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Meeting September 11, 2008
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, located at 101 E. 7th St.
Georgetown, TX 78626
Members Present: Tommy Gonzalez, Vice-chair; J.C. Johnson, Nancy Knight, Nancy McCalla,
Will Moore and West Short
Members Absent: Rick O’Donnell
Staff Present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Elizabeth Cook, Planning Director; and
Stephanie McNickle, Recording Secretary
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:
Regular Session: To begin no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
Vice Chair Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
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 24, 2008 regular meeting.
Motion by JC Johnson to approve the minutes. Second by Knight. Approved 5 – 0. (Chair
does not vote unless to break a tie.)
Regular Agenda:
2. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance
amendment at Cody’s Addition, Block 1, Lot 1, located at 1201 Church Street. (CDC-2007-
018) Staff
report by Robbie Wyler. The applicant seeks approval on a Certificate of Design Compliance
amendment for a new awning. On June 26, 2008, the applicant requested HARC approval on
a Certificate of Design Compliance amendment. At the meeting, the Commission asked the
applicant to come back within 60 days with certain items of concern for discussion and
possible approval. On July 24, 2008, the applicant came back to the Commission to address
all of the concerns that were presented at the June meeting. The applicant was given
approval of the CDC amendment with the condition that an awning is put up along the
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Meeting September 11, 2008
Church Street facade of the south section of the restaurant. The Commission asked that the
awning design come back for approval no more than 60 days after the July 24 approval. At
this time, the applicant has submitted to staff and the Commission the design and rendering
of the new awning and asks for CDC approval.
The awning will be centered along the south section of the restaurant as depicted in the
provided rendering. The awning will project 4 feet out and will be 4 feet tall with a total
span of 23 feet that will cover the entire opening of the terrace. “Erin Green” by Sunbrella
Fabrics will be used for the awning’s color. A printout of the color has been provided in the
application packet and a material sample will be presented at the HARC meeting.
Guideline 10.1 – An awning compatible in material and construction to the style of the
building is encouraged.
1.) The green that is proposed will both complement the building and fill in the large white
facade of the terrace overhang 1.)The awning will be no wider than the opening to the terrace
2.) A simple, triangular look to the awning will help to transition the building into the
adjacent residential neighborhood. 3.)No internal illumination is proposed for the awning at
this time.
Guideline 10.4 – Mount an awning or canopy to accentuate character-defining features. 1.)
Spanning the terrace opening, the awning will act as a decorative feature. 2.) The awning will
not block any architectural detailing to the facade.
Vice Chair Gonzalez invited the applicant to speak. Mr. Tom Nichols, Eleven Thirteen
Architects, Inc. stated he tried several different colors for the awning and felt this is the best
color for this project. He hopes the Commissioners will agree. Motion
by Moore to approve of the Certificate of Design Compliance amendment based on
compliance with the applicable Design Guidelines; Second by Short Approved. (5-0)
2. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for facade
updates at Glasscock Addition, Block 23, Lots 1-8, located at 1105 Church Street. (CDC-2008-010)
Robbie Wyler read a memo that was included in the Commissioners packet. On April 24, 2008,
Lee McIntosh was given Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) for the 1105 Church Street
property with a condition that he return to HARC with a sample of the proposed masonry
material for the first floor facade. On July 24, 2008 he presented a material sample to the
commission and stated that he will soon place it onto the facade of the Georgetonian for HARC’s
viewing and consideration. Since the July meeting Mr. McIntosh has informed staff that he will
be using one inch cut limestone instead of the previously proposed material. At this time, a
sample of the limestone has been placed on the east facade of the Georgetonian. Therefore, by
the August 28 HARC meeting, each commissioner should have an opportunity to view the
limestone. He is asking that HARC take action on the material at that meeting, so that he can
proceed with the renovation project.
