Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-10-95 HLC MinutesA meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on July 10, 1995 with the following members present: Chairman Sam Pullig Vice -Chairman Becki Stedman Commissioner Albert Ebow Commissioner Elmer Embs Commissioner Bruce Hamilton Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Julia Levy Commissioner JoAnn Stiles Commissioner Walter Sutton Commissioner Dorcy Watler Commissioners absent: Commissioner Marie Broussard Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Secretary; Murray Duren, Senior Planner; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Kimberly James, Planning Technician; Tyrone Cooper, First Assistant City Attorney Also present: Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos; CarolynHoward, Beaumont Main Street APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Embs to approve the minutes of the May 8, 1995 public hearing and was seconded by Commissioner Watler. Motion to approve carried 8:0. (Vice -Chairman Stedman arrived.) PUBLIC HEARING 1) File CA-118: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a house at 1810 Calder. Location: 1810 Calder Applicants: Elizabeth Reese Greeves, Executor Mr. Richardson told the Commission that the subject house is one of three homes on Calder that was included in the Oaks Historic District when it was created in MMUTIiS Historic Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 1993. SPARE Beaumont describes the house as being of Craftsman style and built in 1910. SPARE also states that the house is an example of upper class housing built on Calder after the first Spindletop boom in Beaumont. It is the desire of the applicant to demolish the house so that she can sell the property to A-1 Glass Company. Mr. Richardson gave some additional background information on the house and said it was his opinion that the house was a major contributing structure to the Oaks Historic District. He recommended denial of the request. In response to questions from Chairman Pullig, Mr. Richardson said the house is not presently occupied but appears to be in good condition. He also said that he was given an estimated cost of $15,000 to move the house. Chairman Pullig asked for comments in favor. (Commissioner Stiles arrived.) Speaking in Favor Elizabeth Greevcs, one of the applicants, addressed the Commission. Marian Reese, one of the applicants, addressed the Commission. Chairman Pullig asked for comments in opposition, Speaking in Opposition David Bradley 615 N. Fifth Street George Blake 2098 McFaddin Mike Therrien 2525 North June O'Rear 2301 Long I � 2 Beaumont, Texas Beaumont, Texas Beaumont, Texas Beaumont, Texas hUNUTPS } Hisloric Landmark Commission July 10,1995 Chairman Pullig explained to Mrs. Greeves that the purpose of the Historic Landmark Commission is to identify and preserve historic assets. Commissioner Embs commented that the house is totally surrounded by commercial property and feels that using the property for commercial business would be consistent with the neighborhood. He said he was uncomfortable following the staff recommendation. Commissioner Hamilton said he felt that the purpose of the Commission is to preserve property like the subject house and that the historical value of the property needs to be considered. Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to deny the request to demolish the house at 1810 Calder as stated in File CA-118. Commissioner Stedman seconded the motion. Motion to deny carried 8:2. j ) 2) File 1277-Z: Request to remove property at 1810 Calder from HC-D.1. (Oaks Historic Distict). Location: 1810 Calder Applicant: Jeff Green and Greg Green Mr. Richardson informed the Historic Landmark Commission that the applicant, A-1 Glass Company, wants to purchase the subject property and use it for the expansion of their business. The applicants feel that in regard to the proposed operation of their business on the subject property, it would be more practical for the property to be removed from the Oaks Historic District, Mr. Richardson explained that he felt not enough time had been given to explore all the various alternatives for saving the house and that it deserved to be saved. He recommended tabling the request until all the alternatives could be investigated. Chairman Pullig asked for comments in favor or in opposition of the request. Speaking in Favor Elizabeth Greeves, present owner of the house, spoke in favor or the request. Speaking in Opposition Dean Terrebonne 2355 Harrison Beaumont, Texas MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 George Blake 2098 McFaddin Beaumont, Texas June O'Rear 2301 Long Beaumont, Texas Mike Therrien 2525 North Beaumont, Texas Jack Carville 2188 North Beaumont, Texas Vice -Chairman Stedman said although she was not in favor of removing the property from the Oaks District, she felt that input from A-1 Glass Company was needed before any decisions could be made. Commissioner Watler said he would like to see the house restored. Commissioner Embs said he felt that tabling action on the request was appropriate. Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to deny the request to remove the property at 1810 Calder from the Oaks Historic District as stated in File 1277-Z. Commissioner Holmes seconded the motion. Motion to deny carried 8:1. (Commissioner Sutton abstained from voting.) 