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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-10-00 HLC MinutesThe January 10, 2000, Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Tracy Richardson Commission members present: Commission members absent: Chairman Tracy Richardson Commissioner Dale Hallmark Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Julia Levy Commissioner Denise Shelton Commissioner Leonie Bodin Commissioner Jamie Credle Commissioner Philip Long Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Cathy Belt Commissioner Michael O'Rear Commissioner Shaheen Farah Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Secretary; Nancy Nicholas, Recording Secretary; Cheryl Robinson, Senior Planner and Adina Abshire, Planning Technician. Also present: Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos Councilmember Dr. Lulu Smith APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairman Tracy Richardson asked for approval of minutes of the December 13, 1999 meeting. With no additions or corrections, the minutes were approved as mailed. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION January 10, 2000 t REGULAR MEETING 1) CA-417: Request for approval of a certificate of appropriateness to modify a chain link fence in the front yard Location: 2425 Angelina Applicant: Rhonda McMullen Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The property owner, requested a certificate of appropriateness to modify a four foot chain link fence in the front yard of her residence. Ms. McMullen originally asked for a certificate of appropriateness to allowing her to keep the four foot chain link fence. That certificate of appropriateness was denied by the Historic Landmark Commission on September 13, 1999. Ms. McMullen appealed the Historic Landmark Commission's decision to the City Council. That appeal was denied. At the December meeting, Mr. Allen Lee, representing Ms. McMullen, asked the Historic Landmark Commission to consider an alternative to the chain link fence. The Commission agreed to consider Ms. McMullen's alternative request at the January, 2000 meeting. Chairman Richardson asked the applicant and her representative to address the Commission. Mr. Allen Lee, 5095 Maddox, stated that Home Depot will supply all of the materials to enclose the chain link fence that is currently on the property. Ms. Rhonda McMullen, 2425 Angelina, expressed her thanks to the Commission for their patience and to Home Depot for supplying the necessary materials. Commissioner Hallmark asked what percentage of the chain link fence would be concealed. Mr. Lee stated that the front part of the fence would be covered. Commissioner Broussard asked if the picket fence would cover the entire fence including the sides and the front. It was explained that the front and sides would have to be covered. Mr. Lee stated that the materials donated were for the front fence only. Mr. Lee said that he would contact Home Depot to obtain the additional material needed to cover the fence on either side of the front yard. Mr. Richardson will provide a letter stating what areas need to be covered. Commissioner Credle reiterated the fact that the chain link fence would remain in place with the pickets placed in front of the chain links. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION January 10, 2000 With no further discussion, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion on CA- 417. Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to approve CA-417 with the clarification that the wood picket fence will cover the chain link fence that is in the front portion of the yard. This will include both sides and the front of the fence. Commissioner Broussard seconded the motion. The motion to approve CA-417 carried 7:0. 2) CA-453: Request for approval of a certificate of appropriateness to demolish a residential structure. Location: 2495 Angelina Applicant: City of Beaumont Clean Community Department Note: This item was tabled from the December 13, 1999 meeting at the request of the Commission. Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The City of Beaumont Clean Community Department tagged the residential structure at 2495 Angelina as substandard and in need of demolition. The structure was inspected and found to be in violation of the City of Beaumont Code of Ordinances pertaining to dangerous structures. The Clean Community Department is asking that the Historic Landmark Commission grant permission to demolish this structure. The structure is not listed in SPARE Beaumont, The Texas Historical Commission conducted a review of the property and concluded that it is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The City determined that needed repairs exceed 50% of the appraised value and improvements. The Historic Landmark Commission was asked to review this structure for historical significance and determine if it should be demolished. Slides were shown of the subject property. Mr. Richardson stated that Ms. Pam Loiacano was in the audience to answer questions. Mr. Richardson noted that the property owner, Mr. Sawaya, was notified of the historic preservation loan program. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION January 10, 2000 Ms. Loiacano addressed the Commission and stated that she had spoken with the property owner. He stated that he does not want the property demolished. Ms. Loiacano informed the owner that she will be presenting the request to the City Council as a raze or repair order. This would give him more time to make repairs, but time will be at the Council's discretion. If no action is taken within the allotted time, then the structure probably will be demolished. Commissioner Long arrived at 3:47 p.m. Discussion followed regarding the subject property and adjoining property that is owned by Mr. Sawaya. With no further comments, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion on CA- 453. Commissioner Broussard made a motion to approve CA-453. Commissioner Hallmark seconded the motion. The motion was approved 8:0. 