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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_01.27.2011Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 4 January 27, 2011 City of Georgetown, Texas Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 27. 2011 at 6:00 p.m. City Council and Courts Building 101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626 Members Present: Will Moore, Chair; Susan Firth; J.C. Johnson; Greg Herriott; Ron Pergl; and Dee Rapp Members Absent: Larry Moseley 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 Moore called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. There was a slight delay due to technical difficulties with the computer programs and projector. The Historic and Architectural Review Commission, appointed by the Mayor and the City Council, is responsible for hearing and taking final action on applications, by issuing Certificates of Design Compliance based upon the City Council adopted Downtown Design Guidelines and Unified Development Code. 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 December 9, 2010 Regular HARC meeting and the minutes from the continuation of that meeting on December 20, 2010. Motion by Pergl to accept the minutes of both meetings as presented. Second by Rapp. Approved 5 – 0. (Johnson not on the dais yet.) Regular Agenda: 2. Consideration and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for the demolition of a house and garage in Snyder Addition, Block 1 (se/pt), located at 707 E. 13th Street. (CDC- 2010-032) Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance approval from HARC for the demolition of both a house and detached garage. Waters Property Management, who has managed the property for the last several years, states they are unable to lease it out due to deteriorating conditions. This is due to the shifting and sinking of the floor, rotten walls, broken and shifting windows, the garage leaning due to rotten boards, a shifted roof and buckling ceiling. At this time there are no proposed plans for the property. Any new construction will have to Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 2 of 4 January 27, 2011 comply with all City rules and regulations but will not require HARC approval. The applicant will be required to obtain all the proper permits prior to demolition. Based on the applicant’s materials and staff’s analysis, staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance for the demolition of the Low-Priority house and accessory structure. The applicant, Edwin Lansford, Jr., was available for questions and comments. Moore opened the Public Hearing at 6:13 p.m. He closed the Public Hearing at 6;13 p.m. as there were not any speakers. Rapp opened the discussion by asking Mr. Lansford how, with a property management company, this house was allowed to get to this point. Mr. Lansford responded that he actually did extensive repairs to the house in the 1990’s, including new sheetrock, tub, and bathroom. But that the house sits on a low level of the land and that most of the deterioration of the house was due to wet and rotting wood. He also stated that the tenant did not ever call for any repairs so Mr. Lansford and the property management company did not inspect the property. Mr. Lansford was asked if he would consider fixing the house and renting it again. He stated felt that the house was too small to rent today at only 620 square feet, and only one bath in the house. The house sits on 2.6 acres and he wants to build something bigger that would bring in more than $450 a month in rent. His present intent is to leave the lot vacant until he can sell it for a profit. Firth stated she felt this was definitely a case of “demolition by neglect” and that it could have been avoided. Johnson stated he always wants to save the old houses, but accepts that this is a case of weather causing the wood to rot and he does not see that it can be salvaged. Herriott agreed with him. Moore stated that it was disturbing that a charming little house like this could get to this condition. Moore explained to Mr. Lansford that even though he has a property management company the ultimate responsibility for the property lies with the property owner. Motion by Firth to deny the CDC for demolition. Second by Johnson. Approved 4 – 2. (Pergl and Herriott opposed.) Moore explained to Mr. Lansford the process of returning to the HARC in 175 days after making attempts to relocate or save the house. 3. Consideration and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for the relocation of a house in Eubank Addition, Block 4, Lot 11, located at 1809 S. Main Street. (CDC-2010-033) Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance approval from HARC for the relocation of a house. The applicant wishes to relocate the house to another location and build a new home in a style he states would enhance the historic district. The structure is not listed as an historic structure on either the 1984 or 2007 Historic Resources Survey. Staff recommends approval of the relocation. Jerry Oliver, the owner was present for questions and comments. Chair Moore opened the public hearing at 6:42 and closed it due to lack of speakers. Mr. Oliver began by speaking about the property. He stated that he had the property Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 3 of 4 January 27, 2011 inspected by a certified inspector and the result is that it would cost up to $8000 to bring the house up to plumbing and electrical code. The house has asbestos siding that will have to be removed whether the house moves or not. His plan is to move the house to Jonah, off east Hwy 29, and replace the siding with log cabin style siding. He has land there and one of his caretakers and family will live in the house. Mr. Oliver introduced Curtis Janis, the contractor that will be replacing the current house. The proposed house is 2500 square feet, is Victorian style with a 3 car garage detached, and proposes to preserve the character of the historic district. Pergl began the discussion by questioning what happened to the carport. Oliver explained that they removed it before knowing that they needed a permit. Herriott confirmed that this was a removal not a demolition. Johnson questioned the origination of the structure. Oliver responded that he estimated that the house was from the WWII era and that he thinks it was moved from the Ft. Hood area, possibly a barracks. Firth questioned how long Mr. Oliver owned the property. He stated about 130 – 150 days. Rapp questioned his original intent for the property’s use. He stated he had intended to use it for a rental until he found out how much it would cost to bring it up to code. Commissioners expressed disappointment that Mr. Oliver was not present for the scheduled walk through earlier that week. Mr. Oliver explained that he had another appointment but had left the door open. Commissioners expressed that they would not enter a house when the owner was not present. Moore asked Wyler to confirm with all future walk-throughs that the owner would be present. Motion by Firth to approve the relocation of the house located at 1809 S. Main Street. Second by Herriott. Approved 6 – 0. 4. Discussion and possible direction on illuminated window signs Downtown as requested by Commissioner Firth. Firth opened this item and read a statement explaining her concern over the large number of neon type, unapproved signs that have been appearing in the downtown area. Commissioners discussed whether this was a code enforcement issue or an education of the business owners issue. They discussed that possibly the Design Guidelines should better address signage. Cook suggested working with the downtown groups to find a win/win solution and to determine what will be appropriate and supported by the city council, business owners and other organizations. Motion by Firth to charge the Sign Subcommittee with meeting with Downtown Georgetown Association, the Main Street Advisory Board and possibly others to develop sign standards that will address maintaining the historic character of downtown, educating the business owners of the standards and developing enforceable standards in the Design Guidelines. Second by Rapp. Approved 6 – 0. 5. Reminder that the next regular HARC meeting will take place on February 24, 2011. It was discussed that there were not any applications for the February 9, 2011 Sign Subcommittee meeting, but that they would meet at the regular time to discuss the charge that was made (in item 4 above). Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 4 of 4 January 27, 2011 6. Adjournment. Chair Moore adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m. __________________________________ _________________________________ Approved, Will Moore, Chair Attest, Susan Firth, Secretary