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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-10-94 HLC MinutesThe January 10, 1993 Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Mary Jane Buttrill. The following Commissioners were present: Chairman Mary Jane Buttrill Commissioner Raymond Chaison Commissioner Elmer Embs Commissioner Jessica Foy Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Bruce Hamilton Commissioner JoAnn Stiles Commissioner Walter Sutton Commissioner Dorcy Wader The following Commissioners were absent: Commissioner Debra Kay Johnson Commissioner Sam Pullig Commissioner Becki Stedman Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Secretary; Nicholas Karavolos, City Planner; Patsy Ellis, Recording Secretary; Kimberly James, Planning Technician; Lawrence Baker, Field Supervisor -Demolitions. Also present: Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos; Councilmember Lulu Smith. APPROVAL OF THE MINUM Commissioner Embs made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 13, 1993 meeting. Approval of the minutes was seconded by Commissioner Chaison. Motion carried 8:0. NUNMES Landmark Commission Meeting January 10, 199* IN*si4Inn :i�t:t�itit:[s�J A) Discussion of HC-D1 Revolving Loan Fund to relax certain loan restrictions and requirements. Nicholas Karavolos stated that last month a requested change in the Revolving Loan Program was presented to the Commission. Staff requests a change in the terms of the loan program from a period up to thirty (30) months. This would allow people with modest incomes to be able to take advantage of the program. Not all loans will have to be paid back in thirty (30) months. It can be varied. The terms of payment can be adjusted by Council. It can be semi-annually, quarterly or monthly basis. In addition, Mr. Karavolos recommended that the statement "$15,000 to be added per anum" be removed. A motion to approve staffs recommendation to adopt the revisions was made by Commissioner Sutton. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Holmes. Motion carried 9:0. B) Chairman's Report Chairman Buttrill stated that the winner of the 1993 Preservation Week Essay Contest is from Madison Middle School in Texas. Also, the History Conference deadline is January loth and the conference is on Saturday, January 15th. Libby Willis, the National Trust representative for the Texas/New Mexico area will be visiting Beaumont, explaining some of the programs that the National Trust has in place. A reminder about the Workshop to be held on Monday, January 24 at 3:30 p.m. D) CA-26: Request to consider an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish an existing main structure within the Oaks Historic District. Location: 2475 McFaddin, City of Beaumont. Applicant: City of Beaumont. Nicholas Karavolos showed slides of the structure. He stated that staff recommends denial of this request because subject property is a contributing structure wityhin the district and is not in a state of disrepair requiring demolition. The structure, although neglected, is in sound condition. 2 M TR317ES Landmark Commission Meeting January 10, 199Y After further discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton to determine that the property has historic value and to approve staffs recommendation to deny the demolition permit. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Chaison. Motion carried 9:0. E) CA-27: Request to consider an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish an existing main structure within the Oaks Historic District. location: 1925 Harrison, City of Beaumont. Applicant: City of Beaumont. Nicholas Karavolos stated that staff recommends approval of this request because the subject property is not historically significant nor is it a contributing structure to the district. The structure is currently in a state of disrepair requiring the aforementioned action. It is open and accessible and structurally compromised, The structure has been seized by Jefferson County for delinquent taxes and Nick Lampson has given authorization for demolition of same. Slides were shown of the structure. Mr. Karavolos stated that a request was given to Lawrence Baker that when any house in the historic district is demolished everything is removed, there should be no trace of the house being there; no slabs left behind, no steps, nothing that makes the house look like it has been demolished, that it be returned to an open space state. Chairman Buttrill asked if Jefferson County owns the property. Mr. Karavolos stated that was correct. He stated that the county would reimburse the city for the cost of the demolition. A motion was made by Commissioner Chaison to determite that the property has no historic value and to accept staffs recommendation to demolish the structure. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Watler. Motion carried 9:0. CA-28: Request to consider an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish an existing main structure within the Oaks Historic District. Location: 2550 Hazel, City of Beaumont. Applicant: City of Beaumont. Commissioner Hamilton asked how it was determined what is contributing and what isn't. Mr. Karavolos stated that he evaluates each home in the district on a point scale very similar to the system that is in place with the original SPARE. If it makes a minimum of 70 points, it is a structure considered for the historic preservation. if 3 MIIZUTPS Landmark Commission Meeting January 10, 199T It does not meet that minimum, it is not. This particular structure is a contributing structure within the historic district. Architecturally, it is unique. It is a colonial revival, circa 1928. However, the homeowner expresses no interest and will not sell the structure, demolish the structure, fix the structure or board up the structure. Therefore, staff recommends demolition of this structure. A motion was made by Commissioner Foy to determine that the structure has historic value. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hamilton. Motion carried 9:0. A motion was made by Commissioner Chaison to approve staffs recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Embs, Motion failed 6:3. A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton to deny staffs recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Foy. Motion carried 5:3 with one (1) abstention. G) OTHER BUSINESS Nicholas Karavolos reminded the commissioners that in their packets is a list of the properties awarded a Certificate of Appropriateness, to -date, an Historic Properties Inventory and a January/February Calendar of Events. Chairman Buttrill added some dates to the events calendar: The Tyrrell Library has an exhibit on the YMCA through the month of January and in February will have an exhibit from San Antonio called "The Origins of Eighteenth Century Tejano". Stephen Richardson reminded the commissioners of the consideration of donation to Main Streets "We Love Week", February 14-18. There is $1,200 in a trust fund that is for the commission's use. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Sutton to donate $200 to the "We Love Week" program. 4 MI RI'17S' Landmark Commission Meeting IL January 10, 199 The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hamilton. Motion carried 9:0. Stephen Richardson told the commission that he feels that the commission should consider being more active in the adaptive reuse of architecturally or historically significant structures. Possibly more CDBG money could be designated for renovation of these types of structures. Nicholas Karavolos led a discussion on the SPARE Beaumont Survey. Mr. Karavolos introduced a new SPARE Evaluation Summary Form which he recommended be used in future SPARE Surveys of the City. He stated the form's point system was a slightly modified version of the 1977 SPARE System. He recommended use of the new system as it would greatly reduce the need for "objective" judgment calls on the part of the SPARE interns and return subjectivity to the survey. After some discussion by the Commissioners and staff, Mr. Karavolos agreed to reopen the issue during the next hearing to entertain the HLC's suggestions for the survey point system. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 5