HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-9-18 HLC Minutes
* M I N U T E S *
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION
July 9, 2018
City Hall, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas
A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on July 9, 2018 and called
to order at 3:39 p.m. with the following members present:
Chairwoman Paula Blazek
Commissioner Judy Linsley
Commissioner Marie Broussard
Commissioner Lynda Kay Makin
Commissioner Jessie Davis
Commissioner Marty Craig
Commissioner Carol Fernandez
Commission Members absent : Vice-Chairman Commissioner Dohn LaBiche
Commissioner Thomas Sigee
Commissioner Jason Cansler
Commissioner Gretchen Hargroder
Commissioner Janelle Templeton
Councilmembers present: Councilmember Virginia Jordan
Also present: Adina Josey, Senior Planner
Fran Malvo, Recording Secretary
Anna Varela, Code Enforcement Officer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on
June 11, 2018. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0.
REGULAR MEETING
1) CA-2894: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the size of windows.
Applicant: Daniel Escobar Castro
Location: 2124 Evalon Avenue
Mrs. Josey presented the staff report. Daniel Escobar Castro completed a Certificate of
Appropriateness in April of this year for several items including changing the windows to
match existing windows at 2124 Evalon Avenue. Upon inspection, it was discovered the
windows were replaced, but the replacements do not match the original windows. The new
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July 9, 2018
windows are smaller than the original windows. Notices were sent but nothing was resolved
and charges were filed.
On the scheduled court date, the municipal court judge stated that he would reserve his
judgment until the Historic Landmark Commission voted on the new windows.
Staff recommended denial of the windows as they do not match the structure and
unsympathetically change the appearance of the structure.
The house is listed in the 1990 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states that the house was
built c. 1925.The house is listed as an example of middle class housing built to accommodate
the growing population in Beaumont in the 1920’s.
Anna Varela, Historic District Code Enforcement Officer stated that she had pictures of the
dwelling and she distributed them to the Commission.
The applicant was present. Daniel Castro and Richard De La Garza addressed the
Commission. Mr. De La Garza stated that the home was purchased shortly after the
Hurricane and the windows were already broken. He also stated that the original windows
would be installed on the home and he apologized for creating a problem for everyone.
Discussion followed. Commissioner Makin asked when he would change out the windows.
Mr. Castro replied, “Next week and he will also replace the glass.” Mrs. Josey stated that Mr.
Castro submitted his paperwork after the cutoff date for the June Historic Landmark
Commission meeting.
Chairman Blazek stated that the windows need to be the exact same size and look as the
original windows. Mrs. Varela added that Mr. Castro needs to make sure that his permit
indicates that all windows will be changed and that his application coincides with the work
that is being done to his home. Councilmember Jordan asked if aluminum windows are
allowed. Mrs. Josey replied yes, but shiny metal is unacceptable and if he has it, it must be
painted.
Commissioner Craig made a motion to deny the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness
to change the size of the windows as requested for CA-2894 with a non-shiny finish and the
work will begin within the next week. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. Motion to
deny the request carried 7:0. A brief discussion followed.
2) CA-2923: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint brick and add shutters.
Applicant: Jennifer Rocha
Location: 2650 North Street
Mrs. Josey presented the staff report. Jennifer Rocha would like to paint the brick and add
shutters to the windows of her home at 2650 North Street. According to SPARE, the
structure has undergone major alterations, but the structure appears to be original. Currently,
the upstairs is stucco and the first floor is brick.
Staff recommended denial of the request. Although some changes may have been made to
the structure, it was not uncommon for a Prairie style home to have contrasting materials for
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July 9, 2018
the first and second stories (see pages 444-451 of A Field Guide to American Houses). In
addition, shutters were not common in Prairie style housing.
The house is listed in the 1991 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states that the house was
built c. 1925. The house is listed as an example of a 1920's style house that has undergone
major alterations.
Mrs. Josey stated that the downstairs was not painted until after the request was made.
Discussion followed. Mrs. Varela stated that because they painted the brick she issued a stop
work order. Mrs. Varela suggested to the Commission that they table the item for the next
month since Mrs. Rocha was not present and not available to answer any questions.
Discussion followed regarding shutters. Commissioner Makin asked is there a policy that
prohibits work being done before obtaining a CA. Mrs. Josey stated that charges are normally
filed when someone does the work before obtaining a CA. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Makin made a motion to table CA-2923 for the August meeting
Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Motion to table the request carried 7:0.
3) CA-2930: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the house siding profile.
Applicant: Sandra Hernandez
Location: 2245 Laurel
Mrs. Josey presented the staff report. Sandra Hernandez would like to place new siding on
her house at 2245 Laurel Avenue. The house currently has a narrow shiplap siding. The
siding Ms. Hernandez would like to use is a clapboard profile that has a 5.5" reveal unlike the
narrow siding that is original to the house.
Staff recommended approval of the request. Horizontal shiplap closely resembles clapboard
siding, especially from a distance. Although narrow siding was original to the house, it is not
uncommon to find a wider board used. Ms. Hernandez plans to paint the siding with colors
from our pre-approved selection.
The house is listed in the 1990 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states that the house was
built pre-1920. The house is listed as an example of middle class housing built after the first
Spindletop boom. Discussion followed. The applicant, Ms. Hernandez was present and
addressed the Commission. She stated that her mom lives with her and there are possums in
her home. She stated that she received a loan from the Small Business Administration to
repair her home. Discussion followed. Commissioner Fernandez made a motion to approve
the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the house siding profile as
requested for File CA-2930. Commissioner Linsley seconded the motion. Motion to approve
carried 7:0.
4) Historic District Code Enforcement Report
Mrs. Varela addressed the Commission. Chairman Blazek stated there were a few issues that
needed to be addressed. Discussion followed regarding City Council denying the demolition
of 2345 Long Street. Discussion followed regarding the multi-family complex. Mrs. Josey
stated that the owner was aware of the discrepancies of the complex and that he intends to
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address them. Discussion followed regarding Tyrell Park.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:38
P.M.
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