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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-12-96 HLC MinutesA meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on June 10, 1996 with the following members present: Chairman Sam Pullig Commissioner Elmer Embs Commissioner JoAnn Stiles Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Julia Levy Commissioner Michael O'Rear Commissioner Albert Ebow Commissioner Tracy Richardson Corrunissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Denise Shelton Commissioners absent: Vice -Chair Becki Stedman Commissioner Dorcy Watler Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Director; Vanessa Golden, Recording Secretary; and Marie Trapp, Planning Technician Also present: Councihnwi-at-Large Andrew Cokinos; Councilmember Lulu Smith; and Carolyn Howard REGULAR MEETING Chairman Pullig called the Regular Meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. and roll was called. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE 3UNE 10, 1996 REGULAR MEETING Chairman Pullig asked for additions/corrections to the minutes of the June 10, 1996 meeting. Commissioner Embs made a motion to approve the minutes as presented from the June 10, 1996 meeting. Commissioner Broussard seconded the motion. Motion carried 9:0. 1) FILE CA-157: Request to relocate two residential dwellings located at 2003 and 2015 North to Lots 1,2 and East 20' of Lot 3, Block 33, McFaddin Addition Two. Mr. Stephen Richardson gave the staff report and noted that Mr. Tom Sibley, Old Town MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission August 12, 1996 Investors, is making the application. Old Town Investors wishes to buy and relocate these two properties that currently sit on property owned by Broussard's Mortuary. The houses will be moved to an area that is zoned RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) and will be used for single family residential purposes. Broussard's Mortuary would like to expand their parking area in the future, which would then require an application to the Commission for that purpose to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Richardson stated that the approval of this request creates a win -win situation: it will save both of the structures, putting them back into residential uses as well as help the Mortuary provide more parking at their currently location. Staff recommended approval of this request. Chairman Pullig stated that Cornniissioner Marie Broussard requested to abstain from voting on this matter due to a conflict of interest in that her family owns and operates Broussard's Mortuary. She did indicate to Chairman Pullig that the two structures have been vacant for several years and that they currently create a security problem for both the mortuary and the neighborhood. Tom Sibley, spoke on behalf of the prospective property owners and Broussard's Mortuary. He stated that all parties involved have been working together to make this a good situation for everyone involved and to make the neighborhood better. He stated that Broussard's wants to get rid of the houses and Old Town Investors wants to acquire the houses, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church entered into an agreement with Old Town Investors to sell them the property to move the houses to. Chairman Pullig asked if it was intended to move the houses to the vacant lot directly behind Bethlehem Church. Mr. Sibley stated that the location is immediately on the north side of the church, on the intersection of Fourth and Hazel. Mr. Richardson showed slides of the two houses. Mr. Richardson stated that the house at 2003 North is stucco and in talking with David Bradley, inquired as to how they planned to move the house. He was told the house will be stripped of the stucco and then re -do it when the house has been moved to the new location. Commissioner Embs asked how old the two structures are. Mr. Richardson stated that the house at 2003 is circa 1906 and the one at 2015 is circa 1918. Commissioner Levy arrived. Commissioner Embs asked who is doing business under the name of Old Town Investors. Mr. Sibley stated that it is David Bradley. Councilmember Smith stated that she also believes thhis mill be a win -win situation for all parties involved. Chairman Pullig noted that staff has recommended approval and asked £or a moti6n. W MINUTES Historic Landmark conunission August 12, 1996 Commissioner O'Rear made a motion to approve the relocation of the two houses and Commissioner Richardson seconded the motion to approve the request. Motion carried 10:0. 2) FILE CA-158: Request to relocate or demolish a garage apartment located at the rear of Broussard's Funeral Home at 2000 McFaddin.. Mr. Richardson gave the staff report on a request to relocate or demolish a garage apartment located at the rear of Broussard's Funeral Home. He stated that the structure contains two living units, and 3-4 car spaces. Old Town Investors is working with Broussard's on the possibility of relocating the structure, but have not found a location to date. The request is that if a location can be found, they would like to relocate the structure. If a suitable location cannot be found, they are requesting approval to demolish the structure. Mr. Richardson stated that the building is not listed in SPARE and has no historical or architectural significance. Staff recominends approval of the request to relocate or demolish the structure. Mr. Richardson then showed slides of the structure. Mr. Sibley again addressed the Commission. He stated that