Landmark Commission Minutes - 06/26/2018MINUTES
LANDMARK COMMISSION
June 26, 2018
iT,Ji 1 :3
Michele Derr, Vice -Chairperson
0 Members
John Dickinson
■
Stacie Flood
■
Christy Graham, Chairperson
0
Jim Johnson
■
Andy Lee
■
Cindy Ramirez
■
Rodney Martin
■ P&Z Liaison
Eric West
■ Council Liaison
Karen Gagn6, Planning Administrator
a city staff
Amy Gardner, City Attorney
■ Legal Dept.
APPLICANTSNISITORS:
Lisa Gonzales, 126 Pembroke Lane
■ Applicant
L.B. Rainbolt, Contractor
Chuck Vergauwen, Woodco,
Monica Rojo, 1509 Tilden
■ Applicant
Carlton Hughes, 1609 Tilden
■ Applicant
Bill Andersen, 600 60' Street
■ Applicant
Anthony Inman, Contractor
ABSENT:
Jackie Lebow
■ Members
I. Call to Order, and Introductions
Chairperson Christy Graham welcomed and called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m.
The Chair asked and everyone introduced themselves.
11. Review & Approval of Minutes from May 22, 2018.
Chairperson Graham called for the review and approval of the May 22, 2018 Landmark
Commission meeting minutes. Ms. Michele Derr made a motion to approve the minutes.
Mr. Rodney Martin seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved.
111. Action Item - Design Review Application — 126 Pembroke — Morningside Historic
District
Chairperson Graham introduced the case, noting it was tabled (owner requested) at the
May 2018 meeting. Ms. Karen Gagn6 summarized applicant's request for alterations had
evolved since the original design application submittal and were as follows:
1. Replace 16 Windows — Revised: Lincoln Aluminum Clad - metal prairie style grids
2. Replace 1 Window with a New Door & Steps/Landing to Courtyard (south-east
fagade)
Landmark Commission
June 26. 2018
1990s. No issues among commissioners regarding removal of tinted sheet glass
storm windows, Mr. Rodney Martin made a motion to approve the removal of the
tinted glass storm windows. Ms. Michele Derr seconded the motion. It was
unanimously approved.
4. Brick -in I Window: The owners want to brick in 1 window in the kitchen that
during an interior remodel was covered by a wall so had no visibility to the
outside. There was discussion as to why they wanted to paint the brick; was it to
match the fill-in window? Mrs. Lisa Gonzales said she would like to update the
view of the home with paint as there was still brick on hand to fill in the window.
Chairperson Graham stated that she thought the Landmark Commission should
allow the owner to brick in the window as it could leak on the inside when it rains
resulting in mold formation between the walls. Mr. Rodney Martin made a motion
to approve the brick -in of only one (1) west fagade window in the kitchen and to
utilize the brick that matches the home's existing exterior brick. Mr. John
Dickinson seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
5. Paint Brick Fagades: Ms. Michele Derr stated that according to the Secretary of
Interior Standards it is quite clear that if the brick is not painted, don't paint. Mr.
Andy Lee stated that there are 37 buildings in the district with 5 painted brick.
National Register / THC Architects approved painting the brick at 616 7 th Street
(Toodles) which had previously been painted. Mr. Martin stated that page 51 of
the Local Historic District Design Guidelines says do not paint if not painted.
Chairperson Graham said that Toodles was painted for preservation of materials
not for aesthetics. Ms. Stacie Flood said we need to look at individual buildings
and not compare with a commercial district. Mr. Johnson stated the Downtown
Depot Square District has the most painted brick buildings. Mrs. Gonzales stated
that there are 8 homes in Morningside that have painted brick. Mr. Andy Lee
commented they could request or obtain a ruling from the Texas Historical
Commission (THC) regarding the issue of "paint" on unpainted exterior brick
facades.
There was discussion among members that they were going against guidelines to
allow the brick fagade to be painted. Ms. Michele Derr introduced a motion to
approve painting the brick. Mr. Rodney Martin seconded the motion. Commission
members voted; the motion unanimously failed. The request to paint the brick
facades was unanimously denied. Mrs. Lisa Gonzales asked if Morningside was a
local district. Ms. Karen Gagn6 stated that Morningside was national, not local.
Mrs. Gonzales stated she thought they were a national district which has no
restrictions and cited a January 19, 2012 letter that states "A National Register
designation imposes no restrictions unless the site maintains a local City of
Wichita Falls historic designation." She said this is opposite to what the letter
stated. Staff indicated the Commission began reviews in the national register
district after being directed to do so by THC when the design review guidelines
were revised. Chairperson Graham stated that they are the Landmark
Commission and there are guidelines that were set by the Department of the
Interior and the State Historic Preservation Officer (THC) that national register
properties are to be monitored for inappropriate alternations and reported. Mrs.
