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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-12-01 HLC Minutesf HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION March 12, 2001 City Council Chambers - 3:30 p.m. The March 12, 2001, Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Tracy Richardson Commission members present: Commission members absent: Councilmembers present: Councilmembers absent: Vice Chairman Dale Hallmark Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Leonie Bodin Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Eric Belt Commissioner Ralph Jordan Commissioner Julia Levy Commissioner Denise Shelton Commissioner Philip Long Commissioner Shaheen Farah Councilmember Andrew Cokinos Councilmember Lulu Smith Staff present: Nancy Nicholas, Recording Secretary; Adina Abshire, Planning Technician. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairman Tracy Richardson asked for approval of the minutes of the February 12, 2001 meeting. Commissioner Hallmark moved for approval and Commissioner Belt seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2001 meeting. Motion was approved 7:0. PUBLIC HEARING 1. 41-HC;Request for approval for an HC-L, (Historic -Cultural Land Preservation Designation. Location: 325 7th Street Applicant: City of Beaumont Historic Landmark Commission Adina Abshire, Planning Technician, presented the staff report. 1n February 2001, the City of Beaumont Historic Landmark Commission asked the Planning Manager to initiate the process for historic designation on 325 N. 7th Street. The main house is the only structure on the property. Historic Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2001 The house was evaluated using the City of Beaumont's criteria for a historical -cultural designation. Slides were shown of the subject property. Discussion followed concerning the deterioration of the house and the feasibility of Mr. Verrett acquiring a historic loan. Commissioner Hallmark noted that the structure was in violation of the Zoning Ordinance because the chimney was not properly vented. Mr. Richard Venvlt, owner, was not present to answer questions. Chairman Richardson opened the public hearing and asked for comments from the audience. There being no one to speak for or in opposition, Chairman Richardson closed the public hearing. With no further discussion, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to approve Pile #41-HC as requested and Commissioner Hallmark seconded the motion. The motion to approve an HC-L designation for 325 7th Street was approved 7:0. REGULAR MEETING 1. CA-542: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to raise slope on roof of carriage house to veranda height. Location: 1822 Broadway Applicant: George Bullington Mrs. Abshire presented the staff report. The Planning Manager recommended denial of this request. However, the property owners may wish to modify the slope so that it is not as steep as the existing roofs, but still sloped. The applicant wishes to eliminate the slope on the shed roof at each end of the existing carriage house. The applicant feels that raising the sloping roofs to veranda height will better complement the main structure with its veranda style porch roof. The Zoning Ordinance stated that flat roof designs are not permitted on main or accessory buildings or structures, except that a covered porch or Porte cocheres may have a flat roof that is typical of the style and period of the main building. Slides of the subject property were shown. Mr. George Bullinglon, 1822 Broadway, addressed the Commission. Discussion centered around the reasons for changing the slope to allow a landing over the Porte cochere. Chairman Richardson asked for a motion on CA-542. Commissioner Hallmark made a motion with the following stipulations: approve the request to raise the roof slope on the west end of the carriage house; deny the request to raise the roof slope on the east end of the carriage house; approve a request creating a veranda with a railing on the west end to accommodatc an entrance to the upper room; approve a request to move the stairs to the upper room, so that they approach the veranda. Commissioner Jordan seconded the motion. The motion to approve CA-542 with conditions carried 7:0. 2 Historic Landmark Commission Meeling Minutes Much 12, 2001 CA-554: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint a house Location: 2120 Ashley Applicant: Statewide Consolidated Company, Rosetta Jones, Executive Director Mrs. Abshire presented the staff report. The Planning Manager recommended denial of this request. The applicant painted the house at 2120 Ashley without a Certificate of Appropriateness. The structure is painted peach with dark green trim. The structure is not listed in SPARE. Slides were presented of the subject property. Ms. Abshire stated that Ms. Rosetta Jones was in the audience to answer questions. Chairman Richardson asked Ms. Jones to address the Commission. Ms. Jones summarized the purpose of her business is rehabilitating low rent housing using federal dollars. She stated that a permit was obtained for the rehabilitation of the structure in question on October 4, 1999. The property was then assessed by the Housing Division of the City of Beaumont to determine the necessary repairs and a cost estimate developed before the structure could be rehabilitated. When the permit was obtained from the Code Enforcement Division, there was no disclosure of the fact that a Certificate of Appropriateness was needed for the approval of a paint color. Ms. Jones f ether stated that a violation notification from the Planning Department was sent to Statewide Consolidation on January 8, 2001. She wanted to know why, after the fact, was she being approached regarding the violation. Ms. Jones said she had spoken with Ms. Cheryl Robinson, Senior Planner, regarding the issue. Ms. Robinson stated that efforts were being made to improve communication between the departments regarding the Historic District regulations. Ms. Jones reiterated that a permit for the rehabilitation was obtained without any information being given regarding guidelines for the Historic District. Ms. Jones summarized that the subject property was rehabilitated by the book and was approved by the Code Enforcement and Housing Divisions before any reimbursement was obtained. In conclusion, during the entire process, she stated she was never informed of the Historic District regulations and guidelines. Commissioner Broussard asked Ms. Jones when the unit was painted. She replied that the unit was painted shortly after the permit was obtained. Chairman Richardson asked the name of the person she talked with in the Code Enforcement Division and who issued the permit. She stated that the report was computed generated. He