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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-13-96 HLC MinutesA meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on May 13, 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 Denise Shelton Commissioner Michael O'Rear Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Tracy Richardson Commissioners absent: Commissioner Albert Ebow Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Director; Vanessa Golden, Recording Secretary; Maria Trapp, Planning Technician; Lawrence Baker, Field Supervisor - Demolition Department Also present: Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos; Councilmember Lulu Smith; Mrs. Michael Alfred REGULAR MEETING Chairman Pullig called the Regular Meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. and roll was called. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 8. 1996 REGULAR MEETING Chairman Pullig asked for additions/corrections to the minutes of the April 8, 1996 meeting. Vice -Chairman Stedman made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 8, 1996 meeting. Commissioner Levy seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0. 1) Demolitions Stephen Richardson presented the staff report for a request of demolition of 4 different structures: 1012 Avenue B; 440 Doucette; 2250 Laurel and 2325 Park. He stated that all four properties have been tagged by the City of Beaumont as substandard and in need of removal. He also stated that since the properties were built prior to 1950, they were forwarded to the Texas Historical Commission for determination of possible - historic MUOIr 'S Hisloric Landmark Commission May 13, 1996 significance. None of the four structures are designated as a local, state or national historic property. 1012 Avenue B, 440 Doucette and 2250 Laurel are listed in the SPARE Beaumont Survey. 2325 Park is not. All four structures are in poor condition. Repairs to all four structures exceed 50% of the structures appraised values. Staff recommended approval of the request to demolish all four structures due to the fact that none of the houses retain historic value sufficient to warrant preservation. Slides were shown of each house. 1012 Avenue B showed some of the Victorian detail, however some of the detail is now missing. There has been gang activity in this house. Many of the windows have been boarded up. 440 Doucette has been on the demolition list since the late 1980's. The house has been vacant for many years. 2250 Laurel has been vacant for many years and has also had gang activity. Commissioner Watler asked if the roof was tile. Chairman Pullig noted that SPARE states that it is an asphalt roof. Mr. Richardson stated that Lawrence Baker, Field Supervisor -Demolition Department, was present to answer specific questions regarding the four structures. 2325 Park is overgrown with vegetation and is very difficult to see in the slides. This house is not listed in the SPARE. Commissioner } Embs questioned if the house was situated on two lots. Mr. Richardson stated that it is. Chairman Pullig questioned the dollar value stated in the staff report. Mr. Richardson stated that the amount indicated is the current appraised value per the tax roll, based on the current condition of the property. Commissioner Stiles questioned the figures on 440 Doucette in regards to the repairs regarding 50% of the appraised value . Mr. Richardson stated that the figures reflect the appraised value of the improvements. The total includes the property structure and land. Chairman Pullig questioned the condition of the roofs, seals, etc.. Mr. Richardson then handed the meeting over to Mr. Baker for questions from the Commission. Mr. Baker proceeded to report on each structure individually. 1012 Avenue B has excessive deterioration on the roof, rotted seals, all ceilings have rain damage, rotted floorings in some sections of the house, all interior plumbing has been removed, wiring will have to be replaced because it is obsolete, the entire structure would have to be replumbed, rotted exterior wood, deterioration on the window frames, the porches would have to be rebuilt - the house would require extensive rehabilitation. 440 Doucette has been boarded up for some time, it has a metal roof, however it was previously condemned and has been sitting in the same condition for several years. Chairman Pullig asked if Mr. Baker has been inside the structure. Mr. Baker stated that the house is currently secured. There have been no major problems with vandalism at this property, however it is in a spot where the MLK right-of-way passing by the street. There are also nice homes in the area. Chairman Pullig asked if the PA MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission May 13, 1996 status of the ownership of the structure was known. Mr. Baker stated that he has not been in contact with the owner at all. Letters have" been sent out, but no response has been received and it appears that this property has been abandoned. Mr. Baker stated that if the property is allowed to sit in its current condition, it will continue to be an eyesore and will continue to deteriorate. 