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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-8-15 HLC Minutes * M I N U T E S * HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION June 8, 2015 City Hall, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on June 8, 2015 and called to order at 3:32 p.m. with the following members present: Chairman Paula Blazek Commissioner Norris Turner Commissioner Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Marty Craig Commissioner Ramona Hutchinson Commissioner Jason Cansler Commissioner LinMarie Garsee Commissioner Thomas Sigee Commissioner Marie Broussard Commission Members absent: Commissioner Judy Linsley Commissioner B. Eliot New Councilmembers present: Councilmember Mike Getz Councilmembers absent: Councilmember-at-Large Gethrel Wright Also present: Adina Ward, Planner II; Raymond Rowzee, Planner I; Fran Malvo, Recording Secretary; Anna Varela, Oaks Historic District Code Enforcement Officer APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 13, 2015. Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. REGULAR MEETING 1) CA-2493: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for fabricated stone to be applied to the bottom portion of existing porch posts, in the gable over the front porch and around front 3 windows. Also, to allow a black chain-link fence along the side property lines of the front yard. Location: 1088 Sixth Street Applicant: Juan A. Morales and Ariana Morales Ms. Ward presented the staff report. Juan A. Morales and Ariana Morales are asking to add decorative stone to the exterior of their house located at 1088 N. 6th Street. The house was a FEMA rebuild after Hurricanes Ike & Rita. Craftsman style elements were added to the original house in an attempt to help it blend into the Oaks Historic District. Although stone bases were typical of Craftsman style houses, the stone gable without an entire wall being stone, and stone shutters, were not typical of Craftsman style homes in the area. The Morales' are also asking to surround their front yard with a new fence. The portion of the fence along the front property line would be black wrought iron, with black chain link along the side property lines. The property is not listed in SPARE. Staff recommended approval with the following condition: 1. Stone is applied to the base of the columns only, not to the gable or around the windows. Slides of the subject property were shown. th Applicant, Juan Morales at 1088 N. 6 Street was present and Ms. Ward translated for the applicant. Discussion followed. Chairman Blazek questioned Mr. Morales about applying the stone around the windows and up to the roof line and about hiring a contractor to apply the stone. Mr. Morales replied that he was going to hire a professional contractor. Commissioner LaBiche felt that there was not enough information about the stone to make a decision. There was no elevation of the home to show where the stone was going to be applied; there was no example of the stone to see whether or not the Board would approve it. Ms. Ward suggested waiting until the July meeting to present the stone and a picture. Chairman Blazek questioned Mr. Morales about a chain link fence. Chairman Blazek suggested that the Board would only approve a wrought iron fence on all three sides and not a chain link fence. Chairman Blazek made a motion to table the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for fabricated stone to be applied to the bottom portion of existing porch posts, in the gable over the front porch and around the front three windows as requested in CA-2485 under the condition that the applicant did not provide a drawing with the type of stone and exactly where he wanted the stone. The motion was approved for the fence as long as it is the wrought iron going across the front and sides of the yard and not the black chain link fence. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 8:0. 2) CA-2499: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the replacement of several windows, a new door with side lights, paint and add a crushed rock path. Location: 2595 Rusk Applicant: Anabelia Hernandez Anabelia Hernandez has replaced and/or added several windows to her house at 2595 Rusk Street. The additional windows are not compatible with the scale and character of the property. A double window was replaced with a single and 4 windows were lowered. A proposal has been made to replace the 2 added windows with windows to match the double windows on the front of the house, at the same elevation. Ms. Hernandez would also like to open two windows on the east side of the house toward the rear that have been previously covered with siding. In addition, Ms. Hernandez is asking to replace the existing front door. The new door would have a large rectangular window and sidelights. A typical Cape Cod, if it had sidelights, would have a half glass in the front door and matching glass for the sidelights. Usually these were all multi-paned. Finally, Ms. Hernandez is asking to install a crushed rock path. Staff will review this request once more specific plans are submitted. The property is not listed in SPARE. Staff recommended denial of: 1. The 2 additional windows. 2. Lowering of 4 existing windows. 3. Converting a double window to a single. 4. An oval window in the front door. Ms. Ward presented the staff report. Slides were shown. Ms. Ward stated that the windows should be the same elevation of the other windows. Ms. Ward also stated that the applicant wanted to replace the front door with an oval door and add side lights. Mrs. Hernandez did not have an example of what kind of door she wanted. Discussion followed. Yolanda Tamayo was an interpreter for Mrs. Hernandez. Yolanda stated that the Hernandez’s were trying to get the home repaired so that they can purchase windstorm insurance. Anna Varela stated that she visited the Hernandez’s home because she saw the windows being changed. She stated that she told them that they need to come to City Hall to get permits to have this done. The windows were replaced to aluminum windows due to the termites. Chairman LaBiche stated that windows that are being replaced, must be storm rated. The agents at TWIA (Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency) told the Hernandez’s what needs to be replaced in order to obtain windstorm insurance. Ms. Tamayo also stated that since the previous homeowner sold their home to the Hernandez’s out right and they didn’t go through a title company, the Hernandez’s were not aware of the Old Town Regulations. Commissioner Blazek made a motion to deny the palladium style window on the left side of the home and the large window on the very back of the house. Chairman Blazek stated for the palladium style window, the Hernandez’s have the option to replace with one or two windows, but the size needs to be consistent (6/6 30x60). The back window can be replaced with one or two windows (30x60) single or double window but not 12/8. Commissioners will approve if the existing windows are lowered. Commissioners disapproved of converting the double window to a single window, it needed to be replaced with a double window and Commissioners also denied an oval window on the front door, it does not match the style of the home, it needs to be a rectangular window. Commissioner LaBiche stated to the applicant that the windows have to be identical on all sides of the house. Commissioner LaBiche seconded the motion. Motion to deny carried 9:0. 