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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-13-21 HLC Minutes * M I N U T E S * HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION September 13, 2021 City Hall, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas … A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on September 13, 2021 and called to order at 3:35 p.m. with the following members present: Vice-Chairman Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Hester Bell Commissioner Marty Craig Commissioner Christina Crawford Commissioner Theresa Goodness Commissioner Lynda Kay Makin Commissioner Thomas Sigee Commission Members absent : Chairman Paula Blazek Commissioner Janelle Templeton Also present: Demi Laney, Senior Planner Elayna Luckey, Zoning Technician Delancy Wood, Demolition Coordinator Catherine Allen, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Craig moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on July 12, 2021. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. The motion to approve carried 7:0. REGULAR MEETING 1) PZ2021-263: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace windows to a house. Applicant: Sam Daleo Jr. Location: 2525 Hazel Avenue Vice-Chairman LaBiche informed the Commission that this item had been withdrawn. 2) PZ2021-267: Request for a Certificate of Demolition to demolish a house and shed. Applicant: City of Beaumont Location: 2372 North Street Historic Landmark Commission September 13, 2021 Ms. Laney presented the staff report. Boyd Meier, Building Official, requests a Certificate of Demolition for the house and shed located at 2372 North Street. According to the inspection report, the structures were originally tagged on May 18, 2020. The report states the house has rotted window sills, wood siding, and cracked Hardiplank siding. There have been a couple of windows installed; however, no building permits have ever been pulled for this address. The electrical, mechanical and plumbing will need to be brought up to the current adopted Building Codes. Additionally, the shed has collapsed and is recommended to be removed by the Demolition Coordinator due to safety hazards to nearby residents. Based on extensive repairs needed to repair these structures, Building Codes staff is recommending a raze order. This house is in in the 1991 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states the house was built c. 1939. The property was listed as an example of a common 1930’s and 1940’s house. Slides of the subject property were shown. Notices were mailed to property owners within two hundred (200) feet of the subject property. One response was received in favor and zero were received in opposition. Ms. Laney summarized the letter in favor, which stated that the house has been through many storms, has destroyed property values and is a hazard. Staff recommended approval of the request. Ms. Wood addressed the Commission. She stated that the property had been tagged since May 18, 2020. She added that the property owner has not changed during this time and that they have never contacted the City. She stated that the City has been cutting the grass at this property and that there are over $53,000 worth of back taxes owed. Finally, she recommended demolition of the property. Commissioner Craig moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Demolition to demolish a house and shed, for the property at 2372 North Street, as requested in file PZ2021-267. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 7:0. 3) PZ2021-272: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a new front door. Applicant: Matthew Clark Location: 2505 Louisiana Ms. Laney presented the staff report. The property owner, Matthew Clark, requests permission to install a new front door to his home, located at 2505 Louisiana Street. He intends to wood stain the front door to become a reddish brown or mahogany in color. The proposed front door has a rectangular-shaped, patterned glass pane window within it. Mr. Clark has provided a picture of the door he proposes to install, pending approval. 2 Historic Landmark Commission September 13, 2021 This home is categorized as a Minimal Traditional style house. The proposed door seems appropriate for a Minimal Traditional to Modern style house (McAlester et al., pg. 478). Slides of the subject property and requested door were shown. Staff recommended approval of the request. The applicant was not present. Commissioner Goodness moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a new front door, for the property at 2505 Louisiana, as requested in file PZ2021-272. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 7:0. 4) Historic District Code Enforcement Report Ms. Luckey presented the Historic District Code Enforcement Report, including information about current violations, inspections, Certificates of Appropriateness and stop work orders. She added that the recent rainy weather has delayed the mowing of properties. She also added that the City is in the process of interviewing to fill the vacancy of the Historic District Code Enforcement Officer. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Sigee stated that there is an RV being inhabited at a property on Laurel Street. Ms. Luckey reviewed the rules for mobile homes in the Historic District. Ms. Laney added that there are recent exceptions to these rules due to Hurricane Ida, but also ensured the Commission that staff will conduct an inspection on this property. Commissioner Goodness mentioned recent legislation concerning solar panels in historic districts and whether this will affect this Commission’s decisions on solar panels. Brief discussion followed on this subject and Ms. Laney stated that she will look into the recent legislation for the Commission. Commissioner Sigee brought up the high rate of speed on Laurel Street. He stated that the rules preventing parking in the grass force residents to park in the street, putting their vehicles at risk of being struck by speeding vehicles. Ms. Luckey and Ms. Laney discussed the rules concerning parking in the grass and also suggested having City Engineering do a traffic study or Beaumont Police Department take additional steps to increase enforcement of the speed limits. THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:51 P.M. 3