HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-14-98 HLC MinutesThe September 14, 1998 Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to
order by Chairman Tracy Richardson.
Commission members present:
Commission members absent:
Chairman Tracy Richardson
Commissioner Marie Broussard
Commissioner Terrence Holmes
Commissioner Julia Levy
Commissioner Cathy Belt
Commissioner Denise Shelton
Commissioner Shaheen Farah
Commissioner Jamie Credle
Commissioner Dale Hallmark
Commissioner Leonie Bodin
Commissioner Phillip Long
Vice -Chairman Michael O'Rear
Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Secretary; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; and
Adina Abshire, Planning Technician.
Also present: Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos, Councilmember Lulu Smith
and Carolyn Howard, Beaumont Main Street.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Chairman Richardson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the
minutes of the August 10, 1998 Regular Meeting. There being none, Chairman
Richardson approved the minutes.
Chairman Richardson explained that the meeting was going to be taken out of order
and that they would start with the presentation on the proposed Dixie Street
Development - "Facade Row" in Downtown Beaumont.
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION
September 14,1998
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Richardson told the Commission that after Tom Flanagan made his
presentation to Council on the proposed Dixie Street Development, he invited him
to make the presentation to the Historic Landmark Commission.
Mr. Richardson introduced Mr. Neal Smith and Mr. Joe Pearl.
Mr. Joe Pearl told the Commission that the development is now called the Crockett
Street Development Project and the developer is Tom Flanagan, who developed the
property between Park and Neches Street. This project will be similar to The
Strand in Galveston and the West End in Dallas. It is the trend to develop the
urban sections of cities and they've all been successful.
In response to Commissioner Long, Mr. Pearl said that the use of the buildings
themselves will be for restaurants, clubs and retail shops.
Mr. Pearl reviewed the drawings for the Commission.
Mr. Neal Smith answered questions from the Commission. In response to
1' Commissioner Broussard, Mr. Smith said that the Dixie Hotel will be included in
the project. He said that ground breaking is scheduled for January, 1999.
(Commissioner Holmes arrived.)
REGULAR MEETING
1) File CA-290: Request for approval of a certificate of appropriateness for
the demolition of a residential structure.
Location: 2130 Rusk
Applicant: City of Beaumont Clean Community Division
Mr. Richardson told the Commission that this request from the Clean
Community Division is to demolish a single family structure at 2130 Rusk.
The house has been tagged as substandard and in need of demolition. The
structure was inspected and found to be in violation of the City's Code of
Ordinances.
The 1990 SPARE Beaumont stated that the home was built c. 1925 and is
of the Vernacular Craftsman style. Back in 1990, the structure was in fair
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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION
September 14,1998
condition but has since deteriorated since that time and is in poor condition.
SPARE had noted that the use of modern materials on the house had
sacrificed the home's architectural integrity.
The needed repairs on the subject house exceed 50 % of the appraised
value. The owner has signed a demolition consent form asked that the
structure be demolished.
Chairman Richardson asked for the applicant's comments.
Pam Loiacano of the Clean Community Division addressed the
Commission. She said that the owner of the house did not have the money
to repair the house and therefore signed the demolition consent form. She
said that the City does not have the equipment to remove concrete steps
and porches from the houses that they demolish, so they do ask the
property owner if they want them removed, they'll have to make their own
arrangements to have them removed.
Discussion between commission members followed.
I Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to approve the certificate of
appropriateness for the demolition of a residential structure at 2130 Rusk
as requested in CA-290. Commissioner Bodin seconded the motion.
Motion to approve carried 11:0.
2) Revolving Loan Fund
Mr. Richardson reported that $42,000 is available in the Historic Loan
Fund.
3) Chairman's Report
In response to Commissioner Broussard, Chairman Richardson said that the
original Spindletop marker has been removed and is in the process of being
repaired.
Rebecca Woodland of the Beaumont Heritage Society reminded everyone
of the Heritage Dinner on Friday, October 9, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Beaumont Country Club.
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September 14,1998
Carolyn Howard of Beaumont Main Street updated the Commission on the
Hotel Beaumont project.
Councilmember Smith informed the Commission that the Gilbert Building had
been donated to the City by Mrs.Elizabeth Gilbert Fortune.
ADJOURN