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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-8-21 HLC Minutes * M I N U T E S * HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION November 8, 2021 City Hall, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas … A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on November 8, 2021 and called to order at 3:35 p.m. with the following members present: Vice-Chairman Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Yolanda Nan Avery Commissioner Hester Bell Commissioner John Berube Commissioner Theresa Goodness Commissioner Lynda Kay Makin Commissioner Marva Provo Commissioner Thomas Sigee *arrived at 3:38 p.m. Commissioner Janelle Templeton Commission Members absent : Commissioner Christina Crawford Also present: Demi Engman, Senior Planner Pashae Bates, Oaks Historic Code Enforcement Officer Catherine Allen, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Makin moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on September 13, 2021. Commissioner Bell seconded the motion. The motion to approve carried 8:0. REGULAR MEETING 1) PZ2021-309: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct an accessory building. Applicant: Jonathan Ester Location: 2535 Louisiana Street Mrs. Engman presented the staff report. Jonathan Ester is seeking permission, on behalf of property owner Fred Allen, to construct an accessory building in the rear yard of the property located at 2535 Louisiana. This structure will be used as personal storage and is visible from the street right-of-way. Historic Landmark Commission November 8, 2021 The accessory structure will be made of wood and the panels will be vertical. It will have a charcoal colored, three (3) tab shingle roof, with the pitch rising four (4) inches every twelve (12) inches. The setbacks displayed on Mr. Ester’s site plan are in conformance with Sec. 29.03.024 District area and height regulations of our City’s Ordinances. All appropriate permits must be obtained through the Building Codes department prior to the construction of the accessory building if the Historic Landmark Commission grants approval. Slides of the subject property were shown. Staff recommended approval of the request with the following condition: 1. Must paint the accessory structure to match the main structure. The applicant was present. Fred Allen, 2535 Louisiana Street, addressed the Commission. He stated that his wife had lived in this home for eleven (11) years and that he had lived there for three (3). He added that they previously had a shed on the other side of the house that was destroyed by Hurricane Laura. Mr. Allen stated that the new shed would be built for them by Home Depot and that it would be more sturdy and convenient. Finally, he stated that it will be painted to match the colors of the main house as closely as possible. Vice-Chairman LaBiche asked Mr. Allen if he understood the proposed condition and he confirmed his understanding. Commissioner Goodness moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct an accessory building, for the property at 2535 Louisiana Street, as requested in file PZ2021-309 with the following condition: 1. Must paint the accessory structure to match the main structure. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 9:0. 2) PZ2021-336: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a fence in the front yard. Applicant: Pamela Murphy Location: 2202 Angelina Street Mrs. Engman presented the staff report. Home owner, Pamela Murphy, requests permission to keep her chain-link fence for the property located at 2202 Angelina Street. The fence was installed without the benefit of an approved Certificate of Appropriateness. The chain-link fence is six (6) feet in height, situated in the front yard, and visible from the street right-of-way. Sec. 28.03.018 (g)(3)(F) Historic-Cultural Landmark Preservation Overlay District states wrought iron and metal fences must be compatible with the style and period of the main building. Chain-link, barbed wire and razor wire fences are permitted only in the back yards and must not be visible from any street. 2 Historic Landmark Commission November 8, 2021 The property is in the 1990 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states that the apartments were built c. 1940. The property was listed as an example of middle class housing built in the 1930’s in Beaumont. Slides of the subject property and surrounding area were shown. Staff recommended denial of the request. Commissioner Makin asked when the fence was installed. Mrs. Engman replied that City staff was made aware of it around a month and a half ago, but was not certain how long it had been there. She added that the applicant was present and perhaps could provide that information. The applicant was present. Pamela Murphy, 2202 Angelina Street, addressed the Commission. She stated that she put up the fence because she is disabled and needs the fence in order to tend to her dogs. Vice-Chairman LaBiche