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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-8-07 HLC MinutesMINUTES REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION October 8, 2007 City Council Chambers A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on October 8, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. with the following members present: Commission members present: Chairman Bill Yoes Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Ralph Jordan Commissioner Dale Hallmark Commissioner Tracy Richardson Commissioner Ware Petznick Commissioner Norris Turner Commissioner Paula Blazek Commissioner James Mehaffy Commissioner Darlene Chodzinski Cormmission members absent: Commissioner Philip Long Councilmembers absent: Councilmember-At-Large Gethrel Wright Councilmember Alan Coleman Also present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Manager; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Adina Ward, Planner; Pam Loiacano, Demolition Field Supervisor; Anna Varela, Oaks Historic District Code Enforcement Officer APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Commissioner Petznick made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2007 Regular Meeting. Commissioner Broussard seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. REGULAR MEETING 1) CA-1304: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the demolition of a house. Location: 2630 Gladys Applicant: City of Beaumont Historic Landmark Commission Oclober &, 2007 Mr. Richardson presented the staff report and stated that this request had been tabled from the September meeting. Mrs. Loiacano tagged the house as substandard in August, 2006. The house was damaged during Hurricane Rita. At the September meeting, Commissioner Jordan stated that he would by to contact Mr. Williams, the property owner. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request. Slides of the subject property were shown. Mrs. Loiacano addressed the Commission and distributed additional photos. She has not been able to get in touch with the property owner. Commissioner Jordan said that he spoke with the property owner and that the house was not for sale and he was currently in litigation with his insurance company. Discussion followed between Mrs. Loiacano and the Commission and she explained the condemnation process. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the demolition of a house at 2630 Gladys as requested in CA-1304. Commissioner Mehaffy seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 2) CA-1388: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow an owner identification sign. Location: 2330 North Applicant: Thom Campbell-Amons, BISD Taylor Career Center Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The proposed sign will include a marquee board with changeable letters. The sign will be 56 sq. ft. in area and a height of 12'. The Board of Adjustment was to have considered variances to the sign's height and area on October 4 but they did not meet due to a lack of a quorum. The Board will hear the request on November 1. Mr. Richardson recommend approval subject to getting approval of the variances from the Board of Adjustment. Slides of the subject property were shown. Discussion followed between the Commission and Mr. Richardson. Chairman Yoes asked for the applicant's comments. 4 Historic Landmark Commission October 8, 2007 Thom Campbell-Amons, Principal of Taylor Career Center, addressed the Commission and answered questions. He stated that American Valve and Hydrant is a business partner of the Career Center and is sponsoring the sign. Comments from the Commission followed. Chairman Yoes asked if there was a motion to approve the request. No motion was made. Chairman Yoes stated that the request was denied. A motion to deny was requested by staff. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to deny a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow an owner identification sign at 2330 North as requested in CA-1388. Commissioner Hallmark seconded the motion. Commissioner Broussard stated that a negative motion could not be made and that the request was denied for lack of a motion. No formal action was taken on CA-1388. 3) CA-1394: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow a chain link fence in a front yard. Location: 2548 Rusk Applicant: Martiniana Rico Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The applicant, Martiniana Rico, would like to construct a 5' tall chain link fence in the front yard. She states that she has small children and dogs and the fence will keep them from going into the street. The Zoning Ordinance states that a fence in the front or corner side yard must be constructed of wrought iron, wood or brick. The Ordinance states that a fence not in compliance with the regulations may be approved if the applicant establishes that the fence is historically sensitive or unless the absence of said fence poses a significant hazard to life or property. Mr. Richardson recommended denial of the request. Slides of the subject property were shown. Discussion and comments followed from the Commission. Chairman Yoes asked if there was a motion to approve the request. No motion was made. Chairman Yoes stated that the request was denied. No formal action was taken on CA-1394. Historic Landmark Commission Qclober S, 2007 4) HCD-1.34: Request for approval of a historic preservation loan. Location: 2629 North Applicant: Jessie Haynes Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. This item is a request for an historic preservation loan in the amount of $50,000 for repairs to be done to the house at 2629 North. Repairs to be done to the house will include the installation of hardie plank siding and double -hung windows, roof replacement and the addition of overhang extensions and gutters. For a Ioan amount of $50,000, the payout period will be 5 years with a monthly payment of $833.33. