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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_10.27.2011Historical and Architectural Commission 1 Minutes October 27, 2011 City of Georgetown, Texas Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. City Council and Municipal Court Building, Georgetown, TX 78627 101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, TX 78626 Members present: Dee Rapp, Chair; Sarah Blankenship, Susan Firth, David Paul, Nelia Ibsen Schrum, and Raymond Wahrenbrock. Commissioners in Training present: Members absent: Andy Welch, Commissioner in Training Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner and HARC liaison; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner; Laurie Brewer, Deputy City Manager; Ed Polasek, Transportation Services Director; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary Regular Session - To begin no earlier than 6:00 p.m. Chair Rapp called the meeting to order at 6:00 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: 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 September 22, 2011 Regular HARC meeting. Blankenship asked that the last sentence of page 3 be changed to read: “Blankenship explained that THC standards would not allow the front of the structure to be changed in this manner, but that is not how the Design Guidelines were interpreted in the staff report.” Motion by Paul to approve the minutes as amended. Second by Wahrenbrock. Approved 6-0. 2. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage at Lost Addition, Block 64 (pt), to be known as Texas Car Title & Payday Loan, located at 1000 S. Austin Avenue. (CDC-2011-037) Rapp explained that the Sign Subcommittee tabled this item until further details and a more complete application were submitted. No action was taken by the Commission. Historical and Architectural Commission 2 Minutes October 27, 2011 Regular Agenda: 3. Conceptual review and discussion with the architect of a proposed downtown parking garage, located west of Rock Street between 6th and 7th Streets. Ed Polasek provided an overview of the proposed parking garage and explained that they wanted Commissioners’ comments before proceeding further. The architect, Tommy Kosarek, was also present. His presentation showed that several ideas of the Design Guidelines were incorporated into the design; pedestrian scale, the corners were made important, there is a ground floor element different from the rest of the structure, they were trying to make this more than just a place to park. The project entry will be located off 7th Street, with a major feature on the corner of Rock and 7th Streets. They would like to have some sort of pedestrian linkage to the library on 9th Street. Commissioner Paul thinks it looks good. Blankenship questioned when the city and county would be ready to move forward. Polasek responded that there would be at least two years of litigation before construction could start, then another 3 – 5 years after that for funding and construction. Blankenship stated she would like to see a more solid face on the residential example than what was shown. Rapp questioned the height of the structure. Kosarek said it will not exceed 794 feet which is the elevation for the courthouse view. Rapp reminded him to check the courthouse view from other points such as IH 35. She also asked that the illumination of the building be considered and kept low when placing residential units above the parking area. Wahrenbrock stated he would like to see the structure located further south, toward the library. Laurie Brewer explained that the city does not own any property further south and that this must be a partnership with the county. This is projected to cost over $7 million and needs the county participation to be funded. Wahrenbrock still encouraged them to work toward a pedestrian walkway to the library and finding something unique for Georgetown. Blankenship asked if the architect was accepting ideas. Any additional comments or ideas can be sent to Wyler, for forwarding to the architects and city. Kosarek asked if the commissioners liked the samples provided. Rapp responded that the samples were good in portraying the ideas and that they seem to be well received. She asked for a timeline of the application. Kosurek stated he would be redoing the drawing for concept and bidding by the first of the year. Blankenship suggested going with an industrial style like the current police station. Brewer stated the feasibility study was being conducted now and that there should be a report in about 2 months. Then the city and county will work on budgeting and approvals. Rapp thanked the applicants for bringing this forward at this time. 4. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for a second story addition to a Low-Priority historic residence in Old Town in Hughes Addition, Block 10 (ne/pt), located at 1502 Ash Street. (CDC-2011-035) Wyler presented the staff report. Per UDC Section 3.13.010.A.2.a, a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) is required whenever an addition is proposed to the street-facing facade of an existing single-family or two-family residential structure. Because of this, the Historical and Architectural Commission 3 Minutes October 27, 2011 applicant seeks CDC approval for an upper-story addition to their single-family, Low- Priority historic residence located in the Old Town Historic Overlay. The house was recently purchased with the intent to restore the Old Town home while increasing the size to make it a more practical family home. The applicant states the existing house lacks ample living and closet space as well as the bathrooms that modern families need. Additionally, a stucco chimney is proposed on the north side of the house, replacing an original chimney that was removed in the 1950’s, where a breezeway currently exists. The applicant has stated roofing materials and pitch for the addition will repeat that of the existing house. The proposed windows will be historically compatible to the existing windows, although slightly smaller. Firth stated she thinks the application and proposed addition are well done. She asked what the original chimney material was. Jordan Maddox, the applicant, stated that it was probably brick as evidenced in the portion that is remaining in the attic, but to make it work with the existing foundation and costs, stucco is their choice. He also explained that it will only be a working fireplace on the upper floor. Wahrenbrock suggested a brick veneer. Tommy Norrell, the contractor for this project, explained that stone would cost 2.5 times more than stucco, brick would cost 3 times more than stucco, and veneer would cost 50% more because of the labor intensiveness of the work. He also stated that from the street view, most people would not be able to tell what the original material was. Rapp opened and closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. There were no public comments. Motion by Firth to approve the CDC for the second story addition and the fireplace, asking the applicant to reconsider a brick fireplace. Second by Paul. Approved 6-0. 