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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 11.10.2022Minutes of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, November 10, 2022 The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 6:00 PM at Council and Court Building, 510 W 9th Street. The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 808 Martin Luther King, Jr Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. The following Members were in attendance: Present were: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris 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 on the table at the entrance to the meeting room. Clearly print your name and the letter of the item on which you wish to speak and present it to the Board Liaison prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called forward to speak when the Board considers that item. Only persons who have delivered the speaker form prior to the meeting being called to order may speak. Speakers will be allowed up to three minutes to speak. If you wish to speak for six minutes, it is permissible to use another requestor's granted time to speak. No more than six minutes for a speaker may be granted_ The requestor granting time to another speaker must also submit a form and be present at the meeting. On a subject not posted on the agenda: A request must be received by the Advisory Board or Commission Liaison prior to the day the agenda for this mee ng is posted. Each speaker will be given three minutes to address the Board or Commission members. No action can be taken. 1. Regular Session 1.A Meeting Minutes Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the October 27th, 2022 regular HARC meeting. - Jessica Lemanski Moved by Lawrence Romero; seconded by Linda C Burns to Approve Item 1.A as presented. Motion Approved_ 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris Voting Against: None 1.13 2022-34-COA Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for an addition that creates or adds to a street facing facade and the removal of historic architectural features at the property located at 1226 S. Church Street, bearing the legal description 0.466 acres out of the Morrow Addition, Block D-E(Pts). (2022-34- COA) — Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report. The applicant is present to answer any questions but does not have a presentation. Chair Walton asked why the proposed windows do not meet the design guidelines. O'Kelley explained that the Historic Design Guidelines call for windows that are twice as tall as they are wide, and the proposed windows are square. The non -compliant windows are on the north side of the house and are not street -facing. Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth. Moved by Karalei Nunn; seconded by William J Harris to Approve Item 1.13 as presented. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris Voting Against: None 1.0 2022-56-COA 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 facing facade, a 19' - 7" encroachment into the required 25' street facing garage street setback to allow a garage 5' - 5" from the side street (west) property line for the property located at 1227 S. Church, bearing the legal description Lot 16, Block 1, Cody Addition. Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report. Chair Walton requested clarification on if the carport is an extension of the garage and encroaching on the setback. O'Kelley explained that carports are subject to the garage setback, but the carport is not connected to the original structure. Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth. Moved by William J Harris; seconded by Lawrence Romero to Approve Item 1.0 as presented. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris Voting Against: None 1. D 2022-55-COA Conceptual review of a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for new commercial (infill) construction for the property located at 502 S. Main Street, bearing the legal description Lot 1-8, Block 27, City of Georgetown (2022-55-COA) - Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report. Jennifer Bettiol, Applicant, and Eric Luttman, Architect, approached the podium to address the Commission and spoke to the changes they've made to the design of the garage in response to staff comments, including the enhancement of architectural elements to aid in the transition of function from the surrounding properties. Luttman spoke to the safety, aesthetics, and functional considerations for the design of the project, noting that architectural features have been pulled from the neighboring residential -style commercial business next door, and the pedestrian experience has been prioritized through access, safety, and visibility around the structure. Larry Olson, 9th Street, approached the podium to address the Commission. Jen Bradac, 106 E. Spring St. ceded her time to Olson. Olson spoke to the massing of the building, especially in regard to the stairwell height and frontage towards Austin Avenue. Olson commended City Council for pushing the wall along Austin Avenue back, and believes the neighborhood is well prepared for a parking garage. Olson expressed concern over the proposed materials and requested clarification on if the "Georgetown Cave Rock" is real cut rock. Olson commented that the corner of 6th and Main Street could be simplified, and he believes the south elevation does not fit with the other perspectives as it introduces several angles that do not relate to the rest of the design. Commissioner Harris agreed with Olson's comments and noted that the stairwell height seems tall for the area, but he understands if it is functionally necessary. Commissioner Harris commented that although there was no formal signage presented, he believes that the typeface should be changed from the rendering in the staff presentation. Commissioner Nunn commented that the tower seems out of scale in terms of height, size, and weight in relation to the other corners, and she commented that the stairwell window scale seems too big and will overwhelm the corner. Commissioner Nunn asked if the space between the garage and the neighboring building will become an alley. Bettiol established that there will be a covered entry point on Austin Avenue, and a canopy between the buildings with a grass area to satisfy impervious cover requirements and provide a pedestrian path between the two properties. Commissioner Nunn commented that the 6th street fagade looks unfinished, and straight lines would be better than the angled sides there. Bettiol explained that the diagonal corner is meant to become a gathering space with benches for pedestrians. Bettiol clarified that they are intending to use local quarry white limestone for materials. Commissioner Martin commented that the stairwell is extremely out of scale, and there is very little stylistic transition between neighboring buildings. Martin spoke to the size of the surrounding buildings on Austin Avenue, and commented that the design of the garage does not fit in with the area. Commissioner Burns asked if the height of the stairwell is functionally necessary. Luttman explained that the elevator requires that stairwell height, and the massing was left in the simplest form to avoid an odd appearance. Commissioner Burns commented that the building feels choppy and lacks continuity. Chair Walton asked if there are elevators in both of the stairwell towers and if that is a requirement. Luttman established that there are elevators in both of the towers to accommodate ADA requirements. If there was only one elevator, all ADA parking spaces would need to be consolidated towards that area, but with two towers they can be more evenly distributed throughout the garage. Chair Walton commented that although he likes the glass, it may be a bit too big, and additional screening could benefit the design. Commissioner Powell echoed earlier comments from Commissioners, and commented that additional screening along Main Street would be nice. Luttman established that there would be one main entrance on the corner and a secondary fire exit on Austin Avenue. The intention is to have the City as the main tenant. Commissioner Powell commented that she would like to see the materials in person if possible, as they often don't look the same as the renderings. Commissioner Romero commented that he doesn't particularly like the 6th and Main Street fagade being so large, but he understands that it does serve a functional purpose for the elevator. Commissioner Romero also commented that the screening is not very visually attractive, and brick throughout the whole building could make the design more consistent. The setbacks along South Austin Avenue and 6th Streets are sufficient, but he believes that some signage on the building to indicate its intended use would be helpful. Commissioner Romero asked if there would be a swinging door on the entrance along Austin Avenue. Luttman established that it would be an opening to the stairwell. Commissioner Romero asked if there would be lighting within the stairwells. Luttman established that there would be lighting, and they are aiming for a light that would indicate the area as a safe space. The tower will be illuminated 24/7. No action was taken on this item. 1.E Staff Report Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments -- Sofia Nelson, Planning Director Sofia Nelson approached the podium to address the Commission and established that there would be one more meeting this year, as the next scheduled meeting on November 24th will be cancelled due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Nelson updated the Commission on the UDC rewrite kickoff meeting held on Tuesday, November 8th. Chair Walton commented that there was a lot of productive commentary at the meeting and requests that Commissioners bring up any concerns they may have with the rewrite to Nelson. Nelson commented that Commissioners should continue to send in code enforcement requests to our office if they see any violations. Adjournment These minu s were approved at the meeting of Chair Attest