HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 09.08.2022City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
Minutes
September 8th, 2022 at 6 p.m.
510 West 9th Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
Commissioners Present: Michael Walton, Chair; Jennifer Powell; Karalei Nunn; Tom W. Davis;
Linda C. Burns; Alton Martin
Alternate Commissioners Present: Pierce P. Macguire
Commissioners Absent: Lawrence Romero
Alternate Commissioners Absent: Williams "Jud" Harris
Staff Present: Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; Nathaniel Waggoner, Assistant Planning
Director; Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Program Manager; Jessica
Lemanski, Planning Specialist
Meeting called to order by Chair Michael Walton at 6:02 pm.
Public Wishing to Address the Review Commission
On a subject that is posted on this agenda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which can be found
at the Commission 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 Commission considers that item.
On a subject not posted on the agenda: Persons may add an item to a future Commission agenda by
filing a written request with the Staff Liaison no later than one week prior to the Commission meeting.
The request must include the speaker's name and the specific topic to be addressed with sufficient
information to inform the Commission and the public. For Commission 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 Review Commission.
Legislative Regular Agenda
B Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the August 25th, 2022, regular
meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Committee - Jessica Lemanski, Planning Specialist
Chair Walton opened the floor to Commissioners for questions or discussion. No discussion.
Motion to approve Item B as presented by Commissioner Burns. Second by Commissioner Davis.
Motion approved unanimously (7-0).
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C Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for
new signage that is inconsistent with an approved Master Sign Plan or applicable guidelines at the
property located at 800 South Austin Avenue, bearing the legal description of 0.22 acres, being part of
Lots 5 and 8 (E/PT), Block 50, City of Georgetown. (2022-47-COA) — Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and
Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report and established that the applicant would like to install one
internally illuminated hanging sign under the existing building canopy. The sign is proposed to be
constructed of metal components, with white acrylic housing that would create a halo lighting effect
around the brushed aluminum letters applied to the face of the signs. The sign is proposed to be 54" x
18" or 6.75 sq. ft. in size and hang from the existing metal canopy supports, providing a minimum 7' of
clearance above the sidewalk. The sign is located in Area 1 of the Downtown Overlay. O'Kelley provided
context for existing internally illuminated signs within the downtown areas and established that the
proposed sign is consistent with existing signage on the building in size. There are currently two hanging
signs each measuring installed underneath the building canopy. The existing signs are not internally
illuminated, nor do they appear to be constructed of aluminum material as proposed for the subject
sign. A Certificate of Appropriateness (2021-51-COA) for two additional signs was approved underneath
the building canopy. The two signs are the same size and material as the subject sign and are internally
illuminated through acrylic channel letters. O'Kelley provided historical context to the previous uses of
the building, displayed pictures of the in relation to the Historic Resource Survey in 1984, and noted that
the building is a historic landmark.
O'Kelley reviewed the approval criteria and stated that staff has determined that the proposed project
complies with 3 of the 5 applicable Historic District Design Guidelines in Chapter 5 of the Unified
Development Code, and 5 out of the 8 approval criteria guidelines as outlined in Section 3.13.020 of the
Unified Development Code.
As required by the Unified Development Code, 1 sign was posted on -site. To date, staff has received 0
written comments in favor and 0 in opposition to the request.
Chair Walton opened the floor to Commissioners for questions or discussion.
Dr. Michael Volling, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and noted that not
illuminating this sign is inconsistent with the illumination of the surrounding signs on the building. He
believes the sign meets the character and would benefit the neighborhood in terms of aesthetics.
Commissioner Powell asked if the other two signs were approved last year before the Historic Design
Guidelines were updated. O'Kelley clarified no, the other two internally illuminated signs on the building
were the first ones approved by HARC after the Historic Design Guidelines update.
Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth.
Motion to approve Item C as presented by Commissioner Davis. Second by Alternate Macguire.
Chair Walton opened the floor to Commissioners for discussion.
Commissioner Nunn commented that it is odd that internally illuminated signs are not allowed within
the Historic Design Guidelines if the Commission is approving them anyways.
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September 8th, 2022
Motion approved (6-1) (Commissioner Nunn denied).
D Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for
new signage that is inconsistent with an approved Master Sign Plan or applicable guidelines at the
property located at 800 South Austin Avenue, bearing the legal description of 0.22 acres, being part of
Lots 5 and 8 (E/PT), Block 50, City of Georgetown. (2022-47-COA) — Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and
Redevelopment Manager
Due to an error in the posted agenda, where the caption for Item D (2022-46-COA) was a duplicate of
the previous item, the required public notification requirements of the State of Texas were not met, and
the Review Commission cannot take up the item at this meeting.
Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments. -Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
City Council will have a workshop and update on a new parking garage on Tuesday, September 13th at 2
pm. There will also be a conceptual workshop and review for this garage at the next scheduled HARC
meeting (subject to change).
Staff is working on a presentation on HARC's Bylaws and Robert's Rules of Order. Any specific questions
should be directed to Staff Liaison.
On September 27th, an item concerning hiring a consultant for the Unified Development Code rewrite
will go to City Council. Nelson requested that a person with historical background participate in the
rewrite subcommittee so that there will be a variety of perspectives.
Commissioner Powell asked for expansion on the criteria for carports within the Historic Review
Guidelines.
Chair Walton asked there be more expansive guidelines on Certificates of Appropriateness for
demolitions in the Historic Review Guidelines and suggested there be more options than just full
approval of demolitions.
Nelson announced that this is Nathaniel Waggoner's last HARC meeting, as he will be moving to the City
of Georgetown's Transportation Department as the Transportation Planning Coordinator. HARC
recognized Nat for his service to the City and the Review Commission and thanked him for his hard
work.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Chair Walton. Second by Commissioner Nunn. Meeting adjourned at 6:27 pm.
Michael Walton, Chair Jennifer Powell, Secretary
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September 8th, 2022