3) File 34-HC: Request to delete and remove the HC-L (Historic Cultural Landmark Preservation Designation) from the LaSalle Hotel building and property. Location: 800 Pearl Applicant: City of Beaumont Mr. Richardson told the Commission that the LaSalle Hotel was built in 1927 during the second Spindletop oil boom. It received a National Register designation in July, 1984. The City of Beaumont recently acquired the LaSalle Hotel and wishes to demolish the structure. The property will then be used for parking for the postal facility that Is located nearby. While several attempts to rehabilitate the structure have been made over the years, none have proven viable. Therefore, the structure has deteriorated to a point that is a detriment to downtown. 4 MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 The building's construction is such that the ceilings are too low to install conventional air conditioning duct work. There is also a serious asbestos problem with the building and elevators are in need of replacement. The cost to bring the building up to current codes is cost prohibitive. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request to remove the HC-L Designation from the LaSalle Hotel. In response to a question from Chairman Pullig, Mr. Richardson said at the time the HC designation was put on the property, there was a Historic Landmark Commission in existence. Commissioner Hamilton asked how much the demolition would cost the City. Mr. Cooper said the estimated costs would be $150,000 for the asbestos abatement and $300,000 for the demolition. In response to a question from Commissioner Watler, Mr. Cooper said that implosion is the method of demolition to be used. Mr. Cooper gave information on the study done of the hotel, its value, and how much it would cost to put the hotel back into some type of usable condition. The estimated cost was over $1 million. Discussion foIIowed on the post abatement value of the building. Commissioner Hamilton asked how many parking spaces would be gained from the demolition of the hotel. Mr. Richardson didn't have exact number of spaces. Commissioner Hamilton asked if the sealing up the building, leaving it intact and using the space around the building for parking had been considered. Discussion between Commissioner Hamilton, Mr. Cooper and Mr. Richardson followed on the cost of demolition, source of funds, and the number of parking spaces to be gained. Commissioner Hamilton asked if the Texas Historical Commission was contacted. Mr. Cooper replied that they had not been contacted. 5 hC94UTES Historic Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 Commissioner Sutton noted that existing parking in the downtown area was not being used and asked if downtown needed additional parking. Mr. Cooper said when the U.S. Government built the postal facility, they entered into an agreement with Jefferson County. The City participated with the County on providing the building as well as the off-street parking for the building. What is under construction is part of that commitment of off-street parking spaces which is not enough for what is required by the postal coding facility. Chairman Pullig asked Mr. Cooper if the City would receive rental fees on the parking spaces. Mr. Cooper said the federal government entered into a contract with Jefferson County for the building and the parking. The City is not a party to that agreement with the County in which they are to receive the rental fees from parking. Chairman Pullig asked if anyone present wanted to comment in favor or in opposition. Eric Belt, 2226 Evalon, asked about the existing parking garage of the hotel. Commissioner Watler gave the history of the parking garage and the "car elevator". SReaking, in Opposition George Blake 2098 McFaddin Beaumont, Texas Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to deny the request to remove the HC-L Designation from the LaSalle Hotel as stated in File 34-HC. Commissioner Sutton seconded the motion. Motion to deny failed 4:6. Commissioner Embs made a motion to approve the request to remove the HC-L Designation from the LaSalle Hotel as stated in File 34-HC. Commissioner Watler seconded the motion, Motion to approve carried 7:3. 4) File HCD-1.8: Request for a Historic Preservation Loan Location: 1695 Milam Applicant: David M. Flynn 6 Mavis ES Historic Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 Mr. Richardson told the Commission that the historic preservation loan was requested for the exterior rehabilitation of the residential structure. The applicant requested $45,000. According to bid estimates, the exterior work totals $53,583. The applicant purchased the home in 1992. The home was built by T. H. Bass, an oil speculator, in 1901. At one time, the house was converted into apartments. The current owner has removed the apartments and reverted the use of the structure back to a single family residence. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of a loan in the amount of $11,000 with a payment schedule of $229.17 monthly for a period of 48 months. Discussion on funds available in the Historic Preservation account. Chairman Pullig asked for the applicant's comments. David Flynn, the applicant, addressed the Commission and answered questions regarding other financing. He said he did have other financing available. In response to a question from Commissioner Hamilton, Mr. Flynn said he is hopeful that someone will want to purchase the house after it is renovated for use as a single family residence, a bed and breakfast or even an architectural firm. Chairman Pullig asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. Commissioner Sutton made a motion to accept staffs recommendation of approval of a loan in the amount of $11,000 for File HCD-1.8. Commissioner Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 8:1. 5) File HCD-1.9: Request for a Historic Preservation Loan Location: 400 Orleans Applicant: Marlin Williford and Bruce Irvine Mr. Richardson told the Commission that the historic preservation loan was requested for exterior rehabilitation of a structure that is being converted into residential apartments and commercial uses at 400 Orleans. The applicants requested $100,000. 7 MINUTES Historic Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 The structure was built around 1900 and was remodeled in 1940. SPARE Beaumont classifies this building as compatible with the National Register Beaumont Commercial Historic District. The proposed plans involve converting the upper floor of the structure into seven loft apartments. The first floor will be converted to commercial and tenant parking. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of a loan in the amount of $20,000. Chairman Pullig asked for the applicant's comments. Bruce Irvine, one of the applicants, addressed the Commission. He also owns the property at 448 Orleans that is adjacent to the subject property. Marlin Williford, the other applicant, addressed the Commission. In response to a question from Commissioner Hamilton, Mr. Williford addressed the plans for the facade of the building. In response to a question from Commissioner Sutton, Mr. Williford responded that there would be an elevator installed in the building. Chairman Pullig asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to accept staffs recommendation of approval of a loan in the amount of $20,000 for File HCD-1.9. Commissioner Stiles seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 6) File HCD-1,10: Request for a Historic Preservation Loan Location: 1792 Broadway Applicant: Rette W. Browning and Les E. Warren Mr. Richardson told the Commission that the historic preservation loan was requested for exterior rehabilitation of the residential structure. The applicants requested $37,546.50. The structure was built in 1902 in the Colonial Revival style. It was built by Stuart Smith, a prominent Beaumont businessman. 8 NIINMMS Hisloric Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 The property received an HC-L local historic designation in March, 1994, as a contributing structure to Beaumont's history. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of a loan in the amount of $11,000. Chairman Pullig asked for the applicant's comments. Rette Browning, one of the applicants, addressed the Commission. Chairman Pullig asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to accept staffs recommendation of approval of a loan in the amount of $11,000 for File HCD-1.10. Commissioner Stiles seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. 7) File HCD-1.11: Request for a Historic Preservation Loan Location: 2226 Evalon Applicant: Eric and Cathy Belt Mr. Richardson told the Commission that the historic preservation loan was requested for exterior rehabilitation of the residential structure. The applicants requested $6,000. The property is part of the Oaks Historic District. The house was built in 1949 and is typical of middle income housing from that time period. The house is an asset to the neighborhood. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of a loan in the amount of $4,600. Chairman Pullig asked for the applicant's comments. Eric and Cathy Belt, the applicants, addressed the Commission. Discussion of roof types and siding followed. Commissioner Watler made a motion to accept staffs recommendation of approval of a loan in the amount of $4,600 but limiting the use to roof replacement and windows, not siding, for File HCD-1.11. Commissioner Holmes seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 10:0. hUNU ES Historic Landmark Commission July 10, 1995 (Commissioner Holmes excused himself from the meeting.) REGULAR MEETING 1) Revolving Loan Fund - Financial Report Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to direct staff to apply again this year for Block Grant monies to increase the funds in the Revolving Loan Program. Commissioner Sutton seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. 2) July and August Calendar of Events 3) Chairman's Report a) Training Session b) Proposed Goals Workshop c) CLG Chairman Pullig asked the Commission to give some thought to each of these items so that they can be discussed at the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Richardson introduced the newest member of the Historic Landmark Commission, Commissioner Albert Ebow. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED. 10