HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 7.14.2022City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Minutes
July 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Council and Courts Building
510 West 91h Street Georgetown, TX 78626
Members Present: Michael Walton, Chair; Jennifer Powell; Lawrence Romero; Tom W.
Davis; Linda C. Burns; Alton Martin; Vice -Chair; Karalei Nunn; Alternate William "Jud"
Harris; Alternate Pierce P. Macguire
Members Absent: None.
Staff present: Nat Waggoner, Assistant Director; Meredith Johnson, Consultant; Tadd
Phillips, Interim Planning Director; 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 June 23.2022, regular
meeting of the Historic and Architectural Committee - Kimberly Spencer, Development
Administration Program Manager
Motion to approve Item B as presented by Commissioner Romero. Second by
Commissioner Powell. Approved unanimously 7-0.
C Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for
a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) a 8' - 0 " encroachment into the required 25` street facing
garage street setback to allow a garage 17- 0" from the side street (west) property line, an addition
that creates a new, or adds to an existing street facing fagade and a new fence or wall that is
inconsistent with the overlay district's characteristics and applicable guidelines for the property
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Meeting: July 14, 2022
located at 401 E. 8th Street, bearing the legal description Lot 5 and 6, Block 29, Glasscock Addition
(2022-9-COA) - Nat Waggoner, Asst. Planning Dir. - Long Range.
Meredith Johnson to present staff report. Johnson reviews that the applicant is requesting to
enclose and existing carport, to add a 2nd story addition above the carport and an attached
breezeway, and to construct a new fence. From the letter of intent: Two garage doors 8'X9' with
openers are to be added. Wood framed structure studs, floor joist, joist and rafters. 1/2" OSB for
sheathing and roof decking. Tyvek house wrap and roofing underlayment with roofing to match
house. Added foundation to be engineered along with floor and roof trusses. Homeowner would
like to add a 4' iron fence across the font south side of the property and a 6' fence on the north side
of property at the back side of new garage. Homeowner is also requesting to have a second story
deck on the back -west side of new garage.
Johnson continues by discussing, location of lot, HRS designation, progression of home and parcel
on the various Sanborn and Arial maps. Johnson additionally presented on proposed project
drawings and materials/placement from each relevant elevation and proposed floor plan as well as
proposed fencing and the looming analysis.
Johnson proceeded by reviewing the Approval Criteria — UDC Section 3.13.030 and the Setback
Encroachment approval Criteria
Johnson noted that Staff has reviewed the request in accordance with the Unified Development
Code (UDC) and other applicable codes and has determined that the proposed request complies
with 1, partially complies with 5 and does not meet 1 of the 7 applicable criteria established in UDC
Section 3.13.030 for a Certificate of Appropriateness, as outlined in the Staff Report.
Chair Walton opens the floor for discussion from the commission.
Commissioners request clarity on placement of garage addition, purpose of the geometric window,
mass of garage addition and breeze way. Applicant John Lawton clarified the location of the
proposed addition by referring to the elevations. Additionally notes that the window is there to
create light for the staircase and create but essentially is not necessary. Lawton also notes that there
is only a 7ft difference from the existing structure and the garage addition. Owner, Jennifer Powell
notes that she prefers not to have a breezeway for security concerns.
Chair Walton opened the Public Hearing and closed it with no speakers coming forth.
Motion to approve Item C as presented by Commissioner Davis. Second by Commissioner
Martin. Approved unanimously 7-0.
D Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for
new residential (infill) construction for the property located at 1406 Pine Street bearing the legal
description of Lot 1, Block A, Park Subdivision (2022-32-COA) -- Nat Waggoner, Asst. Planning Dir
- Long Range.
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Meeting: July 14, 2022
Meredith Johnson presents on staff report. Johnson reviews that the applicant would like to
construct a 2,063.01 sq. ft. home on a vacant parcel. The proposed 2,063.01 sq. ft. single-family
home will contain three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a single car carport.
