HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_10.26.2006Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting October 26, 2006
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, October 26, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
101 E. 7th Street Georgetown, Texas 78626
Attending Members: John Chapman, Chris Damon, Clare Easley, Linda McCalla, and John
Truehardt
Alternates present: Nancy Knight and J.C. Johnson
Members absent: Mike Sparks, Rick O’Donnell, Beebe Gray, Jim Keys
Staff Present: Rebecca Rowe, Historic Review Planner; Barbara Quirk, Acting City Attorney; and
Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
John Truehardt called the meeting to order at 6:02 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 scheduled 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.
In the absence of a Chair, John Truehardt opened the meeting and asked the two alternates,
Knight and Johnson to sit on the dais. Then Truehardt asked for nominations for Acting
Chair. John Chapman nominated John Truehardt. Second by Clare Easley. Truehardt was
elected unanimously.
2. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the September 27, 2006 regular meeting.
Motion by McCalla to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2006 regular meeting.
Second by Chapman. Approved 7 -0.
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.
3. Discussion and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
signage at City of Georgetown, Block 51 Lots 6-8 (PT) located at 817 South Austin Avenue,
Suite 101. CDC-2006-043
Motion by Easley to approve the item on the consent agenda. Second by Johnson.
Approved 7 – 0.
Regular Agenda:
4. Discussion and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
signage at Lot 2, City of Georgetown, Block 49 and Lots 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Block 48 located
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Meeting October 26, 2006
at 402 West 8th Street. CDC-2006-044
The staff report was presented by Rowe. The applicant, the Georgetown Public Library, is
proposing text be cut into the stone facade on 8th Street and metal, back lit lettering be
located on the well fence surround on 9th Street. The signage on 9th Street proposes to use
two blank walls on a stone enclosure that will exist whether the signage is allowed to located
there or not. Rowe stated HARC must decide whether the guidelines are met, whether there
is basis for allowing a size modification and whether the signage overwhelms the character
of the street/district/structure.
The applicant’s architect and library Director, Eric Lashley were present for questions.
Easley questioned the green color that was indicated on the sign drawings. The architect
stated the green is the same green that is used for the metal pieces on the building and the
stone is the same material and color as the building. Both colors and materials were pre -
approved by HARC for the building.
There was a discussion of the Design Guidelines’ lack of regulations limiting the size of a
monument sign and the Unified Development Code standards that do not fit into the Mixed
Use-Downtown zoning district. Quirk explained the possible allowance of this sign based on
the fact that the size and design of the proposed sign is within the character of the site and
surrounding downtown district and is otherwise consistent with the Design Guidelines.
Motion by Johnson to approve a Certificate of Design Compliance for the sign located at 402
West 8th Street, the Public Library, based on the findings listed previously by the City
Attorney. Second by Easley. Approved 7 – 0.
There was additional discussion on the location of the front door and flag poles of the library
and the proposed sidewalks.
5. Discussion and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
signage at City of Georgetown, Block 40, Lot 2, a 0.0826 acre portion located at 701 Main
Street. CDC-2006-034
Damon recused himself from the dais for c onflict of interest.
Rowe stated she would not be giving a staff report since she was not present at the
subcommittee meeting where this was discussed. The applicant was present for questions.
The commissioners did not discuss or ask questions.
Chapman made a motion, finding the building at 701 Main Street presents unique
challenges for sign placement, finding the proposed sign to be distinguishable from the
projecting signs intended to be limited in size by the Design Guidelines because of its narrow
vertical structure and second story location, and finding the sign to be otherwise in character
with the site and landmarks within the District and in keeping with the Design Guidelines,
in particular, 9.1, 9.2, 9.13, 9.14, 9.15, 9.17, and 9.20, the sign having a vertical design of no
more than three feet width, a height of no more than 60% of the story to which it is attached,
materials, and colors which are in character with those seen historically, with the building
front, and with the street and which do not obscure the architectural details of the facade, we
grant a Certificate of Design Compliance for the sign proposed for 701 Main Street in
accordance with the drawings submitted to us today. Second by Knight.
Knight reminded everyone that the definition of a blade sign would be discussed by the
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Meeting October 26, 2006
subcommittee reviewing the Design Guidelines. Chapman reminded everyone that the
colors of the actual sign would be slightly different from those on the printed pictures. The
motion was called and approved 6 – 0.
6. Conceptual review of preliminary plans for redevelopment of the property at 201 East 9th
Street.
This item was pulled from discussion at the applicant’s request.
7. Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff.
A. Discussion of lighting of diamond on the Franklin Jewelers sign.
The Commission agreed that the lighting of the “diamond” was acceptable.
Discussion of alternate meeting date for November meeting which would fall on Thanksgiving.
The Commission discussed alternatives and decided, with consensus, that the November and
December meetings would be combined and meet on Tuesday, December 7.
Motion by Knight to adjourn. Second by McCalla. The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
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Approved, Acting Chair John Truehardt Attest, John Chapman