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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 03.23.2023Minutes of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, March 23, 2023 The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, March 23, 2023 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, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Pierce P Macguire, 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 sub*ect not posted on the agenda: A request must be received by the Advisory Board or Commission Liaisor prior to the day the agenda for this meeting 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 March 9th, 2023 regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Committee. --Jessica Lemanski, Planning Specialist Moved by Lawrence Romero; seconded by Evan Hein to Approve Item 1.A. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris Voting Against: None 1.B 2022-23-COA (Block 37) Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the following: • New commercial infill building construction • An 1 V-6" building height increase from the required 40' maximum building height to allow three proposed buildings to be a maximum height of 51'-6" for the property located at 604 S. Austin, bearing the legal description of Lots 2A-7A, Block 37, City of Georgetown, Amended (2022-23-COA) - Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager This item was postponed at the request of the applicant to a date uncertain. Staff will provide additional public notice when a new date is determined. No action was taken by the Commission on this item. 1.0 2022-62-COA (1503 E. 15th Street) Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the following: • Demolition that results in the reduction or loss in the total square footage of the existing structure • Addition that creates a new or adds to an existing street facing fa4ade • Replacing a historic architectural feature with a non -historic architectural feature • New building construction (detached garage) • Setback modification request to allow a detached garage to encroach V-0" into the required 6-0" (east) side setback • Setback modification request to allow a detached garage to encroach 3'-0" into the required 10'-0" rear setback for the property located at 1503 E. 15th Street, bearing the legal description of .56 acres out of Lot 6-8 & 19-23, Block 5, University Park (2022-62-COA) - Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report. Richard Elasser, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and elaborated on drainage issues on the property, especially in regards to the carport, roof, and western room proposed to be demolished. Elasser noted that the large tree adjacent to the room has damaged the foundation over time, and he spoke to the potential solutions for the drainage issues on the site. Commissioner Hein asked if the carport is original to the house. O'Kelley confirmed that the minutes from the Demolition Sub -Committee meeting reflect that it was established that the carport was present on the original plans of the house.. Commissioner Hein asked why the applicant is choosing to move the garage to the front of the house. Elasser established this was a design choice to allow a covered walkway from the house to the garage. Discussion on slope and grading of the site. Commissioner Hein asked when the room proposed to be demolished was added to the house. Elasser established that it was constructed after the second addition to the house. Commissioner Burns requested further clarification regarding the drainage on the property and commented that she believes the carport could be saved or repurposed in some way. Commissioner Burns also noted that there is sufficient room on the back side of the property for a garage, and the Design Guidelines suggest garages should be place behind the residence. Commissioner Powell asked if they know the scope of the repairs on the garden wall, or if there are any other demolitions they foresee for their scope of work. Elasser noted that the window in the western room will be reutilized, as well as the brick on the carport. Commissioner Powell asked if the brick exterior walls, aside from those on the carport, will remain intact. Elasser confirmed, yes. Commissioner Romero asked where the drains themselves will be place. Elasser established they would be in the backyard near the tree. Chair Walton asked if the foundation had ever been repaired. Elasser confirmed he is not aware of any foundation repairs. Chair Walton asked what the reasoning behind the roof change was. Elasser established that the existing structure is undersized, and they now require more pitch in the roof for insulation. Chair Walton asked if there is any other location on the site that the garage could be placed. O'Kelley established that we can request an exhibit from the Applicant that would illustrate areas to be dedicated for drainage that would show available space on the lot. Discussion on drainage and grading on the site. Chair Walton commented that he would like to hear more about how the tree will be protected while the home is being demolished. Elasser established they anticipate using a water drilling technique, which is easy on the tree's roots. Chair Walton opened the public hearing. Elizabeth Bustos, 1610 E 15th St., approached the podium to address the Commission and established that the garage would be very noticeable from her front porch, and inquired on whether a drainage expert was consulted for this project. Jessica Duncan, 1602 E 14th St., approached the podium to address the Commission and requested more information on the drainage on the site, and noted that the home should be designated as a higher priority structure. Bob Blumquist, 1302 Katherine St., approached the podium to address the Commission and commented that he moved to Georgetown from Austin to escape investment flippers and is opposed to this request. Larry Olson, 9th St., approached the podium to address the Commission and spoke to the history of the house, and established that he is in favor of the demolition of the wester 120 square foot room to save the tree and aid in the drainage of the site. However, he believes the carport can be restored and repurposed, and that a civil engineer needs to be consulted to examine the site's drainage feasibility. Olson also noted that the current pitch of the roof contributes to the distinct style of the home. Brad Burns, 1905 S. Church St., approached the podium to address the Commission and recommended this item be postponed until a civil engineer can be consulted to evaluate the site. Burns also noted that the board and batten materials are not appropriate for this site and brick or stucco would be preferred.. Burns spoke to possible roofing options, and noted that the pitch of roof would impact the style of the house. Jon Den Beste, 1604 Louise St., approached the podium to address the Commission. Van Den Beste ceded his time to Jon. Beste spoke to the home's potential to be listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, especially considering the original architect's prominence. Beste noted that the home is more of a mid-century modern house than ranch style. Matthew Dula, 1408 E 15th St., approached the podium to address the Commission. Kathryn Manasco ceded her time to Dula. Dula noted that the proposed changes to the home would change its architectural integrity, especially in concern to the original