2250 Laurel has been a source of numerous complaints regarding gang activity occurring on the interior. Fires have been set on the inside, producing ceiling and floor damage. New wiring would be needed as well as plumbing, since the fixtures have been removed completely. All floors have been damaged and would require all new flooring. New sheetrock is also needed as well as new outlets, etc. There has been some damage to the exterior of the structure. Chairman Pullig asked if there has been any serious damage to the under piers or the joists on this location or the Doucette location. Mr. Baker stated that the house on Doucette appears to be pretty sound at this time. The Laurel Street location has received damage to the flooring in the rear of the house. Chairman Pullig asked if the damage is located in the main structure or in the addition. Mr. Baker stated it is located in the add -on, and that there is probably extensive termite damage to the structure as well. The owner of the structure at 2325 Park Street is not interested in doing anything with the structure. The owner has implied that the she would like to try and sell the property. Mr. Baker stated that she lives out of town and does not have the time to rehabilitate the structure. Chairman Pullig asked if the owner were to donate the structure to a charitable organization, and volunteer labor were made available, would the structure be worth saving. Mr. Baker stated it would be a possibility. Chairman Pullig opened the floor for discussion. He stated that the structure on Avenue B appears to be unsalvageable. He asked Mr. Richardson if the city is able'to take title to the structures should the heirs not be found. Councilmember Cokinos stated that the owner of the Laurel structure lives in Houston and is the uncle of Marie Carlotis, of Carlos. Chairman Pullig questioned whether the structure on Park Street is secured. Mr. Baker stated It is not secure at this time. Commissioner Richardson stated that he noticed there is a new owner on the Laurel Street property and questioned Mr. Baker as to whether his department has spoken with the new owner. Mr. Baker stated that as he was preparing to schedule the property for condemnation at the next council hearing, he noticed that the ownership had changed, which starts the procedure over. He stated that his department will notify the new owner and find out his intentions for the property. Chairman Pullig suggested taking that structure off of the agenda until an appropriate time, since the process is beginning again. Chairman Pullig requested that Mr. Richardson send the new owner a letter on the M MINtr17'S Historic Landmark Commission May 13, 1996 Commissions letterhead advising him that there may be some assistance available either through the Historic Landmark Commission or through housing. Commissioner Embs asked Mr. Baker how long the procedure has been going on. Mr. Baker stated that he had received complaints from the police department and the neighborhood association in mid-1995. He then went out and tagged the structure. Commissioner Watler asked who would be covering the cost of the demolition. Mr. Richardson stated the city covers the cost. Commissioner Richardson questioned whether there had been any. problems with vandalism (of architectural items) of any of the structures. Mr. Baker stated that all of the plumbing fixtures have been taken out of the house on Laurel and Avenue B has been vandalized as well. Chairman Pullig suggested voting on each structure individually rather than all at one time. 1012 Avenue B: Staff recommendation is to approve the request and pass the request on to City Council, that the Commission finds there is not enough historical value to the structure to warrant retention of the structure on inventory. Commissioner Watler made a motion to approve demolition of 1012 Avenue B. Commissioners Embs and O'Rear seconded the motion. Motion carried 10:0. 440 Doucette: Chairman Pullig noted that part of the problem with this particular structure is that it is so out of step with the revival of the neighborhood that it is becoming an eyesore. He asked Mr. Baker if the house was brought up to code, would it fit into the neighborhood. Mr. Baker stated that the house is very small and that whatever work would be done would have to include an expansion. Commissioner Stiles questioned the zoning of the property. Mr. Baker stated that right now with all of the residential structures in the area, he would assume it is zoned residential. Chairman Pullig stated that effectively it will be a number of years before that stretch of MLK is commercialized. Commissioner Stiles questioned whether Mr. Baker had been in contact with the owner of the property, Mr. Boutte. Mr. Baker stated that he has not been in contact with the owner and that the structure has been sitting in the same condition for several years. Chairman Pullig noted that staff recommendation for this structure is to approve demolition and acknowledge that 4 MRgUT S Historic Landmark Commission May 13, 1996 there is not enough historical value on the house. Commissioner 4'Rear made a motion to approve the request to demolish the structure due to no historical valued of the structure. Commissioner Watler seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:2. Chairman Pullig requested that Mr. Baker send another letter to the owner and inquire as to whether he would be willing to donate the house or what his intentions may be. 2325 Park Street: Chairman Pullig questioned a note in the file in reference to Mrs. Hayden (the owner) requesting she be taken off of the agenda, because she wanted to try and sell the property. He asked if Mr. Baker has spoken with Mrs. Hayden since March 15, 1996 (date of the note in tile) and if he knows how to find her. Mr. Baker stated that he does know how to find her, but he has not been in contact with her. Chairman Pullig noted that this is the structure with extensive vegetation around it. Chairman Pullig questioned Mr. Baker on the stability of the roof, seals, etc.. Mr. Baker stated there is damage to all of the windows and doors. There is rotten wood on the front porch. The structure is open and accessible. The overall condition of the exterior is in reasonably good shape. The piers are in good solid condition and the seals look to be pretty sound. The one main drawback to the property is