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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-23 HLC Minutes * M I N U T E S * HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION August 14, 2023 Council Chambers, City Hall, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas ^ A Regular Meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission was held on August 14, 2023 and called to order at 3:36 p.m. with the following members present: Acting Chairman Lynda Kay Makin Commissioner Hester Bell Commissioner Christina Crawford Commissioner Theresa Goodness Commissioner Ronald Kelley Commissioner Thomas Sigee Commissioner Janelle Templeton Commission Members absent : Chairman Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Yolanda Nan Avery Commissioner John Berube Commissioner Marva Provo Also present: Elayna Luckey, Planner I Pashae Randle, Oaks Historic Code Enforcement Officer Demi Engman, Planning Manager Roy West, Mayor Susan Smith, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Sigee moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on June 12, 2023. Commissioner Bell seconded the motion. The motion to approve carried 7:0. REGULAR MEETING 1)PZ2023-229 : A request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a circular drive and add a deck to a side porch. Applicant: Christy Williams Location: 2485 Liberty Avenue Mrs. Luckey presented the staff report. Christy Williams is requesting permission to construct a circular drive, walkway, deck and new steps at her home located at 2485 Liberty Avenue. Ms. Historic Landmark Commission $$ August 14, 2023 $ Williams states she no longer feels she can safely navigate backing onto the busy street from her drive. Included in your packet is a letter from Ms. Williams and a number of examples of circle drives within the district. The proposed circle drive would be eight (8) feet wide and tie into the existing four (4) foot sidewalk located along Liberty making a total of twelve (12) feet of concrete in front of the home. Examples provided by Ms. Williams reference properties with an attached porte cochere appropriate for the design of the structure, and to drives that mostly pre date the adoption of the second phase of the Historic Ordinances in 1997. While it should be noted that Liberty and Laurel are one-way and tend to have high speed traffic, most if not all circular drives predate the ordinance. In the last ten (10) years, the commission has heard five requests for circular drives. All were denied except for one on Rusk Street where the new drive extended through a side yard, and not in front of the structure. Staff recommended denial of the proposed circle drive as the ordinance discourages parking in front yards, as well as the tie into the existing sidewalk could potentially block pedestrian foot traffic. The proposed deck and new steps would be constructed of wood, with three (3) steps from the grass to the deck. A railing would be constructed around the deck with 4 by 4 post and 2 by 2 forty two (42) inch spindles. Ms. Williams states that the existing brick steps are original to the home, and have deteriorated greatly and are not safe for use. Ms. Williams has also proposed a walkway from the requested circle drive to the new entry. While staff has recommended denial of the circle drive, installing a walkway from the deck to the sidewalk would be an appropriate and staff would support this action. Staff recommended denial of the proposed driveway in the front yard and approval of the request for the walkway, deck and steps with the following conditions: 1. All applicable permits and inspections be obtained through the Building Codes Department. 2. The walkway tie into the existing sidewalk, not an additional circle drive. The house is not listed in the SPARE Beaumont Survey. Mrs. Luckey explained that the applicant submitted alternate Plans B & C after the submission deadline date, therefore, should be based upon the original submission while allowing b\]ROgja!d\]bS! for discussion of alternate Plans B & C. Slides of the subject property were shown. Brief discussion followed concerning specifics of the request. 6$ $ Historic Landmark Commission $$ August 14, 2023 $ The applicant was present. Christy Williams, 2485 Liberty Street, Beaumont, Texas addressed the Commission. Ms. Williams stated that due to her medical condition she prefers a driveway that will allow her to exit her residence in a forward position rather than backing into the street and favors Plan B, which would allow a circular drive with a grassy area between the sidewalk and driveway. She further discussed other homes with circular driveways located in the surrounding area. Further discussion followed concerning the aesthetics of the proposed plan. Mrs. Luckey quoted the current ordinance relating to the request. Discussion of alternate plans was had. Commissioner Templeton moved to deny the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a circular drive for property located at 2485 Liberty Avenue, as requested in PZ2023- 229 and to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add a deck to a side porch and concrete walkway, for property located at 2485 Liberty Avenue, as requested in PZ2023-229, with the following conditions: 1. All applicable permits and inspections be obtained through the Building Codes Department. 2. The walkway tie into the existing City sidewalk. Commissioner Bell seconded the motion. The motion to deny the request to construct a circular drive carried 7:0. The motion to approve the request to add a deck to a side porch and concrete walkway carried 7:0. The Commission encouraged the applicant to present alternative plans to Staff for consideration. 2)PZ2023-266 : A request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to rehabilitate a residential " structure Applicant: Fuut Enterprises Location: 2395 Broadway Mrs. Luckey presented the staff report. Fuut Enterprises is requesting permission to rehabilitate the home at 2395 Broadway Street. The request is to eliminate a number of windows, an entrance on the side of the structure that appears unnecessary replacing the existing siding with standard 8 -roofing and painting the exterior of ri!L!-.j!?O`RWS!aWRW\\U(!^`\]dWRW\\U!O!3i!Sf^\]ac`S(!ZSdSZW\\U(!