5. Public hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance for the demolition of a Low-Priority historic house and detached garage in Shell Addition, Block 15 (se/pt), located at 711 E. 5th Street. (CDC-2011-036) Wyler presented the staff report: The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance approval from HARC for the demolition of a house and detached garage. According to the applicant’s application materials, the Georgetown Heritage Society determined the original portion of the house was built circa 1915 by C. S. Griffith, a premier builder of Georgetown at the time. The house has since gone through major modifications, especially with the addition of an upper story sometime in the 1950’s. Today, the house measures 2,859 square feet and has an attached 708 square foot garage and covered 192 square foot concrete porch. The house maintains the pier and beam foundation and wood siding. According to the applicant, features such as the aluminum windows in the clerestory and painted aluminum columns have been incorporated into the design of the house over the past few decades. It has also been stated that portions of the exterior horizontal wood siding are rotting and has even been replaced in some areas by plywood siding. The applicant states the house is in fair to poor condition with modifications that detract from any originality. The applicant plans to construct a more attractive arts & crafts style home that will be more compatible in appearance to the area and an asset for the neighborhood. Details on the 400 square foot detached garage are unknown but the applicant wishes to take it down along with the house to allow for the new construction. Historical and Architectural Commission 4 Minutes October 27, 2011 Any new construction will have to comply with all City rules and regulations but will not require HARC approval unless it were to require special CDC approval as detailed in UDC Section 4.09.030.B, Single-Family and Two-Family Residential Development Regulations in Old Town. 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 that HARC delay action of the Certificate of Design Compliance for the demolition of the Low-Priority house and accessory structure to allow for more research on the cost of renovating the house versus constructing a new one. This would also allow time for the applicant to possibly find a way to reuse the structure or materials. HARC should refer to UDC Section 3.13.050 for additional application requirements during the delay period. Dennis Banks, the owner of the house, added that the cost of renovating the house would be at least $225,000 and that is with keeping very little of the original structure. He stated renovation is cost prohibitive. Rapp opened the Public Hearing. Ellen Davis, of 405 E. 10th Street, believes HARC should not force Mr. Banks to keep the original house because there seems to be a good market in Georgetown for remodeled historic homes. J.C. Johnson, of 303 E. 9th Street, commented that old houses in Georgetown should command respect and that the citizens need to take demolition of those old homes seriously. He urged HARC to approve the delay to find an alternative to the demolition. Virginia Stubbs, representing the Georgetown Historic Society, researched the titles of the house, trying to determine the different changes that were made to the original structure. They support staff’s recommendation to deny or delay the demolition, stating that the house has “good bones” and can be restored. Rapp closed the Public Hearing at 7:04 p.m. Commissioners asked questions. Blankenship asked what was meant by “good bones”. It was explained that the house had a good foundation and structure at one point, but that many changes have been made to detract from the original character of the house. Rapp stated it looks like the original roof structure could be replaced. Banks explained that the changes that were made inside the house and to the structural components make it almost impossible to return it to its original state. He stated the ceiling joists will not support a second floor, and the only wooden window remaining is in the kitchen which looks into the added garage. There are not many original components of the 1915 house left. Rapp stated this may be the oldest house that HARC has considered for demolition and it is a difficult decision. She also stated that she could see the original house structure beneath all the changes and believes it is possible to restore it. Firth asked Mr. Banks if he would come back with a feasibility study, to determine if restoration was possible and the proposed cost of such a restoration. Mr. Banks stated he already had 3 months into the property and was not willing to put any more money into something like that. He provided pictures of other homes that he has built in historic Historical and Architectural Commission 5 Minutes October 27, 2011 districts and proposes to build something similar in this spot. Wyler explained that the Commissioners had options. They can delay the application for 175 days, or they can table the discussion until they get specific pieces of information from Mr. Banks. He read UDC Section 3.13.050 outlining their options. Firth quoted Guideline 7.13 which states that “only as a last resort should an historic structure be considered for demolition.” She cannot support this request. She wanted to see the motion delayed so Mr. Banks can come back with a plan to save the house. Wyler explained that the Commissioners could postpone action to get more information from the applicant without starting the 175 day delay process. Motion by Rapp to postpone the decision of the demolition and have the applicant work with staff to do a cost estimate and feasibility study of the restoration, and to then schedule a walkthrough with the commissioners after the feasibility study is done. Second by Firth. Approved 6 – 0. 6. Review and Discussion with possible direction to staff on the proposed amendments of the 2001 Downtown Design Guidelines, more specifically the newly drafted Chapter 13. Due to the length of the meeting, this item was postponed to another date, to be determined. 7. Updates from staff and reminder that there will be a HARC Sign Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, November 9 at the Georgetown Municipal Complex but no HARC or HARC Sign Subcommittee meetings on Thursday, November 24 due to the holiday. Those meetings have been rescheduled to Thursday, December 9. 8. Adjournment Rapp adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. _______________________________ _________________________________ Approved, Dee Rapp, Chair Attest, Susan Firth, Vice-chair