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