`S the structure, to needle point navy, with the trim to be classic light buff. The applicant is requesting to eliminate a door and porch on the East side of the home along with one window. On the South side, remove a set of double windows and eliminate the middle window in a frame of three. On the west side, eliminate the middle window in the same location as the window on the east side. The proposed new roof will be rustic black 30 year architectural shingles. The remaining windows will be replaced with 1/1 windows to match the existing sizes. Staff recommended approval of the request with the following condition: 7$ $ Historic Landmark Commission $$ August 14, 2023 $ 1. All applicable permits and inspections be obtained through the Building Codes Department. The house is not listed in the SPARE Beaumont Survey. Slides of the subject property were shown. Brief discussion followed concerning the windows to be replaced and the current size of the siding reveal. The applicant was not present. Further discussion followed concerning specifics of the request. Commissioner Crawford moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to rehabilitate a residential structure, as requested in PZ2023-266, with the following conditions: 1. All applicable permits and inspections be obtained through the Building Codes Department. 2. -approved by Staff. JVS!\\Se!aWRW\\U!VOdS!O!`SdSOZ!\\\]b!ZO`US`!bVO\\!0i!b\]!PS!^`S Commissioner Bell seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 7:0. 3) PZ2023-268 : A request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add on to an existing garage. Applicant: John Stone Location: 2495 Gladys Avenue Mrs. Luckey presented the staff report. John Stone, is requesting permission to add on to the existing garage at his home located at 2495 Gladys Avenue. The addition to the garage will be constructed with materials to match the existing structure. The new portion would be thirteen and a half (13 ½) feet wide and twenty (20) feet deep, and will meet the requirements of an accessory structure provided by our ordinance. Staff recommended approval of the request with the following condition: 1. All applicable permits and inspections be obtained through the Building Codes Department. The house is not listed in the SPARE Beaumont Survey. Slides of the subject property were shown. 8$ $ Historic Landmark Commission $$ August 14, 2023 $ The applicant was present. John Stone, 2495 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas addressed the Commission. Mr. Stone stated that, due to his misunderstanding, the addition has already been constructed. He further stated that he accepted an offer from the work crew to being construction on a date earlier than expected and prior to him being aware that he must seek approval of the Commission. Mr. Stone stated that once he learned that he must appear before the Commission, all work ceased and the only work remaining to be completed is painting of the garage door. Commissioner Goodness moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add on to an existing garage, as requested in file PZ2023-268, with the following condition: 1. All applicable permits and inspections be obtained through the Building Codes Department. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 7:0. 4) PZ2023-299 : A request for a Certificate of Demolition for a red tagged structure Applicant: City of Beaumont Location: 2377 Ashley Avenue Mrs. Luckey presented the staff report. Boyd Meier, Building Official is requesting a Certificate of Demolition for the home at 2377 Ashley. While the Commission saw this property in March of 2023 for rehabilitation, no work has been done on the structure since, leaving it an imminent danger to the surrounding properties. The structure has been left gutted, unleveled, missing windows, walls, floors, with extensive damage to the frame. The property was originally orange tagged for property maintenance on December 8, 20203. A repair permit was pulled allowing them 150 days to make the minor repairs that it had been tagged for. While opening the structure up for the repairs, it was found that the scope of work was greater than the violations it was tagged for. The contractor removed himself from the permit, and with no further action from the property owner, the structure was red tagged. D`a*!CcQYSg!`SOR!O!bW\[SZW\\S!\]T!SdS\\ba!ZSORW\\U!b\]!b\]ROgja!`S_cSab* Based on the extensive repairs needed for this structure the Building Codes Staff is recommending a raze order. The house is not listed in the SPARE Beaumont Survey. Planning staff recommended approval of this request. Fifteen (15) notices were sent to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property. Three (3) responses were received in favor and zero (0) were received in opposition. Mrs. Luckey read the letters. Slides of the subject property were shown. 9$ $ Historic Landmark Commission $$ August 14, 2023 $ Brief discussion followed concerning the contractor removing himself from the project permit, the lack of response from the property owner, the current state of the structure, length of time the structure has been owned by the current owner, the process should an individual wish to purchase the property, and age of the home. Trent Jenkins, 2385 Ashley Street, Beaumont, Texas addressed the Commission. Mr. Jenkins stated that he is in favor of the request. Charles Carroll, 2343 Ashley Avenue, Beaumont, Texas addressed the Commission. Mr. Carroll admonished Staff for not having a current photograph of the structure. Mrs. Luckey stated that the photograph presented to the Commission was taken Friday, August 11, 2023. Mr. Carroll became argumentative regarding the date of the photograph and continued by describing the current state of the structure. Mr. Carroll presented a copy of a petition that he states has been signed by everyone on Ashley Avenue. Members of the Commission disputed the claim with one stating that as a resident on Ashley Avenue she has not signed the petition and another Member stating the same regarding a family member that resides on Ashley Avenue. Mrs. Luckey stated that a copy of the petition was presented to the Commission at the March 2023 meeting. Mr. Carroll stressed that he is in favor of demolition of the structure. The Commission advised Mr. Carroll that no further discussion was necessary as he has made it known that he is in favor of the request. Mr. Carroll refused to be seated and continued by reading a letter from a neighboring property owner. He continued to refuse to be seated after several requests to do so by Acting Chairman Makin. Acting Chairman Makin thereby closed the public hearing. Commissioner Bell moved to approve the request for a Certificate of Demolition for a red tagged structure, as requested in file PZ2023-299. Commissioner Sigee seconded the motion. The motion to approve the request carried 7:0. HISTORIC DISTRICT CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT Mrs. Randle presented the Historic District Code Enforcement Report, including information about current violations and inspections. OTHER BUSINESS th Commissioner Crawford thanked Mrs. Luckey for speaking at the Oaks Historic District 30 Anniversary meeting and Mrs. Randle for being active in the community. She further thanked th Mayor West, Councilmember Durio, and Councilmember Getz for attending the 30 Anniversary meeting. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:25 P.M. :$ $