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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-10-96 HLC MinutesA meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on June 10, 1996 with the following members present: Chairman Sam Pullig Vice -Chairman Becki Stedman Commissioner Elmer Embs Commissioner JoAnn Stiles Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Dorcy Watler Commissioner Julia Levy Commissioner Michael O'Rear Commissioner Albert Ebow Commissioners absent: Commissioner Tracy Richardson Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Denise Shelton Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Director; Vanessa Golden, Recording Secretary; Lawrence Baker, Field Supervisor - Demolition Department; Kathy Scofield, Administrator - Clean Community Division Also present: Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos; Mr. Greg Saleme, Gulf Sierra Enterprises, Inc. PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Pullig called the Public Hearing to order at 3:35 p.m. and roll was called. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 13 1996 REGULAR MEETING Chairman Pullig asked for additions/corrections to the minutes of the May 13, 1996 meeting. Commissioner Embs made a motion to approve the minutes as presented from the May 13, 1996 meeting. Commissioner Ebow seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:0. 1) FILE 96-TE-8: Request for a tax exemption on the "Fertitta Building" located at 615-635 Park Street. 2) FILE 96-TE-9: Request for a tax exemption on the "San Augustine Building" located at 695 Park Street. mnqul ?3 Historic Landmark Commission June 10, 1996 Stephen Richardson presented the staff report for a request on a tax exemption on the "Fertitta Building" located at 615-635 Park Street and the "San Augustine Building" located at 695 Park Street. He stated that the Commission would be required to tour the two buildings for inspection prior to voting on the requests. The property values are $53,910 for the Fertitta Building and $24,070 for the San Augustine Building. Mr. Greg Saleme wishes to make $76,000 worth of improvements on the Fertitta Building and just over $94,000 on the San Augustine Building. In both cases, the proposed improvements far exceed the total value of the properties. Mr. Richardson stated that on April 23rd, City Council granted local historic designations on these two properties and also approved preservation loans on the two buildings based upon staffs and the Historic Landmark Commission's recommendation. Staff recommended approval on the requests for a tax exemption on both buildings. Mr. Richardson stated that upon inspecting the two buildings, the Commission will see how the renovation of the buildings will be a big asset to the downtown area. Mr. Richardson stated that the Commission was probably aware that the City of Beaumont recently announced it would purchase the White House and that combined with the efforts of Mr. Saleme would make a real impact of downtown. Mr. Richardson presented Mr. Saleme for questions. Commissioner Watler asked Mr. Saleme if he was aware that the Commission awards a landmark plaque to buildings with the necessary requirements and the cost is $75.00. Mr. Saleme stated he was not aware of the procedure. Commissioner Watler suggested that Mr. Saleme wait until all exterior renovations are complete before putting the plaque up. Chairman Pullig agreed with Commissioner Watler and noted that the plaque is a local designation for the buildings. He suggested that the Commission write down any questions during the inspection and ask them when they return. Chairman Pullig then adjourned the meeting at 3:40 p.m.. Commissioners Stiles and Levy arrived. The meeting reconvened at 4:20 p.m.. Chairman Pullig requested that Mr. Saleme report to the Commission on his vision, time frame, etc. in regard to the tax abatement. Mr. Saleme stated that the time frame has been contingent upon approval of the tax abatement, noting that no work was to be allowed until then. He stated that construction is ready to begin within the next three weeks. He also stated that MRSIUMS Historic Landmark Commission June 10, 1996 money is available to begin construction. Construction on the San Augustine should be completed within 6 months and the Fertitta should be approximately 8-10 months to completion. The whole project should be approximately 10 months, start to finish. Chairman Pullig asked about any potential lessees lined up. Mr. Saleme stated that there are two for the San Augustine, one of which is the Apec Tile and Maintenance, who will be refurbishing both buildings. Chairman Pullig questioned the option of selecting from a variety of styles for the refurbishing of the two buildings. Mr. Saleme stated that both buildings will be brought back to their original (1925) style. Chairman Pullig asked about the copies of the color drawings presented to the Commission, and were these perspective drawings or actual proposed outcomes. Mr. Saleme stated that the drawings are consistent with the outcome of the two buildings. Chairman Pullig asked if the financing package is precipitant upon the outcome of the tax abatement. Mr. Saleme stated that yes it is. Mr. Saleme stated that one of the tenants for the Fertitta Building will be a barbershop, and would also like to include an upscale restaurant/grill to appeal to the professional crowd. Chairman Pullig stated that as he understood the process, the Commission snakes a i recommendation to City Council, and City Council actually approves or denies the ' tax abatement. A motion was made by Vice -Chairman Stedman to recommend tax abatement for both buildings to City Council. Commissioner Broussard seconded the motion. Motion carried 9:0. Chairman Pullig then closed the Public Hearing and opened the Regular Meeting at 4:30 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS 1) Chairman Pullig introduced Lawrence Baker, Field Supervisor - Demolition Department and Kathy Scofield, Administrator - Clean Community Division. He stated that they were present to give the Commission a brief report on the procedures used when considering a demolition. He stated that he has had conversations with at least two commissioners since last month's meeting and telephone calls from at least three or four citizens referencing various demolitions going on in the city. Some of the concerns raised are