HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_11.20.2008Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting November 20, 2008
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, November 20, 2008 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
101 E. 7th Street Georgetown, TX 78626
Members Present: Rick O’Donnell, Chair; Tommy Gonzalez, Vice-chair; J.C. Johnson, West Short
Members Absent: Nancy Knight, Linda McCalla, and Will Moore
Staff Present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner; and
Karen Frost, 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.
Chair O’Donnell called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. when quorum was achieved.
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 30, 2008 regular meeting.
Motion by Gonzalez to approve the minutes. Second by Johnson. Approved 4 – 0.
2. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance at City
of Georgetown, Block 41, Lots 8(P/T), located at 718 South Austin Avenue. (CDC-2008-035)
This item was moved to the regular agenda for the Commission to vote on as a whole. The
Sign Subcommittee did not meet prior to this meeting.
Wyler gave a summary of the proposed application. The Museum was seeking approval of a
new projecting sign and glass signage for the renamed Williamson Museum. The
Commissioners asked clarifying questions.
Motion by Johnson to approve the signage as presented, with the logo. Second by Gonzalez.
Approved 4 – 0.
3. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
signage at Dalrymple Addition, Block G(N/PT), located at 406 W. University Avenue. (CDC-
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Meeting November 20, 2008
2008-037)
This item was moved to the regular agenda for the Commission to vote on as a whole. The
Sign Subcommittee did not meet prior to this meeting.
Wyler gave a summary of the application. The applicant was seeking approval of a new
freestanding sign to be located at the front of the property facing University Avenue.
Motion by Gonzalez to approve the Certificate of Design Compliance as presented. Second
by Johnson, with a note that this house originally belonged to Miss Annie Purl, after whom a
local elementary school is named. Approved 4 – 0.
Regular Agenda:
4. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
signage at City of Georgetown, Block 28, Lots 1-8, located at 501 South Austin Avenue.
(CDC-2008-034)
Wyler presented a brief summary of this application. The applicant was seeking approval of
a Master Sign Plan for Tamiro Plaza Phase One. On October 9, 2008, the Historic and
Architectural Review Commission (HARC) Sign Subcommittee agreed to forward this item
onto the next regular Commission meeting to be held on October 30, 2008. The reason was to
allow the full Commission the opportunity to review the Master Sign Plan due to the large
scale of the project.
The original Master Sign Plan proposal included a projection sign facing Austin Avenue. On
October 15, 2008, Staff was notified by the Agent that the projection sign is no longer part of
the application and requested it be pulled from the application. Also, some details on the
monument sign have been updated since the Subcommittee meeting. Those changes were
reflected in this report.
Gordan Baker, the applicant’s agent, was available for questions. He stated that the new
limestone carving on the building was now more subtle than the original application and
that the lettering would be green to match the awnings, not blue as in the diagram presented
to the Commission.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the lettering on the windows. Wyler
reminded the Commission that they were approving the style, font and size of the signs, not
the lettering as the individual tenants were not listed yet.
Motion by Johnson to approve the Master Sign Plan for Tamiro Plaza as presented. Second
by Gonzalez. Approved 4 – 0.
5. Consideration and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Design Compliance for
demolition at Glasscock Addition, Lots 1 & 2 (E/pt), located at 406 E. 4th Street. (CDC-2008-
036)
Wyler presented the application for demolition. He explained that the applicant does not
have a plan for the future of this lot as required by the Unified Development Code for
commercial zoned structures. It has been the commission’s policy to require a site plan for
demolition permits in the Old Town Overlay District, but it is not required.
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Meeting November 20, 2008
Nick Rames, the homeowner across 4th Street stood up and stated that he thinks the house is
an “eyesore” and that it would benefit the neighborhood and community to have it
demolished.
Commissioner Gonzalez discussed that fact that a house left to decay should be demolished,
or it will get worse for the neighbors. There was discussion of what is enforceable. Wyler
gave examples of the Dangerous Building Code items that would cause the house to be
demolished by law. Some of those items listed were the roof caving in, or something in the
house that would make it inhabitable, not an unleveled foundation or anything aesthetically
unpleasant. There was more discussion among the commissioners.
Motion by Johnson to approve the demolition as requested. Second by Gonzalez. Short
stated he agrees the house should be replaced but does not agree with the code that requires
a specific type of house. Approved 4 – 0.
6. Comments from the Director and reminder that the next regular HARC meeting will take
place on December 11, 2008.
Reminder of the next meeting by Chair O’Donnell. Chair thanked everyone for their
patience with the delay of the meeting and for coming to the meeting.
7. Adjournment
The Meeting was adjourned by Chair O’Donnell at 7:10 p.m.
__________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Rick O’Donnell, Chair Attest, Nancy Knight, Secretary