architect's vision. Dula spoke to the history of the architect, as well as Dr. Benold and his contributions to the City of Georgetown. Dula also noted that the architectural preservation should be prioritized, and noted that deteriorating foundations and drainage are common issues in Old Town. Ann Brown, 1308 Hutto Rd., approached the podium to address the Commission and noted that she has been inside the house in many different weather conditions and has never experienced drainage issues within the house. Brown noted that she is concerned that the applicant is not considering every option to preserve the house in order to appeal to buyers, especially considering that the proposed changes will be visible from 15th Street. Judy Fabry, 1207 Hutto Rd., approached the podium to address the Commission and spoke to the significance of both the Benold house and its previous residents. Fabry noted that the demolition of the carport seems unnecessary and believes the drainage issues could be addressed in a different way, and she requested postponement of the item until more detailed drawing are provided by the Applicant. Chair Walton closed the public hearing. Chair Walton called for a 5 minutes recess. The meeting was called back to order at 7:43 Pm. Commissioner Romero commented that he would be in favor of postponement of the item in order to see more in depth drainage plans for the property. Commissioner Romero also believes the garage should not be placed on the south side of the property, and changing the pitch of the roof would significantly change the style of the home. Commissioner Powell echoed commissioner Romero's comments, noting that she would like to see the engineering drawings for the proposed drainage system. Chair Walton noted that there was a comment made at the Demolition Sub -Committee meeting that the house may be lost if the drainage on the site is not addressed, and also noted that the street view of the roof is flat, but it is pitched from the inside. Chair Walton noted that the maintenance on the rood has been basic at best, and that he is mostly concerned with the proposed materials and the roof line. Commissioner Burns noted that the style of the house is mid-century modern, not ranch style, and that changing the pitch of the roof would significantly impact this style. Commissioner Burns believes the carport can be repurposed or reused, and the design guidelines recommend garages go behind the house. Commissioner Burns agreed with her fellow Commissioners that she needs a better understanding of how the drainage on the site will be addressed. Commissioner Martin agreed with previous comments made by the Commission, especially concerning the proposed materials and garage placement. Commissioner Martin noted that he is in favor of the demolition of the room near the tree, and changing the roof pitch would significantly alter the style of the house. Commissioner Hein commented that the main goal is the preservation of the house, and he has not seen compelling evidence that the proposed changes are absolutely necessary to protect the house. The carport, as well as the roof, contribute to the style of the house, and he would like to see compelling reasons why the garage is proposed to be visible from 15th street instead of in the back of the property. Alternate Harris thanked the public for their participation in the meeting. Moved by Linda C Burns; seconded by Lawrence Romero to Continue Item 1.0 to the April 27th regular HARC meeting to get further information from the applicant regarding the drainage of the site, roofing options, and garage options.. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris Voting Against: None LID 2022-64-COA (1612 S. Main Street) Public Hearing and Possible Action on a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the following: • an addition that creates or adds to a street facing facade, • the removal of historic architectural features, • a 2'-8" encroachment into the required 10' rear setback to allow a garage addition 8'-4" from the rear (west) property line, and • a T-0" encroachment into the required 25' garage setback to allow a garage addition 22' from the side street (south) property line for the property located at 1612 S. Main Street, bearing the legal description of 0.21 acres out of Lot 2, Block 4, Logan Addition (2022-64-COA) Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report Chair Walton asked for clarification on what historic features are being removed. O'Kelley established the exterior walls are being removed to allow space for the proposed addition. Commissioner Hein asked if the setback encroachment is any more than the existing structure. O'Kelley said no. Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth. Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by William J Harris to Approve Item 1.D. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris Voting Against: None 1.E 2023-6-COA (609 S. Church Street) Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the following: • Allow aside yard fence to be 8'-0" in height where the maximum is 6-0"; • New infill building (shed); • A 3'-0" encroachment into the required 10' rear setback to allow a shed 7'-0" from the rear (east) property line; • A V-0" encroachment into the required 6' side setback to allow a shed 5'-0" from the side (south) property line; for the property located at 609 S. Church Street, bearing the legal description of .16 acres out of Lot 7, Block 11, Glasscock Addition (2023-6-COA) - Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report. Harley Coon, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and apologized for the placement of the shed without HARC approval and explained that the request for the fence is to allow more privacy from adjacent rental properties and headlights going by. Commissioner Burns asked if they are requesting an 8 foot fence at the front of the property. Coon confirmed yes, but only for a few feet. Chair Walton asked if the shed was originally in the driveway. Coon explained that the shed was placed in the driveway when he was renting the property, and the notices of non-compliance were being sent to the property owner without his knowledge. The shed was moved to the back, and once Coon bought the property, he learned of his non-conformance. Commissioner Burns asked why a 6 foot fence is not a sufficient height. Coon explained that their bedroom widow and back porch are elevated, allowing neighbors and passersby to see in. Commissioner Burns asked what considerations are preventing him form moving the shed to come into conformance. Coon explained that the cost of moving the shed a few feet is his largest consideration right now. Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth. Chair Walton commented that if the fence is approved, the shed will be hidden, but it will need to be moved regardless due to safety and maintenance concerns. Moved by Linda C Burns; seconded by Jennifer Powell to Approve the fence request as presented, and approve the shed with the condition that it comply with applicable setbacks by moving 3 feet to the West and 1 foot to the North. Motion Approved: 6- 0 Voting For: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, William J Harris Voting Against: None 1.F Staff Report Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager No announcements were made at this meeting. Adjournment I These minute were approved at the meeting of 6 3 23 Chair Atte