HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 05.25.2023Minutes of the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, May 25, 2023
The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, May 25, 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 meeting minutes from the May 11th,
2023 regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission. -- Jessica
Lemanski, Planning Specialist
Moved by Lawrence Romero; seconded by Pierce P Macguire to Approve the meeting
minutes.
Motion Approved: 7- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Pierce
P Macguire, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell
Voting Against: None
1.B 2023-8-COA (703 E. 15th Street)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness
(COA) for a partial demolition of 150 square feet out of an existing 764 square foot
Contributing Historic Structure (Medium Priority), an addition that adds to a street -facing
facade, and a new deck and porch (not street -facing) at the property located at 703 E.
15th Street bearing the legal description of 0.33 acres out of Block 96 (PT), Dimmit
Addition. (2023-8-COA) - Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment
Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report.
Jeff Johnson, Owner, approached the podium to address the Commission. Johnson
spoke to the window placement and staff recommendation and explained that the
window is above the toilet and shower and so moving it downward would present a
privacy concern. Johnson also spoke abotu the porch placement and staff
recommendations.
Commissioner Burns asked if there is a courtyard in the proposed plans. Johnson
established that there is no courtyard, but there is a covered patio with sliding
doors.
Commissioner Powell asked how an expansion on the house would effect the property's
Historic Resource Survey rating and analysis. O'Kelley explained that it depends on how
a future survey is conduction, but it could impact a determination on if any additions
have been in line with the structure's original architectural style. The porch may also
effect this determination.
Commissioner Romero asked if the addition's roof pitch is considered subordinate to the
original structure. O'Kelley established that the addition is taller than the original
structure and visible from the street due to the height. The applicant has oriented it to be
as subordinate as possible, resulting in partial compliance with that design criteria.
Commissioner Romero asked if the additional structure will include kitchen appliances
and be considered an ADU. Johnson explained it will be a casita with one bedroom, a
living area, and a bathroom with no kitchen appliances. Chair Walton pointed out that on
page 12 of the plans and specifications, there is an architectural representation of a stove
in the casita. Johnson established that there will be no stove, cooktop, or burners in the
casita.
Chair Walton opened the public hearing.
Richard Vasquez, 1402 Pine St., approached the podium to address the Commission
and established that he is concerned with the drainage to his property, which backs up
to the proposed casita. Vasquez also voiced concerns about the use of the casita.
Chair Walton closed the public hearing.
Johnson, in response to Vasquez's comments, established that impervious coverage
requirements have been met on the property, so drainage should not be an issue.
O'Kelley noted that the maximum impervious coverage in the zoning district is 45%, but
that element is not under the purview of HARC.
Chair Walton asked if they are intending to live here or sell it. Johnson established
they're intending to either sell or rent it.
Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by Pierce P Macguire to Approve as presented with
no modifications.
Motion Approved: 4- 3
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Evan Hein, Pierce P Macguire, Alton Martin
Voting Against: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Jennifer Powell
1.0 2023-15-COA (1501 S. College Street)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness
(COA) for a new fence that is inconsistent with the overlay district's characteristics and
applicable guidelines at the property located at 1501 S. College Street, bearing the legal
description of 0.275 acres out of Blocks 97 & 98 (PT), Dimmit Addition. (2023-15-COA) —
Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report.
Catherine Garza, Owner, approached the podium to address the Commission. Garza
established that they are willing to lower the fence height to 6 feet, and are planning to
stain the wood if approved. Garza noted that there are other similar fences in the
neighborhood, and she does not understand the issue with the obstructed side yard.
Commissioner Lawrence noted that although there may be similar looking fences in the
neighborhood, we do not know the context of their approval or what design guidelines
were applicable when they were installed. The Design Guidelines have been updated
several times since the establishment of HARC, and this fence is not compliant with the
current design guidelines, which is why it is before HARC today.
Commissioner Powell asked what the impact is to neighboring properties, and noted
that in order for a fence to be higher than 6 feet, written consent is required from
immediate neighbors. Garza noted that she has not received any complaints from
neighbors on the height, but also has not received written consent from neighbors.
Chair Walton asked if this property has gone through HARC previously for a house
remodel. Garza confirmed, yes, and noted that the Building and Inspections
Department website does not make it clear that a Certificate of Appropriateness is
required for fences that do not meet applicable design guidelines in al the Historic
Overlays. Discussion on when fence permits/COAs are necessary. Sofia Nelson,
Planning Director, established that the section that Garza referenced on the Building
and Inspections website is outdated, and we will work with them to fix this issue as
soon as possible.
Commissioner Hein asked if the fence is encroaching on the side setback. O'Kelley
confirmed, yes. Commissioner Hein asked if the fence could be 6 feet tall if it was
moved to be within the setback. O'Kelley confirmed yes.
Garza established that they can bring the fence down to 6 feet, but she is frustrated
that there are other similar fences in the neighborhood and would like to see those
COAs. O'Kelley established that staff will work through the public records request
process with Garza after the meeting.
Commissioner Romero asked what the next steps for the applicant would be if the COA
was denied. O'Kelley established that staff would work with the applicant to revise the
location of the fence to comply with setbacks and height requirements and move through
the permitting process. If those requirements are not achieved, the fence would need to
be removed.
Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by Evan Hein to Deny as presented.
Motion Failed: 2- 5
Voting For: Evan Hein, Alton Martin
Voting Against: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Pierce P
Macguire, Jennifer Powell
Moved by Jennifer Powell; seconded by Lawrence Romero to Continue to the June 8th
regular HARC meeting to review alternatives.
Motion Approved: 7- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Pierce
P Macguire, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell
Voting Against: None
1. D Staff Report
Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments - Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation
and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the Commission with updates to fences in the Historic
Overlay districts and let the Commission know that staff will work to address concerns
regarding misinformation on City websites.
Discussion on references to other properties in applicant presentations and when a
COA is required.
Adjournment
These minutes ere approved at the meeting of
Chair Attes