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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-13-94 HLC MinutesThe June 13, 1994 Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Mary Jane Buttrill. The following Commissioners were present: Chairman Mary Jane Buttrill Commissioner Jessica Foy Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Walter Sutton Commissioner Dorcy Watler Commissioner Debra Kay Johnson Commissioner Bruce Hamilton Commissioner Elmer Embs The following Commissioners were absent: Commissioner Raymond Chaison Commissioner Sam Pullig Commissioner Becki Stedman Commissioner JoAnn Stiles Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Secretary; Patsy Ellis, Recording Secretary; Kimberly James, Planning Technician; Josie Sanchez, Mo-Beau Student. Also present: Councilman-at-LargeAndrew Cokinos; Carolyn Howard, Beaumont Main Street. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairman Buttrill and Commissioner Foy requested several corrections in the May 9, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Watler made a motion to accept the May 9, 1994 minutes with the corrections. Commissioner Foy seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0. MINUTES Landmark Commission Meeting June 13, 1994 After several corrections, Commissioner Foy made a motion to accept the May 23, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Embs seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0. REGULAR MEETING 1} FILE CA-63:Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a pitched roof on the existing office building, demolition of a vacant building and the erection of a wood privacy fence for property within the Oaks Historic District. Location: 650 N. Ninth St. Applicant: Rhinoceros Ventures Group, Inc. and Britair, Inc. Stephen Richardson stated that the office is of a fairly recent construction and staff does not consider it a contributing structure within the Oaks Historic District. The structure currently has a flat mansard roof and the property owners are having a problem with the roof leaking. The applicant is also wishing to demolish an existing building located at 2495 North. This structure was originally built as a single family home, but over the years has been remodeled for other uses. The most recent use was a meeting place for Alcoholics Anonymous. The building is heavily vandalized and in its current state, staff does not feel it is an asset to the neighborhood, Mr. Richardson stated that at one time the Community Development Division had investigated the possibility of acquiring the building and using it as part of their housing program. However, after an inspection of the building, it was decided that due to the existing condition plus the changes that had been made, it wasn't worth the trouble. Again, it is the desire of the applicant to remove the building and leave the lot vacant. Staff recommends approval of the roof construction and also of the demolition of the adjacent structure. As part of the approval of the demolition, staff recommends one condition stating that the lot be completely cleared, all foundation, steps, etc., be cleared off the lot so that it could revert back to vacant space and grass could be planted. Sttdes of the existing office building and demolition property were shown. Mr. Richardson stated that the Landmark Commission should consider the following when deciding a demolition property. * architectural/historical significance; * the state of repair of the building or structure in question; muful Exs Landmark Commission Meeling June 13, 1994 the reasonableness of the cost of restoration or repair; and, the existing and/or potential usefulness of the property including economic usefulness. Robert Wade, representing the applicant, stated that part of the fencing would be on North Street and would be consistent with the fencing style, i.e., the brick columns and wrought iron, around the building. The intent of that is to keep anyone from parking on the property. Mr, Wade showed the Commission pictures of the roof to be replaced and pictures of the house to be demolished. Commissioner Foy made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a pitched roof for the existing office building. Commissioner Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0. Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to deny the request for demolition for the structure at 2490 North Street. Commissioner Foy seconded the motion. Commissioner Watler stated that he had driven by the structure and in his opinion it is in a deplorable condition and not worth saving. Commissioner Hamilton stated that he walked around and examined the structure and in his opinion it is not in that bad of a condition and could easily be renovated, restored or rehabilitated into something that someone could live in. It would also keep it on the tax rolls. Commissioner Johnson stated that if the property owner wants the property demolished, they should be allowed to do so simply because they own the property. Mr. Wade stated that for the past twenty years the structure has been a meeting place for Alcoholics Anonymous. The building was converted for that purpose and is not suitable for a single family residence any longer. When AA moved out, they removed the air conditioning, electrical equipment, switches, light fixtures and the YQuse was gutted. It was vandalized several times after that. It would cost approximately $35,000 to bring the structure back to a usable condition. Mr. Wade stated that he has offered the structure to anyone, free of charge, but no one wants it. Commissioner Johnson asked Mr. Wade what his future plans for the property would be if the property is demolished. MINUTES Landmark Commission Meeting June 13, 1994 Mr. Wade stated that they have more than enough parking space for their needs. Possibly, in the future, a building similar to the present office building might be built, but at the present, there are no plans. Mr. Wade also stated that they are not interested in selling the property and that it's only one-half lot. Therefore, if someone wanted it for a residence, there's no room for a garage. There also might be problems with the existing parking lot because the property is backed up against our parking lot. So it really doesn't lend itself to a good sale anyway and we're really not interested in selling the property. Commissioner Johnson asked Mr. Wade if she was correct in, assuming that the company only wants to give the building away. Mr. Wade concurred. Commissioner Johnson asked Mr. Wade