Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Jarrod Branam for Approval of a Historic Marker for the Property Located at 1013 Howell Street
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: October 1, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Rayna Alam, Historic Preservation Planner I
Cassie Bumgarner, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDED HPAB ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of the Historic Marker application for 1013 Howell Street.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The applicant requests approval of a Historic Marker under the HNIZ Program for the property at 1013 W Howell.
• To be eligible for a historic marker under the HNIZ program, residential properties must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the program, provide specific information with the historic marker application.
• Specifically, the applicant must provide the following with an application for a historic marker:
o A written documented history.
o Verification that the building is a minimum of 50 years of age.
o Verification that the residential property is located within the HNIZ boundary.
o Photo documentation of all four elevations using black and white or color photographs and copies of any available historic photographs.
o Legal description of the property with a location map.
o A site plan of the property shall be provided, if available.
o Additional information as deemed necessary by the Director of Planning or their designee.
• Staff has reviewed the request and has found that it meets the minimum eligibility requirements of the HINZ program for a historic marker.
The home is listed as a high priority building in the 2023 Historic Resources Survey. High Priority - Contributes significantly to local history or broader historical patterns; is an outstanding or unique example of architecture, engineering or crafted design; retains a significant portion of its original character and contextual integrity; meets, in some cases, criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic places and/or is eligible for a Texas Historical Marker.
Construction and alterations to the property:
• The Ottenhausen House was constructed in November 1899 in the Folk Victorian Style by James Meredith Wilcox
• The home was built on land originally deeded by J.G. Hedgecoxe to prominent local merchant and civic figure James Meredith Wilcox.
• In the 1950’s, the house was expanded from original Center Hall L Plan
• In 2005, a second floor was added to the rear of the property
• In 2019, an extensive interior remodel was done on the home. A new roof was added and foundation repairs were performed.
History of the home and people associated with the property:
• The initial owner of the home, James Wilcox, had the home built on land that had been deeded to him by J. G. Hedgecoxe.
• James Wilcox was a Civil War veteran and businessman who owned multiple lumber yards in Collin County
• William Roberts Abernathy purchased the home in 1903. He was a lawyer with offices on the southeast corner of Louisiana and Kentucky Streets
• In 1907, the home was purchased by Henry Ottenhausen and stayed in their family for 60 years
• Edward & Joan Hughston purchased the home in 1975.
• Joan Hughston founded the Collin County Heritage Guild and inaugurated the McKinney Holiday Tour of Homes
• In 1983, Michael & Deborah Kilgore bought the house.
• Michael Kilgore worked for Texas Instruments and taught at Collin College
• Deborah Kilgore taught in Richardson and Plano School Districts and was the curator at the Collin County History Museum
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone (HNIZ) Program was established in 2008 for the purpose of preserving the city’s unique and historic neighborhoods while encouraging property owners to maintain and/or rehabilitate residential properties and structures.
• The HNIZ Program includes a three-tiered incentive structure whereby residential properties that meet specified criteria are eligible to receive ad valorem tax exemptions on city taxes for a designated period.
• To be eligible for an HNIZ Program incentive, the following minimum general requirements apply:
o The property shall be located within the HNIZ Program area.
o The property shall be owner-occupied and shall maintain a homestead exemption from the Collin Central Appraisal District for the life of the incentive period.
o Verified, eligible improvements shall have received all necessary permits and approvals, including COAs.
o The structure, accessory structures, grounds, property elements and building elements with their materials and finishes have been maintained in good repair and in operable condition.
o There are no pending code violations.
o The total ad valorem taxes owed to the city must be current and paid on time.
• The historic marker is one of the requirements for the Marker Level incentive of the HNIZ program.
• Under Ordinance #2022-03-036, if the HPAB approves the Marker, the applicant will be responsible for purchasing and displaying the Historic Marker.