through the Historic Preservation

Office and, if necessary, the Historic Landmark Commission for a review for

appropriateness. Only after a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued can a

building or demolition permit be issued.

A. Review by the Development Review Committee

The HPNA Development Review Committee will remain a source for developers

and home owners to help resolve questions of proposed development in advance

of permitting and construction, on a voluntary basis.

B. Requirement of a Certificate of Appropriateness

Most construction activity that affects the exterior or site of a building within the

Hyde Park Local Historic District must be approved by the Historic Landmark

Commission with a Certificate of Appropriateness before a building permit is

issued by the City of Austin. A Certificate of Appropriateness is not required for

remodeling of the interior of the building or for routine maintenance. The City of

Austin Historic Preservation Office will review applications for projects that

involve the replacement of doors, windows, and roofing materials to determine if

a Certificate of Appropriateness issued by the Historic Landmark Commission is

necessary.

Applying the Design Standards in this document and the requirement of City

Code, the Historic Landmark Commission will review all applications regarding

contributing and new structures for the following:

 Exterior changes to existing buildings and sites that exceed ordinary repair or

maintenance.

 New construction.

 Proposed demolition of existing buildings.

 Relocation of existing buildings into or out of the Hyde Park Local Historic

District.

The Historic Preservation Office performs a preliminary review of the application.

The Historic Landmark Commission can grant the Certificate, require

modification to the plans, or deny the Certificate. Denials can be appealed to the

appropriate land use commission and after that to City Council. The Historic

Preservation Office will not release a demolition or relocation permit for an

existing primary structure within the district until the Historic Landmark

Commission has granted a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement

building. The Historic Preservation Office has the authority to approve minor

projects without requiring a full review by the Historic Landmark Commission.

The Historic Landmark Commission has the authority to grant exemptions to the

Design Standards if it determines that proposed new construction or changes to

existing buildings or sites will maintain the relevant historic style and retain the

character-defining features of the historic district.

4. Periodic Review

This Preservation Plan is not intended to be static. It is subject to periodic review.

Design Standards

Text in italics describes characteristics of existing structures in Hyde Park.

1. General Standards

1.1: Prevention of Demolition

Demolition of any contributing structure is strongly discouraged under all

circumstances. No person shall demolish a contributing structure or any exterior

part of any contributing structure within the local historic district without prior

approval by the Historic Landmark Commission with a Certificate of

Appropriateness. Demolition permits on primary structures within the district will

not be released until the Historic Landmark Commission has granted a Certificate

of Appropriateness for the replacement structure.

1.2: Retention of Historic Style

Respect the historic style of existing structures and retain their historic features,

including character-defining elements and building scale.

1.3: Avoidance of False Historicism

Respect each contributing structure as an example of the architecture of its time.

Do not make alterations that have no historic basis, such as the addition of

gingerbread trim to a 1920s bungalow. Do not give an existing contributing

structure a “historic” appearance it never had. When developing plans for

additions, porches, and other exterior alterations, look to other houses of similar

vintage to see how these changes were made historically, and then use that

information as a guide to developing an appropriate size, scale, and massing for

your proposed exterior change.

1.4: Appropriate Treatment Options for Contributing or Potentially

Contributing Structures

1. Preserve the historic fabric: Repair deteriorated historic features and

architectural elements.

2. Reconstruct missing or un-repairable architectural features with the following:

a) Recycled historic materials that approximate the size and match the

scale, profile, and appearance of the deteriorated or missing feature, if

available.

b) New material that that approximates the size and matches the scale,

profile, and appearance of the historic material.

Reconstruct or rebuild missing architectural features using photographic or

physical indications as a guide.

1.5: Energy Efficiency

Historic preservation and energy efficiency can work hand-in-hand. Do not

change the architectural character of a contributing structure to maximize energy

efficiency; instead, develop a compatible means of preserving a contributing

structure and conserving energy.

1. Solar panels: Design photovoltaic and solar thermal installations on

contributing buildings so that they are in scale with the existing roofline and

do not damage historic architectural features or materials. Do not put free-

standing solar panels on the street sides of a structure. This does not apply to

landscape lighting.

2. Rainwater collection systems: Rainwater harvesting is encouraged. If PVC

piping is used for rainwater system, all pipe visible from the street shall be

painted to resemble metal. Rainwater collection tanks may be of any material,

but if visible by pedestrians from the primary street, they shall be unobtrusive.

3. Other: Graywater recycling, use of HDPE in lieu of PVC, xeriscaping, tree

stewardship, recycling of building materials, and wildlife habitat creation and

maintenance are encouraged.

2. Exclusions

The following features are excluded from any design standards:

1. Paint color

2. Interiors of houses

3. Residential Standards: Single Family and Contributing

Multifamily - Preservation and Restoration

3.1: Front of Houses

Houses in Hyde Park uniformly face the street, generally with a visible front door

and with windows facing the street.

Retain the historic facade of a house in terms of door and window placement and

exterior wall materials. Repair damaged or deteriorated exterior wall materials

where reasonably possible. If replacement of exterior wall materials is necessary,

choose a material identical in size, profile, and appearance as the historic

material.

