HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_04.26.2007Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting April 26, 2007
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
101 E. 7th Street Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members Present: Rick O’Donnell, Chair; John Chapman, Chris Damon, Tommy Gonzalez, J.C.
Johnson, Nancy Knight, Linda McCalla.
Staff Present: Rebecca Rowe, Historic Planner; Barbara Quirk, Acting City Attorney, Elizabeth
Cook, Principal Planner and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair O’Donnell.
Rowe introduced the new Principal Planner, Elizabeth Cook.
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. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the March 22, 2007 meeting.
Motion by Knight to approve the minutes with spelling correction of Gonzalez’s name.
Second by Gonzalez. Motion passes by 6 - 0. Chair says he will abstain from voting unless
necessary to break a tie.
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.
2. CDC-2007-013 –Certificate of Design Compliance for paint colors at Glasscock Addition,
Block 4, Lots 5, 6 and south 1/2 of Lot 7 located at 313 West 10th Street.
Motion by Chapman to approve the consent agenda item. Second by Damon. Motion passes
6 - 0.
Regular Agenda:
3. CDC-2007-012 – Certificate of Design Compliance for infill construction and height
exception at City of Georgetown, Block 28, Lots 1-8, a 1.32 acre portion located at 500 South
Austin Avenue.
Rowe presented the item. The applicant is proposing to revise the previously approved
design for the new construction at the corner of Austin Avenue and 6th Street, including a
request for a height exception to go over 40 feet. Rowe distributed copies of a public
comment that she had recently received in support of the project and distributed pre-
approved drawings of the project. She explained the footprint of the buildings was
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Meeting April 26, 2007
previously approved and the applicant is requesting an additional area for the biotower. The
biotower composter is a unique situation and the guideline that directs “minimization of
visual impact” is up to the Commission. The applicant is requesting a height exception of 48
feet with a possibility of being able to reduce that to 42 feet.
The applicant, Rusty Winkstern was available for questions. Gonzalez asked why the
applicant was asking for the additional height. Winkstern stated that they are adding an
additional floor which would bring them up to 44 feet and adding a 4 foot parapet for
screening brings them to 48 feet. He is trying to keep the same sense of scale that is found in
other buildings on the square, with 12 foot ceilings, etc. McCalla clarified that the biotower
is only about 26 feet tall. O’Donnell pointed out that the corner element across Austin
Avenue was approved for 48 feet.
The Commission discussed with the applicant the screening of the biotower. Winkstern
stated that since it is such a unique concept and has become a national icon, he would like to
keep it open but use the same tile as the “wing” next to it. There was also discussion of
building the 4 foot screening parapet back from the face of the building to lower the illusion
of a higher wall. The Commission agreed that they would rather see more height on Rock
Street than on Austin Avenue side of the building.
Motion by Knight to determine that the goals and purposes set forth in 4.06.020 B3 of the
UDC will be achieved and the Design Guidelines discussed at this meeting are met, and that
the commission therefore approves the Certificate of Design Compliance for infill
construction and a height exception at Georgetown Block 28, Lots 1 - 8 as reviewed by the
Commission at this meeting, with the condition that the color of the biotower composter
match the building in front of it. Second by Chapman. Approved 6 - 0.
4. Discussion and possible action on the adoption of Commission Bylaws in accordance with
Ordinance No. 2007-13 and Ordinance 2007-16 of the City of Georgetown.
Rowe reported that the City Council has approved that the HARC was to be reduced from 11
to 7 members, was to remove all alternate positions and add term limits of two 2-year terms.
The recommended bylaw changes were reflective of the Council decisions.
Motion by Gonzalez to recommend the proposed bylaw changes to City Council. Second by
Knight. Approved 6 - 0.
5. Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff.
Knight asked about the installation of the Dos Salsas sign that was approved at a previous
meeting. Rowe explained the color approvals and how the sign met the approved CDC.
Johnson asked about the demolition of the house at 9th Street and Church Street. Rowe
responded that she believed the house had been sold and would be relocated instead of
demolished.
6. Reminder of the next meeting of the Commission on May 24, 2007.
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Meeting April 26, 2007
Chair O’Donnell adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
__________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Chair, Rick O’Donnell Attest, Secretary, Nancy Knight