HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_04.12.2018City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Minutes
Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
Council and Courts Building
101 E. 7t" Street Georgetown, TX 78626
IYIt=ULUCib FlUbtfILL: IUM Y_Isenaorr-riycie; Lee team; Art Browner; Chair; Shawn Hood, Vice -Chair;
Amanda Parr (alternate); Kevin Roberts (Alternate) and Lawrence Romero.
Absent: Karl Meixsell; and Catherine Morales;
Staff present: Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; Nat Waggoner, Long Range Planning Manager;
Madison Thomas, Historic and Downtown Planner; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary.
Call to Order by Chair Browner at 6:01 p.m. with the reading of the meeting procedures.
Regular Session
B. Consideration of the Minutes from the March 22, 2018 HARC meeting. Karen Frost, Recording
Secretary
Motion by Bain, second by Romero to approve the minutes. Approved 7 — 0.
C. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the
demolition of a medium priority structure located at 2101 Airport Rd — Sofia Nelson, CNU-A
Planning Director
Nelson presented the staff findings and recommendation of the demolition subcommittee. The
subcommittee found that this structure has a significant loss of significance, and it is not
economically feasible to salvage any of the materials or structure. Hood and Romero concur that
although the structure looks okay in photographs and from 150 feet away, up close it is evident
that there are structural holes in the walls, lack of windows, and no redeeming architectural
features.
Chair Browner opened the public hearing and with no speakers coming forth closed the hearing.
Motion by Hood, second by Romero to approve the COA for demolition of the historic
resource listed at 2101 Airport. Approved 7 — 0.
D. A Conceptual Review for a proposed addition and residential renovation for the property located
at 1227 Church Street, bearing the legal description of 0.2 ac. Cody Addition, Block 1, Lot 16
(COA-2018-003). Madison Thomas, Downtown Historic Planner
Thomas gave an overview of proposed application. Commissioners expressed concerns about the
height and asked for heights of surrounding properties, specifically locating 1.5 and 2 story
structures. They discussed each of the issues separately.
Setback modifications were discussed first. Most commissioners were okay with this. Then they
discussed building height exception. They requested other home heights be provided to them to
establish context. They are concerned about the Myrtle side as well and don't want this blocking
or overwhelming the other homes here. Hood calls out page 78 of the DG and says that this
situation is special in that the applicant is setting the second story addition back, but because they
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting: April 12, 2018
have a second street facing fagade there is a challenge. He suggested that it is imposing on the
Myrtle Street side but offered suggestions to alter the second floor to make it feel less massive and
tall.
Matthew McConnell, the applicant, spoke and stated 15 feet will not get them the second floor.
The other houses that are 15 feet seem to be a story and a half. The pitch of the new roof matches
the pitch of the existing roof, as requested by the commission previously. He explained their
situation and what the homeowner is trying to appreciate. Commissioners gave opinions that the
proposed height is objectionable and they would not be able to support it. McConnell asked for a
number or roof height that they could support. They asked for a visual picture of the front
elevation with the adjacent houses included so they can identify how this will fit. They also asked
for the view from Myrtle Street. Hood suggests removing the window above the garage door to
alleviate any misperception that it is a living space.
Hood expressed support for general use of hardi-siding since the original siding has decayed
underneath the vinyl siding. He is also in approval of the window type that is proposed.
Residential addition comments were overall supportive with the exception of the scale and
massing in comparison to the original structure, sections 14.12 and 14.16. Thomas also explained
that for every three feet stepped back from the property line, they are allowed to increase an extra
five feet in height. Hood says he can't support an exception to the detriment of the neighbors.
The board recessed for dinner at 7:14 pm.
Cliair Browner reconvened the meeting at 7:49 pm.
E. Presentation and discussion on the 2016 Historic Resources Survey Report and demolition
process and review authority for projects within a historic district.
Nelson gave a presentation of the resources. There are 1033 properties within the district and 643
properties listed outside the historic district. The Unified Development Code was updated in
2015 and allowed for landmark status properties along with setting the requirements for the
commission's scope of work. She reviewed what is currently viewed as contributing and non-
contributing resources. Nelson reviewed the current code and the recommended changes.
The biggest proposed change would be that low priority structures outside the district would not
be reviewed, and would just be required to get a demolition permit through permitting. Nelson
explains that this is not a result of a complaint against the subcommittee, but is an efficiency of
process. Low priority structures contribute to the district, but the thought is that they should not
have the same requirements as the other resources. This would help with property owners
knowing what the difference is between a low, medium or high priority resources.
Commissioners commented that they want to review all demos in the historic overlay district,
regardless of priority status. They expressed concern with the addition or demo of the front
facing fa;:ades not being reviewed for low priority structures by the commission. Hood wants to
keep the medium priority structures under HARC's review to hopefully increase some of them to
the high level. Romero agreed. Parr agrees that the mid-century modern homes along 171h and
181h Streets could become the new "high" priority resources if taken care of.
Hood asks that other commissioners come to the demo subcommittee to understand what is
considered. General consensus that high and medium will be contributing. Keep medium
priority resources outside the district with HPO review.
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Meeting: April 12, 2018
Motion to adjourn by Romero, second by Assendorf-Hyde. At 8:45 pm.
Adjournment
0'—�
Approved, Art Browner, Chair
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Meeting: April 12, 2018
Attest, Lawrence Romero, Secretary
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