Commission approves COA for new house at 909 East Mulkey; denies 1227 Verbena multifamily design without prejudice

The Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission took two housing-related votes on Feb. 9: it approved a certificate of appropriateness for a new one-story residence at 909 East Mulkey Street subject to staff conditions, and it denied without prejudice a proposed three-unit multifamily design at 1227 Verbena Street.

For ACLC26004 (909 East Mulkey Street), staff recommended approval subject to conditions intended to align the design with the Morningside historic district. Required changes include a front porch at least six feet deep with a 2‑step elevation and 8-by-8-inch columns, a traditional-style solid front door, additional single- or paired windows on the front-facing left and right elevations, and submission of a dimensional contextual site plan and driveway/paving details. The applicant told staff in writing they planned to comply; Commissioner Brian Ketchum moved to approve the COA with staff conditions and the motion passed 7-0.

On HCLC26-007 (1227 Verbena Street), staff recommended denial without prejudice after finding the revised design’s elongated massing, complex rooflines, and scale were inconsistent with surrounding one-story properties and the district’s character. Applicant Miguel Vargas said he had revised plans after the prior hearing and explained he aimed to provide three dwelling units and more housing stock. Multiple commissioners and neighbors said the proposed volume and massing remain out of scale with the streetscape. Vice Chair Kelly Gardner moved to deny without prejudice; Commissioner Stephanie Musi seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. Commissioners encouraged Vargas to collaborate with staff on design revisions and to return with plans that better reflect the neighborhood context.

Votes at a glance (formal outcomes recorded at this meeting):
• January minutes — approved, 7-0.
• Resolution 2026-01 (Fort Worth Poetry Society marker) — adopted, 7-0.
• Resolution 2026-02 (Choctaw code talkers marker) — adopted, 7-0.
• HCLC-26-020 (TXU power plant overlay recommendation) — recommended to City Council, 7-0.
• HCLC26013 (Stockyards water-tower sign) — denied with prejudice, 7-0.
• ACLC26004 (909 East Mulkey) — COA approved with staff conditions, 7-0.
• HCLC26-007 (1227 Verbena) — denied without prejudice, 7-0.

What’s next: Applicants denied without prejudice were advised to work with staff to revise designs and resubmit. The COA for 909 East Mulkey moves forward subject to staff oversight and building-permit processes.