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Home My WebLink About28-HCSTAFF REPORT, JANUARY 19, 1993 FILE #28-HC Page 1 Date: January 19, 1993 To: Historic Landmark Commission From: Planning Division Requested Request to consider an application for the designation of Action: Historical -Cultural Landmark Preservation District. The property is the former Santa Fe Depot Building site at 400 Neches Street (corner of Neches and Crockett), Lot 1 and the Easternmost twenty-two feet (22') of Lot 2, Block 18, Van Wormer Addition to the City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas. The property is ,208 acres, more or less. Staff Recommendation: Project Information: STAFF REPORT Staff recommends approval of this request because the subject property meets the established standards outlined in Section 30- 39, Subsection (C), Paragraph (3), criteria (a), (d), (e), (f), and (h) regarding historical significance. The applicant, Mr. Michael Matthews is an attorney with the law firm of Griffin and Matthews. Mr. Matthews is renovating the subject property and has already been granted tax relief available through the Historic Tax Abatement program by unanimous action of both the City Council and the Historical Landmark Commission. The site was constructed circa 1897, and underwent extensive modifications in 1910. Current restorations are within the specifications of state guidelines. He is'now seeking designation of historical significance according to Sec 25- 28 of the zoning ordinance. The subject property is . within the city central business district, and is projected to provide office space (See attached applicant's letter, Exhibit A). STAFF REPORT, JANUARY 19, 1993 FILE #28-HC Page 2 General Information: Property Description: Property Environment: APPLICANT: Michael Matthews PROPERTY OWNER: Same STATUS OF APPLICANT; X Owner _ Prospective Buyer Tenant _ Other LOCATION: 400 Neches Street LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 1 and the Easternmost twenty-two feet (22') of Lot 2, Block 18, Van Wormer Addition. EXISTING ZONING: Light Industrial (L-I) FLOOD HAZARD ZONE; X C (Minimal) B (Moderate) A (100 Year) Floodway SIZE OF PROPERTY: .208 acres, more or less. EXISTING LAND USES: Vacant SURROUNDING LAND USES AND ZONING• (See Attached Map) Land Use: Zoning: NORTH: Industrial H-I (Heavy Industrial) EAST: Commercial CBD (Central SOUTH: Commercial [VEST: Industrial Business District CBD L-I (Light Industrial) OMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Conservation and Revitalization. STAFF REPORT, JANUARY 19, 1993 FILE #28--HC . Page 3 Public Utilities: Staff Analysis: STREETS: Neches: 38' Roadway Width 61' Right of Way (ROW) Crockett: 40' Roadway Width 61' ROW, Collector DRAINAGE: Neches: 27" Storm Sewer Crockett: 24" Storm Sewer WATER: Neches: 8" Water Line Crockett: 8" Water Line SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: Neches: 27" Water Line Crockett: 24" Water Line FIRE PROTECTION: Fire protection is provided by Station #1, 747 College Street. ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: Services and utilities are adequate. Criteria to be Used in Designations. The Historical Landmark Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council shall consider, but not be limited to, one or more of the following criteria in establishing an H-C, Historical -Cultural Landmark Preservation District: a> Existing or proposed recognition as a National Historic Landmark, or Texas Historic Landmark, or entry or proposed entry into the National Register of Historic Places; b> Existence of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen, or of the social, economic, or political heritage of the City; STAFF REPORT, JANUARY 19, 1993 FILE #28-HC . Page 4 Analysis Continued: c> Identification as the work of a designer, architect, or builder whose work has influenced the growth or development of the City; d> Embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation or an outstanding example of a particular historical, architectural or other cultural style or period; e> Relationship to other buildings, structures, or places which are eligible for preservation as historic places; f> Exemplification of the cultural, economic, social, ethnic, or historical heritage of the City, County, State or Nation; g> Location as the site of a significant historical event; h> Listing in the S.P.A.R.E. Beaumont Survey; i> Identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture or development of the City, County, State or Nation; and j> A building, structure, or place that because of its location has become of historic or cultural value to a neighborhood or community. STAFF REPORT, JANUARY 19, 1993 FILE #28-HC Page 5 Analysis Continued: Legal Description For Ordinance Purposes Public Notification The site in question meets half of the aforementioned criteria. Criteria A and E are satisfied in that the structure contributes to the historic character of the immediate area. The Stedman Building, the Southern Pacific Railway Station, as well as the Hegele and Friedman Buildings define an area of national historic significance to which the Santa Fe Depot Building is a contributing structure (i.e. a structure of significant historic importance which adds to the historic value of the historic district), thus, making the depot a National Register Building. Criteria D and F are satisfied because the structure embodies the character of American utilization and dependency on rail as a critical means of national growth and communication. The depot, by the nature of its use, was a functional, if not cultural, center of activity in Beaumont for many decades. And finally, Criteria H is met because the site is listed in both the 1977 and 1989 SPARE Beaumont Surveys. The corresponding sites numbers are A-67 and 040, respectively (See Exhibits B, C, and D). Lot 1 and the Easternmost twenty-two feet (22') of Lot 2, Block 18, Van Wormer Addition to the City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, Notices Mailed to Property Owners• 9 Responses in Favor: Responses in Opposition; FILE 28—HC: Request to consider an applica7reserva for the NORTH designation of Historical —Cultural Landmark tion d ' District. _ SCALE `` J 1/200 Ali y (l Q yQ �` 2 V c � ti 4y4 t Spy - 0 RLAIRILrk • L �� vp .}- Owl-. y� s j } (:. � \� \` ''�a � • \'� \ + '.yam � /� L► To db 65 r• .f �C 0 GRIFFIN & MATTHEWS c:AEoznEp at 1'atu 100 CALDER. SUITE 100 BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77701 TELEPHONE (409) 032-6006 TELECOPIER (409) 832-i000 MICHAEL D. MATTHEWS January 21, 1993 Planning Division P. 0. Bo 3827 Beaumont, TX 77704 Attention: Nicholas RE: Santa Fe Depot, 400 Neches at Crockett, Beaumont, Texas Dear Sirs: HOUSTON The Santa Fe Depot building is a contributing building to the National Register in the Beaumont Commercial Historic District. From a review of historical sources, it is my understanding that the property was acquired in 1897 by the Gulf & Inter -state Railway Company and the Gulf, Beaumont & Kansas City Railway Company, which was a predecessor to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company, and a railroad company by which John Henry Kirby hoped to expand into the adjoining areas. Additionally in the chain of title of the property was the Beaumont Wharf and Terminal Company, another predecessor of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company. From an historical aspect, original erection of the building on the real property was commenced shortly thereafterrano the structure was subsequently altered by the addition of a second story around 1910. The Santa Fe Depot has been continuously active through the years until the mid- 1960's for railroad and warehouse purposes. The building has since been left to age inglo- riously with little to no maintenance. There was activity in the mid to late 70's to partially restore an area on the second story for use by an art group, but since the early 80's, the building and warehouse have been left to deteriorate. The building is the source and cause of many memories to residents of this area through the century. The structure contains many materials and brick and wood members in their original, salvageable condition that are re- maining on the project. I intend to preserve the distinctive characteristics of the early rail- road architecture. This project is situated across from the Stedman Building project, which is noted for its restoration in 1990, and which served as encouragement to proceed. Much restoration has taken place in the immediate vicinity, including, but not limited to, the Hegele and Friedman Buildings, as well as the Southern Pacific Railway Station. EXHIBIT "A" Planning Division } Page Two January 21, 1993 The brick building and warehouse are typical of the Santa Fe Railroad buildings of - the period. The exterior of the buildings will