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February 25, 2010
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, February 25. 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
City Council and Courts Building 101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members Present: West Short, Chair; Susan Firth; J.C. Johnson; Will Moore; Larry Moseley; Ron
Pergl and Dee Rapp
Members Absent: none
Staff Present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Elizabeth Cook, Community
Development Director; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Regular Session - To begin no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
Chair Short called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
(Commission may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene an Executive Session at the
request of the Chair, a Commissioner, the Director or legal counsel for any purpose authorized
by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551.)
This is a regular scheduled meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission for
consideration and possible action on the following:
Consent Agenda:
The Consent Agenda includes non-controversial and routine items that the Commission may act
on with one single vote. A Commissioner or any member of the public may request that any
item from the Consent Agenda be pulled in order that the Commission discuss and act upon it
individually as part of the Regular Agenda. The Historic and Architectural Review
Commission's approval of an item on the Consent Agenda will be consistent with the staff
recommendation described in the report, unless otherwise noted.
1. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the regular meeting of January 28 and
February 1, 2010 and the special meeting held February 8, 2010.
Motion by Moore to approve all the minutes as presented. Second by Johnson. Approved 7
– 0.
Regular Agenda:
2 Certificate of Design Compliance for façade changes, including new paint, the replacement
of light fixtures and doors, re-exposing windows, and the addition of a handicap access
button and mechanical units, at City of Georgetown, Block 40, Lot 2 (s/pt), located at 703 S.
Main Street. (CDC-2010-001)
Short requested that items 2 and 3 be heard and considered at the same time since they are
adjacent properties, with the same applicant/ owner and receiving the same applications.
Wyler presented the staff report for both properties. The applicant seeks Certificate of
Design Compliance (CDC) approval for minor alterations to the buildings’ exterior,
including replacing light fixtures and doors, exposing two rear windows, repainting, adding
a handicap access button to the front of the building and installing new rooftop mechanical
units. These exterior changes are part of a larger building renovation of both the interior and
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February 25, 2010
exterior. Wyler went on to describe the changes in detail as outlined in the written staff
report. The owner, Ken Horak was introduced and available for questions from the
commissioners.
Johnson questioned the working of the light fixtures in the back of the buildings. He
indicated concern over the amount of on and off action that the lights would have if they
were on a motion sensor as indicated. Mr. Horak explained that the lights were two-level
lights. They would come on in the evening at a low level light, run by light detectors made
to determine a certain level of darkness, and then the lights at night would be activated to a
brighter light by motion detectors. Commissioners Firth and Rapp expressed concern over
other businesses being affected by the brighter lights. Horak explained that the only
window in the alley is from Amante’s and their window is covered by an electric power
source box and should not be bothered by the lighting in the alley. He also indicated their
window was located in a storage area on the inside of the building.
Horak confirmed for the commissioners that he was replacing the metal door at 703 Main
Street with a wood door that would be painted green, and refinishing the existing wood door
at 705 Main Street and painting it the same green. The windows at the back of the building
are being replaced with fixed windows, 6 over 6, not operable windows. Mr. Horak stated he
was still working with the electric department to determine the location of the power source
for these buildings. There is concern about the current location and the box could be moved
to another location at the back of the buildings.
Discussion moved to the lighting at the front of the building. Firth and Johnson indicated
concern over the type of lights that were being requested. They did not like the proposed
style or the placement. Firth suggested using canopy lights as an alternative to lighting the
sidewalk. Horak said that was too expensive at this time. Johnson suggested the existing
lights should look more authentic. Horak agreed to clean and repair the existing fixtures and
come back at a later time after a tenant has been selected and further renovations may be
done. Mr. Horak indicated he will also be recaulking the windows and probably retouching
painted areas with existing paint colors.
Johnson expressed concern over the location of the handicap buttons that are to be installed.
Horak stated the locations are dictated by the ADA laws and he did not have a choice.
Motion by Johnson to approve the items for Certificate of Design Compliance for both 703
and 705 Main Street, with the exception of the light fixtures at the front of the building.
Second by Short. Approved 7 -0.
3. Certificate of Design Compliance for façade changes, including new paint, the replacement
of light fixtures, re-exposing windows, and the addition of a handicap access button and
mechanical units, at City of Georgetown, Block 40, Lots 3 (n/pt), located at 705 S. Main Street.
(CDC-2010-002)
See item above for action taken.
4. Certificate of Design Compliance for façade and site changes, including new paint, the
addition of stone to the façade, the replacement of doors and windows, new light fixtures,
the installation of an exterior vehicle lift and tire rack, landscaping, and new signage, at
Morrow Addition, Block G (pt), to be kn own as Whitestone Tire Center, located at 114 E.
University Avenue. (CDC-2010-003)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks CDC approval to renovate a non-
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historic auto repair station located at the southwest corner of Church Street and University
Avenue. The renovation includes repainting the façade and canopy, placing limestone along
the bottom of the building, replacing doors, windows and light fixtures, creating a new
outdoor seating area, placing new vehicular lifts and a tire rack outside the building, minor
landscaping and new signage. Wyler went on to describe the changes in detail as outlined in
the written report.
