HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_08.30.2007Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting August 30, 2007
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Ave. Georgetown, TX 78626
Members Present: Rick O’Donnell, Chair Tommy Gonzalez, Vice-chair; John Chapman, Chris
Damon, J.C. Johnson, and Nancy Knight and Linda McCalla.
Members Absent: none
Staff Present: Elizabeth Cook, Principal Planner; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair O’Donnell.
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:
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.
1. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the July 26, 2007 meeting.
Motion by Gonzalez to approve the minutes of July 26, 2007 meeting. Second by Chapman.
Approved 5 – 0.
Regular Agenda:
2. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
façade and roof renovations at Cody’s Addition, Block I, Lot 1 and a portion of Lot 2, ±0.25
acres located at 1201 Church Street. (CDC-2007-018)
Cook gave an overview of the application, stating this project had come before the
Commission before for comments, and then last month for a CDC and the commission had
not approved the CDC and wanted revisions based on the new information that was brought
forth that showed this was a possible structure of historical significance.
The applicant, Tom Nichols serving as the agent/architect, redesigned the roofline as
requested added the terracotta tile roof and made changes as requested by the commission.
Mr. Nichols provided pictures of the interior roof structure and tried to show some of the
history of the building that was uncovered in the interior remodeling. He stated the owner
was trying to be respectful of some of the structure’s history but is also trying to improve the
building and scale to match the adjacent neighborhood.
The Commissioners and Mr. Nichols debated which remodel era should be used since it has
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Meeting August 30, 2007
been many different “styles” over the centuries. Commissioner Johnson stated he wanted
the building restored back to the 1950’s style grocery store because it remained in that style
the longest. The Commissioners were concerned about the character of the building being
on a major thoroughfare of the city.
Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance based
on compliance with the applicable Design Guidelines as listed in the staff report and
presented at this meeting. Second by Commissioner Chapman. Motion approved 3 – 2.
(Knight and Johnson opposed.)
3. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
building renovations, including replacing canopies, installing awnings, paint color and
architectural changes; site design; and an alternative parking plan at Glasscock Addition,
Block 2, Lots 1-2 and 6-8, ±0.782 acres located at 904 South Main Street and 909 South Austin
Avenue. (CDC-2007-020)
Cook presented an overview of the changes the applicant was proposing. The applicant and
architect had been before the Commission at a previous meeting to discuss their concept and
to get input from the Commission before bringing in a specific plan. The application was
submitted with the suggested changes made. Cook explained the project was reviewed as an
infill project and stated the suggested changes met all the guidelines, including planned
landscaping and screened dumpsters. The applicant is requesting approval of an alternative
parking plan as there are not enough spaces on site to accommodate the requirements. They
are asking to use spaces on 9th Street, Main Street and the city parking lot across Main Street.
The Commissioners discussed the downtown parking inventory and asked staff to look into
the situation to make sure parking spaces weren’t being reallocated that had already been
assigned to another business.
The Commissioners made overall positive comments. They liked the better use of design,
matching the faux façades to the tenant spaces, more simple façades and screening of the
HVAC units on the roof. The question was raised about the signage of each of the tenant
spaces and how the architectural details on each tenant space would limit the signage
allowed. The owner stated he would consider that and try to adjust the design slightly.
Cook presented the color swatches that were to be used on each of the façades. The
Commission suggested testing all the colors as swatches on the building before painting the
entire building these colors. The owner agreed to do that.
Motion by Knight to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance based on compliance
with the applicable Design Guidelines for site design, an alternative parking plan, building
renovations, including demolition of existing and installation of new canopies and awnings,
paint color and architectural changes. The following conditions apply;
1. Lighting and landscaping shall meet the Unified Development Code requirements,
2. Approval of the facade design gives the applicant latitude to change the architectural
detail of the Austin Avenue elevation with staff approval based on a poll of the HARC
membership, and
3. Approval of the paint colors is subject to staff approval after color samples have been
applied to the building and staff’s poll of the HARC membership.
Second by Gonzalez. Motion approved 5 – 0.
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Meeting August 30, 2007
4. Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff and reminder of
the next meeting of the Commission on September 27, 2007.
Cook announced a public meeting will be held on September 13 to present the Draft Updated
Historic Resource Survey that has been prepared by Hardy, Heck & Moore. All
Commissioners are encouraged to attend. This will be held in the City Council Chambers.
Cook also announced a HARC training is being scheduled for the month of September and
possible times were discussed.
Motion by Knight to adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
__________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Chair, Rick O’Donnell Attest, Secretary, Nancy Knight