HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_03.24.2011Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 5
March 24, 2011
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 5:30 p.m.
City Council and Municipal Court Building, Georgetown, TX 78627
101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, TX 78626
Members present: Will Moore, Chair; Sarah Blankenship; Susan Firth; Gregg Herriott;; David Paul;
Dee Rapp and Nelia Ibsen Schrum.
Commissioners in Training present: Raymond Wehrenbrock and Andy Welch.
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 Moore called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
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:
1. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the February 24, 2011 regular HARC
meeting.
2. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage at
City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 5 (pt), also known as Urban Homes and Land, located at 714
S. Austin Avenue, Suite 201. (CDC-2011-005)
Motion by Rapp to approve the minutes as submitted. The second item was voted on and
approved at the Sign Subcommittee Meeting. Second by Herriott. Approved 7 – 0.
Regular Agenda:
Chair Moore introduced the new members to HARC and the Commissioners in Training in the
audience. He then noted that Susan Firth and Dee Rapp were existing members of the Sign
Subcommittee and they confirmed they would remain on the subcommittee. He asked for one
more volunteer and Sarah Blankenship agreed to serve.
3. Election of HARC Officers; Vice-Chair & Secretary.
Firth nominated Rapp for Vice-Chair. Second by Herriott. Approved 7 – 0.
Rapp nominated Herriott for Secreta ry. Second by Firth. Approved 7 – 0.
4. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for site changes,
including a fenced-in outdoor seating area and urban gardens, at City of Georgetown, Block 28,
Lots 1 – 8, Also known as the Monument Cafe site, located at 500 S. Austin Avenue. (CDC-2011-
006)
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March 24, 2011
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance
approval from HARC for the addition of an outdoor seating area and urban garden to the
Monument Cafe site. Shown on the provided site layout, the outdoor seating area, referred to as
the biergarten, will be located to the southeast of the main restaurant, directly east and in front
of an existing structure that will contain a future market. The biergarten, which will have a
decomposed granite floor, will be screened from both Austin Avenue and 6th Street using a six
(6) foot western red cedar or stained hardie-panel privacy fence. Either fence will be designed
to support vegetation from both sides and will serve to insulate and screen the biergarten from
the streets. As part of the biergarten project, the applicant will expand the existing herb garden
and plant a small orchard between the biergarten and Austin Avenue as shown on the site
layout. This will provide additional vegetation between the proposed fence and Austin Avenue
sidewalk. Staff will review the plantings to ensure compliance with site and safety regulations.
An urban garden is also proposed for the northwest portion of the property, directly behind the
restaurant along Rock and 5th Streets. This will be used for production, education and dining
purposes. A four (4) foot ornamental antique woven wire fence (shown on the provided photo)
will surround the urban garden to control access. It will be installed and maintained to ensure
it does not block the view of the garden from the surrounding public space.
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance amendment, based on the
Design Guidelines, for both the outdoor seating area (biergarten) and urban garden as
proposed by the applicant with the following conditions:
1) Staff recommends the applicant use the stained hardie-panel woven privacy fence rather
than the western red cedar design. The woven -panel design provides a more urban and
attractive appearance to the property and will better complement the surrounding
landscape and streetscape.
2) The applicant will need to receive staff approval for all new landscaping prior to
commencing with construction of the outdoor seating and urban garden to ensure
compliance with the site plan.
The applicant, Rusty Winkstern, was available for questions. Rapp questioned the work being
done on 6th Street and the addition of a signal across Austin Avenue at 6th Street. Wyler
responded that the city and the applicant have an agreement regarding the construction of 6th
Street, along with the standardized sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and benches in accordance
with the Downtown Master Plan. That work is occurring at this time. Elizabeth Cook
explained that there will be a pedestrian signal installed, either at 5th or 6th Street and Austin
Avenue, but not a traffic signal. The pedestrian signal should be installed by the end of the
year.
Winkstern explained that he has not been able find tenants for the office space so he has a new
proposal for the biergarten, with the dual purpose of bringing people to the downtown area at
night. He is still planning and working on the 3500 square foot market space that he hopes will
open in April. And he is still working with the concept of taking food from the farm to the table
and making it educational at the same time.
Rapp questioned whether he intended to permanently retire the office building. Winkstern
responded that he still intends to build it when the market turns. The orchard and herb garden
will stay at that time, and the biergarten will become a small courtyard.
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March 24, 2011
Rapp commented that she likes the woven fence that is proposed but questioned the inclusion
of the red cedar fence. Winkstern explained he was giving the commissioners options.
Blankenship commented that she “applauds” the project. She like the woven fence but suggest
it should then into the property more. Winkstern explained that the parapet and stucco wall
will be extended, which is not shown in the photos, and will tie in. Blankenship suggested
moving the greenery around the biergarten and moving the biergarten forward toward Austin
Avenue. Winkstern explained that TABC requires them to have a 6 foot fence and because of
that, moving the biergarten and fence forward would affect the site lines of the vehicles on 6th
Street. He likes the ideas but states they are also more expensive than he can afford at this time.
They discussed other ideas on the development of the site. Winkstern stated he would cost her
ideas out and consider them.
Ibsen-Schrum stated she thought this was a good project. Paul stated this would be good for
downtown. Herriott questioned the plantings on the roof. Winkstern explained that the weight
of planting directly on the roof was too great for the structure and so they were trying planters.
He said that was not working well either and that he only had 8 inches of dirt to work with. He
may come back to HARC with another plan.