3.2: Doors and Doorways

1. Do not enlarge, alter, or relocate single doorways on the façade of the house.

2. Retain and repair an original entry door. In cases where replacement of an

original entry door is required, or where the house does not have the original

door, choose a replacement door that is compatible in terms of design and

appearance with the historic character of the house.

3. Retain the glazing (window or glass) in its original configuration on doors that

contain glass.

Look to other houses of similar age and style in choosing a replacement door, or

consult publications, catalogs, or design professionals to determine the

appropriate door styles and materials for the age and style of your house.

3.3: Windows

Original windows are one of the most important features of the façade of a house

and define the character of the contributing buildings in the district. Many

contributing structures in Hyde Park still retain their old-growth wood windows.

1. Repair or rehabilitate the original windows and screens.

2. The energy efficiency of original windows can be improved by using methods

that do not damage historic sashes, glass, or frames, such as

weatherstripping, insulating weight pockets, adding insulated glass and the

necessary additional balancing weights, or adding a clear interior film, or a

combination of these methods.

3. Do not use tinted glass or tinted film on original windows.

4. If replacing windows, use windows that approximate the size and match the

scale, profile, appearance, and configuration of existing historic windows. .

3.4: Porches

Front porches are an integral part of the character of homes in Hyde Park.

Consider the architectural style of the house if making decisions about changes

to the front porch.

Preserve the original front and street-side porches. Do not enclose open front

and street-side ground-floor porches with screening, glass, or other enclosure

materials. Screens are appropriate for rear porches or other porches, including

second-floor front porches.

3.5: Roofs

The most common roof forms in Hyde Park are hipped, gabled, and

combinations of hipped and gabled roofs. Roofs are generally more complex for

Queen Anne styles and simpler for the bungalows and other twentieth century

buildings. Roofs often included dormers. There are examples in Hyde Park of flat

roofs, but those are not typical of the roofs of the primary structures for

contributing residences in the neighborhood. Traditional roof materials were

wood shingles for main roofs and corrugated metal for outbuildings. There are

also examples in Hyde Park of metal shingles. Occasional nineteenth century

residences had metals roofs, but during the twentieth century, metal roofs were

not considered appropriate for residences. Wood shingles were replaced by

composition shingles in the early- to mid-twentieth century. Metal roofs returned

in popularity as an energy saving approach in the last 20 years of the twentieth

century.

1. Retain the original roof pitches and profiles on the building. Avoid changes to

roofs on the front of the building. Avoid adding to the eave height of original

roofs, especially at the front of the structure. Retain historic dormers.

2. In replacing roof materials, consider first the use of the original material, then

the use a product that resembles the original material, such as a fiberglass or

other energy-efficient shingle. Metal roofs are also acceptable. Do not use

shaped, scalloped or diamond shingles unless they were original to the

building. Preserve original gable/attic vents and roof brackets.

Recommendation: Consider replacing any original dormers that can be

documented when roof work is done.

3.6: Chimneys

Preserve existing chimneys. Use original or similar replacement materials to

rebuild a fallen or unstable chimney.

3.7: Garages

Garages have traditionally been located to the rear of the lot and separate

structures. They are constructed in a simple but complementary design to the

main building.

1. When rebuilding an original garage or adding a second story to it, preserve

the roof pitch and style of siding.

2. When installing new garage doors, make them complementary in design to

the original structure.

4. Residential Standards: Additions to Contributing Single

Family and Multi-Family Structures

Items of most concern are finished floor height, floor-to-floor heights, roof heights

and pitches, fenestration pattern, porch size and location, setbacks, and an

overall scale that reflects neighborhood patterns.

4.1: Preservation of Historic Character

Construct additions so as to require the removal or modification of a minimum of

historic fabric. Do not construct additions which will require the removal of any

portion of the front façade. Design additions to existing residential buildings to

reflect the form and style of the existing house.

4.2: Location

Locate new additions and alterations to the rear or rear side of the building so

that they will be less visible from the street.

4.3: Roof, Fenestration, and Siding

1. Make the pitch and height of the roof of the addition compatible to that of the

existing house.

2. Make windows visible from the street on any addition compatible with those

on the existing house in terms of sash configuration, proportion, spacing and

placement.

3. Use exterior siding materials on the addition which match or are compatible

with that of the existing house.

4.4 Size and Scale of Additions:

1. Design additions to have the same floor-to-ceiling height as the existing

house.

2. Locate second story additions at least 15’ back from the front house wall.

The front house wall is the exterior wall closest to the street. Houses on

corner lots have only one front wall.

3. Design additions so that they do not overwhelm the original building.

4. Do not raise a first story to become a second story.

Recommendations:

1. Extend the existing roof line in the rear of the house to accommodate an

addition wherever possible.

2. Consider adding one-story additional to one-story houses.

3. Wherever possible, build additions in existing attic space without raising the

roof height. Consider the construction of attic dormers opening to the side or

rear of the house to open underused attic space. Design side wall heights on

second floor additions to be in scale and proportion to the original house.

