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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_10.25.2007Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3 Meeting October 25, 2007 City of Georgetown, Texas Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers, located at 101 E. 7th St. Georgetown, TX 78626 Members Present: Rick O’Donnell, Chair Tommy Gonzalez, Vice-chair; John Chapman, Chris Damon, J.C. Johnson, Nancy Knight and Linda McCalla. Members Absent: none Staff Present: Elizabeth Cook, Principal Planner; Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 6:03 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 September 27, 2007 meeting. Motion by Gonzalez to approve the minutes. Second by Knight. Approved 5 – 0. Chair did not vote and Damon was not present. Regular Agenda: 2. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for façade renovations for City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 6-8 (pt) ±0.14 acres, located at 718 Austin Avenue and 207 8th Street. (CDC-2007-026 & CDC-2007-027) Chris Damon arrived. The staff report was presented by Elizabeth Cook. The project application was reviewed using Guidelines 4.8, 4.9, 5.7, 6.1, 6.12, 6.13, 6.15, 6.20, and 6.21. There are two buildings that are designated as Medium Priority structures in the 1984 Historic Resources Survey. The owner of the properties is seeking to renovate the existing commercial buildings by removing the stucco facades, repairing the exposed brick and renovating the wooden windows and doors currently covered by stucco. The applicant, Lee Nash gave a presentation to show photos of the existing structure and it’s condition. He estimates that around 1950, plywood was placed over some of the windows and stucco installed over the windows on the outside of the building. The windows are still intact on the inside. The building was added onto over time, and the windows are different sizes. He wants to bring the building back to its original state, but will not know what that Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 2 of 3 Meeting October 25, 2007 looks like until the stucco is removed. The Commissioners appreciated his desire to renovate the building. They recommend that once the stucco is removed, the applicant should contact the historic preservation planner about how he proposes to repair the exterior prior to beginning that work. This coordination should ensure that the renovations proceed in a timely manner. Motion by McCalla to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance for the proposed façade renovations as submitted by the applicant, which will uncover the original window and door openings and expose the original brick and stone, where possible. The window and door renovation will use existing materials and only replace with like materials, if repair is not possible. Second by Knight. Approved 6 - 0. 3. Consideration and possible action on a draft resolution from HARC regarding sidewalk and street improvements for the 100 Block of East 7th Street. Elizabeth Cook opened discussion on the resolution that she drafted at the Commission’s request. She said Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager, plans to present a request to the City Council to add to this project to the City Capital Improvements Project list. The timing on this item is too late for this year’s budget cycle, but with Council approval, could be considered in next year’s list. She also reported that Mr. Nguyen, the owner of the property wants the sidewalk and street improvements done before the next budget cycle. To complete it any faster would require Mr. Nguyen to hire an engineer and do an estimate of the project costs based on an engineered plan. Then he could approach the City to use GTEC funds to reimburse him once he made the improvements. Mr. Nguyen has not been willing to do that either. Motion by Gonzalez to adopt the draft resolution and send the proposal to the City Council. Second by Damon. Approved 6 – 0. This item will be added to the November 13th City Council Agenda and Chair O’Donnell will attend that meeting to make the presentation . 4. Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff. Cook suggested another training session for the Commission with funds from the previous fiscal year. The Commission agreed that they liked the idea, but wanted to wait until the new year and after the appointment of any new Commissioners in February. Cook introduced the new Historic District Planner, Robbie Wyler, who will be working with the Commission. The Commission welcomed Robbie and expressed their appreciation of Cook and her work as interim HDP. Cook suggested that the Commissioners, specifically O’Donnell and Knight, review the Guidelines for any suggestions on amendments that would address areas of concern. The Guidelines might be revised in the upcoming year. 5. Consideration and possible action to reschedule the November 22, 2007 Commission meeting. Discussion about possible meeting dates. Motion by Gonzalez to combine the November and December meetings of the Commission and meet on December 13, 2007 and to do the same in 2008, meeting on December 11, 2008. The Sign Subcommittee will meet on the Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 3 of 3 Meeting October 25, 2007 second Thursday of the month also. Second by Chapman. Approved 6 – 0. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. __________________________________ _________________________________ Approved, Chair, Rick O’Donnell Attest, Secretary, Nancy Knight