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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-20 HLC Minutes * M I N U T E S * HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION December 14, 2020 City Hall, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas … A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on December 14, 2020 and called to order at 3:34 p.m. with the following members present: Vice-Chairman Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Marty Craig Commissioner Christina Crawford Commissioner Theresa Goodness Commissioner Lynda Kay Makin Commissioner Thomas Sigee Commissioner Janelle Templeton Commission Members absent : Chairman Paula Blazek Commissioner Hester Bell Commissioner Terry Hallemann Also present: Adina Josey, Senior Planner Elayna Luckey, Historic Code Enforcement Officer Catherine Allen, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Craig moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on September 14, 2020. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. The motion to approve carried 7:0. REGULAR MEETING 1) PZ2020-156: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace siding with 6” siding, reduce the number of windows on the front and side from eight (8) to four (4) and change the style of the windows. Applicant: Nguyen Thanh Van Location: 2275 Angelina Street Mrs. Josey presented the staff report. Nguyen Thanh Van requests permission to replace the siding, remove windows and replace with fewer windows of a different style at 2275 Angelina Street. Mr. Van began work without the benefit of a CA (Certificate of Appropriateness) or permit. A stop work order was issued. Historic Landmark Commission December 14, 2020 The house was originally more Craftsman in nature, but certainly a hybrid. Mr. Van's unfortunate changes have taken the house to a more Colonial Revival appearance. Examples of similar Colonial Revival houses (McAlester et al., pgs., 338-339) demonstrate that either a double window or a larger single picture window were more common. The siding is not uncommon and a six over six window is definitely more common in the Colonial Revival than the Craftsman style home. The house is listed in the 1990 SPARE Survey. The house is listed as fine example of middle class housing built in Beaumont in the 1920's and 1930's. Staff recommended approval of the siding and the six over six windows and denial of the smaller single windows. The front windows especially should either be doubled, or replaced with a much larger picture window. Slides of the subject property, including pictures from before and after the renovation, were shown. Mrs. Josey also mentioned that a carport had been added to the property. She stated that since the carport was not listed on the agenda, a vote could not be taken on it but that it could be discussed at the meeting. She stated that hearing the opinion of the Commission on the carport could help the applicant decide whether to bring it back to a future meeting or make changes that could be approved by staff. Brief discussion followed concerning the carport and the work being done without permits. The applicant, Nguyen Thanh Van, 2275 Angelina Street, addressed the Commission. He was assisted in translation and explanation from his cousin, Calvin Pham. Mr. Pham, on behalf of Mr. Van, stated that Mr. Van was unaware of the requirements for permits and was just trying to fix up the house and looks forward to finding solutions to complete the project. Mr. Pham and Mr. Van stated that the house had been rented out and that the tenants did not take care of the property so renovations were necessary. Mr. Van apologized for the work being done without permits. Discussion followed about the carport and when it was built. Vice-Chairman LaBiche stated that the carport would need to have a slope roof and wood columns and look like it was part of the original home. He stated another option would be to have an aluminum carport behind the house, which is not visible from the street. The Commission and staff came to a consensus that the applicant would have 6 months to remove the current carport or to have it come into compliance. Commissioner Craig expressed that the change of the front windows was to the detriment of the home. Vice-Chairman LaBiche stated that the Commission never allows changes to the siding or windows that do not preserve the historical heritage of the house. He stated that the front windows would need to be returned to the original size and trim. 2 Historic Landmark Commission December 14, 2020 Discussion followed about the original windows being removed and how to find similar windows to replace them. Vice-Chairman LaBiche provided the applicant the names of some companies that may sell appropriate windows. Mr. Pham and Mr. Van thanked the Commission and staff for their guidance on finding solutions to the situation. They added that any future work will be done through the proper permitting process. Commissioner Templeton moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace siding with 6” siding and reduce the number of windows on the side of the house from eight (8) to four (4) and to deny the request to change the size and style of the windows on the front of the house, for the property at 2275 Angelina Street, as requested in file PZ2020-156. Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. The motion to approve carried 7:0. 2) Historic District Code Enforcement Report Officer Luckey presented the Historic District Code Enforcement Report including information about current violations and inspections. OTHER BUSINESS None. THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:12 P.M. 3