4. Where attic heights are adequate to support second floor living space,

dormers or rear additions that do not exceed the original roof ridge height are

preferable, as are side walls that maintain the same proportions.

5. Do not locate windows so as to invade the privacy of neighboring properties.

5. Residential Standards: New Construction of Single Family

Structures

Local Historic District designation does not prevent change, but instead provides

design parameters that work with the special character of the district. Hyde Park

recognizes that any new residential structure should reflect its time;

consequently, contemporary design for new residential construction is

appropriate, as long as it fits the architectural patterns of the neighborhood and

its immediately surrounding structures. Items of most concern are finished floor

height, floor-to-floor heights, roof heights and pitches, fenestration pattern, porch

size and location, setbacks, and an overall scale that reflects neighborhood

patterns.

5.1: Massing, Scale, and Architectural Elements

Use massing, scale, and architectural elements typical of the contributing

buildings on the block when designing a new building. The geometry of new

house construction shall be in a scale with contributing buildings on the same

block. When applying to Historic Landmark Commission, include photographs of

all existing adjacent buildings and any other buildings on the block which have

inspired design choices for the new construction.

5.3: Porches

Front porches on new construction are not necessary, but if present, they must

be at least 7 feet deep.

5.4: Height

Raise porch and first floor levels for new houses to a height comparable to

existing houses with pier and beam construction, even if new construction is on a

slab.

5.5: Roofs

Use a hipped roof, gabled roof, or a combination of hipped and gabled roof on

new houses, as these roof forms are traditional on the contributing structures in

the district. Use a simple roof on new construction in blocks where bungalows

with simple roof forms prevail. Shed roofs are appropriate for porches, but are

not appropriate as the principal roof on the main structure.

5.6: Entrances

Locate the primary entrance to the building on the front.

5.7: Exterior Wall Materials

Use exterior wall materials that are compatible with those on the contributing

structures on the block, such as wood, cementitious siding, brick, or stone.

5.8: Chimneys

Do not use wood siding on a chimney.

5.9: Garages

Construct new garages to be detached and located to the rear of the lot. Design

a new garage to be complementary to the main structure on the property. Do not

locate garages or carports on the façade of a building.

5.10: Garage Apartments/Secondary Units

Secondary units in Hyde Park traditionally face the street and share access to

parking with the primary unit, except in the case of corner lots, where the

secondary unit may face the side street and access parking from the side street.

Pursuant to the Hyde Park NCCD, garage apartments and secondary units are

allowed only on lots equal to or greater than an area of 7,000 square feet.

1. Design new secondary units to respect the traditional patterns of Hyde Park in

determining the location of the building and access to parking.

2. Design new secondary units and garage apartments to complement the form,

massing, materials, scale, character elements, and fenestration patterns of

the primary structure.

3. Use wood or wood-appearing garage doors.

4. Retain the historic appearance of contributing garages and carriage houses

when designing an addition to them.

5.11: Driveways

A single lane driveway, entered from the front of the lot and located to the side of

a house, is character-defining for Hyde Park. They are constructed of gravel or

runners. Parking has traditionally been located to the side or rear of the house.

Locate driveways from the front lot line along the side of the house. The NCCD

specifies acceptable materials for driveways. Locate parking as required in the

NCCD. Do not design or construct a circular drive in front of the house.

5.12: Fences

Fences shall adhere to the regulations set forth in the Hyde Park Neighborhood

Conservation Combining District (Ordinance No. 020131-20). Design fences with

materials that are compatible with the architectural character of the structure.

6. Commercial Property Standards

Commercial development in Hyde Park consists of a mixture of historic,

contributing, potentially contributing and noncontributing structures. Historic and

contributing commercial structures in Hyde Park share certain architectural

patterns: they are one-story rectangular buildings with flat roofs and entryways

consisting of double doors. At least one commercial structure, the Avenue B

Grocery, has existed and served the neighborhood since 1906 and is recognized

as one of the landmarks of Hyde Park.

New commercial buildings in Hyde Park shall adhere to the historic patterns of

Hyde Park commercial structures. Use rectangular masonry designs with double

door entries covered by an awning and appropriate fenestration. Refer to

Subchapter E of the Austin Land Development Code for appropriate street

frontage design.

7. Multi-family Property Standards

There are few multi-family structures in Hyde Park that date from a period of

significance in the history of Hyde Park; the exceptions are covered by

Residential Standards: Single Family and Contributing Multifamily. The majority

of multi-family structures, in fact, are at variance with the architectural patterns of

residential structures in Hyde Park. No emphasis is put on the preservation or

restoration of those multi-family structures that have no historic significance and

are at variance with Hyde Park architectural structures.

8. Public Space Standards

Hyde Park public space consists of streets, sidewalks, bridges, park space,

public buildings, and alleys. School buildings are a significant historical feature of

Hyde Park.

Preserve and maintain the width, materials, and historic location of contributing

civic structures, including sidewalks, retaining walls, and bridges. Maintain the

historic facades of public buildings and park structures in compliance with the

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.