the request is to either move or tear down the structure. He stated that the structure is actually two garage apartments that have been relocated previously and turned into one structure. He said the two original structures were on the grounds years ago, but have since been moved to create one structure. Conunissioner Embs asked if the structure is on Broussard's property. Mr. Sibley responded yes. Commissioner Embs asked for clarification that Old To«m Investors is requesting approval to purchase the structure and do either or of the two options, Mr. Sibley stated that they are actually trying to give it to them. Chairman Pullig clarified that Broussard's is the actual applicant in this request, not Old Town Investors. Chairman Pullig asked what the state of repairs is on the structure. Mr. Sibley stated that the structure is in medimn to poor condition. Commissioner O'Rear asked whether the Commission has the freedom to demolish something in that state of repair. Mr. Richardson stated that the Commission has the authority to recommend demolition or relocation of the structure. Commissioner Ebow made a motion to approve Broussard's request based on the feasibility of trying to relocate the structure prior to demolition of the structure. Commissioner Stiles seconded the motion. Motion carried 10:0. 3) CA- 159: Request for a certificate of appropriateness to build a 5 to 6 foot chain link fence on the north and west sides of the residence at 860 N. 3rd Street. MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission August 12, 1996 Mr. Richardson gave the staff report on this application and noted that staff did not make a recommendation, but rather felt it would be more appropriate for the Commission to make a decision on this particular request. He noted that the ordinance states that chain link fences are not allowed in the front yard in the Oaks Historic District, unless it is proved that the fence is needed for safety reasons. He also stated that the Planning Division does have the authority to approve non -conforming fences in certain instances, however, staff felt it would be more appropriate for the Commission to review this application. Mrs. Alma Hester is the owner of the structure and is the applicant in this case. He also stated that the ordinance reads that fences in the front yard cannot exceed 4% unless it's 80% open and then it can be up to 6'. The house is not listed in SPARE. Mr. Richardson showed slide and noted that there is an existing chain link fence on the south side of the property line and in the back yard. The fence on the south side does extend beyond the front of the house. The vacant lot adjacent to the applicant's home is not owned by the applicant, therefore that property would not be fenced in. There is about 68 frontage on 3rd Street and the lot is about 46' deep. Chairman Pullig asked Mrs. Hester to approach the podium to answer any questions presented by the Commission. Chairman Pullig stated that he and Commissioner O'Rear have discussed this request in reference to coming up with an acceptable solution for Mrs. Hester as well as something satisfactory to the Commission for the preservation of the neighborhood. Chairman Pullig reminded Mrs. Hester that it is the Comunission's responsibility to maintain the integrity of the ordinance, while at the same time allowing the homeowner's in the neighborhood to protect themselves. He, suggested placing a fence up to the edge of the house, which would offer protection on the side windows and the egress into the house. He asked Mrs. Hester about the amount of cross traffic through her yard due to the vacant lot next door. Mrs. Hester stated that is not her problem, but rather constant theta of anything left outside as well as strangers coming up to her door asking for money, rides, etc.. She stated she needs a fence for protection immediately. Commissioner Broussard asked about the exact location of the house. Mrs. Hester stated she is on 3rd Street between Hazel and Harrison. Chairman Pullig asked if there are any outbuildings in the back of the house. Mrs. Hester stated there are none. Commissioner Embs asked for clarification on the exact location of where the fence will be. Mrs. Hester stated it will be between her house and the sidewalk. Commissioner O'Rear stated that, as a neighbor and homeowner in the Oaks Historic District, he has a real problem with Mrs. Hester's request, due to the work being done in maintaining the character of the area. He asked if it would meet Mrs. Hester's needs to provide fencing/security around the back and sides of the yard. Mrs. Hester stated she wants the whole yard enclosed so she can get a dog for protection. MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission August 12, 1996 Commissioner Shelton asked if the would be uniform in height all the way around. Mrs. Hester stated that the front and sides will be uniform in height, while the fence in back is not a hurricane fence and is lower than what is proposed for the front and sides. Chairman Pullig explained that in regard to Commissioner O'Rear's earlier question about fencing only the sides and back would provide for keeping a dog and asked Mrs. Hester if this would be acceptable. Mrs. Hester stated again that no it would not suffice, and she does need a dog to keep people away from her front door, not only the back of the house. Commissioner O'Rear suggested Mrs. Hester become active in Citizens on Patrol, a dog for the back yard and an alarm system as well. Commissioner Embs stated he would not be comfortable