Rapp begins by questioning the type of lighting that will be used on the front of the building
and in the parking lot. Mat Canava, owner and applicant, explains that the light fixtures are
silver gooseneck lights that were chosen to match the age and style of the building, to angle
the lights away from pedestrians, and to be high enough to not affect drivers on University
Avenue. He also stated the angled light will not shine into the nearby residences on Church
Street. Commissioner Johnson concurred that if the lights were too bright, the City code
enforcement officers would address the problem according to regulations.
Rapp questioned the location of the fence and the back door, stating if the property on
Church Street sells and the fence is put on the property line, the back door will not open.
Wyler responded that the Fire Inspector reviewed this and accepted it based on the fact that
the back door is not the only way of egress from the building.
Pergl questioned whether the canopy lights would be used. Canava stated they would, but
the sign letters on the front of the canopy would not be lit. The question was raised as to
whether the existing canopy lights are compliant with the code and Wyler stated they were.
Moore questioned the existing tire racks and whether those would be used. Wyler
responded that the owner has the option to use them since this is an existing use and they
were installed before. However, Mr. Canava has stated he would like to utilize mobile tire
racks that could be rolled into the garage at night and during non-business hours. Moore
stated he would rather the mobile tire racks be used and that they be displayed during
business hours along the front wall of the building. Mr. Canava concurs.
Moore stated he would still prefer a shield on the light fixture located at the corner of
University Ave. and Church Street. Moore questioned the need for a trash receptacle or
dumpster and the placement on the property. Mr. Canava stated a single green rolling
canister would be enough and would be placed in the garage until pick-up day.
Firth questioned any future plans for the canopy and expressed that she would like it to be
taken down since it is out of proportion to the building. Mr. Canava stated he has some ideas
but nothing to bring to the commission at this time.
Short opened the public hearing. Herb Hanson, of 1252 Austin Avenue, stated he has lived
in the neighborhood and been a client of this business and that Mr. Canava runs a very clean
operation and he is looking forward to his new location. Short closed the public hearing as
there were no more registered speakers.
Motion by Moore to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance as requested, with a
waiver for tire rack placement to include three mobile racks that must be brought in during
non-business hours, and that the outside lights should be shielded to comply with all UDC
regulations. Second by Pergl. Pergl asked to amend the motion to include that the mobile
tire racks be displayed against the front wall during business hours. Moore agreed to the
amendment, Pergl seconded. Approved 7 – 0.
5. Certificate of Design Compliance for façade and site changes, including an addition to the
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February 25, 2010
main structure, a new stone floor in the courtyard, new courtyard railings, and the addition
of tables and umbrellas, at City of Georgetown, Block 39, Lots 1 – 4 (pts), also known as
Galaxy Cupcakes, located at 107 E. 7th Street. (CDC-2010-004)
Wyler presented the staff report. Due to expansion needs, the applicant seeks Certificate of
Design Compliance (CDC) approval to build an addition onto the side of the building as well
as modify an existing courtyard area to accommodate outdoor seating. Wyler read specific
details of the project from the written staff report.
Firth opened the discussion by stating she was thrilled the new business was doing so well
on the square that they needed to expand. Firth asked questions regarding gutters and the
fence that is to be installed. Cheryl Wilhite, owner and applicant, stated she had not
intended to put in gutters on the east side of the building but she will look into it if they are
necessary. Wilhite also explained that there would be a gate on the 7th Street side of the
fenced in area. She also responded that the gated area would be paved with the same pavers
that are currently installed in the back of the property.
There was discussion regarding the driveway and curb cut that enters the property on the 7th
Street side of the property. Wilhite stated she would rather have a sidewalk there instead of
a driveway that doesn’t go anywhere. City staff stated they would look into the situation
since the sidewalk right-of-way is city property.
There was discussion about the proposed height of the fence of the courtyard. It is proposed
at 40 inches high. Wyler and Wilhite explained that that was to promote a more open
sidewalk seating area. Wilhite stated the high fence felt more like a prison area than an
outdoor seating area for her shop. Moseley stated he liked the proportion of the higher fence
to separate the parking area from the outdoor seating, but could understand the desire for a
more open area that still needed to be enclosed.
Motion by Short to approve the CDC as requested. Second by Johnson. Approved 7 – 0.
6. Review and discussion about the Certificate of Design Compliance application checklist.
The checklist was opened for review. Rapp commented that although the applicant may
have a vision of what they want to accomplish, they many times need guidance in
expressing and defining that vision. She would prefer that the word “drawings” be changed
to “sealed drawings” where referenced so that a professi onal architect or engineer was
developing the drawings. She also requested that all color renderings be accurate and state
when the color is not the true color. Short suggests adding the statement “if feasible” to both
of these requests.
Rapp also requested that in the instance of a submitted photo or drawing that the statement
or note be added to those documents that are not accurate, not to scale, not the exact color,
etc. Kreger stated all these changes can and will be made to the soon-to-be-updated
checklists.
7. Reminder that the next regular HARC meeting will take place on March 25, 2010.
Short reminded everyone of the next meeting and stated he has enjoyed working with
everyone. Wyler stated that at the time of the meeting, there were not any appli cations for
the March 25th meeting and it will probably not be called.
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Firth thanked Short for his service to the Commission and stated he will be missed. All
concurred.
8. Adjournment
Short adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
__________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Will Moore, Chair Attest, Susan Firth