Landmark Commission Minutes - 02/25/2020MINUTES
LANDMARK COMMISSION
February 25, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Michele Derr
■ Chairperson
John Dickinson
■ Member
Christy Graham
■ Vice -Chairperson
Blake Haney
■ P&Z Liaison
Joel Hartmangruber
■ Member
Andy Lee
■ Member
Nadine McKown
■ Member
Jane) Ponder Smith
■ Member
Marcela Trice
■ Member
Tim Brewer
■ Council Liaison
Amy Gardner, Legal ■ City Staff
Karen Gagne, Planning Administrator ■ City Staff
Christal Ashcraft, Development Services Admin. Asst. ■ city staff
ABSENT:
Joel Hartmangruber ■ Member
I. Call to Order, Welcome, Introductions and Swearing -in New Members
Chairperson Michele Derr called the meeting to order at 11:59 a.m. Ms. Derr had
Commission members introduce themselves and introduced guests; John Phillips, 1508
Hayes.
II. Review & Approval of Minutes from January 28, 2020
Chairperson Michele Derr called for review and approval of the January 28, 2020 Landmark
Commission meeting minutes. Commission member Janel Ponder Smith stated she had
a correction on page 3, the spelling of Hays Street to be corrected to Hayes Street. Ms.
Christy Graham made a motion to approve amended minutes, Ms. Nadine McKown
seconded the motion. Minutes were unanimously approved.
Ill. Discussion/Update: 2020 Real Places THC Conference/Workshops
Ms. Karen Gagne thanked the Commission for allowing her to attend the THC Conference
as well as attending the rescheduled meeting January 28th, 2020. Ms. Gagne stated before
the conference starts there are workshops you can sign up for and this year she was able
to participate in the class focusing on Historic Resources Surveys which we were in dire
need of updating as our current one is the original from 1982. THC would like for all CLG's
with a Preservation Board to have a detailed survey on file for historic properties, not just
designated properties.
A. Historic Resources Surveys
The surveys are very detailed and include information such as; age, current function, use,
materials, roofing and those types of things on file so that if someone wanted to get the
Landmark Commission 2 February 25, 2020
property designated we would already have the information on file. If someone wanted to
utilize federal funds to demolish a property that might be considered a life, health and safety
issue this information on file would be used by the Preservation Board. Another way this
information would be very useful is in creating a new historical district which has been
discussed at length for the downtown area Ms. Gagne explained the time and cost
associated with this process and the immense benefits it would provide and that the city
would be able to apply for a matching grant. Ms. Gagne advised she would like to have this
put into next year's (2021) city budget to then be able to apply for the matching CLG grant
in 2022.
B. Downtown TX Property Inventories
Ms. Karen Gagne spoke to the Commission about the Downtown Texas Property
Inventories and the need to have the downtown core inventory on record and the process
of approval. Ms. Gagne also advised the THC website had lots of good information the
Commission could check out at any time.
C. Historic Tax Credits
Ms. Karen Gagne spoke to the Commission on the Preservation Tax Incentives Program
and what is was primarily used for and the benefits. The only one available to us at this
time is one for major renovation projects that have been approved by the Commission
through the design review process. This would only freeze the increase accessed value for
taxation for a local landmark that would need to go through City Council for approval. This
would only apply to the City portion of the tax roll, it would not include the school district or
the county. Most are interested in applying for the federal 20% income tax credit, however,
this would have to be for an income -producing building.
D. THC Commissioner — Quarterly Board Meeting — Fall 2021: Wichita Falls
Ms. Karen Gagne stated she was excited to be able to report that it had been confirmed
that the quarterly board meeting for the Fall of 2021 will be held in October 2021. This will
be the first time THC has convened in Wichita Falls. The Heritage Society, CVB, Downtown
Development inc., Museum of North Texas History and the Chamber to make them aware
this event will be coming and what a great opportunity to showcase Wichita Falls. Ms.
Gagne wanted to make the Commission aware and have them involved and get there ideas
as this will be a full two day event on a Thursday and Friday with people coming in from
Houston, Austin, El Paso, Midland/Odessa with many THC staff leadership here as well.
IV. Discussion/Update: Window Workshop Opportunity
Ms. Gagne stated a window workshop was idea and briefly discussed in the fall of 2019.
She was able to sit in on Brent Hull which she recommended the Commission do as well
as he is very skilled and informative. In his presentations he discusses the history,
techniques and the importance of saving traditional wooden windows. At this time staff is
looking to schedule a date to have a workshop here in Wichita Falls and would like to
partner with the Heritage Society as it would be a good location to host the workshop during
their phase two of renovations and possibly having windows there to work on.
The cost of the workshop is free and up to the Commission as to what they spend on
marketing the workshop and having fingering food and refreshments. During the workshop VAW
Mr. Hull teaches about; window history; window terminology; tools used in window
restoration and repair; techniques behind stripping, refinishing and re -glazing, the
Landmark Commission 3 February 25, 2020
importance of saving traditional wood windows and more topics. Ms. Gagne stated she
thought it would be great to have during preservation month, possibly the first weekend in
May. The Commission was in favor and supported the workshop.
V. Other Business:
a)
Monthly Report — Depot Square & West Floral Heights Historic District:
Ms. Derr gave updates:
• March 14th — Saint Patrick's Day & 5k Dash -
• Farmer's Market is open the 1st & 31d Saturday's through March
• Now — March 14th — Wichita Theater — The Lion King
• Now — March 14th — Backdoor Theater — Oliver
• March 151- Backdoor Theater — Me, Myself & Why
• March 13th & 14th — P2 51h Annual Guns & Hoses
West Floral Heights:
Ms. Ponder Smith gave the update:
West Floral Heights is working on new website that is live but not much content.
Working to upload more local photos and make user friendly. Ms. Ponder Smith
stated with excess money in fund they are working to have residents apply forfunding
to help repair sidewalks. West Floral Heights is starting campaign for neighborhood
on the importance of upkeep and history of their home and investment. Ms. Ponder
Smith had questions on two properties, 1515 Garfield and the burned home on Tilden.
It was advised 1515 Garfield was not in the historic district and the home on Tilden
was currently being monitored by Code Enforcement and was on a renovation
timeline.
b)
Updates: 2019 Annual CLG Report — Completed February 20120
Ms. Gagne stated this was just completed in time to make the February packet. The
report goes over preservation board representation and the type of representation,
board compliance and projects the staff and board have worked on for the year.
c)
Design Review — Staff Authorized — Minor Alteration/Repairs
• 1 Crestway (Morningside) — backflow inspection; sprinkler system; CWF
Landmark
d)
Articles & Periodicals/THC Items:
• Preservation (Winter 2020)
• The Medallion (Winter 2020)
e)
Next Meeting
March 24, 2020 — 12 p.m.
VI. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 12:44 p.m.
JaAq
Michele Derr, Chairperson Date