3) CA-455: Request for approval of a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of air conditioning ducts and vinyl siding over the ducts on the exterior of a commercial structure. Location: 797 N 5th Street Applicant: Bryan Lee Note: Ms. Lee asked that this item be put back on the agenda since they were not notified of the December 13, 1999, meeting. Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The property owner installed air conditioning ducts on the exterior of the restaurant structure at 797 N. 5th. The property owner stated that the duct work was necessary to centrally air condition the structure. He also stated that broken and unsightly window units were removed upstairs and that floor ducts that were hazardous to people walking were removed downstairs. The vinyl siding that is being used to cover up the exterior ducts will match the existing vinyl siding on the structure. Slides were presented of the subject property. Mr. Richardson stated that Mr. and Mrs. Lee were in the audience. Discussion centered around placement of the duct work and what could be done to make the covered duct work look like an extension of the building. 1 Mr. Bryan Lee, 797 5th Street, addressed the Commission. He stated that it was not feasible to mount the duct work underneath or inside the structure. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION January 10, 2000 Mr. Cullen White, Delta Air Conditioning, addressed the Commission. He stated that he had worked on the system for several years and in order for the system to perform properly, it was necessary to mount the ducts on the outside. Ms. Lee addressed the Commission and stated that she had considered planting a vine to help cover the duct work, Chairman Richardson asked if there were any suggestions from the Commission. Commissioner Hallmark suggested that more time be given to Mr, and Mrs. Lee and Mr. White to explore other options to cover the duct work. With no further discussion, Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to table CA-455 until the March 13, 2000 meeting. Commissioner Shelton seconded the motion. The motion to table CA-455 until the next meeting was approved 8:0. 4) CA7458: Request for approval of a certificate of appropriateness to allow the painting of a building. Location: 2343 McFaddin Applicant: Dr. Michael and Gail Findley Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. Dr. Michael Findley applied for a specific use permit to operate his doctor's office in an existing building at 2343 McFaddin. The structure was painted and a handicap ramp built without a certificate of appropriateness. According to the Building Official, ADA rules require that the ramp be built at the main entrance, which -in this instance is at the front of the building. ADA rules would supersede any other rule in this instance. The Historic District Regulations do not address handicap ramps. The structure is painted a pastel pink with white trim. Slides of the subject property were shown. Mr. Richardson stated that Mrs. Findley was in the audience to answer questions. Chairman Richardson asked if there were any questions. Commissioner Broussard asked if access to the bottom of the ramp was obtained from the parking lot or from another entrance. Mrs. Findley stated that the ramp was built according to ADA guidelines and access would be gained from the parking lot. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION January 10, 2000 Discussion centered around the color of the house paint (light pink) and the color of the ramp. Mrs. Findley stated that the ramp would be painted a grey color. Commissioner Broussard made a motion to approve CA-458. Commissioner Credle seconded the motion with Commissioner Shelton abstaining. The motion to approve CA-458 carried 7:0:1. 5) CA-460: Request for approval of a certificate of appropriateness to demolish a duplex structure. Location: 2573-75 Rusk Applicant: City of Beaumont Clean Community Department Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The City of Beaumont Clean Community Department tagged the duplex structure at 2753-75 Rusk as substandard and in need of demolition. The structure was inspected and found to be in violation of the City of Beaumont Code of Ordinances pertaining to dangerous structures. The Clean Community Department asked that the Historic Landmark Commission grant permission to demolish the structure. The structure is not listed in SPARE Beaumont. The structure was tagged in January, 1998. Notification was sent to the property owner in February, 1998. As of this date, the property owner had not taken action to raze or repair the. structure. Slides were presented of the subject property. Mr. Richardson stated that Ms. Loiacano was in the audience to answer questions. - Commissioner Long asked what kind of time frame was allowed for the owner to respond to notification. Ms. Loiacano responded that a total o£45 days is allowed. With no further discussion, Chairman Richardson asked for a motion on CA- 460. Commissioner Long made a motion to approve CA-460 as requested. Commissioner Shelton seconded the motion. The motion carried 8:0. 6) Revolving Loan Fund Mr. Richardson stated that $38,000 was available. 1.1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION January 10, 2000 7) Chairman's Report Chairman Richardson stated that a press conference regarding SpindIetop 2000 was held at Gladys City. State Chairman Evelyn Lord reported on all the events that will take place during the coming year. Commissioner Shelton asked for further discussion on CA-455. Several solutions were discussed with regards to the "covering up" of the air conditioning ducts that are exposed on the sides of the building. Mr.Richardson distributed an affidavit drafted by the City Attorney's office to the members of the Commission for their review. This affidavit in effect states that any time a person purchases a piece of property and uses a title company, a flag on that particular piece of property will alert the purchaser that the property is in the historic district. This affidavit will be reviewed the next meeting. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.