Item # 5 - 117 Claywell (Significance & Compatibility Review)

1. CITY OF ALAMO HEIGHTS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Lety Hernandez, Director of Community Development Services
SUBJECT: Case No. 878 F – 117 Claywell
Request of Ziga Architecture Studio PLLC, applicant, representing Crowe Developments
LLC, owner, for the significance review of the existing main structure and compatibility
review of the proposed design located at 117 Claywell in order to demolish 100% of the
existing residence and accessory structure(s) and construct a new single-family residence
with detached carport under Demolition Review Ordinance No. 1860 (April 12, 2010).
DATE: April 25, 2022
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The property is zoned SF-A and is located on the north side of Claywell, east of Broadway.

2. POLICY ANALYSIS
Lot Coverage / Floor Area Ratio Existing Proposed
Lot Area 10,350 10,350
Main House 1st
Floor* 2,075 2,720
Main House 2nd
Floor 1,366
Main House – Loft
Garage/Carport – 1st
Floor* 0 616
Garage – 2nd
Floor
Front Porch* 88
Side Porch*
Rear Porch* 192
Shed* 321
Covered Patio Structure* 242
Total Square Footage 2,726 sq ft 4,894sq ft
Lot Coverage* (max 40%) 2,726 sq ft / 26.34% 3,528 sq ft / 34.09%
FAR (max 49% with Bonus) 2,396 sq ft / 23.15% 4,894 sq ft / 47.29%
Bonuses Utilized
+2 – One (1) story garage
+2 – Side or rear street/alley access
 Main Structure
o Height – 32ft 6-inches
o Siding – Combination Corten Western Wave Metal Siding, Vertical Wood Siding, and
Vertical Standing Seam Metal Siding in Charcoal Color
o Roof – Standing Seam Metal, Galvalume Finish
 Garage
o Height – 15ft 4-inches
o Siding – Vertical Standing Seam Metal Siding in Charcoal Color
o Roof - Standing Seam Metal, Galvalume Finish
 Chapter 5 – Buildings and Building Regulation, Article IX. – Demolition
Demolition shall mean any intentional or unintentional act of dismantling, pulling down,
destroying, removing, razing or moving a structure or any structural portion thereof, or
commencing the work of moving or of total or substantial destruction of a structure or portion
thereof. For the purposes of demolition review as described in article IX, demolition is defined
quantitatively as:
(1) Removal or encapsulation of more than twenty-five (25) percent of the framed structure of
exterior walls facing public streets, or a street-facing elevation if the tract of land is
landlocked; or,
(2) Removal or encapsulation of more than fifty (50) percent of the framed structure of all
exterior walls and/or roofs.
Exception: Minor repair and routine maintenance.
Significant structure shall mean any structure or portion thereof that in whole or in part meets one
(1) or more criteria in section 5-134(h), and has been so determined by the city council.
Section 5-134(h): The architectural review board shall consider the following criteria when
determining the significance, as defined in this chapter, of existing structures:

3. (1) Was the structure designed by a noted architect?
(2) Has the structure been listed as having historic significance by any local, regional,
state or historic agency or society?
(3) Does the structure exhibit characteristics of a distinct architectural style?
(4) Does the structure belong to a distinctive set of buildings, such as a single structure
belonging to a row of similar structures?
(5) Is the structure a significant part of the fabric of the community due to its age, unique
architecture, historical significance or physical placement?
Compatibility shall mean harmony with the existing neighborhood, site configurations,
development patterns, and the character of the development envelope found within the adjacent
and immediate block area, as demonstrated in the demolition review application, including roof
pitch, scale, massing, garage and driveway location and setbacks. Adjacent and immediate block
area shall include but not be limited to all properties along:
(1) The specific block where the project is proposed;
(2) The block to each side of the project's block; and
(3) The blocks directly across the street of the three (3) blocks identified above.
Block shall mean a length of street right-of-way along one (1) side of the street from one (1)
intersection to the next adjoining intersection.
Staff found no historical or architectural significance to the existing main structure. The
Architectural Review Board considered the request at their April 19, 2022 meeting and voted as
follows: 1) The motion to declare the existing main structure as not significant and recommend
approval of the demolition as requested was approved unanimously and 2) The motion to
recommend approval of the design as compatible was not approved as follows: AYE (2), NAY
(4).
FISCAL IMPACT
No projected fiscal impact from this project has been calculated.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Web Packet
Attachment B – Response Cards
__________________________
Lety Hernandez
Director
__________________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager

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