HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 10.22.2020City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Minutes
October 22, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Teleconference Meeting: https://bit.ly/2FD3ZB6
The regular meeting convened at 6:OOPM on October 22, 2020 via teleconference at:
https:Hbit.ly/2FD3ZB6
To participate by phone: Call in number: (312)626-6799 or Toll Free: 833-548-0276 Webinar ID#:
939-0297-4204 Password: 204451
Public Comment was allowed via the conference call number or the "ask a question" function on
the video conference option; no in -person input was allowed.
Members present: Amanda Parr, Chair; Art Browner; Catherine Morales; Karalei Nunn; Faustine
Curry; Terry Asendorf-Hyde; Pam Mitchell
Members absent: Robert McCabe; Steve Johnston
Staff present: Britin Bostick, Historic Planner; Mirna Garcia, Management Analyst; Nat Waggoner,
Long Range Planning Manager; Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
Call to order by Commissioner Parr at 6:01 pm.
Regular Session
(This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any
purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.)
A. Discussion on how the Historic and Architectural Review Commission virtual conference will
be conducted, to include options for public comments and how the public may address the
Commission. — Sofia Nelson, CNU-A, Planning Director
B. The Historic and Architectural Review Commission, appointed by the Mayor and the City
Council, is responsible for hearing and taking final action on applications, by issuing
Certificates of Appropriateness based upon the City Council adopted Downtown Design
Guidelines and Unified Development Code.
Welcome and Meeting Procedures:
- Staff Presentation
- Applicant Presentation (Limited to ten minutes unless stated otherwise by the Commission.)
- Questions from Commission to Staff and Applicant
- Comments from Citizens'
- Applicant Response
- Commission Deliberative Process
- Commission Action
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Meeting: October 22, 2020
*Once staff and the applicant have addressed questions from the Commissioners, the
Chair of the Commission will open the public hearing. If a member of the public would
like to provide comments on the agenda item under discussion, the chair will ask if
anyone would like to speak. To speak, please identify yourself by either
entering your name, address and item number on the Q/A chat on your
screen. When your name is called you will have up to 3 minutes. A speaker may allot
their time to another speaker for a maximum of 6 minutes. If a member of the
public wished to allot their time to another speaker, they may do so when their name is
called by the Chair. Please remember that all comments and questions must be
addressed to the Commission, and please be patient while we organize the speakers
during the public hearing portion. After everyone who has asked to speak has
spoken, the Chair will close the public hearing and provide a few minutes of rebuttal
time to the applicant if they so choose.
On a subject not posted on the agenda: Persons may add an item to a future Board
agenda by filing a written request with the Staff Liaison no later than one week prior to
the Board meeting. The request must include the speaker's name and the specific topic to
be addressed with sufficient information to inform the board and the public. For Board
Liaison contact information, please logon
to http://government.georgetowii.org/category/boards-commissions/.
Public Wishing to Address the Board
C. At the time of posting, no persons had signed up to address the Board.
Legislative Regular Agenda
D. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the October 8, 2020 regular
meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission. - Mirna Garcia, Management
Analyst
Motion to approve Item C by Commissioner Morales. Second by Commissioner Nunn.
Approved (6-0).
E. Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for new
building construction (infill development) at the property located at 405 S. Austin Avenue,
bearing the legal description 0.7434 acres, being Lot 9, Replat of Block 24, City of Georgetown. —
Britin Bostick, Downtown & Historic Planner
Staff report by Bostick. The applicant is requesting HARC approval of a new, three story bank
and office with a drive-thru located on the east side of the building. The new building is
proposed to be a total of 22,702 sq. ft., with a 40' top of roof height for the flat roof and a 47'
parapet height. The proposed exterior materials are cast stone or cut limestone and stucco, with
dark aluminum frame windows and non -reflective glazing. The prosed design includes
decorative stucco details at the first and top floors, as well as stone and stucco details to
highlight the building entrances on the north and south elevations and the center section of the
Austin Avenue (west) fagade. Signage is not proposed as part of this application, but the
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Meeting: October 22, 2020
submitted plans show building signage areas on each of the three street facades. The highest
point of the roof parapet at 49' is proposed for the cornice details in the center of the street -
facing facades, while the parapet surrounding the roof ("mid parapet" noted on the drawings)
is 47' in height. This parapet acts to screen rooftop mechanical equipment from view, while the
"low parapet" noted on the drawings is a decorative element. A conceptual review was held on
this project on September 24, 2020 and a public hearing was held on this item on October 8,
2020.
Chair Parr commented on the significant difference between the cast stone and the natural
limestone when she saw the materials in person. She does not agree with approving the cast
stone material, as it is synthetic, reads flat, and the natural limestone reads with more texture
and dimension. When coupled with stucco, the concern is lack of dimension if cast stone is
used. She also commented on the difference between the black versus dark bronze window
material and would like further discussion on this.
Commissioner Nunn asked what the role of HARC is regarding approve one material over the
other. Bostick explained that the request is for approval of both materials in terms of stone and
store front color. If HARC approves with the condition that only one stone material be used,
staff ask that the Commission state that in the motion.
The Commission sought guidance regarding where materials are discussed in the guidelines.
Bostick explained that the design guidelines don't give guidance on when to approve an
either/or situation, rather provides guidance on the materials that can be used. She explained
that materials are referenced in Chapter 13.8 of the guidelines.
Chair Parr opened the Public Hearing.
Lawrence Romero commented that he saw the sample materials provided by the applicant, and
thinks this is a good project.
Shawn Hood asked whether the project will use synthetic or milled stone. The applicant
explained that they are seeking approval for both, so that the client can have the opportunity to
evaluate cost saving measures at a future date, as this project is still in the design phase. Hood
commented that he like the proposed project but that natural limestone should be the preferred
choice.
Chair Parr closed the Public Hearing.
There were several questions from the Commission regarding the materials, and how they will
look. The applicant explained which side of the sample materials will be front -facing.
Commissioner Nunn con-unented that the use of synthetic stone will provide a different color
than you get with natural limestone even if similar texture is visible. She also commented that
the color for windows should be black because it mimics a steel window design.
Motion to approve Item E (2020-45-COA) with the conditions that the natural limestone be
used and the applicant has the choice to choose either black or bronze for the aluminum
window and entrance finish, by Commissioner Nunn. Second by Commissioner Morales.
Approved (5-0) with Commissioner Curry abstained.
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Meeting: October 22, 2020
F. Updates, Commission questions, and comments. — Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
No new updates
G. Presentation and discussion of the Downtown & Old Town Design Guidelines update — Britin
Bostick, Downtown and Historic Planner
Bostick introduced Post Oak Preservation Solutions, the consultant for the Downtown & Old
Town Design Guidelines update project. An overview was provided of the update, including a
recap of the City Council direction from 2019, the project timeline and stakeholder engagement
plan.
The consultants for the project, Ellis Mumford and Ann McGlone introduced themselves, and
discussed the project and the feedback they are seeking from the Commission.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Nunn. Second by Commissioner Morales.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm
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Meeting: October 22, 2020