HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_05.25.2006Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting May 25, 2006
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78626
Attending Members: Mike Sparks, Chair; Chris Damon; Clare Easley, Jim Keys, Nancy Night,
Linda McCalla, Rick O’Donnell and John Truehardt
Members Absent: John Chapman, and Beebe Gray
Staff Present: Rebecca Rowe, Historic Review Planner; Bobby Ray, Planning director; Barbara
Quirk, City Attorney and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
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 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.
Sparks appointed Nancy Night to serve as the alternate for John Chapman. He also stated that
Karalei Nunn had resigned from her position on the commission and Linda McCalla has been
elevated to a regular member’s position.
2. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the April 27, 2006 regular.
Motion by Easley to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 27, 2006. Second
by Truehardt. Approved 8 – 0.
3. Consideration and possible action on a new Vice Chair and new Secretary.
Motion by Night to appoint Rick O’Donnell as the Vice Chair and John Truehardt as
Secretary, at the Chairs recommendation. Second by Easley. Approved 8 – 0.
Regular Agenda:
4. CDC-2006-016 Request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for rehabilitation of a
historic structure at City of Georgetown, Block 5, Lot 4 located at 812 Main Street.
Rick O’Donnell recused himself from the dais. Notarized Conflict of Interest form is on
file.
Rowe presented the staff report. The applicant is proposing to rehabilitate and restore the
structure at 812 Main Street. This will include removing a non-historic canopy, removing
paint from the bricks and restoring the historic configuration of the storefront. The
applicant was available for questions.
Commissioner Truehardt reminisced about the building being a cafe in the 1930’s, Waley’s
Cafe and remembered the door being flush with the building. He questioned the
applicant about the status of the canopy. The applicant stated the canopy was
deteriorating and needed to be removed.
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Meeting May 25, 2006
Motion by Easley to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance for rehabilitation
including paint removal, new windows and transoms, new entry location and
configuration, removal of the canopy and paint colors should repainting be necessary.
Second by Damon. Approved 7 – 0. (O’Donnell abstained.)
5. CDC-2006-007 Request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for height exception, 4th
floor design and materials at City of Georgetown, Block 27 located at 501 South Austin
Avenue.
Rowe presented the staff report. The applicant is proposing to add a 4th floor to his already
approved Phase I structure. The proposed 4th floor would bring the building to a total
height of 46 feet which is 8 feet over the by-right maximum in the downtown district. The
applicant is asking for a height exception as well as approval of the design and materials
for the proposed 4th floor. She stated per Section 4.06.020 (B) of the Design Guidelines and
Section 4.09 of the Unified Development Code, the Historic and Architectural Review
Commission (HARC) can approve exceptions to the maximum height in the Downtown
Overlay District with the following criteria: Views to and from the Courthouse and to and
from the Town Square Historic District will be protected; The character of the Downtown
Overlay District and the Town Square Historic District will be defined, reinforced, and
preserved; The relationship of the proposed project to the existing structures in the
immediate vicinity remains consistent; The proposed project allows for the best utilization
of redevelopment in the Downtown Overlay District and the Town Square Historic
District; and, the proposed project protects the historic buildings in the Downtown Overlay
District and no historic structures will be directly impacted by this project.
Mr. Choi, the applicant, addressed the Commission. He thanked the Commissioners for
their time and review during the last few months. The Chair thanked him for his
presentations and vision. Easley, O’Donnell, and McCalla all offered commendations on
the extraordinary drawings and design and working with the commission to make the
building compliant with the Design Guidelines. Mr. Choi was asked what would be on the
4th floor. He responded he envisioned a residence or a spa. He was asked about the
windows of the 4th floor, rectangular or arched. Mr. Choi asked to be able to make that
decision later.
Chair Sparks opened the Public Hearing.
Bob Weimer, Serenada resident & President of Downtown Georgetown Association. He
looks forward to the future of this building. Other businesses rely on the growth of
Georgetown and this facility is a strong sign that Georgetown is growing.
Scott Allercon, 1000 Bluff Meadow Cove, Chairman of the Board, Chamber of Commerce
and St. David’s Hospital COO. He stated that studies show the wellness improvements
like the ones provided in this facility will decrease the cost of overall healthcare. He has
had the opportunity to work with Dr. Choi and he appreciates her vision of a healthy
lifestyle. He welcomes this facility as a world class geriatric wellness facility.
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Meeting May 25, 2006
Ron Swain, 103 Diamond Trail. He and his wife are involved in Georgetown and love it
because the people in this city care for each other, and the quality of life and the historic
square in Georgetown reminds them of their favorite location, Chapel Hill, South Carolina.
As a representative of city residents, he stated that the viability of the downtown area is
essential to maintaining a higher standard of living in Georgetown. He spoke in favor of
the new project and its contribution to the downtown area.
Marlene McMichael, 210 Westbury Lane. VP Public Policy with Chamber of Commerce,
Planning & Zoning Commissioner. She supports the Sun Star Plaza, the architecture that
compliments the downtown area, the high density use, the building profile with 4 floors,
the pedestrian friendly atmosphere and the fact that it will bring many people to the area.
Brad Curlee, President Union State Bank. He spoke in favor of increasing the economic
viability of the downtown area, and in favor of the 4th floor height variance to improve the
investment in downtown and to be successful. He supports the development that will
bring a beautiful building and a geriatric center that will bring in higher paid workers and
visitors.
Mel Pendland, 30207 Oak Tree, President of Chamber of Commerce. He stated the 1000
members of the chamber support this building and thanked the Choi’s for bringing it to the
area. He urged the commissioners to vote yes on this project, as it is essential to a viable
community.
Chair Sparks closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Truehardt to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance and height
exception to allow the building to measure 48 feet in height, 4th floor design and materials
including both option “A” and option “B” for window design, noting the exceptions for
height and meeting the Unified Development Code Section 4.06.02b3 and Sections 4.06.020
and 4.09 of the Design Guidelines for the 4th floor. Second by Damon. Approved 8 – 0.
Commissioners and Mr. Choi received applause.
6. Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff.
A. Reminder of the next meeting of the Commission on June 22, 2006.
Motion by Easley to adjourn. Chair Sparks adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Chair Mike Sparks Attest, Secretary, John Truehardt