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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_01.24.2008Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3 Meeting January 24, 2008 City of Georgetown, Texas Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 24, 2008 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: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 6:05 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 December 13, 2007 regular meeting. 2. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for signage at Glasscock Addition, Block 10, Lots 1-2, 7-8, and 3-6 (PTS) located at 703 S. Church Street. (CDC-2007-039) 3. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for additional signage at City of Georgetown, Block 51, Lot 8(s/PT), located at 823 S. Austin Avenue. (CDC-2007-040) 4. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for signage at Glasscock Addition, Block 22 1/2, Lot 1 and 2 (PT), located at 1104 S. Church Street. (CDC-2007-044) 5. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for signage at City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 1(PT), located at 700 S. Austin Avenue. (CDC- 2007-045) Motion by Gonzalez to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2007 meeting. The other items of the consent agenda were approved at the previous Sign Subcommittee Meeting. Second by Chapman. Approved 7 – 0. Regular Agenda: 6. Consideration and possible action on a request for an amendment for a previously approved Certificate of Design Compliance at City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 1(PT), located at 700 Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 2 of 3 Meeting January 24, 2008 S. Austin Avenue. (CDC-2007-042) Wyler presented the application for amendment of the previous CDC. The applicant made several changes in constructing the building and is proposing to remedy some of the items. Some of the items are too costly after being constructed another way, or were constructed based on building permit code issues. Main features that were not constructed as to plan and CDC approval were the number and size of windows, the front facade was faced with a stucco finish instead of a brick finish, and keystones were not installed on the windows. The applicant is proposing to install keystones above the second floor windows on both Austin Avenue and 7th Street, but not on the first floor windows beneath the awnings. The wood trim that is installed on the front of the building and around the windows will be painted black. Shutters will be installed on second floor windows and will be painted black to match the existing shutters. Dentil molding will be put in above the 7th Street entrance and a black, wrought iron railing will be installed along the 7th Street ramp. The applicant/owner, Steve Quenan was available for a report on the progress of the construction. He stated the shutters had been made and the painter picked those up the week before and was painting them before installation. The dentil moldings were being installed. The trim pieces were to be constructed the following week. He questioned whether to install an awning over the 7th Street entrance. The Commission debated and decided the original application for CDC did not include that awning. If Mr. Quenan determines that another awning is needed, he will return to the Commission for further approval. Chair O’Donnell questioned the possibility of faux brick on the front facade of the building, since brick was originally approved. Mr. Quenan stated he investigated the brick facing and found it was cost prohibitive and the installer had stated the brick facing would not stick well to the existing stucco. Mr. Quenan stated that there just wasn’t enough existing brick left over from the renovation to install on the front of the building. The Commission agreed that the aesthetics of the lack of brick on the front facade was disappointing and that brick had been approved. Motion by Gonzalez to approve the change in the front building facade to be stucco face instead of brick. Second by Knight. Jack Hockmeister of 704 S. Austin Ave, next door to the Quenan’s building, asked to speak. He presented pictures of the building in question from around the turn of the century in which the facade was stucco. Chair O’Donnell thanked the guest for speaking and bringing this forward. The Vote was called for previous motion. Approved 5 – 1. (Chair did not vote.) Motion by Knight to approve the amended CDC as recommended by staff and as presented in the staff report attached to the agenda. Second by Gonzalez. Approved 6 – 0. Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff and reminder of the next meeting of the Commission on February 28, 2008. Knight wanted to address the new practice of applicants placing a website address on a sign face. She didn’t necessarily think that was appropriate in a historic district. Gonzalez stated the Commission is not allowed to dictate what is or isn’t placed on a sign as long as it’s not vulgar or inappropriate. Wyler mentioned that the Design Guidelines would be up for review soon, he is working on a schedule and the process that would be followed, and this Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 3 of 3 Meeting January 24, 2008 issue can be addressed during those discussions. Knight indicated there are already several items on a list that need to be addressed. Damon stated he would like to see an interim approval of some sort for developers seeking financing for their projects. He indicated developers need to have basics approved, whether at a concept level, or whatever is described, that would allow the developer to take the approval to the bank. There was discussion about what constitutes “approval” and the different levels of such. Knight expressed concern about staff follow-up and inspections after a CDC is issued. Wyler stated that is definitely being addressed by him doing regular inspections of all projects downtown, and regular contact with owners/developers. Chair O’Donnell adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. __________________________________ _________________________________ Approved, Chair, Rick O’Donnell Attest, Secretary, Nancy Knight