HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 02.27.2020City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Minutes
February 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Council and Courts Building
510 West 91h Street Georgetown, TX 78626
Members present: Catherine Morales; Art Browner; Lawrence Romero; Terri Asendorf-Hyde; Steve
Johnston; Amanda Parr
Members absent: Pam Mitchell; Karalei Nunn
Staff present: Nat Waggoner, Long Range Planning Manager; Mirna Garcia, Management Analyst;
Britin Bostick, Historic Planner; Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
Call to order by Commissioner Parr at 6:03 pm.
A. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the
replacement of historic architectural features with non -historic architectural features for a high
priority commercial structure at the property located at 110 E. 7th Street, bearing the legal
description Georgetown City Of, BLOCK 40, Lot 2(N/PT), ACRES 0.0826 — Britin Bostick,
Downtown and Historic Planner
Staff report presented by Bostick. The applicant is requesting IIARC approval for the
replacement of the non -original metal onion dome feature that sits atop the northwest corner of
the building, which was installed in August of 1985. Although the current dome is not original
to the building, it does have historic significance in its own right as the replacement of the
building's most significant architectural feature, and one of the most significant architectural
features on the Courthouse Square. The applicant is also requesting HPO approval for the
replacement of the current built-up bitumen flat roof with a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO)
roof, the replacement of the non -historic header boxes and downspouts, and the restoration of
historic architectural features such as wood windows and trim on the Main Street and E. 7th
Street facades that have deteriorated and weathered. The applicant is proposing to repaint the
surfaces with the same paint colors. The onion dome feature disappeared from the Masonic
Lodge circa 1925 and was reportedly dismantled. It remained missing for nearly 6 decades until
preservation efforts on the Square, spearheaded by the Main Street Program, supported the
restoration of the Masonic Lodge in 1985. The owner at the time, Laura Weir -Clark, searched for
the original dome and considered options for a replacement before deciding on a galvanized
(treated with zinc to prevent rust) dome fabricated by Campbellsville Industries of
Campbellsville, KY. The replacement dome was not an exact match, but was similar in design,
character and proportion, and restored a significant part of the historic character of the
building. The applicant is proposing to install a new dome constructed of copper, which will be
painted to match the existing and which will have an internal gutter system to drain onto the
proposed new TPO roof to address water infiltration issues.
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3
Meeting: February 27, 2020
Commissioner Browner asked if the replacement will be a replica of the existing dome, with the
difference being that it will be made out of copper. Bostick explained that it will be the same, and
the same colors will be used as well. It will look exactly like the current dome.
Commissioner Romero asked if it will all be copper. Bostick explained that it will, and it will be
painted.
Commissioner Parr asked the reason for using copper. Bostick explained the current dome has hail
damage, and there is also water leaking inside the building, causing water damage. This will be an
opportunity for the applicant to address the leak and replace the dome with an improved material
over the previous replacement.
Commissioner Parr opened the Public Hearing.
Jeri Moe commented that she is concerned with the project, and the copper being painted. She
would like more answers and a more thorough rendering of the dome.
Commissioner Parr closed the Public Hearing.
Motion to approve Item A (2020-2-COA) as presented by Commissioner Romero. Second by
Commissioner Asendorf-Hyde. Approved (6-0).
B. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a 5'
setback encroachment into the required 20' front setback to allow a residential structure 15' from
the front property line, and a 9' setback encroachment into the required 15' side setback to allow
a residential structure 6' from the property line at the property located at 406 E. 4th Street,
bearing the legal description of Glasscock Addition, BLOCK 32, Lot 1-2(E/PTS), ACRES 0.166 —
Britin Bostick, Downtown and Historic Planner
Staff report presented by Bostick. The applicant is requesting HARC approval for two setback
modifications for the future construction of a single-family residence on the property. The first is a
5' front setback encroachment into the required 20' front setback for the Residential Single Family
(RS) zoning, so that a residential structure could be constructed 15' from the front property line.
The rear of the property has a 15' wide Public Utility Easement (PUE), and development is not
permitted within that easement. The rear setback for the RS zoning district is 10', and as the PUE
acts as an effective 15' setback, the applicant is requesting a setback modification at the front
property line to address the loss of developable lot depth caused by the PUE. This would provide
for a front setback that is similar to other properties located along this portion of E. 4th Street.
The second setback modification requested is a 9' setback encroachment into the required 15' side
setback for the RS zoning district so that a residential structure could be constructed 6' from the
side (east) property line. The 15' side setback applies to this property because of a Right -of -Way
(ROW) for Ash Street. Ash Street has not been extended in this section, however the City has
retained the ROW, and the 15' setback therefore applies. The City does not have plans to construct
the Ash Street extension, and the applicant is requesting approval of a 6' side setback, which is
what would be required in the RS zoning district were the property not abutting a street ROW.
HARC approved a similar side setback encroachment for 2018-59-COA, which was a 9'
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 2 of 3
Meeting: February 27, 2020
encroachment into the 15' setback allowing a carport 6' from property line for the property directly
to the south and addressed at 407 E. 5th Street. The request to HARC is for approval of setback
modifications so that the applicant can move forward with designs for a residential structure. If
approved, the new residential structure would have to meet all other applicable requirements,
including COA review requirements. Currently all new construction in the Old Town Historic
Overlay District requires review and approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness by HARC, as do
any setback, building height and floor area ratio modifications. Impervious cover requirements do
not have the opportunity for modification.
Was it Terri? Asked if the setback modification would prevent the City from being able to construct
the street extension. I answered that no, an approval would not abandon any part of the City's
right-of-way or limit the City's ability to construct the street.
Motion to approve Item B (2020-3-COA) as presented by Commissioner Asendorf-Hyde. Second
by Commissioner Browner. Approved (6-0).
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Parr. Second by Commissioner Morales. Meeting adjourned
at v.23 Piu.
Approved, Amanda Parr, Chair
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Meeting: February 27, 2020
Attest, I.e � �c 10l F Se etaC
ry
Page 3 of 3