Johnson discussed feedback questions that were assessed in the conceptual review from the last
HARC meeting, materials proposed (fiberglass floor, asphalt roof shingles, etc.), and proposed
setback which is aligned with others on this block.
Johnson proceeded by reviewing the Approval Criteria — Historic District Design Guidelines in
Chapter 3 and UDC Section 3.13.030 approval Criteria.
Johnson noted Staff has determined that the proposed project complies with 31 of the 38
applicable Historic District Design Guidelines in Chapter 3 as detailed in the Applicable Design
Guidelines. Additionally, in accordance with Section 3.13.030 of the Unified Development Code,
Staff has determined that the applicant has met 5 out of 8 of these criteria.
Walton opened the floor to the commissioners for questions with nobody coming forward.
Chair Walton opened the Public Hearing,
Jud Harris Resident of Georgetown approached the podium. Harris expressed concern over the
skinny columns as presented.
Waggoner responded to comment and clarified the interpretation of design guidelines/criteria F3
and F12 as it pertains to structural support vs. aesthetics.
Commissioner Romero shared that he'd still prefer 8x8 columns over the 6x6 that was proposed in
this meeting.
Chair Walton closed Public Hearing.
Motion to approve Item D as presented by Commissioner Nunn_ Second by Commissioner
Romero. Approved unanimously 7-0.
E Public hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for
a demolition that results in the reduction or loss in the total square footage of the existing structure;
a 15'-6" setback encroachment into the 20'-0" front setback to allow the addition of a porch and
stairs 4' 6" from the front (west) property line; a 11'-0" setback encroachment into the required 15'-
0" side street (north) setback to allow a residential addition 4'-0" from the side (north) property
line and a 10'-0 encroachment into the required 25-0" street -facing garage setback for the
construction of a detached carport 15-0" from the side (north) property line and new residential
construction for the property located at 1903 S. Church, bearing the legal description .165 acres,
Block 4 (W/PT), Southside Addition.(2022-44-COA) — Nat Waggoner, Asst. Planning Dir. - Long
Range
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Meeting: July 14, 2022
Meredith Johnson presented staff report. Johnson discusses the following considerations:
• A demolition that results in the reduction or loss in the total square footage of the existing
structure;
• A 15'-6" setback encroachment into the 20'-0" front setback to allow the addition of a porch
and stairs 4' 6" from the front (west) property line;
• A 11'-0" setback encroachment into the required 15'-0" side street (north) setback to allow a
residential addition 4'-0" from the side (north) property line;
• A 10'-0" encroachment into the required 25'-0" street -facing garage setback for the
construction of a detached carport 15-0" from the side (north) property line;
• A new residential construction for the property located at 1903 S. Church
Johnson continues by discussing location and property description by noting that the subject
property is located on the corner of South Church Street and 17th 1/2 Street and is developed as a
single -story, medium -priority residential structure approximately 1,200 square -feet in size and an
approximate 270 square -foot detached garage.
Johnson shares that the property is generally located on the southern entrance of the Old Town
Overlay District and surrounded by single story homes ranging from an estimated structure age of
late 1890s to new build. The historic resource survey (HRS) identifies the primary structure as an
undefined style with a front gabled roof with an inset, partial -width front porch, and a rectangular
floor plan. While the HRS does not directly identify the specific style of the structure it does appear
to carry characteristic of the bungalow style and craftsman movement.
Alternate Commissioner Pierce MacGuire left the meeting at 6:52pm.
Johnson discusses and presents on the existing layout as it compares to the drawings of the
proposed home. She continues by noting and presenting the proposed floor plan/drawings and
materials.
