HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 02.23.2023Minutes of the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, February 23, 2023
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: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Pierce P Macguire,
Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell
Public Wishing to Address the Board
On a subiect 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 January 26th, 2023
regular Historic and Architectural Review Commission meeting. -- Jessica Lemanski,
Planning Specialist
This item was postponed from the February 9th regular HARC Meeting.
Moved by Lawrence Romero; seconded by Evan Hein to Approve Item 1.A as
presented.
Motion Approved: 5- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, William
J Harris
Voting Against: None
1.13 Meeting Minutes
Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the February 9th
regular Historic and Architectural Review Commission meeting. -- Jessica Lemanski,
Planning Specialist
Moved by Pierce P Macguire; seconded by Evan Hein to Approve Item 1.13 as presented .
Motion Approved: 7- 0
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Pierce P Macguire,
Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris
Voting Against: None
1.0 2022-60-COA (1216 S. Church Street)
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 fagade and the removal of
historic architectural features at the property located at 1216 S. Church Street, bearing
the legal description of 0.31 acres out of Block F(NE/PT), Morrow Addition. (2022-60-
COA) — Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report.
Dawn Lettie, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and
reiterated that the changes to the house would improve the drainage and leakage she
experiences during large weather events.
Chair Walton asked which materials on the house had been replaced or repaired.
O'Kelley established that the previous porch addition had been replaced rather than
repaired.
Chair Walton opened the public hearing.
Larry Olson, 9th St., approached the podium to address the Commission and
established that he is in favor of the roof replacement.
Chair Walton closed the public hearing.
Moved by Lawrence Romero; seconded by Linda C Burns to Approve Item 1. C as
presented.
Motion Approved: 8- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Pierce
P Macguire, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris
Voting Against: None
1. D 2022-66-COA (808 Rock Street)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness
(COA) for a building height modification request to allow a 23'-1 V building height increase
from the required 40' maximum building height at the property located at 808 Rock Street,
bearing the legal description of Lofts on Rock Condo, Commercial Unit, 14.96% Common
Int. (2022-66-COA) — Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report.
Vincent Huebringer, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and
spoke to their goal of expanding cellular service capacity in the downtown area by utilizing
the height of this particular building. Huebringer addressed the approval criteria and
emphasized the building's location and existing height is optimal for this project.
Discussion on the measurements of the height increase.
Chair Walton asked if the proposed guardrail is shorter than the existing guardrail. Darrell
Layman, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission's questions and
established that the existing guardrail around the rooftop deck is slightly taller than the
proposed guardrail due to differences in the floor height on the roof. Layman established
that the proposed guardrail could be changed to match the height of the existing guardrail,
and the gap between the railings can be filled if the Commission wishes.
Commissioner Romero asked for clarification on what the height increase will be used for.
Huebringer established that the structure on top of the elevator would be a "stealth box" to
conceal the antennas necessary for the expanded cellular service. The area concealed by
the proposed guardrail would store the mechanical equipment. Commissioner Powell
asked if the antennas could be installed on the deck instead of on top of the elevator.
Huebringer established that they evaluated that optional and determined that it would not
allow the signal to project out due to the physical objections in the way. Chair Walton
asked how tall the antennas are without the concealment box. Layman established the
antennas are 4'8" tall.
Chair Walton asked Huebringer to clarify his earlier comment that this installment
would improve emergency services. Huebringer explained that the increased cellular
service in the area would aid those trying to place a call to emergency services.
Commissioner Burns asked if the antennas would improve service for everyone or just
Verizon customers. Huebringer established that this specific antenna would be for
Verizon customers only, but other companies can install antennas within the
concealment screening at a later date.
Discussion on the appearance of the antennas without the screening.
Commissioner Martin established that height is a serious issue in this area, and he
believes there may be other options for this project aside from increasing the height on
the building. Commissioner Martin asked what other sites they had considered in this
area. Huebringer explained that setbacks within the UDC would not allow other structures
in the downtown area to be utilized for this project, but there are other options for
mounting the antenna to the building that could be considered.
Chair Walton opened the public hearing.
Ron Weaver, 1221 S. Main St., approached the podium to address the Commission and
displayed several views from different vantage points looking at the property being
discussed. Weaver believes the height increase would be noticeable if approved.
Liz Weaver, 1221 S. Main St., approached the podium to address the Commission and
displayed the minutes from the HARC meeting in which the original height increase for
this property was approved, and established that she believes the building has contributed
to the skyline in a negative way. Weaver believes there are other properties that could be
used as a cell tower in the area.
Larry Olson, 9th St., approached the podium to address the Commission and established
that he recommends denial of the request. Olson believes the height of this building is
already too high, and he does not object to other mounting options on the building as long
as the building height does not increase.
Chair Walton closed the public hearing.
Vincent Huebringer requested postponement of this item.
Alternate McGuire asked if they would still be considering the option to approve or
deny the current COA at the next meeting should the item be postponed. O'Kelley
explained that the height modification would be what the Commission would be
considering.
Moved by Jennifer Powell; seconded by Lawrence Romero to Continue Item 1.D to the
March 9th regular HARC meeting so the Applicant can present alternate design options.
Motion Approved: 8- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Pierce
P Macguire, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris
Voting Against: None
1.E 2022-23-COA (Block 37)
Conceptual review of a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for new
(commercial) infill construction for the property located at 604 S. Austin, bearing the legal
description of Lots 2A-7A, Block 37, City of Georgetown (2022-23-COA) - Maddison
O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley established that this is a conceptual review to gather HARC's
feedback on design changes. O'Kelley presented the changes to the design since the
last review.
Commissioner Hein asked for clarification on how many buildings are to be constructed.
O'Kelley established that two of the "buildings" are connected through a walkway,
making them one building.
Chair Walton asked what changes to the height had been made since the last review.
Carolyn Ramon, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and
established that the buildings were connected to make up for the loss in square footage
due to the height reduction feedback they received at the last conceptual review.
Chair Walton opened the public hearing.
Larry Olson, 9th St., approached the podium to address the Commission and spoke to the
architecture of the proposed buildings, noting the Secretary of Interior's specifications that
one should not replicate a historic building on a new one. Olson thanked the developer for
the reduction in building height, and requested the 3rd floor along Austin Avenue be
recessed 20 feet to further conceal the height and blend in with the surroundings.
John Lawton approached the podium to address the Commission and commented that
the fagade on Rock Street looks very nice, but it should be facing S Austin Avenue since
it would be seen by more people.
Chair Walton closed the public hearing.
No action was taken by the Commission on this item.
LF Staff Report
Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation
and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley established that Karalei Nunn has resigned from the Commission,
and applications for a new HARC Commissioner are now open. An architect is desired
to fill her position.
Adjournment
These minutes were approved at the meeting of
Chair