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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-9-02 HLC Minutes*MINUTES* 11 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION September 9, 2002 City Council Chambers - 3:30 p.m. The September 9, 2002 Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Tracy Richardson. Commission members present: Commission members absent: Councilmembers present: Chairman Tracy Richardson Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Felix McFarland Commissioner Leonie Bodin Commissioner Dale Hallmark Commissioner Ralph Jordan Commissioner Denise Shelton Commissioner Shaheen Farah Commissioner Philip Long Commissioner Terrance Holmes Commissioner Eric Belt Commissioner Julia Levy Councilmember Andrew P. Cokinos Councilmember Lulu Smith Staff present: Steve Richardson, Planning Manager; Nancy Nicholas, Recording Secretary; Adina Abshire, Planning Technician. APPROYAA OF THE MINUTES Chairman Richardson asked for approval of the minutes of the August 12 , 2002 meeting. Commissioner Farah made a motion to approve the minutes and was seconded by Commissioner McFarland. The motion carried 9:0. Mr. Richardson asked that the meeting start with the second item on the agenda to allow the applicants of the first case to arrive. i f I historic Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes September 9, 2002 REGULAR MEETING 2. CA-736: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure. Location: 1842 Liberty Applicant: Clean Community Division The Planning Manager recommends approval of this request. In February,1998, Mr. Kenneth Weldon, the property owner at the time, requested demolition of the structure at 1842 Liberty (CA-202). At that time, the Historic Landmark Commission voted to table the request to see if the property owner could fund someone who would buy the property and renovate it. The house had suffered fire damage in the front two rooms of the first floor and Mr. Weldon had no desire to repair the house. The City of Beaumont Clean Community Department is now requesting to demolish the structure. The structure was tagged substandard on April 3, 2001. Mr. Weldon was notified in April, 2001 but did not respond. According to the tax records, Steve Allen and Lisa M. Sipes are the current owners. They have been sent a notification letter and it was returned as well. As ofthis date, the property owners have not taken action to raze or repair the structure. The structure will be presented to City Council in the near future for their consideration. The Clean Community/Neighborhood Services Division will be requesting a raze order from City Council. According to Clean Community, the structure has 50% or more damage of non -supporting members and 33% or more damage of the supporting members. As mentioned previously, the structure has suffered fire damage that has not been repaired. Clean Community has determined that the structure is substandard and not suitable for rehabilitation. The tax rolls have the structure valued at $8,040. The 1989 SPARE Beaumont survey states that the house was built c. 1905 and is of the Queen Anne style. SPARE states that the house is one of Beaumont's few surviving examples of a two story Queen Anne house and is representative of larger middle class homes built in the city around the turn of the century. Photos were shown of the subject property. Pam Loiacano, Clean Community Department., addressed the Commission. She stated a raze or repair is being requested. A new address has been obtained for the current owners and they were notified by certified mail. Commissioner Shelton asked if there were any taxes owed. Ms. Loiacano stated that there was an outstanding tax balance, but someone had been paying on them. In addition she said that no repairs had been made and the building was not secure. She also explained the raze or repair process. 2 Historic Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes September 9, 2002 With no finther discussion, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Farah made a motion to approve CA-736 for a raze or repair order. Commissioner Broussard seconded the motion and was approved 9:0. 3. CA-737: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure. Location: 2260 Hazel Applicant: City of Beaumont, Clean Community Department The Planning Manager presented the staffreport and recommends denial ofthis request. While this property is in a dilapidated state, to demolish it would impact this block by leaving a large vacant area. Could time be given to investigate whether the owner would be willing to donate the property to the City for the construction of new homes if the building was demolished? The subject property consists of three 50'xl40' lots, The City of Beaumont Clean Community Department is requesting permission to demolish the multi -family building at 2260 Hazel. The structure was tagged substandard on November 1, 2001. Gregg Gay, the property owner, was notified in November, 2001 but the notification was returned. As of this date, the property owner has not taken action to raze or repair the structure. There have been numerous complaints from the neighbors regarding this structure. A different owner was given a certificate of appropriateness for exterior renovations to this property in 1997. The structure will be presented to City Council in the near future for their consideration. The Clean Community/Neighborhood Services Division will be requesting a raze or repair order from City Council. According to Clean Community, the structure has 50% or more damage to non -supporting members. Clean Community has determined that the structure is suitable for rehabilitation. The tax rolls have the structure valued at $29,720. The