that the owner is not doing anything with it and it is open and accessible. Chairman Embs asked how long the structure has been open. Mr. Baker stated since the early 1990's. Chairman Pullig stated from the file that in 1991 Mrs. Hayden called regarding the property and stated didn't know what to do with it. It was carried into 1992. Chairman Pullig noted that this request went from staff to the state and then came back to the Commission from the state historical commission. Vice -Chair Stedman asked if the owner is actively trying to sell the property and whether she had listed with a real estate company. Chairman Pullig stated that he has not noticed a for sale sign on the property and pointed out that a realtor is not going to list a house in that condition. He pointed out that she (the owner) has made this same request on more than one occasion. Mr. Baker noted that the recommendation is based on past experience with the owner - she has not made a move to do anything about the structure - either by MIId[x1TTS Historic Landmark Commission May 13, 1996 boarding it up or by keeping the property cleaned up. It appears as though she has abandoned the property. He also noted that the only reason the property owner has contacted Mr. Baker's office is due to the notification his office sent to her regarding upcoming council action. He stated that she is saying the same thing now that she said in 1991. Chairman Pullig requested a motion on the request and noted that staff recommendation is to approve the request to forward the demolition to council since there is little or no historical significance to retain the structure. Commissioner Stiles asked if a lien would be issued against the property should the request to demolish be approved. Mr. Baker stated that once the demolition is completed, the owner Is billed. If the property owner refuses to pay, it is then turned over to the credit bureau, and eventually shows up on the property owners credit report if he/she still refuses to pay. Chairman Pullig asked if any recoveries have actually been made on any of the structures demolished. Mr. Baker stated that there are some that are outstanding and with a collection agency. However currently some are paying on an installment basis and others come to the city and request a demolition and those people are ready to pay as soon as the demolition is complete. He stated that not all of the money is recouped. Commissioner Broussard asked the approximate cost of a demolition. Mr. Baker stated that the cost is right at about $1000, but it depends on the square footage of the structure. This particular structurewould be approximately $1500. Commissioner Watler asked if the city uses its own crews or if its contracted out. Mr. Baker stated that it is bidded out to commercial contractors. Commissioner Shelton asked if the contractor cleans up the lot. Mr. Baker stated that the contractor clears the lot of all debris. Commissioner Embs made a motion to approve the request for demolition of 2325 Park. Commissioner Watler seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:2. Commissioner Holmes arrived. 2) Revolving Loan_ Fund 6 f Historic Landmark Commission May 13, 1996 Chairman Pullig asked if the money approved a month ago is shown in the current report. Mr. Richardson stated that it is not reflected on the Iist,-but the dollar amount has been deducted, so the total reflected is correct. Commissioner Wader questioned the identity of B & M Industries. Mr. Richardson stated that it is Marlin Willowford (The Star Building). Councilmember Cokinos inquired as to the status of Bruce Irvine's loan repayment. Mr. Richardson stated he will need to get with accounting to see how to handle that particular situation. Chairman Pullig stated for those who did not know that Mr. Irvine passed away unexpectedly last month. 3) Chairman's ReRort Chairman Pullig turned the meeting over to Commissioner O'Rear for a report on the evening's reception. Commissioner O'Rear reminded the Commission that an open house will be held at his home after the meeting. He and his wife are holding this reception to show everyone around their home, which received an historic designation. Chairman Pullig then asked Mr. Richardson to give a report on the event later in the evening. Mr. Richardson stated that there will be a ceremony at the McFaddin-Ward Information Center to hand out awards from the Preservation. Awards Week committee. He also invited all commissioners to the city council meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 1996 at 1:30 for the reading of a proclamation for Preservation Week. OTHER BUSINESS 1) Mr. Richardson stated that Mr. Alfred came to visit him about a month ago. He is the current owner of 850 Doucette, which is the Babe Zaharias homestead. Mr. Alfred is interested in trying to do something with the house. Mr. Richardson showed slides of the house. Mr. Richardson stated that Mr. Alfred's Intentions were to restore the home and possibly move it to the Babe Zaharias Museum grounds. Mr. Richardson introduced Mrs. Alfred to the commission. Mrs. Alfred gave a brief report on her husband's activities and intentions. Mrs. Alfred distributed packets to the commission. She stated that her husband would like to make the house into a museum and tourist attraction. She stated that many artifacts were found inside the house and are now in the Alfred's possession. Mrs. Alfred passed around several articles found in the house, including a tennis racket, a 1920 Pine Burr yearbook, among other things. She stated that several television stations have approached Mr. Alfred concerning the production of a documentary on the house. With no further business, Chairman Pullig adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m.. 7