AUSTIN, Texas--The clock is ticking on the future of a dozen East Austin houses District 1 Council Member Ora Houston wants to save.

"We've got to at least save all those that we can," Houston said Friday.

Austin's Historic Landmark Commission has until early December to zone the properties historic, or their demolish permits will be issued by default. All 12 properties are within the boundaries of proposed Historic Districts in East Austin.

The City of Austin brought in Hardy-Heck-Moore, Inc. to assess cultural assets throughout the heart of East Austin, which is generally bounded by I-35 to the west, Boggy Creek and Pleasant Valley Road to the east, Lady Bird Lake to the south and Manor Road to the north.

"The more of the contributing structures that you lose, the harder it is to get that district," Houston said.

Consultants said 1,424 structures contribute to "an eligible historic district." Another 191 buildings are "both individually eligible and contributing to an eligible historic district," consultants said.

MORE | East Austin Historic Survey

One of those homes seeking a demolition permit is owned by Reedy Spigner. He put his home on the market more than a year ago. Spigner said every buyer wants a guarantee they can demolish the house.

"This affects me in a negative way," Spigner said, referring to Houston's indefinite postponement request for his demolition permit. "It's impacting my family; it's impacting my community. Had I sold a year ago--maybe two years ago or three years ago--this wouldn't have been an issue."

"Everybody can bulldoze their house anytime they want," Houston said. "This was just to kind of put a pin in it, so we could see if there was anything else we need to do as a city."

According to Austin City Code, city staff will be required to grant Spigner's demolition permit "75 days after the date of the first Commission meeting at which the application is posted on the agenda."

His case first appeared on last Monday's agenda, which sets the deadline in mid-December. Spigner said Houston is applying laws that are not on the books.

"To be held to these policies is not fair to any property owners within this proposed historic or cultural district," Spigner said.

He's asking commissioners to grandfather his request and reject Houston's indefinite postponement request. Houston said that could create an influx of new demolition permit applications.

"We've got to at least save all those that we can, so we can be able to ensure we get that district," she said.

Houston says she'll do what she can to hold off demolition in those districts until they're created.

All 12 cases return before the Historic Landmark Commission October 24th.