remain historically correct, with a restoration of the brick and wood, in addition to repainting the wood trim with its prior colors. It is for this reason that we are requesting the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance of Beaumont to change the zoning district from Light Industrial to H. C. Overlay. Thank you for your consideration on this matter. Please contact me if you have any questions or need any additional information prior to considering our Application for Amend- ment of the Zoning Ordinance, Beaumont, Texas. MDM/vmo Very truly yours, /Lk "'e ltc_� Michael D. Matthews For the Firm EXHIBIT "A" (PAGE 2) C SPARE BEAUMONT ............. ......................... Inventory DESCRIPTION No. A-67 DIVISION A MAP NO. S-4 ADDRESS 609 Crockett ORIGINAL USE : i] residential ❑ single ❑ multiple Commercial / institutional ® industrial PRESENT USE : ❑ residential commercial / institutional ® industrial CONSTRUCTIONS ❑ Frame ® masonry ❑ veneer ❑ other , INFORMATION t available STATE HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY PERIOD SUBDIVISION FDT THEMATIC LISTING TCRR EVALUATION HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE ❑ netienel 7O ❑ state 15 Illegal 10 ARCHITECTURAL STYLE ❑ exseihnt RO ®good 30 ❑ fair 20 ❑ aea■ desgript 0 RELATION TO NEIGHBORHOOD ❑ rasislential reupin 30 ® commercial fre,upinR 30 ❑ indlvidael 10 MODIFICATIONS ® miner i0 ❑ extensive 0 TOTAL 80 OTHER GKH :669 EXHIBIT "B" C SPARE BEAUMONT.................................. Photo page Inventory No.: A-65 A-66 A-67 497 Crockett 502 Crockett 4 70, �. !:•�._ :.r'�•��f -7 - .' ' a l.�i : .•.. . .. .: �� 609 Crockett 600 Blk. of Crockett P EXHIBIT "C" . - - E91 County JEFFERSON SUSGS Quad No. Slte 1so. City/Rural B AUMONi 040 6, Date:. Factwl Eat. c. 1910 2. Hama Santa Fe Railroad D t Address Neches at Crockett 7. Architect/Builder Contractor � 1 3. Owner Atchison Topeka Sante Fe Railroad S. Style/Type Two rt carmKrclal block. Address P.O. Box 1738 Topeka. Xsnsas 68.62E origi4. Block/Lot Van wormer Lots 1Block 1 SE 3-S 9. PresentlUsee VAAANTPORTA110N Rail -related -6 10. Description: Two-story gable front common bond brick two pert connercial block. Off center entrance (boarded) with ornamental Iron marquee. One window on north side of door, three windowboarded. Ali !first s on south side of door. All windows story windows have stone sills and brick segmented arches below stepped brick lintels. Corbelled stringcovrse betwe;n first And second Stories. Two sets of three one-over•one doubte hung sash with brick segmented arches sY V*Crically plated on second story. Masonry "$ante Fe Railroad" logo centered in gable front. Concrete trim on parapet. 11. Present Condition Poor. S*cond story windows are broktQ.owt and deterlara ion is evident Saver* delaminatlon of stare surfaces. 12. Significance: The building reflects the type of building constructed by that railroads drrirq Beauaant's years as a rail center. The building was an int"rai part of the Santa Fat ccagslex constructed in Beaunsont around the turn of the century And played an important rote in that city's econmic developasnt. Contributing building to National Register Beaumont Commercial Mistaric District. 13. Relationship to Site: Original Moved Bibliography Data �� (Describe original Site) 19. Informant 16. Recorder Date 6•'-89 P"M DATA Bieck and Whfto 35 ave negative TM DM NOLL nW I11 LL FM a9 02 14 to 02 13 IL ` j 1 r Pal • EW' RECORDED BY- _mush DATE, EXHIBIT "D" tl7-qww-j tt 'Beaunyont .JIMO EAIlMB N, TTE$AS lyofIK C DT: January 25, 1993 TO: Historical Landmark Commission FM: Beaumont Planning Staff SJ: Santa Fe Depot Building Certification The Santa Fe Depot Building has been identified as a structure which may have local, state or national historic significance. Case 28-HC presents staff opinion that the structure is indeed locally significant. Restoration of the structure is complete. According to Section 30-39, Subsection D, paragraph 3 of the City of Beaumont Zoning Ordinance, the commission must certify that the aforementioned restoration was performed in an historically sensitive and sympathetic nature. This certification must be carried out by formal vote and notice sent to both the applicant(s) and the Building Official. Once the certification is recorded, the tax abatement as prescribed by the City Council on November 24, 1992 shall take affect, beginning next fiscal tax year. :NK P. 0. Box 3827 Beaumont, Texas 77704