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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-14-03 HLC MinutesMINUTES REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION July 14, 2003 City Council Chambers A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on July 14, 2003 with the following members present: Commission members present: Chairman Tracy Richardson Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner June Brailsford Commissioner Bill Yoes Commissioner Ralph Jordan Commissioner Shaheen Farah Commissioner Felix McFarland Commissioner Leonie Bodin Commissioner Philip Long Commissioner Pollie Dean Commission members absent: Commissioner Julia Levy Commissioner Dale Hallmark Councilmembers present: Councilmember Lulu Smith Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos Also present: Steve Richardson, Planning Manager; Adina Abshire, Planner; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Pam Loiacano, Clean Community Department APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Commissioner Yoes made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2003 Regular Meeting. Commissioner McFarland seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. PUBLIC HEARING 1) File 45-HC: Request for an HC-L (Historic Cultural -Landmark Preservation) Designation. Location: 1325 Gladys Applicant: Patricia A. Willard Planning Commission July 14, 2003 Mr. Richardson stated that the requested HC-L Designation is for the Elmo R. Willard homestead located at 1325 Gladys. Built in 1927, it was the first two story brick home built and owned by an African American family in Beaumont. Mr. Willard and his son, Elmo Willard, Jr., were businessmen and landowners, The family owned and operated a funeral home and also owned a number of properties in the downtown area as well as in other parts of the city. Elmo R. Willard, III was born in the home. He was a prominent lawyer in Beaumont for 37 years. Mr. Willard and his law partner worked hard to desegregate public facilities in Beaumont. To recognize Mr. Willard's efforts in the struggle for civil rights, a new city library was named in his honor in 1998. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request. Twenty-two notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. Two responses in favor and none in opposition were received. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Richardson opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's continents. (Commissioner Dean arrived.) Patricia Willard, 2835 Palestine Street, addressed the Commission and introduced her younger son, David Willard and Joyce Willard, 4160 Pierre Street. Mrs. Willard commented that Joyce Willard is Commissioner Brailsford's sister. David Willard addressed the Commission and thanked them for their consideration. Commissioner Broussard reminded Mr. Willard that once the historic marker is placed on the house, it must be maintained as it is now. Chairman Richardson asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No continents were made. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Farah made a motion to approve a request for an HC-L Designation for the Elmo R. Willard Home at 1325 Gladys as requested in File 45-HC. Commissioner Brailsford seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 2 Planning Commission July 14, 2003 REGULAR MEETING 1) CA-798: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of a house. Location: 2080 Laurel Applicant: Sam Bethea for Entergy Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The house is owned by Entergy and is adjacent to an Entergy substation. The subject request was tabled at the June 9 meeting. Pam Loiacano and Commissioner Jordan were able to go through and inspect the inside of the house. The Planning Manager recommended approval of the request. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Richardson asked for the applicant's comments. Sam Bethea, Customer Seivice Manager for Entergy, addressed the Commission. In response to Chairman Richardson, Commissioner Jordan said that the interior of the house is structurally sound and froma historical standpoint wouldn't recommend tearing it down. He suggested that the house be moved or donated to someone. Chairman Richardson asked Mr. Bethea if he had checked in to donating the house to someone and having them move it. Mr. Bethea replied that they have not looked at that option too closely, but they would be willing to look into that. They were going to work with Habitat for Humanity if they demolished the house so they could take any of the items that they wanted. In response to Commissioner Jordan, Mrs. Loiacano stated that the house did have some deterioration and if she had to do an inspection to determine if it was substandard, she would say yes it was substandard, but not a dangerous structure. It is suitable for rehabilitation. There was some deterioration to the back of the house, possibly an addition that needed to be torn off. There were some cosmetic wall problems inside, some minor electrical repairs, some plumbing repairs to be done. For someone who is in the business of rehabilitating houses and has the finances, it would be a good idea to rehab the house. The house is structurally sound - it doesn't have 33% damage to supporting members, but it would probably have the 50% which would classify it as substandard and suitable for rehabilitation. Commissioner Farah expressed concern that if the house was moved, there would be another vacant lot in the District. Planning Commission July 14, 2003 Mr. Bethea stated it was Entergy's intention was to Ieave the lot fenced and incorporate it into the substation yard. Further discussion on moving the house followed. In response to Chairman Richardson, Commissioner Jordan said it would be cost prohibitive to move and rehabilitate the house. At the right price, someone might be interested in purchasing and rehabilitating the house at that location. Further discussion between the Commission and Mr. Bethea followed. Mr. Bethea said if the request to demolish was denied, Entergy would declared the property surplus and have an agent list the house for sale. Chairman Richardson encouraged Mr. Bethea to make an effort to donate the house or sell it outright. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to deny a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of a house at 2080 Laurel as requested in CA- 798. Commissioner Brailsford seconded the motion. Motion to deny carried 9:1 (Yoes). 2) CAT813: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to move a house from the subject property. Location: 2693 Broadway Applicant: David Lindow The property at 2693 Broadway is zoned GC -MD and much of the block is commercial in nature. The front yard is paved and immediately to the rear of the house is a large metal storage building. The properties to the west, north and south are commercial and outside of the District. