Commission approves carport at 1700 Reynolds but requires removal of artificial turf

The El Paso Historic Landmark Commission on a unanimous voice vote approved a certificate of appropriateness for construction of a carport at 1700 Reynolds Street, but conditioned the permit on removing existing artificial turf from the front yard and replacing it with living ground cover that complies with the district guidelines.

Staff told the commission the property is a contributing building in the Austin Terrace Historic District and that prior exterior changes (solar panels, a rear addition) have been approved. At the hearing, Historic Preservation Office staff warned the commission that the front-yard artificial turf had not been approved and constitutes a site violation that must be corrected before a permit for the carport is issued. “The design guidelines … recommend that additions be located on rear elevations and that front yards maintain living ground cover,” staff said, recommending approval of the carport with the modification that turf be removed and replaced with appropriate plantings.

George Murio, representing the owner at the hearing, said the carport location was acceptable and that he would inform the owner of the requirement to remove the turf. Staff and commissioners clarified that the 50% living-ground-cover guideline applies to front yards in the district and that turf, being nonliving, does not count toward that requirement; applicants may submit hand-drawn planting plans and receive credit for the mature size of plantings when calculating coverage.

A motion to accept staff’s recommendation — that the artificial turf be removed and replaced with living ground cover and that no permits be issued until the front yard is brought into compliance — was seconded and passed. The commission did not specify an alternative compliance deadline beyond the permit restriction. The commission noted that permit issuance will follow verification that the front yard meets the guideline standards.

The owner’s representative was advised to coordinate with the Historic Preservation Office about an acceptable planting plan and submittal requirements. The commission moved on to the next agenda item after the vote.