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the loan request. Slides of the subject property were shown. Jessie Haynes, the applicant, addressed the Commission. Discussion followed between the Commission, staff and the applicant. Commissioner Petznick made a motion to approve a historic preservation loan for the property at 2629 North as requested in HCD-1.34. Commissioner Richardson seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 5) Historic Preservation Loan Report Mr. Richardson stated that the current balance is $125,197.65. 6) Director's Report Mr. Richardson introduced Anna Varcla, Code Enforcement Officer for the Oaks Historic District. OTHER BUSINESS Discussion - South Park High School A workshop was suggested by the Commission to discuss the issue. Invitees would include someone from BISD, the Bond Committee and from the Alumni Association. The meeting was tentatively scheduled for October 29, 2007 at the school. 4 Historic Landmark Commission October S, 2007 • Training Session Mr. Richardson conducted a training session for the Commission. I Historic Landmark Commission Makeup A. 12 members appointed by City Council 1. One member shall be from the Planning Commission 2. One member shall be a licensed architect 3. One member shall be a licensed attorney 4. One member shall be a professional historian 5. One member shall be a member of the Beaumont Heritage Society 6. One member shall be a member of the Jefferson County Historical Commission 7. Six members shall be appointed from the community at large. B. City Council appoints a Chairman and Vice -Chairman of the Commission II) Members shall serve 2 year terms II) The Historic Landmark Commission operates under rules as specified by Sec. 30-39 of the Zoning Ordinance and the Commission's Rules of Policy and Procedure. IV) Seven members shall constitute a quorum. V) Attendance is very important. Any appointed member who fails to attend three regular meetings in succession without notifying the chairman in advance or who does not attend at least 60 percent of the regularly scheduled meetings in a 12 month period will be considered automatically resigned from the Commission. VI) Functions of the Historic Landmark Commission A. Thoroughly familiarize itself with buildings, structures, sites, districts, areas, places and lands within the citywhich may be eligible for designation as Historic -Cultural Landmarks. Wi Historic Landmark Commission October 8, 2007 B. Establish criteria and make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council for determining whether certain buildings, structures, sites, districts, areas, places and lands should be designated as Historic -Cultural Landmark Designations. C. Establish guidelines for review, approval or denial of all requests for Certificates of Appropriateness and Certificates of Demolition for buildings, structures and sites with a local historic designation or within an historic district. D. Formulate plans and programs for public and private action for encouraging and promoting the preservation of historical -cultural landmarks. E. Suggest sources of funds for preservation and restoration activities and acquisitions. F. Provide information and counseling to owners of historical -cultural landmarks. V11. Most common duties of the Historic Landmark Commission 1. Review Certificates of Appropriateness a. Exterior work only b. Staff can approve repairs with like materials and pre -approved paint colors C. Decisions of the Commission can be appealed to City Council d. Demolitions e. Moving buildings in or out of an historic district 2. Review requests for individual local historic designations and historic districts and make recommendations on these designations to the Planning Commission and City Council 3. Review requests for historic preservation loans and make recommendations to City Council a. Interest free b. Maximum pay -out of 10 years C. Formula used to determine payout period d. Used for exterior renovations only e. Federal money so must coordinate with the THC 4. Review requests for City tax abatements a. For properties that have an individual historic designation or within an historic district and need the extra help to get the building renovated C Historic Landmark Commission October 8, 2007 b. For city taxes only for a period of ten years C. Taxes are frozen at the pre -renovation tax rate d. Must be applied for prior to work starting C. Plans are submitted Historic Commission makes an inspection f. Commission votes on the abatement and recommendation goes to City Council g. Once City Council approves, work commences h. Once work is complete, the property owner notifies the Commission for a final inspection and the Commission takes action i. The Planning Manager notifies the Appraisal District VII. Historic Designations A. Two types of historic designations designated by the City 1. Individual properties 2. Historic Districts B. Ten criteria for use in determining eligibility of an individual property C. Oaks Historic District 1. One of largest in state 2. First phase was created in 1993 a. North of Calder from I" to east of 11 " and north of Calder to Beech 3. Second phase was created in 1996 a. South of Calder from lst to east of 4"' and west of 4" to east of 1 I" and from south of Calder to Smart VIII. SPARE Beaumont A. Done over four years B. Surveys were done in 1979, 1989, 1990 and 1991 C. Mostly covers downtown and Old Town D. Never quite sure of criteria other than possible age of buildings at the time of the survey. For areas done, never complete inventory E. THC strongly recommends updating SPARE IX. Certified Local Government (CLG) A. City designated CLG back in the 80's. 7 Historic Landmark Commission Oclober 8, 2007 B. Provides grants each year to member cities C. Local government must provide at least 40% of money THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:30 P.M. 8