Gonzales states it didn't make any sense why they were being held to the
Landmark Commission
June 26, 2018
VI. Action Item - Design Review Application — 1606 Tilden — Accessory Garage
Demolition -West Floral Heights Historic District
The applicant requested to demolish rear, detached garage due to life, health and safety
issues identified by Code Enforcement. Ms. Karen Gagn6 spoke on behalf of the
applicant as she wasn't able to attend the meeting due to childcare conflicts. This case
came about after complaints were received by Code Enforcement who sent a letter to
the property owner and then obtained a search warrant to access the property/garage
and get photos. The letter was sent to the applicant and her father (owner) in Arkansas
about the next steps as the structure violated the Hazardous Accessory Structure
Ordinance and a corrective list of things had to be done; the final item recommended
demotion if those items could not be improved or addressed in a timely manner. The
applicant indicated they tried to repair the garage and obtained a building permit. Some
of her family started repairing it and the roof began to creak and crack and they were
afraid the roof would completely cave in so they stopped work and decided it would have
to be demolished. They realized approval from the Landmark Commission was required
when they applied for a demolition permit and it was put on hold.
Demolitions are a major alteration. The state requires preservation boards review
demolition requests very seriously. There is an exception to the established Design
Guidelines under Chapter 22 of the City's Code of Ordinances that the Landmark
demolition provisions do not apply when it is a building or structure that is ordered by
City Council for demolition and has reached the point where Code has tagged it as a life,
health and safety threat. Ms. Gagn6 stated they had worked with Ms. Kristina Andonian,
Code Enforcement, as she's the Structures Officer but was unable to attend the meeting.
According to the photo inventory from 2013, the structure was already in poor condition.
Mr. Rodney Martin stated that it is best to demolish and then if they decide to rebuild,
they would come before the commission and they could look at the architectural
guidelines for an appropriate replacement. Mr. Martin introduced a motion to approve
demolition of the rear, accessory garage due to life, health and safety structural concerns
and violation of the hazardous structures ordinance. Ms. Cindy Ramirez stated the
commission has an issue with people letting buildings go until they are deteriorating and
then request to demolish since it's too far gone for repair. Mr. Martin stated that a lot of
homes in this district were in disrepair prior to the historical designation in 2005. The
Commission discussed the Design Guidelines regarding the demolition by neglect. Ms.
Cindy Ramirez seconded the motion. The Landmark Commission, after a lengthy
discussion, unanimously approved the request to demolish the rear, detached garage
based on there being documented life, health and safety concerns from the Wichita Falls
Code Enforcement Division. Those safety concerns related to the structure being
deemed a violation of the City's Hazardous Accessory Structure Ordinance; including a
list of corrective actions ending in a recommendation for demolition.
VII. Action Item - Design Review Application — 600 6 th Street — Storefront renovation -
Depot Square Historic District
The applicant requested to renovate the Jones Building storefront at 6tn/Ohio; 6t' Street
fagade propose new tinted windows; new doors; lighting; repoint masonry; new
architectural elements; awning & canopy and interior remodel. Mr. Andy Lee recused
himself as he was agent for the project. The Landmark Commission discussed the
application and considered potential conditions for altering the exterior fagade. Members
reviewed options for: exposing the previous building fagade currently covered by stucco
Landmark Commission 7 June 26. 2018
• West side of Big C, the stucco has been painted.
July 4 th - WCHS Annual Old Fashioned 4 th of July Event
• July 5th - After Hours Art Walk
Kell House is having summer camps.
• Backdoor Theatre has Summer Theatre Academy
• Mary Poppins is playing at Wichita Theatre
Morningside District:
Nothing to report.
West Floral Heights District:
Nothing to report.
b) Design Review Follow-up: 1501 Tilden — roof replacement; dormer/window
repair issue
Issue previously discussed during the meeting. However, Mr. Jim Johnson
commented the property at I oth & Tilden that previously received Landmark
Commission's approval to redo the windows may be a good example. Mr.
Johnson stated the owner (Josh Lemley) may be a point of contact for the option
of window repair vs. replacement at 1501 Tilden.
c) Design Review — Staff Authorized — Minor Alteration/Repairs:
- 3008 1 oth Street — lawn sprinklers (Harris Nursery & Landscaping)
- 1710 Grant — electrical repair from storm June 7 (Ed Solis)
- 1300 Tilden — roof replacement - composition shingle to composition
(Cornerstone Construction)
- 1508 Buchanan — roofing replacement — composition to composition shingle
(Mataska Roofing)
There is no meeting in July. The next meeting is August 28, 2018.
X. Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned at 1:56 p.m.
2 Y
Christy Graffam, Chairperson Date 4