Johnson reviews the proposed 1,614 sq. ft. residence and notes that it will contain three bedrooms
and 2.5 baths. The overall dimensions of the house are 30' wide by 67' wide. The street -facing
fagade has an 18' long porch that exceeds the 20' front setback. The roof is gable comprised of one
small and one large gable, both of which open to the street. The house is 16' 8" tall as measured
from finished grade to the peak of the roof. The existing 270 sq. ft. detached garage will be
converted into a small guest house and will have 30 sq. ft. added to the rear. The current
configuration of this structure encroaches the 6' side setback. The guest house is 10' 11" tall as
measured from finished grade to the peak of the roof. Finally, a 288 sq. ft. carport will be added to
behind the home to align with the existing driveway off 17th 1/2 St. The carport will not encroach a
setback. The carport will be 12' tall as measured from finished grade to the peak of the roof. The
exterior of the home and the guest house is to be cement fiber siding (Hardie board) and cement
fiber trim around windows and doors. The proposed windows for both the house and the guest
house are 9 over 9 wood, single hung, throughout the house and the guest house. About 2' of
cement will be visible between the finished floor and the finished grade. The proposed roof
material for all three structures is asphalt shingles. The proposed porch on the primary house
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Meeting: July 14, 2022
features wooden steps from grade to the finished floor, 6"x6" wooden porch columns, 2" x 4"
balusters, and wooden decking.
Johnson continues by reviews Approval Criteria and the Setback Modification Approval Criteria
outlined within the staff report.
As it pertains to the Historic District Design Guidelines, Staff has determined that the proposed
request meets 11 of the 15 applicable criteria for a Certificate of Appropriateness and 9 of 12 criteria
for a setback modification, established in UDC Section 3.13.030.
Additionally, in accordance with Section 3.13.030 of the Unified Development Code, Staff has
determined that the applicant has met 3 out of 7 applicable criteria.
Based on these findings, Staff recommends approval of the request with condition of salvaging all
remaining original material, as feasible. Staff finds the addition encroachment of the carport and
front fagade appropriate give the lot configuration and recommends approval of the setback
modifications and approval of the additions.
Johnson discusses potential options for motions should the commission be seeking an alternate
way to proceed through the motion than to fully approve or fully disapprove.
Chair Walton opened the floor up for discussion from the commission. Walton clarifies that
discussion should be done by discussing demo first and then infill.
Applicant is present for questions.
Owner, Julie Weaver addressed the commission. Weaver notes that she was unaware that she
needed to apply for a demolition and felt as though she was misled on that regard. Weaver also
noted that they are proposing a carport because they are under the impression that a carport is
required. She notes that if that is not the case, she can remove that aspect of the proposed project.
Chair Walton asks for clarity on what is being asked to be demolished. Waggoner notes that the
primary structure is the structure in question (not the garage).
The applicant shared that what is remaining of the garage is salvageable and in good structural
condition, so they are asking that the garage remain, and the primary structure be demolished to
complete the infill structure.
Commissioner Davis shared that his preference is to postpone the infill portion of this the project
until the owner can comply with guideline 4.4 (Order of Last Resort) by archiving what was
preexisting so that we have a record of the structure prior to the applicant removing materials from
the structure.
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Meeting: July 14, 2022
Commissioner Powell asked the applicant for feedback on if there were any findings of asbestos on
the materials remaining on the structural wall. The applicant shared that they are awaiting results
from the testing and are hopeful on receiving it soon. She shared that their intent is to salvage as
much as they can that is free of asbestos.
Chair Walton requests clarification from City of Georgetown Building Official, Mark Moore on the
structural integrity of the garage that is remaining. Moore shares that the remaining structure is in
sufficient enough shape if it is viable to their plans.
Commissioner Nunn requested clarification on why we are considering the plans for this COA
again since the plans were originally approved in the original COA. Waggoner clarifies that based
on the counsel from our legal department the applicant needed to apply for a new COA and have
both demolition and infill both considered under that new COA.
Commissioner Nunn requested clarity on what would happen if the commission did not approve
the demolition portion of the COA. Waggoner shared that if the demolition is denied, the infill is
also effectively denied.
Commissioner Martin makes mention that the setback requirements that exist today were likely
not in effect when this structure was originally constructed. Additionally, Martin and
Commissioner Nunn shared their concern on setting a precedence for this type of demolition, what
that may be communicating to the public, and having HARC connected to this decision.