property is not listed in SPARE Beaumont. Photos were shown of the subject property. Discussion followed concerning the damage to the structure. Chairman Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to approve CA-738 and was seconded by Commissioner Hallmark. The motion carried 9:0: Commissioner Terrence Holmes arrived 4:00 p.m. Historic Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes September 9, 2002 3. CA-739: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a house and garage. Location: 2355 South Applicant: City of Beaumont, Clean Community Division The Planning Manager presented the staff report and recommended approval ofthis request. The City of Beaumont Clean Community Department is requesting permission to demolish the house and garage at 2355 South. The structures were tagged as substandard on May 8, 2002. Mr. Waldrop, the property owner, was notified in May, 2002. As of this date, the property owner has not taken action to raze or repair the structures. There have been numerous complaints from the neighbors regarding these structures. The structures will be presented to City Council in the near future for their consideration. The Clean Community/Neighborhood Services Division will be requesting a raze and repair order from City Council. According to Clean Community, the structures have 50% or more damage to non -supporting members. Clean Community has determined that the house is suitable for rehabilitation. The tax rolls have the structures valued at $21,080. The house is not listed in the SPARE Beaumont survey. Photos of the subject property were shown. Discussion followed concerning the disrepair of the building. Chairman Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to approve CA-739 and was seconded by Commissioner Long. The motion to approve carried 10:0. 4. CA-727: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish existing structure and rebuild a new office building. Location: 2406 North Applicant: Morline Moore for the American Postal Workers Union NOTE: This case was tabled from the August 12, 2002 Historic Landmark Commission meeting. The Planning Manager presented the staff report and recommended demolition of the existing structure and replace with a new structure. American Postal Workers Union has its administrative offices at 2406 North Street. It wishes to demolish the existing office structure and.build a new office building. The existing structure is in poor condition. Historic Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes September 9, 2002 The new building would be of brick and vertical hardiplank construction. The brick will be red and the hardiplank, trim and window frames will be white. Windows will be multi -lighted. The roof will be a green composition shingle. The property is listed in the 1991 SPARE Beaumont survey. According to SPARE, the original structure is of the Craftsman style and was constructed c. 1920. It goes on to state that the building has lost all integrity. At the August 120' meeting, the Historic Landmark Commission tabled this item. The applicant was asked to have the contractor look to see ifthe existing building could be repaired and at what expense. Photos of the subject property were shown. It was noted that the applicant was not in the audience to answer questions. Discussion followed concerning the historical significance, if any, and the colors selected for the brick and roof. With no further discussion, Commissioner Richardson asked for a motion. Commissioner Jordan made a motion to approve CA-727 and was seconded by Commissioner Long. The motion carried 9:0: 1 (Broussard). Mr. Richardson will give final color approval on the roof and brick. 7. Historic Preservation Loan Report Mr. Richardson stated that approximately $71,000 is available. 8. Director's Report A workshop was held to discuss the different aspects of notification by the real estate community of homes being in the historic district. The state form approved by TREK was reviewed. Chairman Richardson has asked themto consider a notification statement ifa home is located in the historic district. The local form was reviewed to see if an amendment could be checked to note that a home was listed in the historic district. Mr. Richardson will be talking to the Board of Realtors to see if the idea would be feasible. A sample form would then be submitted for their perusal. The current color pallette was discussed. It was suggested that appropriate historic paint palettes be obtained and perhaps broaden the color scope to allow staff more leeway in approving selections. Historic Landmark Commission Meeling Minutes September 9, 2002 Other items discussed concerned an absentee landlord condemnation procedure. In talking with the Galveston Historical Foundation, they utilize this procedure, allowed by the State. This procedure allows structures for demolition to be condemned , possession obtained and either rehabilitated or sold in order to be placed back on the tax rolls. Related issues discussed included condemnation of structures while being occupied. Ms. Loiacano stated that while it is possible, legal issues are involved. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Broussard stated that work on the historic brochure is progressing. Pictures have been selected and the text is in the process of being completed. Cheryl Robinson, Senior Planner, addressed the Commission. She said it had been brought to her attention that a structure in the city would possibly be eligible for a historic designation. However, the person slid not want to be responsible for any fees. Chairman Richardson asked for a history on the property to determine the eligibility. ADJOURN With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.