HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 12.8.2022Minutes of the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at
6:00 PM at Council and Court Building, 510 W 9th Street.
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The following Members were in attendance:
Present were: Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Pierce P Macguire, Alton Martin,
Jennifer Powell
Public Wishing to Address the Board
On a sublect 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 sublect 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 November 10th,
2022 regular HARC meeting. -- Jessica Lemanski, Planning Specialist
Moved by Linda C Burns; seconded by Pierce P Macguire to Approve Item 1.A as
presented.
Motion Approved: 7- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Pierce
P Macguire, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell
Voting Against: None
1.13 2022-48-COA (1608 S. Church Street)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for
the following:
• an addition that creates or adds to a street facing fagade;
• removal of historic architectural features;
• a 3' encroachment into the required 6' side setback to allow a detached garage 3'
from the side (south) property line;
• a 9'-3" encroachment into the required 10' rear setback to allow a detached garage 9"
from the side (west) property line;
at the property located at 1608 S. Church Street, bearing the legal description Lot 3 and
the north part of Lot 4, Block 4 of the Logan Addition Subdivision (2022-48-COA) -
Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report. The Applicant was present and wished to
address the Commission.
Steve Mayer, 1610 S. Church St., Applicant, approached the podium to address the
Commission and spoke to the granite material proposed for the driveway. Mayer
explained that he is either intending to obtain a zoning variance from the Zoning Board of
Adjustment or review the UDC to determine if the zone's allowed materials could be
utilized in the design. Mayer commented that they are attempting to keep the design of
the original driveway, which has been overtaken by grass.
Commissioner Powell asked if there is a reason the garage is against the property line.
Mayer explained that they are trying to keep the layout the same as it has been
historically, but he is okay with moving the garage 3 feet in order to comply.
Moved by Jennifer Powell; seconded by Pierce P Macguire to Approve Item 1.13 with the
condition that the detached garage be set back a minimum of 3 feet from the property line
to allow for maintenance of the structure. Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Pierce P Macguire,
Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell
Voting Against: None
1.0 2022-55-COA (City Parking Garage - 502 S. Main Street)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for
the following:
new commercial (infill) construction;
19'-4"and 8'-2" building height increase from the required 40' maximum building
height at the property line fronting S. Main Street to allow a building height of
59'-4" and 48'-2";
. 19'-4"and 6-10" building height increase from the required 40' maximum building
height at the property line fronting W. 6th Street to allow a building height of 59'-4"
and 46-10";
• 9"-9" building height increase from the required 40' maximum building height at the
property line fronting S. Austin Avenue, to allow a building height of 49'-9";
at 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. The Applicant was present and wished to
address the Commission.
Jennifer Bettiol approached the podium to address the Commission and provided
Commissioners with material samples proposed for the project. Bettiol spoke to the
improvements made to the plans following the feedback provided by Commissioners at
the last HARC meeting, including eliminating elevator access to the 4th floor to minimize
the height of the tower on Austin Avenue, variation in height along the facades, and
additional brickwork throughout the facades. Pedestrians are addressed through the
canopy and integration of art between the plaza and the parking garage, and glass is
limited in the stairwell to limit the light put out at night. Additional storefront framing has
been added, and the facades have been simplified. Bettiol established that they are still
asking for an exception from the courthouse view corridor due to the tower on Main St.
Commissioner Burns asked if the unpainted concrete is going to be white. Bettiol
established that it will remain unpainted, but the concrete will appear white if they
request white sand. Further discussion on materials proposed for the project.
Chair Walton commented that the changes to the design look good and asked why the air
ventilation tower was not lowered. Bettiol established that they considered lowering it, but
it would only reduce the height by 10% (from 59 to 52 feet) if the stairwell was to be included.
Commissioner Powell asked for clarification on the color of the proposed limestone
materials. Bettiol established that there may be some veining of yellower limestone, but
it will mostly be white in color.
Commissioner Powell commented that the public comments sent to the Commission
had valid points concerning the height of the parking garage.
Chair Walton opened the public hearing.
Larry Olson, 9th St., approached the podium to address the Commission. Mickey
Powell, 311 E. 5th St., ceded his time to Olson. Olson commented that the revisions to
the plan were an improvement, but he is still concerned with the stairwell in regard to its
height and massing. Olson suggested recessing the 6th & Main St. elevator away from
the 6th St. elevation and eliminating the stair enclosure on the top level of the garage to
allow the stairs to be open with a glass canopy to minimize obstructions to the
courthouse view. Olson displayed visuals aids for his suggestions and asked the
Commission to approve the item with conditions.
Chair Walton closed the public hearing.
Jennifer Bettiol approached the podium to address the public comments and
established that an open stairwell is an option; however, it would eliminate the
opportunity to protect the stairwell from inclement weather.
Chair Walton asked if there is a way to eliminate the hiding space to recess the
elevator. Bettiol established that there would need to be a wall or way to enclose the
space, but it is not possible on lower levels.
Discussion on possible conditions or postponement of the item.
Moved by Karalei Nunn; seconded by Alton Martin to Continue Item 1.0 to the January
12th meeting to take into consideration the reduction of the towers to align with the panel
height and for the canopy structure, landscaping, and street furniture to be indicated.
Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Karalei Nunn, Michael J Walton, Pierce P Macguire,
Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell
Voting Against: None
1.D Staff Report
Updates, Commissioner questions and Comments - Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
Sofia Nelson approached the podium to address the Commission.
Nelson provided n notice of work that may not have obtained a permit from HARC,
and established that the Planning Department is working with Code Compliance to
address the issue.
Chair Walton asked about potential changes to the Boards and Commissions appointment
schedule. Nelson explained that some Boards and Commissions are being consolidated,
and the cycle for new appointments and re -appointments will be changing in 2023.
Adjournment
These minutes were approved at the meeting of
Chair
Attest