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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-10-99 HLC MinutesHISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION May 10, 1999 City Council Chambers - 3:30 p.m. The May 10, 1999, Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Vice -Chairman Mike O'Rear. Commission members present: Vice -Chairman Michael O'Rear Commissioner Dale Hallmark Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Leonie Bodin Commissioner Jamie Credle Commissioner Philip Long Corrunissioner Julia Levy Commissioner Shaheen Farah Commission members absent: Chairman Tracy Richardson Commissioner Denise Shelton Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Cathy Belt Councilmembers present: Councilmember Andrew Cokinos Councilmember Lulu Smith Staffpresent: Stephen Richardson, Secretary; Nancy Nicholas, Recording Secretary; Cheryl Robinson, Senior Planner and Adina Abshire, Planning Technician APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Vice -Chairman O'Rear asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the April 12, 1999, meeting. Commissioner Hallmark questioned Item 8 regarding the vote section. He asked if the members listed had voted for or against the motion. The members listed had voted against the motion. Commissioner Hallmark then stated he was clear on the wording and made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Broussard seconded the motion and it was approved 8:0. Mr. Richardson requested the Public Hearing (Item 1) be deferred until after the regular meeting and the Commission's physical inspection of the property at 1645 Orange. Historic Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes May 10, 1999 REGULAR MEETING 1) CA-374: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a house. Location: 1810 Calder Applicants: Gregg and Jeff Green and City of Beaumont Clean Community Department Mr. Steve Richardson presented the staff report. Action on this item was tabled at the April 12, 1999, meeting so that the Historic Landmark Commission could lour the house. A lour of the house was conducted on May 5, 1999. Gregg and Jeff Green, the property owners, and the Clean Community Department have requested a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition of a single family structure at 1810 Calder. The Clean Community Department has found the structure to bein violation of the City of Beaumont Code of Ordinances concerning dangerous structures. The property owners have been contacted and do not wish to repair the structure because it would be too costly to renovate. The house has extensive water and tetmite damage. The structure is valued at $13,560. The estimated cost of repairs will exceed fifty percent of the value of the structure. The property is listed in SPARE Beaumont. The structure was constructed c. 1910 and is of the Craftsman style. It is an example of upper class housing built on Calder after the first Spindletop boom. In 1995, the Greens requested that the house be demolished and/or that this property be removed from the Oaks Historic district. The Historic Landmark Commission denied both requests. The City Council also denied the request to take the property out of the Historic District. Mr. Richardson concluded the staff report and turned CA-374 back to the Commission for action. Vice -Chairman O'Rear asked if there were any questions or comments. Commissioner Hallmark stated he would like the following remarks to be a part of the record. He said, "I have one or two and that number one, as you and I have talked before, and I think it is rather fervently known, that as a Commissioner, I feel this thing was a railroad job from the get go. That's very blunt and that's a very hardened way to put it. I termed it `planned demolition'. It's a crying shame and I don't know how we could do it, that there could be some type of enforcement ordinance put into effect where when a house is in a occupiable condition at the time it's purchased and that house is either on the SPARE Beaumont survey or listed as such, that it can be prevented from allowing to get in the condition that this property has. I am also very disappointed, for whatever reason, that the two Mr, Green's did not even have the courtesy to attend the meetings to answer any questions or any comments that we may have had. 2 Historic landmark Conuttission tvteeting Minutes May 10, 1999 This again to me personally, as a Commissioner, reinforces that.,. I don't want to use the word contempt, but that defiance of what the intent to maintain that house was in their actions by not even bothering showing up. That tells me they are fairly well assured that this is going to be a cakewalk through this Commission. That's all personal continents, but I wanted them on the record." Commissioner Cradle wanted to know if the Commission could make a public statement of their disappointment on losing the historic property. Commissioner O'Rear stated this subject had been discussed previously. He wanted to know if it would be appropriate for the Commission to explore the possibility of making such a statement. W. Richardson replied that he did not have a problem with it. Commissioner Farah asked if the house was demolished and the property remained in the historic district, how would it impact the Green's plans for the property, if in fact they do have a plan. Mr. Richardson stated that the Green's want to turn the property into a parking lot. He stated that a parking lot is permitted in a GC -MD district and that staff can sign off on a a Certificate of Appropriateness for the parking lot. In addition, all landscaping and sign requirements will have to be met. Commissioner