also wanted to know the location of other units with the color combination of peach with green trim. Commissioner Hallmark asked Ms. Jones if she knew the subject property was located in the Historic District. She stated that she was not aware of the fact. Commissioner Hallmark asked whom she purchased the property from. She replied that the property was acquired from the Beaumont Housing Authority via sealed bid. Commissioner Hallmark asked Ms. Jones if the Beaumont Housing Authority mentioned any thing about the property being in the Historic District. She responded they did not. 1 Ms. Jones stated that she did not blatantly violate any rules and that, at this time, she did not have the manpower or funds available to repaint the house. Historic landmark Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2001 Chairman Richardson asked Ms. Abshire if any complaints had been received regarding the paint color. She replied there had been none. Chairman Richardson stated that he would like CA-554 tabled until the next meeting. He also stated that he would like an investigation as to who issued the building permits, who was the city housing liaison, why Ms. Jones was not informed about the overlays, and who was the Beaumont Housing Authority liaison. With no further questions or comments, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Belt made a motion to table CA-554 until the next meeting and Commissioner Holmes seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. Chairman Richardson asked Ms. Jones to bring any receipts, letters, names of contractors, etc. to the next meeting. 3. CA-559: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to pour concrete, creating parking for three vehicles in the front yard. Location: 2234 Liberty Applicant: Eleazor Torres Mrs. Abshire presented the staff report. The Planning Manager recommended denial of this request. Since the inception of the Oak Historic District, it has been the policy of the City to discourage parking in the fi•ont yard. The applicant wishes to pave an area approximately 25' wide to park three (3) vehicles in the front yard at 2234 Liberty. No street parking is allowed on Liberty. The house originally shared a driveway with its neighbor. When the applicant bought the house, the neighbor paved her hall' of the drive and put up a fence on the property line. The applicant has stated that the remaining area is too narrow for driving a vehicle to the parking area at the rear of the property. When photos were taken, cars were parked in the carport at the rear of the property. The Zoning Ordinance says that parking in front or side yard is not permitted on grassed areas. Vehicles may be parked only on paved surfaces. Grasses areas may not be paved or otherwise destroyed without a certificate of appropriateness. Due to the difficulty in parking along Liberty, circular drives have been approved when space would allow. This structure is listed in SPARE. Slides wcre presented of the subject properly. Ms. Abshire slated that Mr. Eleazor Torres was in the audience to answer questions. Chairman Richardson asked Mr. Tones to address the Commission. Mr. Torres stated that because the fence in on the property line, the driveway is not wide enough to accommodate his vehicles. He would like to pave an area in the front yard for extra parking. Discussion centered around the five vehicles that Mr. Torres is currently parking in the driveway and in the back of the house. Several options were discussed regarding placement of another driveway. With no further discussion, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to deny CA-559 as requested, Commissioner Hallmark second the motion. The motion to deny CA-559 was approved 7:0. Hisloric Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2001 4. CA-560: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace existing carpet with green indoor/outdoor carpet. Location: 2325 South Applicant: Farnest Taylor Ms. Abshire presented the staff report. The Planning Manager recommends denial of this request. The property owner has replaced the existing carpet on the front porch with green indoor/outdoor carpet. The carpet is also on the steps. The Zoning Ordinance states that carpeting is not permitted as a front porch floor or step covering. The house is not listed in SPARE. Slides were presented of the subject property. Ms. Abshire stated that Mr. Taylor has painted the columns on the porch as requested previously. Chairman Richardson asked Mr. Taylor to address the Commission: Mr. Taylor stated that he had removed the old gray carpet on the porch and replaced it with an outdoor carpet. He requested a waiver be granted to allow the new carpet to remain. Commissioner Jordan asked what kind of wood was used on the base of the porch. Mr. Taylor stated that parts of the porch had been replaced with plywood. Options to eventually replace the porch with approved materials for compliance and uniformity were discussed. In addition, Mr. Taylor said the front flower beds and walkway will be landscaped. Discussion followed concerning the awareness of the Historic District guidelines. Mr. Taylor replied that he was not aware of the Historic District when he purchased the house. Commissioner Jordan stated that a copy of the historic district guidelines had been delivered to each house He also invited Mr. Taylor to the Old Town Neighborhood Association meeting. With no further discussion, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Brossard made a motion to approve CA-560 with the stipulation that the green carpet may remain on the front porch, but not on the steps. The Commission also asked that at a future date, the porch be brought into compliance with the zoning ordinance. Commissioner Holmes seconded the motion. The motion to approve CA-560 carried 7:0. 5. Revolving Loan Fund A total of approximately $66,000 is available. 6. Director's Report No report Historio Landmark Commission Meeting M inutes March 12, 2001 Ms. Abshire asked for a volunteer from the Historic Commission for the brochure committee. Chairman Richardson stated that he recommended Commissioner Shelton and will speak with her regarding the position. Chairman Richardson also requested that someone from the Old Town Neighborhood Association be asked to serve on the committee. Commissioner Broussard asked that a structure on Park Street with a historic overlay be investigated. The reason being that funding from the City of Beaumont and the Beaumont Heritage Society was provided for restoration. Several complaints have been received regarding the disrepair of the structure. Chairman Richardson asked that a workshop be scheduled for the next meeting to discuss the property on Ashley Street. ADJOURN With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 6