HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes HARC 11.01.2023Minutes of the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Wednesday, November 1,
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: Linda C Burns, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim Kirpach
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 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
Jessica Lemanski, Associate Planner, called the meeting to order and designated Commissioner
Burns as the Interim Chair in the absence of Chair Walton and a selected Vice -Chair. Lemanski
noted that the next meeting will include the nomination and selection of the Vice -Chair and
Secretary.
1.A Meeting Minutes
Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the October 12th, 2023
regular Historic and Architectural Review Commission meeting -- Jessica Lemanski,
Associate Planner
Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by Evan Hein to Continue to the next HARC meeting
on November 9th.
Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim
Kirpach
Voting Against: None
1.13 2023-20-COA - 114 E. 7th Street
Public hearing and possible request for signage that does not meet the applicable
guidelines and for new paint on a historic building that does not meet the applicable
guidelines for the property addressed at 114 E. 7th Street, bearing the legal description of
0.33 acres out of Lots 1-4, Block 40, City of Georgetown (2023-20-COA) -- Maddison
O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager Maddison O'Kelley presented the
staff report.
Karen Soeffker, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and noted
that black and copper are traditional British pub colors. Soeffker explained that in 1960,
some stores in the building were painted black. Soeffker established that the suite next
door has black accents. Soeffker stated that she believes the copper signage and
pinstripes will soften the look. Soeffker noted that some units in the building looks
disheveled and that the requested black paint will make it look presentable. ,,^ I
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Commissioner Hein asked if the sign material would be approved if it w �.
O'Kelley confirmed that it would be an approved material. Commissioner Hein asked
the applicant for the reasoning behind the selected material.
Sammy Scott, Affordable Signs, responded that they are proposing Gemini lettering as the
letters are lifetime guaranteed. Scott presented a sample for the members to see. Scott
noted that the design guidelines state that plastic is not permitted except for flush
adhesive professionally installed lettering or when used for illuminated signs. Scott
explained that they modified the mounting to follow the design guidelines which states that
the lettering must be a flush adhesive stud mount on the exterior wall. Scott noted that the
options in the design guidelines for Historic buildings is metal or wood. Scott explained
that metal is more expensive and heavier, thus more likely to fall and cause damage.
Scott summarized that plastic is more affordable for the customer and has a lifetime
guarantee.
Interim Chair Burns requested a definition of standoff stud mounting and how it differs
from flushed adhesive mounting.
Scott clarified that standoff stud mounting is when the lettering stands off from the building
and flushed adhesive mounting is when the lettering adheres to the building in
a flushed manner. She further clarified that with the flushed adhesive mounting they are
proposing the letters will also be studded into the building. Scott noted additional
examples of buildings in downtown with flushed adhesive lettering.
O'Kelley noted that the design guidelines provide guidance on flush adhesive plastic
lettering for sign and no guidance for flush adhesive and flush mounting for building
exteriors. O'Kelley explained that it is staff's interpretation that approval of the plastic is
still necessary because there is no guidance on the adhesive backing on channel letters.
Interim Chair Burns opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming
forth.
Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by Robert Blomquist to Approve .
Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim
Kirpach
Voting Against: None
1.0 2023-29-COA - 805/807 E 13th Street Remodel Addition
Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the
replacement of historic architectural features for the property addressed 805/807 E. 13th
Street, bearing the legal description of .14 acres out of the SE/PT of Block 3, Snyder
Addition (2023-29-COA) -- Olivia Beams, Downtown and Historic Planner Olivia Beams
presented the staff report.
Commissioner Blomquist asked what year the structure was built. Sean Alderman,
Applicant, responded that it was built in 1963.
Commissioner Kirpach asked about the current material of the windows. Alderman
responded that the material of the windows is aluminum. Commissioner Kirpach
inquired about fiber glass choices versus vinyl. Alderman explained that only metal or
wood is allowed in the historic district, and that the request under consideration tonight
is for replacement of the aluminum windows with wood as the material.
Interim Chair Burns asked if the posts on the front porch are original. Beams noted that
they are the original posts.
Commissioner Hein asked if the porch columns will be maintained or destroyed.
Alderman explained that the posts will be sanded to remove surface rust, painted to
prevent rusting, and wrapped with wood.
Interim Chair Burns opened and closed the public hearing.
Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Alton Martin to Approve .
Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim
Kirpach
Voting Against: None
L D Staff Report
Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation
and Redevelopment Manager
O'Kelley approached the podium to address the Commission.
O'Kelley announced that on November 14th City Council will hold a workshop at 2 P.M.
with a Downtown Master Plan Update.
Staff would like to hold discussion at a future meeting regarding UDC Updates.
O'Kelley noted that a Historic Resources Town Hall event will occur on November 15th
at City Hall from 5-7 P.M.
O'Kelley also noted the proposed Executive Text Amendment to remove the UDC
requirement limiting front yard fences to 3 feet so it will match the design guideline to be 4
feet in height will be presented at the November 7th Planning and Zoning meeting for
recommendation.
Adjournment
These inutes were approved at the meeting of
Chair