HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 05.09.2019Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 4
Meeting: May 09, 2019
City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Minutes
May 9, 2019, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Council and Courts Building
510 West 9th Street Georgetown, TX 78626
Members present: Josh Schroeder; Lawrence Romero; Terri Asendorf-Hyde; Art Browner
Absent: Amanda Parr; Pam Mitchell; Steve Johnston; Catherine Morales; Karalei Nunn
Staff present: Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; Nat Waggoner, Long Range Planning Manager;
Madison Thomas, Historic and Downtown Planner; Mark Moore, Assistant Chief Building Official
Call to order by the Chair at 6:00 pm.
A. Consideration and possible action of the Minutes from the February 28, 2019 HARC meeting.
Nat Waggoner, Recording Secretary.
Motion by Romero, second by Asendorf-Hyde to approve the minutes as presented. Approved
4 – 0.
B. Consideration and possible action of the Minutes from the March 28, 2019 Special Session
HARC meeting. Nat Waggoner, Recording Secretary.
Motion by Romero, second by Asendorf-Hyde to approve the minutes as presented. Approved
4 – 0.
C. Consideration and possible appointment(s) of Commissioner(s) to the Demolition
Subcommittee. Nat Waggoner, Recording Secretary
Motion by Romero, second by Browner to approve adding Laralei Nunn to Demolition
Subcommittee. Approved 4 – 0.
D. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a
Commercial Renovation at the property located at 806 S. Myrtle St., bearing the legal
description of a .07ac. Glasscock Addition, Block 9, Lot 3-4 (PTS), (2019-14-COA). Madison
Thomas, AICP, Historic & Downtown Planner
Thomas presented the staff report. The property is a one-story wood frame commercial building
with wood siding, stepped wood parapet and a shed roof over the entrance. The 2016 Historic
Resources Survey identifies the structure as an excellent or rare example of its style and or has
significant associations and it retains sufficient integrity. It is also noted as a good example of an
early twentieth century frame commercial building and one of the city’s first auto garages. The
survey notes that the overhead door, porch posts and siding replaced between the 1984 and
2007 surveys. The applicant is requesting to replace the wood siding on all facades of the home
with hardie siding. It is unknown if wood siding was the original siding material used for this
structure, as it was originally an auto body shop. However, the 1984 Historic Resources Survey
identifies wood siding on the structure. The changes to the street-facing facades are HARC’s
purview.
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Meeting: May 09, 2019
The applicant, Rob Skelton, is requesting to replace the existing wood siding on all facades of
the structure with hardie siding. These renovations will maintain the original look of the
building. The applicant would like to replace the wooden siding on the non-street facing facade
with 6” hardie plank siding. The existing siding is rotting and has gaps from the weather. Due
to the age of the siding, they no longer make the same size boards. The applicant would also
like to replace the front door and windows.
The Commission members asked the applicant various questions regarding the building, extent
of damage, renovations, and alternative materials to update the building.
Chair Schroeder opened the Public Hearing with no speakers coming forth, and then closed the
Public Hearing.
Discussion among the Commission members, Thomas, and Moore. Moore answered various
questions regarding the building, damage to the building, material alternatives to renovate the
building, and criteria. The Commission members requested clarification from the applicant on
proposed renovations.
Motion by Romero to deny the application for 2019-14-COA based on non-compliance with
criteria 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, and 5.5. Second by Browner, adding Sec. 3.13.030 UDC Criteria, 3, 4 and 5
non-compliance.
Motion by Commissioner Schroeder to amend previous motion and deny the request based on
Design Guidelines policies 5.1, 5.2, 5.4 and 5.5 and Criteria 3, 4 and 5. 4-0 approved to amend
the motion. Motion approved 4 – 0.
E. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a
Residential Renovation at the property located at 1304 E. University Ave., bearing the legal
description of .43ac. Outlot Division B, Block 11 (PT), (2019-20-COA). Madison Thomas,
AICP, Historic & Downtown Planner
Thomas presented the staff report. The applicant is requesting to replace the existing wood
(cypress and pine) siding on the home with hardie siding and replace the existing wood
windows with a fiber composite window. The home is identified in the 2016 Historic Resources
Survey; it is described as an 1890 L-plan with a one-and-a-half story wood frame dwelling with
a gable roof with shingles. The survey does not indicate a specific stylistic influence. Until
recently, the house had asbestos tile when the applicant removed the tile and found existing
wood siding underneath. The windows have signs of water damage, including peeling paint,
rot, and warping. The majority of the home was covered in cypress wood siding and with the
rear addition in pine siding. The changes on the street-facing facades are HARC’s purview.
The Commission had several questions relating to the criteria, effect of renovations on the look
of the home, and the issue of asbestos. There was also discussion about the design guidelines.
The applicant, Abdulwahab Makiya, spoke and explained that during prior renovations and
asbestos removal, it was discovered that home was built in two stages. The quality of the wood
has deteriorated over time. The applicant noted that he searched for a supplier for cypress
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Meeting: May 09, 2019
wood but was not able to find anyone that could provide the material. In addition, there would
be extensive costs to preserve the home with similar original material.
Asendorf-Hyde had questions relating to the materials and alternatives. Moore provided
information regarding the home and damage. Moore provided an explanation of the difference
between pine and cypress wood, effect if used on the home, and other issues to be addressed in
the home. Asendorf-Hyde also had concerns related to the use of hardie and if it would change
the look of the home.
Thomas provided clarification on other parts of the home the applicant is renovating, and what
types of changes require approval of COA’s and which don’t.
Chair Schroeder opened the Public Hearing with no speakers coming forth, and then closed the
Public Hearing.
Discussion among Commission members regarding aesthetic of the home, material use and
meeting criteria.
Motion by Schroeder to approve replacement of siding with hardie plank and replacing of
windows as requested by applicant. In favor by Schroeder and Browner. Opposed by Asendorf-
Hyde and Romero. Motion failed to achieve majority vote.
Nelson discussed providing additional information to help committee in decision making.
Provided suggestions regarding the item and further motions. Chair Schroeder had questions
related to suggestion of motion on conditions of meeting criteria and asked applicant further
questions regarding the project.
Motion by Asendorf-Hyde to approve 2019-20-COA with the condition that the applicant use
pine to replace the siding as opposed to hardie plank (based on criteria 5.1, 5.2, 5.4), and
approve the replacement of the windows as requested by the applicant. Second by Browner.
Approved 4 – 0.
F. Presentation and discussion of the Downtown and Old Town Design Guidelines. Focusing
on the review and policies for the Downtown, Area 1 and Area 2. Madison Thomas, AICP,
Historic & Downtown Planner
Thomas presented the staff report. Thomas provided the Commission an overview of the
Downtown Design Guidelines Chapter 1, Chapter 12 and Chapter 13. Chapter 1 will focus on
the Designs Goals for Area 1, how the guidelines are used, and the format of the guidelines.
Chapter 12 has the guidelines for Infill Construction in Area 1 of the Downtown Overlay and
Chapter 13 is Infill Construction in Area 2 of the Downtown Overlay.
Discussion between Thomas and Schroeder regarding commercial and residential uses of
buildings. Thomas explained the guidelines, allowing for flexibility by the Board. Schroeder
discussed guidelines and obtaining clarification on compliance of guidelines.
Thomas discussed the walking tour, to be scheduled before the next meeting on May 23, 2019.
G. Updates, Commissioner questions and comments. Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
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Meeting: May 09, 2019
Nelson promoted the gateways survey for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan currently on the
Department website for board members to take.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Browner, second by Romero. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 pm.
________________________________ _________________________________
Approved, Josh Schroeder, Chair Attest, Lawrence Romero, Secretary