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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-11-12 HLC Minutes M I N U T E S REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION June 11, 2012 Council Chambers A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on June 11, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. with the following members present: Commission members present: Chairman Paula Blazek Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Judy Linsley Commissioner Darlene Chodzinski Commissioner Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Marty Craig Commissioner Marsha Normand Commissioner LinMarie Garsee Commissioner Thomas Sigee Commission members absent: Commissioner Norris Turner Commissioner Ethelyn Jenkins Commissioner B. Eliot New Councilmembers present: Councilmember Mike Getz Councilmembers absent: Councilmember-at Large Gethrel Wright Councilmember Alan Coleman Also present: Steve Richardson, Planning Manager; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Adina Ward, Planner; Anna Varela, Historic District Code Enforcement Officer; Danny Daniels, Building Official APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 14, 2012. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. REGULAR MEETING 1) File 2139: Reconsideration of CA-2139. Location: 2635 Hazel Applicant: John Busceme Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. On April 9, the Historic Landmark Commission approved, with conditions, a metal fence that was being constructed by John Busceme. Mr. Busceme stated that he needed the fence because he has had numerous instances of trespassing and break-ins. The Commission approved CA-2139 subject to the following conditions:  The fence shall be toped with a 2" x 6" wood cap and the corners and all seams shall be covered with 1" x 4" wood trim.  The corrugated tin shall be painted hunter green.  All work shall be completed by June 9, 2012. On May 10, staff received a request by Chairperson Paula Blazek and Commissioner Eliot New to place CA-2139 on the Commission=s agenda to reconsider the Commission=s action. In addition, Virginia Jordan, written on behalf of the Oak=s Historic District Neighborhood Association, submitted a letter also asking that the Commission reconsider its decision. Since approval by the Commission, it was discovered that the portion of the fence along the rear property line has been built on Elvira Krummel=s property, the property to the south. While that fact is significant, that is a civil matter between Mr. Busceme and Ms. Krummel. In reconsidering CA-2139, the Commission should determine whether the fence, as constructed, is appropriate and meets the guidelines of Sec. 28.03.018. Those guidelines state that fences must be constructed and maintained in a vertical fashion. Metal fences must be compatible with the style and period of the main building. Chain link, barbed and razor wire fences are permitted only in back yards and must not be visible from abutting streets. The Zoning Ordinance does state that approval my be granted of a fence that is not in compliance if the applicant establishes that the fence is historically sensitive or unless the absence of said fence poses a significant hazard to life or property. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Blazek asked for the applicant=s comments. Mr. Busceme addressed the Commission. Discussion followed between the Commission, Councilman Getz and staff. Historic Landmark CommissionJune 11, 2012 Commissioner Normand made a motion to approve the reconsideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the construction of a fence at 2635 Hazel as requested in CA-2139 that was approved April 9, 2012 subject to the following conditions:  The fence shall be toped with a 2" x 6" wood cap and the corners and all seams shall be covered with 1" x 4" wood trim.  The corrugated tin shall be painted hunter green.  All work shall be completed by June 9, 2012. Commissioner Chodzinski seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 8:1 (Blazek). 2) CA-2163: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the demolition of a structure. Location: 2456 Broadway Applicant: City of Beaumont Building Codes Division Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. Pam Loiacano, Demolition Coordinator, states that the structure was tagged in May, 2012. John White, the property owner, has signed a demo consent form. The house is not listed in the SPARE Beaumont survey. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request. Slides of the property were shown. Chairman Blazek asked for the applicant=s comments. Danny Daniels, Building Official, addressed the Commission. Anna Varela, Historic District Code Enforcement Officer, also addressed the Commission. Commissioner Broussard made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the demolition of a structure at 2456 Broadway as requested in CA-2163. Commissioner LaBiche seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. 3) CA-2166: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the paving of city right-of-way for parking. 3 Historic Landmark CommissionJune 11, 2012 Location: 2560 Smart Applicant: Raul Barajas Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. This item is a request for a certificate of appropriateness to allow the paving of city right-of-way for parking in front of the house at 2560 Smart. Raul Barajas, the property owner, placed gravel in front of his house without any permits. He is using the area for the parking of vehicles. On May 3, he was cited for laying down the gravel without a certificate of appropriateness. Parking is not permitted on grass areas and grassed areas may not be paved or otherwise destroyed without a CA. In addition, the City of Beaumont Transportation Division does not support the improvement of the right-of-way in front of the residence for vehicle parking. This improvement would increase the risk of collision because vehicles parked there would increase the risk of collision because vehicles parked there would have to move backward onto Smart with little warning to conflicting drivers already on the road. Parallel parking in the right-of-way is not supported either unless it is designed as part of the street, so that option will not work either. The Transportation Division states that the property owner should construct a driveway that enters their property and provides parking for their vehicles outside of the right-of-way. Mr. Richardson recommended denial of the request. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Blazek asked for the applicant=s comments. Mrs. Barajas addressed the Commission. Discussion followed between the Commission, staff and the applicant. Commissioner LaBiche made a motion to deny a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the paving of city right-of-way for parking at 2560 Smart as requested in CA-2166. Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Motion to deny carried 9:0. 4 Historic Landmark CommissionJune 11, 2012 4) File 55-HC: Request for an HC-L (Historic Cultural Landmark) Designation. Location: 470 Jackson Applicant: Demetria Standberry Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. Demetria Standberry, the daughter of the property owner, has applied for a Historic-Cultural Landmark Designation for the house located at 470 Jackson. Ms. Standberry states that house was built more than 100 years ago. In 1878, the property was sold to the Beaumont Lumber Company. As early as 1900, J.D. Kilgore used the house as his family residence and a grocery store. In 1915, Mr. Kilgore purchased the property. Eventually the store was relocated to Irving Street where it continued to serve the community. After several changes in ownership, the property was sold in 1966 to Mr. and Mrs. H. Standberry. The house served as both the Standberry=s residence and Mr. Standberry=s shoe repair shop. Eventually the shoe repair shop was moved next door. Mrs. Standberry also ran a small seamstress business from the house. Mr. Standberry passed his trade on to the next generation. Currently, the second generation owns and operates a shoe repair shop and barber shop on Washington. While the house was damaged by Hurricane Rita, it has not had any significant changes to its design since it was originally built. The house is an excellent example of working class housing built during the early growth period of Beaumont. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request. Forty-four notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. Eight responses in favor and none in opposition were returned. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Blazek asked for comments. Demetria Standberry, the applicant, addressed the Commission and discussion followed. 5 Historic Landmark CommissionJune 11, 2012 Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve a request for an HC-L (Historic Cultural Landmark) Designation at 470 Jackson as requested in File 55-HC. Commissioner Normand seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. 5) Historic Preservation Loan Program Mr. Richardson stated that there was $127,396.17 available. 6) Director=s Report 7) Historic District Code Enforcement Report Ms. Varela distributed the code enforcement report. OTHER BUSINESS THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:53 P. M. 6