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request and once the house is moved, the lot should be deleted from the District. Discussion between the Commission and Mr. Richardson on deleting the lot from the District. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Richardson asked for the applicant's comments. David and Mary Lindow, the applicants, addressed the Commission and answered questions. 4 Planning Commission July 14,2003 Mr. Richardson reiterated that a Certificate of Appropriateness is good for 6 months and after then it becomes null and void. Discussion between the Commission followed. Chairman Richardson asked for comments in favor or in opposition. Howard Perkins commented. Further discussion between the Commission and Mr. Lindow followed. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to deny the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to move a house from the property at 2693 Broadway as requested in CA-813. Commissioner Long seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 3) CA-815: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint a house. Location: 2242 Evalon Applicant: James Mitchell Mr. Richardson stated that the request was to approve the painting of the at 2242 Evalon. Mr. Mitchell, the applicant, had come in and asked for approval of various paint colors and settled on a grey with white trim. He wanted to paint the door and the eave trim with Behr's Burnished Mahogany. Mr. Richardson distributed some color samples to the Commission. He said when he went to look at the house, the trim appeared to have much more purple in it than the sample. Mr. Richardson recommended that the trim color selection be denied. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Richardson asked for the applicant's comments. Mr. and Mrs. James Mitchell addressed the Commission. They stated that the trim color was Behr's Burnished Mahogany. Discussion followed between staff, the Commission and the applicants. Commissioner McFarland made a motion to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint a house at 2242 Evalon as requested in CA-815. Commissioner Brailsford seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 5 Planning Commission July 14.2003 4) CA-819: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace a tile roof with asphalt shingles. Location: 2290 Liberty Applicant: Sidney Caywood The subject request is to allow the replacement of the tile roofs on the house and garage apartment located at 2290 Liberty. The property owner, Sidney Caywood, would like to replace the tile roofs with asphalt shingles. He said the weight of the tile roofs caused structural problems to both the house and garage. The house has been leveled twice and needs to be leveled again. The garage apartment is tilting and before any work can be done to straighten the structure and put a new foundation underneath, Mr. Caywood feels that something needs to be done to the tile roof. Mr. Richardson said that he spoke with Mr. Caywood about the possibility of trying to save the ridge caps and putting that back on. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the replacement with the asphalt shingles. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Richardson asked for the applicant's comments. Mr. and Mrs. Caywood addressed the Commission. Discussion between the Commission and Mr. and Mrs. Caywood followed regarding shingle types and ridge caps. Discussion followed between the Commission members. Commissioner Broussard made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to repair and re -roof the garage at 2290 Liberty with architectural shingles as requested in CA-819. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 5) CA-820: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a house. Location: 2260 Harrison Applicant: City of Beaumont Clean Community Department Mr. Richardson stated that the subject structure was tagged as substandard on September 20, 2002. The house has major structural problems. Pam Loiacano of Clean Community Department states that the structure has 50% or more damage of non -supporting members and 33% or more damage of the supporting members. The structure is appraised at $7,880. 0 Planning Commission July 14, 2003 Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request, Slides of the subject property were shown. Pam Loiacano of the Clean Community Department addressed the Commission and gave some background information on the house. Mr, and Mrs. Dennis Swearingen owned the house at the time it was tagged, but were selling it to Raul and Diana Castillo. The Castillo's enrolled in a work repair program in October, 2002. The work program ended in February, 2003. The Castillo's defaulted on the contract and the house went back to Mr. and Mrs. Swearingen. The structure was in poor condition when it was sold and has deteriorated since then. Discussion between the Commission and Ms. Loiacano followed. Commissioner Farah made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the house at 2260 Harrison as requested in CA-820. Commissioner Yoes seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 6) CA-821: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a house. Location: 2155 Angelina Applicant: City of Beaumont Clean Community Department Ms. Loiacano stated that the subject property belongs to Statewide Capital Investments. The structure was tagged as substandard on August 7, 2002. After receiving complaints from neighbors, the property was presented to City Council in April for a raze order. Ms. Loiacano states that the structure has 50% or more damage of non supporting members and less than 33% damage of the supporting members. The structure is appraised at $12,090. Discussion followed between the Commission members. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the house at 2155 Angelina as requested in CA-821. Commissioner Long seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 7) Historic Preservation Loan Report Mr. Richardson stated that $5,784.86 was available. /1 Planning Commission July 14, 2003 OTHER BUSINESS Presentation of Historic Properties Tour Brochure. Mr. Richardson thanked everyone that worked on the brochure. He said that the brochure would be presented to the Old Town Neighborhood Association that night and to City Council the next day. Howard Perkins addressed the Commission. George Bullington addressed the Commission and acknowledged Adina Abshire for her work on the brochure. Chairman Richardson thanked everyone for their efforts in completing the brochure. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:21 P. M.