voting against allowing Mrs. Hester to protect herself and her family. He stated he felt it would be worse for the homeowner's to move out of the neighborhood due to lack of security and lack of concern for security by the city. Commissioner Broussard suggested bringing the fence up to the front porch, but not all the way out in the front yard. Commissioner O'Rear stated that it would not make any difference, and that putting a 6' chain link fence in any part of the front yard is not in keeping with the ordinance. Chairman Pullig recommended that Mrs. Hester put the fence up to the edge of the porch and out to the side edge. He suggested that if that didn't solve the problem she could come back to the Commission and he could guarantee that the Commission would back off. He said if Mrs. Hester was insistent on putting a complete fence up at this time, the Commission could go ahead and vote. Commissioner Stiles made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for Mrs. Hester to build a chain link fence across the front of her property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Embs. Motion carried 8:2 4) Revolving Loan Fund Mr. Richardson stated that Greg Saleme's loans have not been added to the list. There has been some difficulty with the Texas Historical Commission. The Commission approved Mr. Saleme's plans for the Fertitta Building, however they denied the San Augustine Building. Carolyn Howard has gotten involved in the process and stated that she has a meeting with Mr. Saleme to work on the request to get everything in order. Commissioner Broussard asked what the main reason for the denial was. Ms. Howard stated that it is a matter of documentation more MINUTFS Historic Landmark conunission August 12, 1996 than anything. Commissioner Broussard asked if Mr. Saleme was planning to hold off on working on the Fertitta Building until the San Augustine was approved. Mr. Richardson stated that was his understanding. Corn nissioner Elnbs expressed his dissatisfaction with the process in Austin and stated that this type of situation seems to happen quite often, where the Historic Landmark Commission approves something and the Texas Historical Commission comes back and holds the process up. Ms. Howard reminded the Commission that the building is accessible to the HLC, but the THC does not have the opportunity to view the building, therefore, they have to make sure that everything is documented properly. Mr. Richardson reminded the Commission that federal money is being used in this process and that plays a part in their insistence for proper documentation. Chairman Pullig asked if it would help to issue a letter of encouragement under the HLC's letterhead. Mr. Richardson stated that it would not be necessary at this point. Mr. Richardson stated that the Belt's would be coming before the Commission next month to request a refinancing of their loan. 5) Chairman's Report and G) 1997 CLG Application Chairman Pullig stated that Mr. Richardson has suggested that the Commission apply for a grant to purchase the LUTAC Software. Chairman Pullig noted that by looking at the information packet distributed to the Conuiussion, they could see the benefits of purchasing the program in that it would make updating the SPARE possible. Mr. Richardson gave a little background on the software program. Mr. Richardson stated that putting the SPARE on computer would have to be done in stages and that perhaps doing the Oaks Historic District first would be appropriate. Mr. Richardson stated that the software is $1500.00, plus expenses for videos, etc. which is charged on an hourly basis. If the Commission decides this is something to pursue, then the Commission will have to determine an area to begin with and get an estimate on the time frame so that an estimated cost can be determined for the application. The application has to be submitted by September 30. Mr. Richardson stated that part of the application is relative to the Commission's goals and suggested that the Commission meet for a workshop before the September 9th meeting to discuss the Commissions goals. Chairman Pullig suggested applying for a small grant this year to purchase the program and see if it will work in this area, then next year going for a larger amount to complete the project. Mr. Richardson reminded the Commission that this program is a matching fund program, although staff hours can be used in lieu of money. However, this program involves the company coming in and acting as a consultant, so the city would more than likely have to come up with actual money rather than man hours. W MINUTES Historic Landmark couuvission August 12, 1996 Chairman Pullig reconunended that staff get with the people from LUTAC and workup a suggested cost in a realistic range, on one neighborhood and bring the report to the Commission at the September meeting for approval, along with the trip to Austin. There was some discussion on the two trips; one to Dallas in December for 3 board members and 1 staff member, and the other to Lubbock in 1997. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Embs brought up the statue in Pipkin Park. Mr. Richardson explained that a couple from Nebraska was hired to clean the George O'Brian statue in Pipkin Park. They showed up on a Friday and worked through the weekend. Mr. Richardson stated that he contacted the media to try to get some exposure. He stated that the couple will provide a short video on how to care for the statue in the future. With no further business, Chairman Pullig adjourned the meeting at 4:25 p.m..