HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 5.26.2022City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Minutes
May 26, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Council and Courts Building
510 West 9th Street Georgetown, TX 78626
Members Present: Michael Walton, Chair; Linda C. Burns, Vice -Chair; Lawrence Romero;
Tom W. Davis, Karalei Nunn, Alternate Williams "Jud" Harris
Members Absent: Jennifer Powell, Alton Martin, Alternate Pierce P. Macguire
Staff present: Tadd Phillips, Interim Planning Director; Nat Waggoner, Assistant Director;
Meredith Johnson; Kimberly Spencer, Development Administration Program Manager
Meeting called to order by Chair Walton at 6:03 pm.
Public Wishing to Address the Board
On a subject that is posted on this agenda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which can be
found at the Board meeting. Clearly print your name, the letter of the item on which you wish to
speak, and present it to the Staff Liaison, preferably prior to the start of the meeting. You will be
called forward to speak when the Board considers that item.
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.georgetown.org/category/boards-commissions/.
A At the time of posting, no persons had signed up to address the Board.
Legislative Regular Agenda
B Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the May 12, 2022, regular
meeting of the Historic and Architectural Committee - Kimberly Spencer, Development
Administration Program Manager
Motion to approve Item B as presented by Commissioner Davis. Second by Commissioner
Burns. Approved unanimously 6-0.
C Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for
new residential (infill) construction for the property located at 510 E. 7th Street bearing the legal
description Lot 1, Block 36, Glasscock Addition (2021-67-COA). -- Meredith Johnson, consultant
Meredith Johnson presented staff report. Johnson reviewed the applicants request to construct a
new house on a vacant parcel. The new house is proposed to be 3,457 sq. ft. that will contain
approximately 2,961 sq. ft. of living space, a 325 sq. ft. attached garage, and 171 sq. ft. of covered
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page t of 7
Meeting: May 26, 2022
patio and porch space.
Johnson summarized the historical progression of the lot and the historical resource survey status
of the homes surrounding the empty lot.
At the April 14, 2022, meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission, the
Commission shared concerns of architectural features such as windows not matching and fagade
coming across as flat due to the garage placement/aesthetics. Additionally, the Commission
recommended the applicant review setbacks and consider opportunities for more creativity in
design to fit the character of the District.
Johnson presented on the proposed windows. Outlined 4.14.22 conceptual plan and newly
proposed 5.26.2022 conceptual plan as it pertains to window design/character and primary fagade,
including siding (shingle -like), materials, garage size, awnings, and roof line/character.
Johnson proceeded to outline overall proposed materials and reviewed compliance with the
Approval Criteria.
Staff has determined that the proposed project complies with 31 of the 38 applicable Historic
District Design Guidelines in Chapter 3 as detailed below in the Applicable Design Guidelines
and meets 4 of the 6 applicable criteria established in UDC Section 3.13,030 for a Certificate of
Appropriateness.
Applicant was present and available to address questions. Chance Leigh addressed the
commission. Leigh spoke to the pieces of criteria that did not comply. He continued to share
thedifficulty of the lot and the restrictions as it pertains to front/back setbacks and easements. He
continued to discuss proposed window material, Fiberex. From an availability standpoint,
accessibility is very low due to lead time and material shortage.
Commissioner Romero asked for additional information on the Fiberex windows. Leigh noted that
the Fiberex windows would be Anderson branded windows and would be comprised of 40%
recycled wood and 60% polymer.
Commissioner Romero asked for clarification on if the Fiberex windows would expand/contract?
Leigh is uncertain of the long term effects of this material.
Commissioner Nunn requested clarification on if there is room to increase the entry porch and if
the porch can come inward toward the garage. Leigh shared that there may be possible concerns
regarding impervious cover but can make that consideration.
Chair Walton opened the Public Hearing and closed it with no speakers coming forth.
Motion to approve Item C with the following conditions (Criteria F3: Expand the width of
the porch inward toward the garage to 19ft, Criteria F13: Expand the width of the columns to
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 2 of 7
Meeting: May 26, 2022
18'x18', bring the roof vent on the gable up to scale) as presented by Commissioner Harris.
Open discussion. Commissioners discussed removing the condition of expanding the front
porch width.
Motion to amend the original motion to Approve with the following conditions (Criteria
F13: Expand the width of the columns to 18'x18', bring the roof vent on the gable up to scale) by
Commissioner Harris. Second by Commissioner Nunn. Approved unanimously 6-0.
D Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for
an addition that creates a new or adds to an existing street facade for the property located at 709
Main Street, bearing the legal description of Lot 3 (S/PT), Block 40, City of Georgetown. --Meredith
Johnson, consultant
Meredith Johnson presented the staff report. She began by clarifying the applicants request to
relocate the existing 3' x 8' door approximately 8' to the north and to separate one large window
into two smaller windows. Johnson continued to share that essentially, the project will change the
location of the left -most door from the center of the facade to the left side of the facade and replace
the window adjacent to the door with two smaller windows. The rightmost door will remain in the
same location, i.e. just right of center on the facade. The new space between the two doors will be
reconstructed to match the existing storefront through the use of large picture -window panes and
custom wood detailing. The layout of the new space between the doors will be similar to the re-
created storefront found on 707 Main, also owned by the Sun.
Applicant was present for questions and approached the podium. Clark Thurman shared the
purpose of their request in greater detail. The applicant clarified that over the last three
decades, newspaper publication has shifted from large printing presses to a more compact digital
printing process. Some newspapers have decided to skip the printing process completely in favor
of digital publication. Though the Sun will still provide both print and digital publications, the
space needed to house its printing system can now be reduced. The renovation will allow the first
and second floors of the 709 Main building to have separate entrances for future tenants.
Staff has determined that the proposed project complies with 8 of the 10 applicable Historic District
Design Guidelines in Chapter 1 as detailed below in the Applicable Design Guidelines. Based on
these findings, staff recommends approval for this request.
Chair Walton opened the floor for questions and comments from the commissioners.
Commissioner Davis addresses building's originality and shared that the outside facade
should not be jeopardized to meet interior needs.
Commissioner Nunn asked for clarification on the historical nature of the building. The
applicant shared that the building itself does not have a historical marker, however, the
business is noted as historical.
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 3 of-7
Meeting: May 26, 2022
Chair Walton opened the Public Hearing and closed it with no speakers coming forth.
Motion to approve Item D as presented by Commissioner Romero. Second by
Commissioner Burns. Approved 4-2 (Nunn/Davis against)
E Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments. -Nat Waggoner, Asst. Planning Dir. - Long
Range
Waggoner presented updates to the commission. He discussed the previously approved COA from
March 2022 for 1903 S Church. Waggoner noted the history of the COA and shared that the chief
building officer issued a stop work order submitted on May 18, 2022. This violation has been
turned over for enforcement and is now a municipal issue. When work is done outside of the
approved COA, in this case, the project will need to come back to the demolition subcommittee to
seek approval for demolition. HARC will need to approve or deny the demolition. Waggoner will
be contacting HARC and the demolition subcommittee once an application has been received.
Commissioner Bums asked for clarification on what options HARC/demolition subcommittee will
have once this item has been presented to the committee. Waggoner shared that the choices will be
to approve, deny, approved with conditions, or postpone.
No further Questions/Comments.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Romero. Second by Commissioner Davis. Approved
unanimously 6-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Walton, Chair
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Meeting: May 26, 2022
Jennifer Powell, Secretary
Page 4 of 7