Tadd Phillips, Interim Planning Director notes that there are distinctions between the governance
authority of HARC versus the enforcement authority of the City as it pertains to the history of this
case. Phillips also speaks to fact that the violation of the original COA was not ignored and was
considered by the enforcement arm of the City.
Commissioner Romero expresses concern over the fact that since the COA is not separated.
Waggoner clarified that you could approve a portion or deny a portion of the COA.
Applicant, Denise Embry (General Contractor) approached the podium to address the commission.
Embry spoke to the direction she received by the architect in accomplishing the floor plan that was
approved. She further clarified that the only way to they felt that they could accomplish the
approved floor plan was to demolish the existing structure and prepare the piers for the new
structure. In that process they were not advised that a demolition permit would be required.
Embry additionally requested clarity how best to abide by guideline 4.4 (as noted by
Commissioner Davis) if the preexisting structure did not have rooms/walls within the structure.
Commissioner Davis clarifies his comment on guideline 4.4 by noting that the applicant will need
to do their best to document the structure as it existed. Waggoner clarified that City staff will assist
the applicant in obtaining the archival directive for demolition.
Chair Walton opened the floor to the commission to ask questions regarding the infill portion of
the request.
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Meeting: July 14, 2022
Commissioner Powell asked clarification on column placement/location. Johnson shared that the
proposal is now for a single wood 6x6 column.
Chair Walton opened the Public Hearing and closed it with no speakers coming forth.
Larry Olsen, 91" Street Old Town resident approached the podium to address the commission.
Olsen requests the commission to deny the demolition based on the fact that the applicant/owner
has already demolished the existing structure illegally. Olsen goes on to share his concerns on
what message is being shared with old town residents with regard to situations like this project.
Liz Weaver of 1221 South Main Street is requesting the commission deny the request. Requesting
the denial. Weaver shared that the City has a way of allowing structures to be demolished without
a demolition permit, by deeming it an unsafe structure. Additionally, Weaver noted that the infill
should be treated as any new construction and separate from the demolition as it pertains to
setback modifications.
Chair Walton closed the Public Hearing and opens to commissions for questions.
Commissioner Powell asks clarification on deeming a structure unsafe. Waggoner clarified that,
yes, the building official can deem the structure dangerous and in result would not require a
demolition permit.
Chair Walton opens the floor to a motion.
Motion to approve Item E as presented by Commissioner Nunn. Second by Commissioner
Romero.
Commissioners discussed the motion and Commissioner Nunn made an amendment to her
original motion to deny the COA in its totality. Second by Commissioner Martin. Motion
approved 7-0
F Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments. - Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
Update from Kimberly Spencer regarding the onboarding of the new Planning Specialist, Jessica
Lemanski. Jessica is from Georgetown and comes to us from the University of Texas with an Urban
Studies degree. She will be serving on our team on a couple of levels, but primarily will be serving
as the Staff Liaison for all our Planning Department Boards and Commissions. She comes with a
passion for our work and an excitement to serve the community through our Planning
Department. Jessica begins July 181". We look forward to introducing her at the next HARC
meeting and appreciate your support and patience as we bring her on board.
Chair Walton opened discussion on the topic of alternate commissioners making public comments.
There was discussion on having clear guidance on the manner of alternates speaking when they
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Meeting: July 14, 2022
are not on the dais. Staff will clarify at the next HARC meeting.
Chair Walton noted that he will not be able to attend the next meeting and shared that
Commissioner Bums will be serving as Chair for that meeting. Additionally, Walton noted that a
Legislative Task Force has been put together by the city, however he will not be able to attend the
needed meetings and will need an alternate to be present in his place. Commissioner Romero
volunteered since he does not currently have an additional role/subcommittee appointment within
the commission. Tadd Phillips will communicate and coordinate with Ariel.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Romero. Second by Commissioner Davis. Approved
unanimously 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Chair
LAOt>A RIAPA.iS
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Meeting: July 14, 2022
Jennifer Powell, Secretary
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