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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_10.29.2002CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS Historic and Architectural Review Commission Tuesday, October 29, 2002 at 6:30 P.M. Development Services Large Conference Room 904 South Main Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626 Commissioners Present: Joe Burke, Chair; Kelly Burris, Secretary, Clare Easley, Jim Keys, John Treuhardt, Mike Sparks, Len Lester, John Chapman, Alternate, Beebe Gray (arrived 7:40) Commissioners Absent: Karalei Nunn, Vice Chair Commissioners present not participating: Virgil Buell Staff Present: Paula Dessler, Dave Hall, Quana Childs, Amelia Sondgeroth A regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission, for consideration and possibl e action on the following: Meeting called to order at 6:30 1. Chairman invited Alternate John Chapman to participate in and vote at this meeting. 2. Review of the minutes from the regular meeting of September 26, 2002. Motion by Commissioner Sparks to waive the reading of the minutes from September 26, 2002. Second by Commissioner Truehardt. Approved 8-0 Motion by Commissioner Truehardt to approve the minutes from September 29, 2002. Second by Commissioner Chapman. Approved 8-0 3. Request for Certificate of Design Compliance for signage and Handicap ramp at 1104 S. Church. Applicant/Owner: Amie Rodnick & Larry Smith Dave Hall presented application. Although the applicant was on the agenda for her signage and installation of a handy-cap ramp, the parking, which was not on, the agenda needed to be reviewed for compliance. The structure has existing parking but the applicant is adding eight additional spots. With the addition of parking, landscaping and screening requirements had to be reviewed by the Commission for compliance. This required more information in support of the application. Although signage and the ramp where discussed in detail, instead of granting her a partial Certificate of Design Compliance the Commission recommend the applicant return to the November meeting and the Commission will review the application all at once. 4. Request for Certificate of Design Compliance for new signage at 113 E. 7th St. Positive Image Photography. Applicant/Owner: Lewis & Carol Kincheloe Applicant proposes to add new signage to 113 E. 7th St. The application consist of four signs, one on the mansard which will be the primary sign. The secondary signs consist of a window decal on 7th St. anther decal located by the front door and a hanging sign under the mansard roof overhang. Motion by Commissioner Sparks to approve a Certificate of Design Compliance for the primary sign on the mansard and the secondary window and hanging signs as presented to the commission. Second by Commissioner Truehardt. Approved 8-0. *7:40: Commissioner Beebe Gray arrives and is invited to participate and vote in the meeting. 5. Request for Certificate of Design Compliance for site plan review at N.W. corner of University and Austin Ave. Potential Development site for a Walgreen’s Store. Applicant/Owner: James T. Ross/Talisman Group, Inc. Amelia Sondgeroth presented the City’s review of the application to the Commission. Mr. Ross presented a slide show, which displayed an aerial view of the proposed site as well as alternative designs, including the design of the Walgreen’s store in Hyde Park neighborhood in Austin and the Walgreen’s store in Cedar Park. Mr. Ross first addressed the difficulty he said Talisman and Walgreen’s would have with the requirements in the Guidelines that buildings be built to the line. Mr. Ross explained that the store in Hyde Park experienced a lower than expected rate of return which Walgreen’s apparently attributes to the build-to-the-line design, at least in part. Mr. Ross explained Walgreen’s was not flexible on this issue. . The Commission comments showed the Commission’s concern that the proposed site design, as presented by Mr. Ross on behalf of Talisman Group was not pedestrian friendly, which is one of the goals of the Guidelines. The Commission suggested, among other things, that the proposed site design needs more landscaping, sidewalks perhaps benches to encourage waking and sitting. Mr. Ross emphasized that in his experience, as well as that of Walgreen’s, most customers will drive rather than walk. Sign information submitted was very limited, but the materials listed consisted of some use of plastic materials, which is not permitted in Area 2. Applicant described the monument sign as having a reader board (that does not move). A trademark sign in the proposed tower structure made extensive use of neon. Citizens who spoke: Renee Hanson, Heart of Georgetown Association. Mrs. Hanson asked that the Commission deny this application due to the fact that Walgreen’s does not meet the standards or spirit of the Design Guidelines. Jim Dillard, Heritage Society-Mr. Dillard read a letter written from Dr Morton King. The letter asked the Commission to deny the application due to the fact Walgreen’s did not adhere to the guidelines in anyway. Chairman Burke read a letter from the Economic Development Commission. The letter was written by Gordon Baker, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. The letter discussed a meeting held by the Commission in October in which they reviewed the potential development of the Walgreen’s store. The discussion revolved around the importance of this location meeting the standards of the Guidelines because the corner of Austin Ave. and University Ave. is a major gateway into the historical district. The EDC offered it’s full cooperation to HARC in encouraging the Walgreen Corporation or any other development in the district, that it is in their best economic interest to meet the standards of and commit to a long term partnership with the citizens of Georgetown. Following extensive discussion among the Commissioners and Mr. Ross on behalf of Talisman Group, the following motion was offered: . Motion by Commissioner Easley to deny the Certificate of Design Compliance as presented tonight to the commission. Second by Commissioner Burris. Denied 7-2 6. Commission discussed moving the November meeting to the 20th due to workshop with Winter and Company. Chairman Burke adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Approved: Attest: ____________________________ ______________________________ Joe Burke, Chair Kelly Burris, Secretary