what he sees for the building's future if the Commission denies the demolishing of the building. Mr. Wade answered that it would sit there until it falls apart. Commissioner Foy stated that the purpose of the Oaks ordinance was to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood and that if we start doing in that neighborhood what we are doing all over town in terms of demolishing buildings, then we're going to end up in the Oaks Historic District with these empty lots throughout the neighborhood. She stated that demolitions are approved on structures in much worse condition than this building. She stated that it is a contributing structure that should be.preserved. A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton to deny the demolition of the structure. Commissioner Foy seconded the motion. Motion failed 2:6. At that time, Commissioner Embs made a motion to accept staffs recommendation to demolish the structure. The motion was seconded by Commissioned Watler. Notion carried 6:2. Commissioner Sutton questioned staff about the fence that Mr. Wade proposes for the North Street property. Mr. Richardson stated that staff has the authority to approve or deny the addition of a fence. He suggested that he and Mr. Wade discuss the matter and come to an agreement. 4 WNUF73S Landmark Commission Meeting June 13, 1994 2) Demolition - 600 Pine Stephen Richardson stated that the structure located at 600 Pine is architecturally compromised and is therefore no longer having any feasible historic value. The interior of the building is severally damaged by fire and neglect. The entire second floor is unsound. Few original details remain and the roof tiles are, for the most part, damaged. The partial basement is flooded, unsafe and poses a significant health hazard; police have been called numerous times to deal with vagrants fighting at the location; numerous attempts to contact the owner have failed. Taxes on this building are delinquent since 1985 in the amount of $79,485. Staff recommends that the Historic Landmark Commission find that this building, due to its present condition and prospects for rehabilitation, has no feasible historic value. Slides of the property were shown. Jack Maddox, Chief Fire Marshall, spoke in favor of demolition. He stated that since the building has become vacant, numerous fires have occurred in the building. The building is in very bad shape. The ceiling has totally fallen in; the stairs are in very poor condition; the carpet is wet and rotten. It's only a matter of time before another fire is started because there is no way to secure the building. Sooner or later this building is going to burn again. Il has become a big hazard for the fire fighters. After further discussion, Commissioner Watler made a motion to accept staffs recommendation to find that 600 Pine has no feasible historic value. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:1. 3) Revolving Loan Fund Financial Report Stephen Richardson gave the Commission an update on the Revolving Loan Fund. 4) Oaks Loan Program Stephen Richardson gave the Commission an update on the Oaks Revolving Loan Fund. Commissioner Foy reminded Mr. Richardson about a meeting scheduled for May, 1994 for discussion of the loan fund. Mr. Richardson stated that he would postpone discussion on the subject and instead wou Id reschedule the earlier meeting. 5) Oaks Historic District Stephen Richardson staled that he is going to be spending some time lookim ,: t the Oaks District ordinance: identifying those areas that could use some modification; 6) 7) 8) MINUIES Landmark Commission Meeling June 13, 1994 working with the residents of the Oaks District; working with the Landmark Commission and Planning Commission; workshopping with City Council trying to see if changes need to be made in the ordinance and if so, what those changes will be. Chairman Buttrill suggested that a committee be formed to work with Mr. Richardson. She suggested Commissioner Watler, Commissioner Stedman and Commissioner Holmes. Attendance Policy Stephen Richardson reminded the Commission that there is an attendance policy that states, "Any appointed member of the Historic Landmark Commission who fails to attend three (3) regular meetings in succession without notifying the chairman in advance or who does not attend at least fifty (50) percent of the regularly scheduled meetings in a 12-month period will be considered to have automatically resigned from the Commission". June and July Calendar of Events Chairman's Report Chairman Buttrill passed around a proclamation from Preservation Week. Chairman Buttrill stated that she has sent a letter to the Texas Historic Commission in Austin encouraging them to nominate the Woman's Club for the National Register. Chairman Buttrill asked Mr. Richardson if anything had been done about the S.O.S. and the George O'Brien Millard statue. Mr. Richardson stated that he and Commissioner Hamilton had not gotten together to discuss the matter, as yet. Commissioner Hamilton stated that the Jefferson County Historical Commission conducted the survey. It was stated that the Landmark Commission try to raise the $1,600 that is need for restoration of the statue. Commissioner Hamilton stated that he felt that some sort of educational seminar be put together to educate our new commissioners about historic preservation. He stated that it seems to him that the Commission is more interested in demolition than restoration. He said that Beaumont is going downhill fast when it comes to hlStoric preservation. Commissioner Watler asked if the funds available to the Commission could be used for the statue restoration. Chairman Buttrill stated that the funds could be used for anything that the commission takes part in. Commissioner Foy asked how much money is available. Chairman Buttrill answered that there is $1,000 available in the 6 mmil s Landmark Commission Meeiing June 13, 1994 account. She said that the Commission will have to wait on a decision until more details are available. Chairman Buttrill stated that at the one of the last meetings a suggestion was made that a committee be organized to work with the Old Town residents to publicize the Oaks ordinance. The committee might consist of Commissioner Embs, Commissioner Foy and Commissioner Sutton. Chairman Buttrill requested of Mr. Richardson to make the memorandum about the SPARE survey submitted to the Commission at an earlier meeting in a milder language. She stated that there were also several errors in the memo. There being no further business, the meeting was adjoumed. 7