asked Ms. Murphy if she was aware that her home was in the historic district and subject to regulations. Ms. Murphy stated that the home had been in her family for years and that she did not understand how the Commission could tell her what to do with her property. Commissioner Bell asked when the fence was installed and Ms. Murphy replied that it was about two (2) months ago. Commissioner Makin asked the applicant if she had considered a wrought iron fence and Ms. Murphy replied that she could not afford that. She added that her fence is not hurting anyone and is not blocking the road. Commissioner Berube stated that he felt for the applicant, but that the regulations have been created for a reason and that exceptions for one person would require exceptions for others. Vice-Chairman LaBiche explained the purpose and role of the Commission and added that other property owners in the area may not appreciate the fence. Ms. Murphy stated that there is a “tent city” of homeless people nearby with a fenced in area and questioned why that was allowed. Commissioner Bell asked Ms. Murphy if the backyard was or could be fenced in order to house the dogs. Ms. Murphy stated that the fence in the front is already there and she cannot afford to redo a fence in the backyard. Commissioner Makin moved to deny the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a fence in the front yard, for the property at 2202 Angelina Street, as requested in file PZ2021-336. Commissioner Berube seconded the motion. 3 Historic Landmark Commission November 8, 2021 Commissioner Sigee stated that this decision was a hard one. He stated that he is familiar with the homeless encampment that Ms. Murphy mentioned. He explained that the Commission has to make decisions based on the regulations in place and on what is before them. The motion to deny the request carried 9:0. Ms. Murphy asked how long she would have to take down the fence and Mrs. Engman answered that she would discuss this with her after the meeting. Discussion followed about the homeless encampment and the Commission requested that City staff investigate and take enforcement action. Officer Bates stated that she is aware of the situation and has already begun an enforcement process. Brief further discussion followed about fencing regulation in the historic district and the City at large. 3) PZ2021-355: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace all trim of the house, windows, doors, railings, columns and fascia boards. Applicant: Kawana Dixon Location: 2280 Hazel Avenue Mrs. Engman presented the staff report. Home owner, Kawana Dixon, requests permission to replace all trim of the house, windows, doors, railings, columns and fascia boards to keep as natural sealed wood located at 2280 Hazel Avenue. The replacement of the wood will match what currently exists with the exception of the paint. Mrs. Dixon requests permission to have the replaced wood remain unpainted and sealed as its natural color. The body of the house will be painted white. This home is categorized as a National Folk house. Examples of this style house are in A Field Guide to American Houses (McAlester et al., pg. 90). Unpainted wood does not seem appropriate for homes of this era, unless they are a log cabin style. The house is in the 1990 SPARE Beaumont Survey. SPARE states that the house was built in 1925. The house is typical of middle class housing built to accommodate the growing population in Beaumont in the 1920’s. Slides of the subject property and an example of the requested trim color were shown. Staff recommended approval of the request with the following condition: 1. Trim must be painted a color accepted by the Historic Landmark Commission or an accepted color approved by staff from the America’s Heritage Exterior Historic Colors brochure. Brief discussion followed about allowed colors in the historic district and how the public can access information about them. 4 Historic Landmark Commission November 8, 2021 The applicant was not present. Commissioner Berube stated that he would not support this request, unless a high quality wood were used. Commissioner Makin asked if the approved colors were explained to the applicant. Mrs. Engman replied that she was shown the approved colors, but wanted to go with a natural wood color. Discussion followed about wood stain options and how the quality of the wood affects the quality of the stain. Commissioner Sigee stated that he would support approving the request with the proposed condition because it covers the concerns of the Commission. Mrs. Engman agreed that the condition would allow staff to approve a color if it is in the approved pallet or the applicant would need to come back to the Commission if another color were selected. Vice-Chairman LaBiche stated that a piece of wood stained with the requested color would be needed if the request is brought before the Commission again. Commissioner Sigee moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct an accessory building, for the property at 2280 Hazel Avenue, as requested in file PZ2021-355 with the following condition: 1. Trim must be painted a color accepted by the Historic Landmark Commission or an accepted color approved by staff from the America’s Heritage Exterior Historic Colors brochure. