HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 08.10.2023Minutes of the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, August 10, 2023
The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, August 10, 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: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, 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 July 27, 2023
regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission -- Jessica
Lemanski, Planning Specialist
Moved by Linda C Burns; seconded by Evan Hein to Approve the minutes as presented.
Motion Approved: 4- 0
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin
Voting Against: None
1.B 2023-18-COA (1304 E. University Avenue)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for new infill construction (detached
shed) for the property located at 1304 E. University Avenue, bearing the legal
description of .43 acres out of Outlot Division B, (PT) Block 11 (2023-18-COA) --
Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report.
Ray Belardo, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and
established that the shed is intended to be used for additional storage, and they've
been working with Tuff Shed to get a design similar to the existing house. Slats will be
horizontal to match those on the house. Belardo noted that they are planning to
continue their fence line on the west side of the property.
Commissioner Hein asked if the applicant would be able to change the material to wood
to comply with the Design Guidelines. Belardo established that they have limited options
on materials and modifications on the shed since it is pre -fabricated.
Commissioner Burns asked if the paint color will match the house. Belardo noted that
the pain color is similar, and they are planning on repainting the house to match the
color of the shed in the future.
Commissioner Powell asked if it would void the warranty on the shed if they were to
bring in windows and materials to comply with the Design Guidelines. Belardo
established that he would need to look into that, but it could be a consideration in the
future.
Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth.
Commissioner Hein noted that he understands that modifications can be difficult for pre-
fabricated sheds, but the Design Guidelines are the standards that they are trying to
uphold.
Discussion on moving the door of the shed or adding a faux door. Discussion on
window materials.
Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by Linda C Burns to Approve with the condition that
one of the doors be relocated the western elevation facing Vine Street to replace the
window already there.
Motion Approved: 4- 1
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell
Voting Against: Evan Hein
1.0 2023-19-COA (1310 Olive Street)
Conceptual Review of a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for a new
fence that is inconsistent with the overlay district's characteristics and applicable
guidelines for the property located at 1310 Olive Street, bearing the legal description of
.66 acres out of the (S/PT) of Block 32, Snyder Addition. (2023-19-COA) —
Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Sofia Nelson approached the podium to address the Commission and established that
they saw a previous version of this fence at the July 13th HARC meeting, which was
denied by the Commission. Staff has worked with the applicant to steer them towards a
design that is more consistent with the Design Guidelines and move forward with their
project, and they are seeking feedback from the Commission on changes proposed.
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report.
Gary Thompson, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and
reviewed their concept plan for their proposed fence. Thompson spoke to the vinyl
materials chosen and the UDC's definition of a double frontage lot. Thompson also
displayed examples of their proposed materials for the fence.
Commissioner Burns asked O'Kelley to review what elements were out of compliance at
the previous meeting this request was heard at and what has changed in their new plan.
O'Kelley established that at the last meeting, the fence was requested to exceed the
maximum allowable height and opacity, and to be constructed out of an unapproved
material. The fence was also within the setbacks and requested to be placed on the
property line. Today's request moved the fence back and has added a landscaping buffer,
but it is still requested to exceed the maximum height and opacity, and the materials are
still unapproved.
Commissioner Hein commented that option 2 is an improvement and closer to
compliance with the Design Guidelines since transparency is increased, but he is still
concerned with the materials, setback, and transparency. Commissioner Hein asked if
Thompson has considered a metal fence to solve the materials and transparency
issues. Thompson established that he does not want a transparent fence. Discussion on
the definition of a double frontage lot. Nelson established that the UDC definition covers
the entire City, and does not necessarily always take the uniqueness of Old Town and
Georgetown's Historic Districts into account, which is why HARC has the purview to
allow these changes.
Commissioner Martin noted that he is concerned with allowing unapproved materials and
asked if there is a way to increase the transparency by adding spacing in the fence.
Thompson established that his chosen material would not allow that since it is a tongue -
in -groove design.
Commissioner Burns noted that she understands the frustration with the double frontage
lot and commented that she is concerned about the neighbor on Maple street. Discussion
abotu neighboring fences.
Chair Walton commented that he prefers option 2 since the transparency is increased,
and he appreciates the setback adjustment.
Commissioner Powell asked if the chosen material is accessible if repairs were needed
for the fence. Thompson noted that he is unsure.
No action was taken by the Commission on this item.
LD 2023-23-COA (1708 Main Street)
Conceptual Review of a request for an addition that creates a new or adds to a street -
facing facade and the replacement of historic architectural features for the property
addressed at 1708 S. Main Street bearing the legal description of 0.1902 acres out of
(S/PT) of Block 3, Block, Montgomery Addition to Georgetown (2023-23-COA) --
Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the conceptual review.
Ben Midol, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and
established that they are trying to update the house to accommodate modern living
and are open to suggestions from the Commission. Their biggest concerns are the
interior living space and backyard access, and they are flexible on the roof design.
Commissioner Powell noted that staff outlined good notes regarding the architectural
nature of the neighborhood. She does have concerns regarding the massing and scale
in relation to the neighboring lots.
Discussion on square footage of the proposal.
Commissioner Burns commented that she is also concerned with the massing of the
structure in relation to the neighborhood, and she prefers the gable as opposed to the hip
roof design. She noted that she likes the idea of dormers and changing the foyer back to
a porch.
Commissioner Martin commented that this will be a good addition to the
neighborhood, and his biggest concern is the scale of the structure in relation to the
rest of the neighborhood. He does not have a preference on the roof style.
Commissioner Hein echoed Commissioner Martin's comments. He shares concerns
about the second story's massing, and noted that he would like to see dormers
incorporated into the design.
No action was taken by the Commission on this item.
1. E Staff Report
Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation
and Redevelopment Manager
Adjournment
Z
minutes wer approved at the meeting of