people wanting to bid on some of the houses being demolished, and getting architectural significant items out of the houses prior to demolition. Mr. Baker began by explaining that people looking for materials on or in the houses contact him, and he steers them towards the contractor. They then work it out with the contractor. Chairman Pullig asked about the process using prison inmates to demolish houses. Kathy Scofield stated that the city has a contract with them and they tear the houses down. The original agreement was that the prison would MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission June 10, 1996 provide the labor, and they would keep the materials obtained from the demolitions to resell to support the program. Apparently they have more materials than they can store at this time, so they will probably be more receptive to allowing other people to have some of the materials. Mr. Baker added that the prison system is working with BISD to dispose of structures around Fletcher Elementary which are in relatively good shape. Chairman Pullig, using the structures around Fletcher as an example, asked about selling houses and letting them be moved to different areas of the city. Mr. Baker stated that at this time, there is one gentleman who is trying to buy every house available in the Charlton Pollard area and moving them all over town, and is causing problems. He has moved some of the houses into the Gulf Terrace area with plans to refurbish them. There are several property owners who are currently trying to salvage some of their old houses that are currently condemned, and contractors who allow individuals to go onto the properties that are being prepared for demolition and salvage whatever can be salvaged. Mrs. Scofield added that according to the legal department, once a structure has been taken to Council two different times, and it is declared a dangerous structure, then City Council gives an order to have it demolished and the house is then prohibited from being moved. Councilmember Cokinos explained that there are houses from the Davey Crockett and MLK areas being moved to Amelia and residents are up in arms because the houses being moved into the area are on piers and the existing houses in the neighborhood are on slabs and are nicer homes. Mr. Baker stated that the houses being moved in that particular situation were not tagged by the demolition department, they are houses that were purchased strictly to refurbish. Mr. Baker went on to explain the work repair program within the demolition department, which encourages property owners to repair structures. Most of the structures being brought before City Council for condemnation orders are houses where owners have failed to do anything with the structures. Mr. Baker stated also that when a house has been condemned and is then bought by a new owner, the process begins all over. Chairman Pullig asked about any kind of study done on the houses demolished within the last ten years to see if the lots are still empty. Mr. Baker stated that there has not been any study done on the subject. Vice -Chairman Stedman asked about vandalism on "tagged" houses. Mr. Baker stated that there is vandalism on not only structures that have been officially condemned, but also houses that have been marked as substandard and in need of repair. Vice -Chairman Stedman asked about the possibility of hiring a salvage company prior to red -tagging the structure to get any significant materials out of the house. Mr. Baker stated that would involve another department to handle just that, and it does not look Iike it would be something that would be done anytime soon. Commissioner O'Rear asked for an update on the house brought before the Commission at last month's meeting at 2250 Laurel. Mr. Baker stated that as the Commission was made aware last month, there is a new owner of the property, so the process begins again. He has been in touch with the owner and he is interested 4 MMUTIIS Historic Landmark Commission June 10, 1996 in building materials. Mr. Baker stated that he has put him in contact with the prison inmate system to see if they have any materials he can use. Commissioner Stiles asked if those materials are purchased and if so where does the money go. Mr. Baker stated that he is not involved with that aspect of the system, it is entirely up to the owner and the prison system. 2) Revolving Loan Fund Mr. Richardson stated that Gerald Carin's loan has been paid off and that Mr. Greg Saleme's loan has not been added to the report yet. The account has just over $8,000 to date. Councilmember Cokinos questioned the balance of KCS Depot, and noted that it has not changed on the report over the last few months. Mr. Richardson stated that the Golden Triangle Minority Business Council rents the KCS Depot at $806 per month. He stated that he would re -check the files. Mr. Richardson stated that this project was negotiated with council and is a city owned project. Chairman Pullig suggested that Mr. Richardson go back and put the date the lease began with Mrs. Hatcher as the loan initiation date. Commissioner Watler asked about the White House Store building. Chairman Pullig stated the Commission's concerns regarding the restoration of the building not being sensitive to the architecture of the building. Councilmember Cokinos stated that the City is going to buy the building. However, plans for the building are indefinite and suggested that the Historic Commission hold off for now. Mr. Richardson stated to the Commission that he is working with the south of Calder neighborhood on identifying structures and defining boundaries for a proposed historic district. Chairman Pullig suggested the Commission discuss what to call these new districts in the future. Commissioner O'Rear stated that the area Mr. Richardson is talking about is the Oaks Subdivision and questioned the option of making the entire area one large Oaks Historic District, to include the section in question. Mr. Richardson stated the two areas would remain geographically split, so as not to include the commercial zones on Calder. Chairman Pullig questioned any concerns when the Liberty -Laurel project is complete. Mr. Richardson stated that it is one of the main concerns and there is the possibility of making some zone changes. With no further business, Chairman Pullig adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m.. 5