HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_03.01.2006_SubcommitteeHistoric and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting March 1, 2005
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Subcommittee Meeting
Draft Minutes
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78626
Attending Members: Mike Sparks, Chair; Karalei Nunn, Vice Chair; John Chapman; Chris
Damon; Clare Easley; Beebe Gray; Jim Keys; Linda McCalla, alternate; and John Truehardt.
Nancy Knight, alternate was present but did not serve.
Absent Members: Rick O’Donnell, Secretary
Staff Present: Rebecca Rowe, Historic Review Planner; Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m.
The Historic and Architectural Review Commission 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. This is a regular rescheduled
meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission, for consideration and
possible action on the following:
1. Chairman may appoint alternate(s) to serve at this meeting.
Linda McCalla was asked to serve in Rick O’Donnell’s absence.
2. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the December 15, 2005 meeting.
Chair Sparks noted an amendment that needed to be made under item number seven. The
last sentenced read “Commissioners discussed the project with Mr. Choi and were
generally agreeable to his ideas.” The words “to the addition at the rear, including an
additional story on the back portion of the building, taking the curved rooftop off and
adding another story for a total of three stories.” were added to the end of the sentence.
And they were only agreeable to the addition of the building, not the site plan. Motion by
Chapman, Second by Truehardt to accept the minutes as amended. Motion passed, 8 – 0,
with abstention by Gray.
3. Report on the meeting of the January 26, 2006 subcommittee.
Rowe gave the report of the subcommittee meeting of January 26. She stated they issued a
6 month temporary real estate sign for a home occupation on Church Street. This item will
come back to the Commission for permanent approval after that time.
Regular Agenda:
4. Certificate of Design Compliance for a new ATM location and surround at Lost Addition,
Block 14, a 0.373 acre portion located at 1111 South Austin Avenue.
Rowe gave a summary of the item. The applicant is proposing to relocate an ATM that is
currently existing in a drive-through lane to the rear, east facade of the structure. The
ATM would be located in a limestone surround with a metal canopy cover. She stated that
there are no specific guidelines addressing materials for ATM structures. The metal roof
canopy is an acceptable material per the Design Guidelines.
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Meeting March 1, 2005
The applicant, Lee Alexander, was available to answer questions. He stated the structure
was specifically designed to meet the City’s requirements. Commissioner Nunn
questioned the use of limestone when the building that it was matching is painted brick.
The applicant stated the structure was designed to blend, at the request of the Commission.
Motion by Truehardt for approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance per the staff
recommendation “for the new ATM location, proposed surround, including materials, and
the painted red metal roof.” Second by Damon. Certificate of Design Compliance is
approved, 5 – 4. (Gray, Easley, Nunn and McCalla opposed.)
5. Certificate of Design Compliance for front and rear façade changes at City of
Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 5 (pts), 0.06 acres located at 714 South Austin Avenue.
Rowe summarized the application. the applicant is proposing to repaint the windows and
various trim on the front facade, to reopen windows on the rear facade and to turn a
window into a door on the rear facade to allow for a fire stair according to the building
code. Staff recommends approval.
Commissioners stated they needed to see paint colors to make a final decision. The
approval process and options of dividing the application were discussed.
Motion by Truehardt to approve the application subject to a subcommittee review of
paint colors where being painted. Second by Nunn. Approved 9 – 0.
6. Certificate of Design Compliance for façade changes at City of Georgetown, Block 27, Lots
1-8 located at 501 South Austin Avenue.
Rowe reports the applicant is proposing the change in location of the electric transformer
from the parking lot to the northwest side of the building of Phase 2 or 3, depending on the
phasing schedule, and that the transformer would be screened with a fence and a gate. The
approval is requested for the location of the transformer, not the screening materials at this
time. She clarified that this action would be based on the drawings dated February 26,
2006.
Rowe also stated that the applicant is proposing to amend the previously approved
Certificate of Design Compliance to eliminate the curved roof on the eastern two-thirds of
the building and to continue the approved design on the remainder of the building. There
is also an increase in balconies on the north and south elevations, and recessing portions of
the building by 3 feet in depth to meet the Design guidelines for articulation. Rowe stated
the recessed portions must be 5 feet in depth to be in compliance and the applicant has
agreed to that amount and that is reflected in the recommended motion.
Staff recommends approval of the amendment to supersede previous approvals on these
elements. Rowe reminded the Commission that the City Attorney states normally
subsequent approvals control, and that by granting subsequent approvals, termination or
revocation of any prior approvals are made and must be included in the action so that
approvals are clear. The items covered in this application are the curved roof, the
balconies and allowing the second and third floors materials to continue in this pattern.
Mr. Choi, the applicant answered questions of the Commission. There was deliberation of
several elements of the building. Choi asked for a decision of the Commission so he may
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Meeting March 1, 2005
move forward.
Motion by Nunn to approve the amended Certificate of Design Compliance for changes
to the massing of the north and south facades, the simplification of the Austin Avenue
facade, the added terraces and with the condition that the recessed portions of the north
and south elevations be changed from 3 feet deep to 5 feet deep that is only at the first
level, and that the copper roofs be removed from the octagonal protrusions at the Austin
Avenue facade. And this motion will supersede the previously approved Certificate of
Design Compliance as related to these specific elements. Second by McCalla. Motion
approved 9 -0.
7. Presentation and discussion on allowing a building height of forty-seven feet (47’) for a
proposed building at City of Georgetown, Block 27, Lots 1-8 located at 501 South Austin
Avenue.
This item was discussed by the Commission with Mr. Choi, the applicant. Mr. Choi stated
that with an allowed penthouse level, the area of the building will be 35,000 square feet.
Without the penthouse, the area of the building would be 30,000 square feet, making the
penthouse more marketable and desirable for the owner. There was a discussion of
“extraordinary” and whether adding the penthouse, extra height, would make this an
extraordinary building, and whether the Commission would approve the extraordinary
extra height of the building considering the other buildings in the area..
Mr. Bode, the applicants’ architect discussed his justification for requesting the extra
height for this building. Mr. Choi thanked the commission for the discussion.
8. Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff.
A. Reminder of the next meeting of the Board on Thursday, March 23, 2006.
Rowe stated the March 23rd meeting only had two applications for signs and a request for a
decrease in the amount of benches approved in a CDC. She requested that the regular meeting
be rescheduled as a subcommittee meeting to discuss these items. The Commission concurred
with that request.
Rowe will send an e-mail to Commissioners with a proposed date of the Subcommittee
meeting to approve the color samples for 714 S. Austin Ave.
Chair Sparks adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Chair Mike Sparks Attest, Vice-Chair, Karalei Nunn