3) CA-2500: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint the trim of a house. Location: 2120 Liberty Applicant: Orlando Morris Orlando Morris is renting the property at 2120 Liberty. The property owner is deceased, but staff has been in contact with his daughter, Cathy Hadnot. Mr. Morris painted the trim of the house without an approved certificate of appropriateness. Ms. Hadnot stated that as long as the paint receives approval from the Commissioners, she is fine with the color choice. The house is now white with red trim. Staff does not find white with red trim to be typical of Craftsman style homes from the 1930's, here in Beaumont. Craftsman colors are more muted and earthy. The house is listed in the 1989 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states that the house was built c. 1930. The house is listed as a good example of a local adaptation of the Craftsman style. Staff recommended denial of the request. Slides were shown. Applicant was not present. Commissioner Sigee suggested that the applicant choose colors from a color palette from Sherwin Williams to tone down the colors. Discussion followed. Anna Varela stated that she issued a stop work order on the dwelling so that the applicants could submit an application to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Neither the owner nor the tenants came in to apply so Mrs. Varela stated that she filed charges on the owner and the tenant. Mrs. Varela also stated that the owner cooperated with her so that they could get the tenant to cooperate was well. Mrs. Varela stated, pending the outcome of the case, she will take the case to the judge to let him know what is going on. Mrs. Varela stated that she gave the tenant the option because he wanted to do it himself and he was given the option to paint the house to the original color of white and he disagreed with that color. Mrs. Varela advised the tenant that he would have to obtain approval from the Historic Landmark Commission Board and she stated the tenant accepted those terms. Ms. Ward suggested to the Board to let the applicant know that he should use the historic color palette from Sherwin Williams to choose from. Chairman Craig made a motion to deny the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint the trim of a house as requested in CA-2500. Chairman Craig stated that the applicant is to choose an appropriate color from an approved color palette. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. Motion to deny carried 9:0. 4) CA-2508: Request for a Certificate of demolition to demolish an existing house, and a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new house. th Location: 2240 South 4 Street Applicant: URS Corporation for SETRPC Planning staff recommends approval of both requests, subject to the following conditions: 1. The structure shall be elevated on pier and beam foundation. 2. Parking and ADA access ramp shall be at the rear of the property. 3. Roof overhang minimum shall be 12”. 4. Columns shall be constructed to resemble the Craftsman style. 5. Paint colors shall be selected from the pre-approved selection. 6. Windows should be six over one in appearance. URS Corporation for the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission has requested a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the demolition of an existing house and the construction of a new house. The property is located at 2240 South Street. The demolition and new construction is being done under the Ike Disaster Recovery Program. The new house will be of the Craftsman style. The approximately 1,333 sq. ft. house will consist of two bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, living/dining room and a laundry room. The construction methods employed would dictate that the house be constructed on a pier and beam foundation, wood framing, horizontal lap cement fiber siding and 30 year architectural roofing shingles. Windows will have white vinyl frames, and will be of a six over one appearance. The roof will have a 6/12 pitch and a front gable. The gabled front covered porch will have tapered columns. Paint and roof colors will be selected by the homeowner from the pre-approved pallet available in the Planning office. FEMA’s engineering consultant estimates that it would cost $164,513.10 to totally rehabilitate the house which would put complete renovation beyond the capabilities of this program. The house is listed in the 1990 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states that the house was built c.1925. The house was listed as a fine example of a middle class housing built in the 1920's in Beaumont. Ms. Ward presented the staff report. Slides were shown. Ms. Ward stated that the Commission would have to vote on two separate issues. A request for a Certificate of Demolition to demolish an existing house and a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new house. Commissioner Broussard questioned if someone was occupying the dwelling. Ms. Ward replied that she was unsure but said the applicant was present in the audience. Chairman Blazek questioned the applicant on whether or not he had been able to live in the dwelling since Hurricane Ike. The applicant replied yes, but also added that the trees were there because he was instructed (by URS) not to do anything to the house. Discussion followed between the applicant and the Commissioners. The applicant’s spouse, Valencia Anderson also addressed the Commissioners. Mrs. Anderson stated that the house in inhabitable but they will continue to leave there until home URS is ready to demolish their home. Councilman Getz addressed the applicant’s spouse and questioned how the Hurricane Ike program operates. Adrienne Vaughn Campbell of URS addressed the Commission and the Councilman. Chairman Blazek made a motion to approve a request for a Certificate of Demolition to demolish a house as requested in CA-2508. Commissioner LaBiche seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. Commissioner LaBiche made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new house as requested in CA-2508 subject to the following conditions: 1. The structure shall be elevated on pier and beam foundation. 2. Parking and ADA access ramp shall be at the rear of the property. 3. Roof overhang minimum shall be 12”. 4. Columns shall be constructed to resemble the Craftsman style. 5. Paint colors shall be selected from the pre-approved selection. 6. Windows should be six over one in appearance. Commissioner LaBiche also stated that the satellite dish also needs to be removed. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Ms. Varela distributed the report. Commissioner LaBiche asked for an in-depth listing of the violation codes for the homes in the historic district. Ms. Varela provided the listing. OTHER BUSINESS None. THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:23 P.M.