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HomeMy WebLinkAbout54-HC DATE: February 15, 2010 TO: Planning Commission and City Council FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager SUBJECT: Request for an HC-L (Historic Cultural-Landmark Preservation Designation) FILE: 54-HC NOTE: On February 8, 2010, the Historic Landmark Commission approved 54-HC by a vote of 10-0. STAFF REPORT Administration recommends denial. John Leggett has applied for an HC-L (Historic Cultural-Landmark Preservation Designation) for the structure located at 480 Magazine Street. Mr. Leggett states that the single family residence was originally two houses built in Port Arthur, Texas dating back to the Civil War era. These houses were later moved to the current location in Beaumont and combined to make one house between 1889 and1894. According to research based on the Sanborn-Perris Map, the house is shown to have been at 480 Magazine Street since 1894. This property is part of the original town site of Beaumont. Mr. Leggett states that the house contains architectural characteristics typical of a working class home during the Victorian Age. The house is built with cypress sills, floor joists, exterior siding, molding and trim. The flooring is East Texas Curly Pine. The house contains 12 foot ceilings and a hand-carved stair case. The 6 2 foot tall cypress weighted windows are two over two glass pane. The front door is hand carved with an oval, beveled glass window. There are what appears to be possible hidden entrance doors in the floor and pantry ceiling that could be connected to the Civil War era in Port Arthur. The hardware, circa 1850, includes door knobs, hinges, plumbing fixtures and molding. Other original structures on the property included two carriage houses, one of which is still standing. The other carriage house, which is no longer in existence, contained two stalls for carriages and a tack room. In addition to the many historical features of the house itself, the house is located near many historic sites in Beaumont. Approximately one block away from the house sits the historical Westminister Presbyterian Church; one of the earliest gathering places for church services STAFF REPORT continued in Beaumont. Also nearby is the Fire Museum which is the site where the first fire department hook and ladder company started. Additionally, the house sits approximately 3 blocks from Tevis Bluff, home to Noah Tevis, the first legal land owner in Beaumont. Due to its location near the river, the house served as a boarding house for workers in the shipyard. Mr. Leggett states that the house has historical value because of its existence during the Civil War era in Port Arthur and because it was a part of Beaumont during the City=s earliest days. According to the demolition office, the house was tagged on October 22, 2008. On June 2, 2009, the house was on the City Council agenda when a raze or repair order was issued. On June 9, 2009, a new work repair program was agreed upon, allowing an additional 150 days to repair the house. During that time, a partial roof was installed. On November 13, 2009, final notice before demolition was sent to Mr. Leggett for not complying with City Council=s order or the work program. On that same date, a disconnect order was issued for utilities. On January 19, 2010, the City received a letter from Kelly Little with the Texas Historical Commission stating that she had determined that the house had historical value. A temporary restraining order has been granted to allow time for the City to consider an HC-L designation. The recommendation for denial is due to failure to follow City Council=s order to make substantial repairs within the allotted 150 days. Exhibits are attached. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 19 . Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition . LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Being Lots 5 and 6, Block 9, Kirby Addition, City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, containing 0.32 acres, more or less.