Vice Chair Gonzalez invited the applicant to speak. Mr. Lee McIntosh stated he has been
working with several different designers. However, due to the economic slow down, he
decided to go with a lime stone veneer. A picture of the Lymestone brand veneer was
presented to the Commissioners. Commissioner Knight wished to review the March 27th
minutes. After reviewing the minutes from the March 27th meeting, staff confirmed the
design was approved, but the material needed to come back for approval, once a sample was
placed up on the side of the building. Motion by Johnson to approved the Lymestone brand
veneer material as presented. Second by McCalla. Approved. (4-1) (Knight)
3. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for site
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Meeting September 11, 2008
updates and an alternative parking plan at Lost Addition, Block 66(PT), located at 1102 Rock
Street. (CDC-2008-029) Staff report given by Robbie Wyler. The applicant seeks approval on
a Certificate of Design Compliance amendment for minor on-site modifications and an
alternative parking plan to allow for business use. Mr. Wyler gave a brief history of the
property. Mr. Wyler further informed the Commissioners that the applicant would like to
maintain the residential feel of the property and to allow for residential backyard use, the
applicant would like to place all eight spaces off-site. Five spaces will be constructed along
11th Street and an additional three will be located on the west side of Rock Street just north of
11th Street. By allowing these eight spaces to be allotted to the Gilmer Office Building, the
applicant can keep most of the backyard for personal use. The parking layout along 11th
Street and the sidewalk have had staff review and are awaiting HARC approval before the
applicant submits the final plans. Secondly, the applicant is seeking approval to move the
existing fence, currently located within the public right of way, to allow for the off-site
parking, a new six foot wide public sidewalk and enclosure of the remaining yard. The new
six-foot tall wooden fence would be reconstructed to enable their children and grand-
children to safely play in the back yard as well as to provide screening. The new fence will
be the same design as the existing one. Finally, the applicant is proposing a small, portable
wooden building in the back yard. It will measure 10 feet x 12 feet. The structure, currently
off-site, has the same color and trim as the existing building.
Guideline 7.11 – Seek uses that are compatible with the historic character of the building.
1.) The applicant has stated she wants to keep the front and rear of the building as
residential as possible to allow for family use. By placing the parking along 11th Street, the
property can maintain its residential feel. 2.) No doors or porches will be altered.
Guideline 8.1 – Preserve significant sidewalk features. 1.) The proposal would connect both
the 11th and Rock Street public sidewalks allowing for a continuous walking path. 2.) The
new sidewalks will match to those existing.
Guideline 8.2 – When new sidewalks are to be installed, they shall be compatible with the
traditional character of the streetscape. 1.) The new sidewalk along 11th Street will replace the
aged one and will maintain the compatibility of the street with keeping parking to outside of
the public sidewalk. Guideline
8.21 – Maintain the established progression of public-to-private spaces. 1.) By allowing the
off-site parking, the property will have the public parking along 11th street, allowing the
private fenced-in backyard to remain. 2.) A semi-public sidewalk will connect Rock Street to
the front door. 3) All new sidewalks will match to those existing.
Vice Chair Gonzalez invited the applicant to speak. Lynn Haag, Steger Bizzell stated he will
be glad to answer questions.
Motion by McCalla to approve of the Certificate of Design Compliance amendment based on
compliance with the applicable Design Guidelines. Second by Johnson Approved. (3-2)
Knight and Short.
4. Conceptual Review and discussion with the applicant on Tamiro Plaza Phase 2, located a 501
S. Austin Avenue. Mr. Francisco Choi acknowledged Renee Hanson in the audience and
then gave a power point presentation. Mr. Choi showed how tall his phase one building
compared to the County Courthouse. He stated the heart of this discussion tonight will be,
“Is Georgetown ready to go taller? “
Mr Choi stated City of Georgetown has a 40 foot limit. Phase one is 51 feet. Phase two could
be about 65 feet. He would like to do a larger scale building. Mr. Choi presented at power
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Meeting September 11, 2008
point presentation.
Commissioner Johnson stated that Mr. Choi has been successful with approvals from HARC
and City Council because he has made monumental building. Mr. Johnson said that he has to
make a decision by deciding if this will be another monumental building for Georgetown.
Commissioner McCalla stated we have the policies in the UDC designed to keep the
integrity of downtown Georgetown. She is concerned with allowing the height of the
building to grow and grow. Commissioner Knight stated the guidelines are in place to keep
the integrity, but it seems there are more and more applicants wanting exceptions and this
concerns her.
McCalla left the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Mr. Gonzalez asked Mr. Choi how many square feet would he need for phase two. Mr. Choi
stated 36,500 square feet of the first phase and he would like to double the size of phase two.
6. Comments from the Director. Liz informed the commissioners the next meeting is scheduled
for September 26, 2008. Commissioner Knight asked Ms. Cook to schedule a joint meeting
with City Council. Liz stated we can ask council for a special workshop to be scheduled
7. Adjournment
Chair Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
__________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Vice Chair, Tommy Gonzalez Attest, Secretary, Nancy Knight