HomeMy WebLinkAbout53-HC
DATE: October 19,
2009
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Request for an HC-L (Historic Cultural Landmark Preservation)
Designation
FILE: 53-HC
STAFF REPORT
The Planning Manager recommends denial.
Tom Hinson, the property owner, has applied for an HC-L (Historic
Cultural Landmark Preservation) Designation for the property located
th
at 407 N. 7 Street.
The structure was constructed c. 1906 and is of the Neoclassical style.
The house was originally occupied by Leonidas H. Parish and his wife
Martha. Mr. Parish was the Vice-President of the French Market
Grocery Co.
Through the years the house has been home to a number of
professionals who worked for prominent companies in Beaumont,
including Petroleum Iron Works, Shephard Laundry, Missouri Pacific
Lines and Magnolia Petroleum Company.
The 1989 SPARE Beaumont survey states that the structure is one of
Beaumont=s better examples of the Neoclassical style and is
representative of upper middle-class housing built in Beaumont after
the first Spindletop boom. The 1977 SPARE Beaumont survey
qualifies the structure as being of local historical significance.
The structure is currently vacant and in bad repair. The City of
Beaumont tagged the structure as substandard in June, 2007. In
September, 2008, the Historic Landmark Commission approved a
certificate of appropriateness to allow the demolition of the structure.
Granting the historic designation would give Mr. Hinson two years to
complete the restoration.
Mr. Hinson acquired the property in 2008 with the intention of
restoring it. On August 25, 2008, Mr. Hinson was granted a
Temporary Injunction to prohibit the City of Beaumont from
proceeding with the demolition for 150 days and to allow Mr. Hinson
to bring the structure into compliance with city codes and to obtain a
certificate of occupancy. The 150 days expired on January 25,
2009.
The only building permit that Mr. Hinson has received is an Ike
commercial reroof that was
STAFF REPORT cont.
issued on December 12, 2008. No other permits have been issued.
In the packet that Mr. Hinson submitted, he states that he will reroof
the structure (which has been done); replace and repair all windows;
reinforce the foundation, where necessary; bring the electrical wiring
up to city code; repair/replace plumbing and renovate the interior as
needed.
Due to the fact that Mr. Hinson did not complete the renovation and
did not receive a certificate of occupancy within the time frame
required by the Temporary Injunction, the Planning Manager has
doubts that the structure will be brought up to code. The property
continues to be an eyesore and detriment to the neighborhood.
On September 12, 2009, the Historic Landmark Commission
recommended denial by a vote of 5-2.
Exhibits are attached.