Firth questioned the supports of the fence. Winkstern said that right now it is proposed as
galvanized pipes and they will apply vinegar or something to make it less shiny.
Motion by Rapp to approve the CDC as presented with the following conditions: that the
applicant will install a mahogany stained hardie-panel fence around the biergarten and will
bring a color sample in for staff approval and the height will be adjusted based on TABC
certification; and the applicant will work with staff for approval of all landscaping. Second
by Paul. Approved 7 – 0.
5. Discussion with the property owner of 409 E. University Avenue on converting the residential
property to office.
Chair Moore confirmed that before discussing the options, the process was to rezone the
property through the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. This would not
be considered for a Special Use Permit. And HARC does not make recommendations on zoning
or use. He wants to make it clear that the commissioners were not making any
recommendations on use. Wyler confirmed. Wyler introduced Jim Babcock, the property owner.
Babcock explained that the charter states that HARC gives advice and guidance on historic
properties and he was asking for their opinions. Babcock provided some comparables and
explained that he has been unable to sell his property as a residence due to the very busy traffic
on University Avenue. He prefers to preserve the house. He believes that rezoning the property
may be his only option and asked for the Commissioners’ thoughts.
Moore stated that the comparables noted are all in the Mixed Use – Downtown zoning district
and that this house was not. He questioned whether the boundaries could be extended to that
lot. Cook said not at this time, but that the Comprehensive Plan how has more flexibility for
residential structures with a non-residential use.
There was further discussion of how Babcock could alter the site to get the amount of parking
he would need for an office use. It was suggested that he could use the existing driveway as a
one way in and have a one-way egress on Ash Street. The commissioners were not in favor of
allowing additional parking on Ash Street. Babcock questioned the commissioners about their
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March 24, 2011
support of rezoning the property and whether they could support the action. There was not a
formal vote but Moore explained that he felt he could support a different zoning district based
on the location of the structure and the other options presented.
Babcock thanked the commissioners for their time and help.
6. Appointment of Sign Subcommittee members.
See action listed before item number 3.
7. Appointment of Demolition Subcommittee members.
Cook explained that the new requirements for a demolition or relocation in the Downtown
Overlay District, as amended in the Unified Development Code recently, require an applicant to
meet with staff and a Demolition Subcommittee or designated member(s) of HARC to
determine the criteria needed for the application. This person or persons must be available to
meet with the applicant during daytime hours, typically a Wednesday morning or Thursday
afternoon. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 7. This is not an ad hoc position
to be called until we find someone, but an appointed subcommittee that would fulfill this
specific role but not all the members must attend for staff to make a decision. These meetings
usually last an hour, but there could be two or three on a day.
Moore asked if anyone would be interested in this subcommittee. Paul asked that Cook explain
the next item before anyone made a commitment to the first subcommittee.
8. Discussion and consideration on participants for the Economic Review Subcommittee.
Cook explains this subcommittee meets to review applications that have been made with the
statement that there is no economically viable use for that property. This person should be
someone that does not have a financial or personal interest in the property but that will have
knowledge of economic development in the area. This should not be a HARC member or staff
member. Cook suggests getting a pool of people to choose from that could be called to review
applications. Firth suggested Cook or staff write a letter explaining the position and
qualifications and then the letters could be handed out and interest noted.
Moore then asked again for volunteers of the Demolition Subcommittee. Firth, Ibsen-Schrum
and Paul volunteered. Motion by Rapp to appoint those three individuals to the
Subcommittee. Second by Herriott. Approved 7 – 0.
9. Discussion on UDC, Design Guidelines and HARC Bylaws.
Cook reported that the Legal Department of the City and the City Secretary’s office were
reviewing all the board and commission bylaws for consistency. HARC’s bylaws were recently
revised, last October, and the City Secretary might be sending the bylaws back to the
commission for review and revision within the next few months.
The Design Guidelines are being updated and freshened up based on the Unified Development
Code updates and ordinances that have been passed in the past months. Staff is working with
the original author, Noré Winter, with those updates. Commissioner comments are being
incorporated into the document also. The Guidelines will be coming to the Commissioners
sometime this summer for review.
Cook also reminded everyone that the Commissioners are required to have training twice a year
per their bylaws. With the new members now appointed, this would be a good time to have an
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March 24, 2011
overview of the Design Guidelines and Downtown Master Plan, along with a detailed
discussion of the new UDC updates on demolition and infill in the Downtown Overlay District.
Everyone reviewed their calendars. Consensus was to meet on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Dinner
will be served at 5:00 p.m. and the training session would begin at 5:30 p.m.
10. Reminder that the next regular HARC meeting will take place on April 28, 2011.
Moore asked the commissioners in training (CIT) if they had any comments. Wahrenbrock
asked about receiving the same information that the commissioners had. Wyler explained that
the packet materials would be provided to them in the future, but were not included this time
because the new CIT were not appointed when the applicants submitted their materials and
there were not any extras to send. The number of materials required for future submittals is
being increased.
Wahrenbrock and Welch both questioned their ability to comment or deliberate on any of the
items. Cook stated they were not allowed to deliberate each item on the agenda, but that she
would look into the ability to participate through comments at the beginning or end of each
meeting. This may be allowed as a standard agenda item.
Wyler reminded the commissioners that the Sign Subcommittee meets on the second
Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. and the 4th Thursday at 5:30 p.m., but there will not be a meeting on
April 13 for lack of applications.
11. Adjournment
Moore adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
___________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Dee Rapp, Chair Attest, Greg Herriott, Secretary