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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-11-02 HLC Minutes*MINUTES* HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION February 11, 2002 City Council Chambers - 3:30 p.m. The February 11, 2002 Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Marie Broussard. Commission members present: Commission members absent: Councilmembers present: Acting Chairman Marie Broussard Commissioner Leonie Bodin Commissioner Eric Belt Commissioner Denise Shelton Commissioner Felix McFarland Commissioner Philip Long Commissioner Shaheen Farah Commissioner Julia Levy Chairman Tracy Richardson Commissioner Ralph Jordan Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Dale Hallmark Councilmember Andrew P. Cokinos Councilmember Lulu Smith Staff present: Steve Richardson, Planning Manager; Nancy Nicholas, Recording Secretary; Adina Abshire, Planning Technician. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairman Richardson asked for approval of the minutes of the January 14, 2002 meeting. Commissioner Farah made a motion to approve the minutes and was seconded by Commissioner Shelton. The motion carried 8:0. PUBLIC HEARING 99-TE-13: Request for a modification to the tax exemption for Crockett Street Urban Entertainment District. Location: 232-298 Crockett Planning Manager Steve Richardson presented the staff report. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2002 This tax exemption will only apply to the properties being renovated in Block 15. These properties are included in the National Register Beaumont Commercial Historic District and have been identified in the 1977 SPARE survey as contributing structures to the Downtown District. Crockett Street Development, Ltd. received apartial historical tax exemption far 232-275 Crockett Street and 373-375 Pearl in 1999. They are now requesting that the City of Beaumont reconsider and grant a tax exemption as allowed under Article IV, Sections 25-57 - 25-62 of the Code of Ordinances. Such approval would allow a historical tax exemption for a term often years and would hold the existing taxable value of the structures at their present value. At the time of the original request, the properties were appraised at $184,760. The Crockett Street Development, Ltd. is renovating these five buildings for use as an "entertainment center" consisting of various restaurants and entertainment venues. The buildings are being renovated in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Over $3 million is being spent to renovate the buildings. The opening of the complex will occur later this year. Discussion followed concerning the modification of the tax exemption. Commissioner Farah questioned the partial abatement approved in 1999. He was concerned about the effect a full abatement would make on the repayment of infrastructure costs as discussed in 1999. Acting Chairman Broussard opened the public hearing. Christina Delgaldilo addressed the Commission. She stated that because of a misunderstanding between the Crockett Street Developers and the City of Beaumont regarding the tax liability, a modification to the previous historical tax exemption was requested. Mr. Richardson stated that a re-evaluation of the City Ordinance determined that once the restored buildings are certified by the Historic Landmark Commission they shall have the assessed value for ad valorem taxation equal to the assessed value prior to preservation for a period of ten years. Discussion followed regarding the amount of taxes, repayment of all loans, income from the project, and the infrastructure reimbursement. Stephen Bonczek, City Manager, addressed the Commission. He confirmed the reasons stated by Mr. Richardson, as the reason for modifying the tax exemption request. With no further discussion, the public hearing was closed. Acting Chairman Broussard asked for a motion. Commissioner Long made a motion to approve the modification to 99-TE-13 as requested. Commissioner Belt seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0:1 (Farah). HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2002 REGULAR MEETING 1. CA-672: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a 6' chain link fence in the front yard. Location: 1801 North Applicant: Robbie Rogers Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. Staff cited the owner, Robbie Rogers, that the 6 foot chain link fence that he was constructing in the front yard was illegal without a certificate of appropriateness. On January 4, 2002, he made an application for the fence. The subject property is formerly a commercial building now used as a residence. Mr. Rogers states that his job takes him out of town for months at a time. Several times he has returned home to find that his residence has been broken into and things are found missing. He says that unwanted people are staying on his property. He feels that the fence would provide much needed protection of his property. The structure is a metallic building. Mr. Richardson also stated that he feels the fence will not distract from the property in the historical district and recommended approval of the request. Slides were presented of the subject property. Mr. Richardson stated that the applicant was not present. Commissioner Shelton asked why the fence was only wanted in the front yard. If so, the partial fence would not serve as a security purpose. Commissioner Long stated that he agreed and a chain link fence does not protect anything, With no further discussion, Acting Chairman Broussard asked for a motion. Commissioner Belt made a motion to deny CA-672. Commissioner Shelton seconded the motion and the motion carried 8:0. 2. Historic Preservation Loan Report Mr. Richardson reported that $64,522.09 was available. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2002 3. Director's Report Mr. Richardson stated that a meeting was attended by several of the Commission members and were very impressed with the Habitat for Humanity warehouse. A draft agreement is being prepared by Commissioner Ralph Jordan that will be presented to the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. This agreement will address procedures that will allow the organization to obtain materials from houses being demolished. Lane Nichols, City Attorney, is researching legal issues. Mr. Richardson stated that the Commission will not be directly involved in this project, but act as a catalyst to make sure the warehouse happens. ADJOURN There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.