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 9:0. 4) PZ2021-361: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for new construction of town homes. Applicant: Jeffery Joubert th Location: 325 N 7 Street Mrs. Engman presented the staff report. Property owner, Jeffery Joubert, has requested a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the construction of new town homes. The property is th located at 325 N 7 Street. The new structures will consist of ten (10) units total on the property. The construction methods employed would dictate that the structures will be constructed on a slab foundation with wood framing. The siding will be of a 1 x 6 profile and made of HardiPlank with a body color of Needle Point Navy (SW 0032) and trim color of Classic Light Buff (SW 0050). This color scheme was chosen from the approved pallet. The roof will have a 7/12 pitch with each unit having a front gable and be made of dark grey 30-year architectural shingles. th The orientation of the townhomes will have the front gables facing towards N 7 Street with the side of the townhomes and parking lot facing Liberty Avenue. The site plan is subject to an approved replat by the Planning Commission. 5 Historic Landmark Commission November 8, 2021 Slides of the subject property, site plan and elevation drawings were shown. Mrs. Engman added that the parking on the site plan will need to be amended. She also stated the applicant attended a predevelopment meeting with City staff where the parking and other details were discussed. Staff recommended approval of the request with the following conditions: 1. Storm shutters must be located on all windows and must be architecturally appropriate. 2. All windows must be six (6) over one (1) in appearance. 3. Roof overhang minimum shall be 12”. 4. Door will be of craftsman style and the color of it shall be chosen from America’s Heritage Exterior Historic Colors pallet. 5. The columns on the front porch shall be Craftsman style tapered columns. Mrs. Engman stated that the applicant was not able to attend the meeting today. Commissioner Makin asked for clarification on the parking and Mrs. Engman went over the parking on the site plan again. th Commissioner Berube asked about the setback on 7 Street and Mrs. Engman replied that it will be twenty-five (25) feet. She also added that this decision will be the first in a further process, as this case would then be required to go to the Planning Commission for a specific use permit and replat. Commissioner Bell asked about the square footage of the townhomes and if they will be for sale or lease. After consulting her records, Mrs. Engman stated that the townhomes would be around 875 square feet and would be for lease. Commissioner Makin asked if the applicant had previously built townhomes, Mrs. Engman replied that the applicant is an established homebuilder. Commissioner Goodness asked for clarification on the window appearance and Mrs. Engman stated that they would be six (6) over one (1). Vice-Chairman LaBiche provided an example of a Craftsman style column that could be used. Discussion followed concerning the elevation of the townhomes and the parking layout. Vice- Chairman LaBiche commented on more modern looking apartments nearby and that the proposed townhomes would be better in terms of keeping with the historic nature of the district. Commissioner Makin moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for new th construction of town homes, for the property at 325 N 7 Street, as requested in file PZ2021-361 with the following conditions: 1. Storm shutters must be located on all windows and must be architecturally appropriate. 2. All windows must be six (6) over one (1) in appearance. 3. Roof overhang minimum shall be 12”. 6 Historic Landmark Commission November 8, 2021 4. Door will be of craftsman style and the color of it shall be chosen from America’s Heritage Exterior Historic Colors pallet. 5. The columns on the front porch shall be Craftsman style tapered columns. Commissioner Bell seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 9:0. 5) Historic District Code Enforcement Report Mrs. Engman introduced and welcomed Pashae Bates, the new Oaks Historic Code Enforcement Officer and complimented Officer Bates on her work in her new position. Officer Bates presented the Historic District Code Enforcement Report, including information about current violations, inspections, Certificates of Appropriateness and stop work orders. Vice-Chairman LaBiche told Officer Bates that the Commission appreciates her work that greatly benefits the district and that they all look forward to working with her. OTHER BUSINESS None. THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:12 P.M. 7