Farah stated that he would not like to see the property deleted fiom the historic district. Dr. Smith arrived at 3:40 p.m. Mr. Richardson stated that to prevent these circumstances from occurring again, an ordinance amendment would have to be passed. He also slated he will consult the city attorney regarding verbiage and present the information to the Commission. Discussion also involved possible solutions to retain the house within the district. Mrs. June O'Rear, 2301 Long, asked to address CA-374. She wanted to know why the City should pay for the demolition. Commissioner Hallmark ask Dr. Smith if city funds would be used to pay for the demolition of the house. Dr. Smith stated that if the City Council ordered demolition of the house and the owner did not comply within the time limit, then [lie City would perform the demolition. In addition, a lien would be attached to the property. Vice -Chairman O'Rear asked fora motion on CA-374. Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to approve CA-374 with the stipulation that the property itself be retained in the Oaks Historic District and subject to all rules and regulations of the district. Commissioner Farah seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7:0:1. 2) CA-379: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint a house Location: 2406 South Applicant: Nancy Staub Mr. Richardson presented (lie staff report. Historic Landmark Coomrissim Meeting Minutes May 10, 1999 The applicant wishes to paint the house at 2406 South a "dusty purple" with dark green shutters. The trim will be painted a cream color. The applicant has removed (lie aluminum siding that was on the house and wishes to paint the original siding. The house is not listed in SPARE. Mr. Richardson passed around a sample of the paint to the Commission. Mr. Richardson stated that Ms. Staub was in the audience to answer questions. Discussion involved the density and combination of the colors selected. Il is in keeping with the Victorian era. With no further discussion, Vice Chairman O'Rear asked for a motion on CA-379. Commissioner Broussard made a motion to approve CA-379 and Commissioner bevy seconded the motion. The motion was approved 8:0. 3) CA-376: Request for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint a house Location: 2525 Rusk Applicant: Justin Jaimes Mr. Steve Richardson presented the staff report. The applicant has painted the house at 2525 Rusk an olive green with aqua blue trim. In April, 1999, the staff notified Mr. Jaimes that he would be required to go before the Historic Landmark Commission for the colors that he had chosen. Mr. Jaimes has applied for a certificate of appropriateness. The house is not included in SPARE. Slides were presented of the property Mr. Richardson stated that Mr. Jaimes was in the audience to answer questions Mr. Jaimes stated the house was painted yellow and white originally. He also stated that he could not match the original paint color and did not know about (he painting ordinance in the Historic District, Commissioner Broussard wanted to know if a pernvt was required for painting. Mr. Richardson stated only a Certificate of Appropriateness was required. Vice -Chairman O'Rear asked for a motion on CA-376. Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to approve CA-376 as submitted to allow Mr. Jaimes to retain the colors as they are on the house. Commissioner Credle seconded the motion, The motion was approved 8:0. 4 ttisroric LmMmark Commission Meeting Minutes May 10, 1999 Vice -Chairmen O'Rear adjourned the Historic Landmark Commission Meeting at approximately 3:55 p.m. so the Commission could 'inspect the house at 1645 Orange. The Historic Landmark Commission Meeting reconvened at approximately 4:45 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING Vice Chairman O'Rear opened the public hearing. 1) 97-TE-10: Request for approval of a resolution verifying the restoration work for the purpose of receiving a tax exemption. Location: 1645 Orange Applicant: David J. Bienvenue Mr. Steve Richardson presented the staff report. On April 14, 1997, the Historic Landmark Commission voted to recommend to City Council approval of a tax exemption on improvements made to 1645 Orange. On April 29, 1997, City Council voted to approve the lax exemption. The final step in the tax exemption process is for the Historic Landmark Commission to verify that the restoration work is substantially completed. Once the Commission verifies the work the Planning Director will notify the Tax Appraisal District. Vice -Chairman O'Rcar asked if there were any questions or comments. There being none, Vice -Chairman O'Renr closed the public hearing. Vice -Chairman O'Rear asked for a motion on Pile 97-TE-10. Commissioner Broussard made a motion to approve Pile 97-TE-10 and Commissioner Levy seconded the motion. The motion passed 8:0. REGULAR MEETING (continued) 4) Revolving Loan Fund (Financial Report Mr. Steve Richardson reported that $22,000 is available in the Revolving Loan Fund. F1 Historic Landmark COLIMiSSiOil Meeting Minutes May 10, t999 5) Chairman's Report Mr. Steve Richardson reported the Beaumont Spindletop Committee met on May 4, 1999. He stated that he and other Beaumont Spindletop committee members had met with Ilse OCAW to discuss a "catfish cookolT." Commissioner Broussard inquired about the work being done at the for finer Lamb's Printing Building. Vice Chairman O'Rear stated that the interior is being cleaned out. Mr. Steve Richardson reminded members that the JetTerson County Preservation Awards will be held Monday, May 10, 1999, at 5:00 p.m. at the David French House. ADJOURN With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.