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Landmark Commission Minutes - 06/23/2020MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION June 23, 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 Janel Ponder Smith ■ Member Marcela Trice ■ Member Tim Brewer ■ Council Liaison Terry Floyd, Development Services Director ■ City Staff Karen Gagne, Planning Administrator ■ city staff Christal Ashcraft, Development Services Admin. Asst. ■ city staff Guests: Cody Magana 900 8th Street Debbie Maestaz 1309 Grant Street Syd Littikin, Architect 620 Ohio Street Carolyn Looney 1500 Hayes Monica Rojo 1509 Tilden Jana Schmader 709 Indiana Tyler Sales, Attorney 900 8th Street Henry Florsheim, Chamber of Commerce President 900 8th Street I. Call to Order, Welcome, Introductions and Swearing -in New Members Chairperson Michele Derr called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. Ms. Derr had Commission members, staff and guests introduce themselves. II. Review & Approval of Minutes from February 25, 2020 Chairperson Michele Derr called for review and approval of the February 25, 2020 Landmark Commission meeting minutes. Ms. Janel Ponder -Smith made a motion to approve amended minutes, Mr. Blake Haney seconded the motion. Minutes were unanimously approved. III. Action Item: Design Review - 1509 Tilden (West Floral Heights Historic District) Ms. Karen Gagne presented the case and stated staff received an application from Mr. & Mrs. Rojo for a request to replace their rear fence. The subject property was constructed in 1925 and is in the West Floral Heights historic district. The subject property is a contributing structure in this city designated district. The Rojo's are requesting to replace the existing 4 foot chain link fence with 6 foot wooden panels with metal post and hardware that will face inside towards the property. Ms. Gagne advised in 2018 the Rojo's where Landmark Commission 2 June 23, 2020 approved by this commission for some additional improvements such as decorative iron fencing, a switchback handicap ramp and additional concrete. Ms. Gagne stated the fencing to be removed and replaced was about 50 feet that goes from the north end of the property along to alley to the rear garage. There is already similar fencing in place in the 1500 block of Tilden that Mr. & Mrs. Rojo's requesting. Ms. Gagne advised the commission this triggers a design review because it is and exterior remodel and change addressing fencing. Typically fencing is not allowed in the front yard on historic properties and in 2010/2011 the West Floral Heights group requested the design guidelines address not having fences in the front yards in the West Floral Heights historic district. Ms. Gagne stated Mrs. Rojo was present if the commission had any questions she would be able to answer. Chairperson Derr asked if the commission had any questions or discussions. Vice -Chair Christy Graham made a motion to approve the case. Ms. Marcela Trice seconded, the motion passed unanimously. IV. Action Item: Design Review — 1309 Grant (West Floral Heights Historic District) Ms, Karen Gagne stated the subject property was built in 1925 and was a contributing structure in the West Floral Heights Historic District. The property has a detached garage that is very typical for the area, and is the subject of Ms. Maestaz, the applicants' request. Inventory photos displayed from 2013 showed deterioration on garage doors and photos from 2019 show continued further deterioration. The seals do not touch the framing and the wooden frame and doors are rotted away. The applicant is requesting to repair/replace garage doors as well as repair brick around doors. The current garage doors are an odd size, 8 x 7 feet, the homeowner is having the up and over door system custom made to maintain the same look. Existing metal hardware will be reused however rotted wood is not able to be reused. The variety of garage doors in the West Floral Heights is vast, however, staff follows the Secretary of the Interior Standards of repair, rehab and replace. Ms. Gagne stated the applicant was present and wished to speak. Ms. Debbie Maestaz stated the garage has had no maintenance in many years resulting in extreme deterioration. Ms. Maestaz stated the left side garage is completely inoperable and the right side frame work as fallen apart. Ms. Maestaz advised she would build however the committee recommended, she just needs operable garage doors when she moves into the home. Ms. Derr asked if the committee had any questions for the home owner. Ms. Janel Ponder - Smith if the pedestrian door was new. Ms. Maestaz advised the door was within the fence and not visible. Ms. Ponder -Smith asked if the contractor would be using salvageable parts. Ms. Maestaz stated yes, whatever the contractor could salvage they would repair and rehab. Ms. Ponder -Smith asked if those were the original wooden doors to which Ms. Maestaz stated she did not know. Chairperson Derr asked if there were any other questions or discussion. Ms. Ponder -Smith made a motion to approve request. Mr. Blake Haney seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Landmark Commission 3 June 23, 2020 V. Action Item: Design Review — 620 Ohio Street (Depot Square Historic District) *This property is owned by Landmark Commission member, John Dickinson, whom had recused himself. All required paperwork was completed and can be found on file with the City Clerk's office. Ms. Gagne stated staff was happy to see this application come into the office to restore this significant structure back to its original state, built circa 1913. The subject property is a contributing structure located in the central part of downtown in the Depot Square Historic District and is unique in that it is an "U shaped property. Inventory photos from 1995 to current day show very little has changed. There have been substantial changes to the rear alley which did not go through the design review process for approval from the Landmark Commission since 1999 for replacement transom windows, the window and former garage door. The previous owner participated in the tree planting program downtown between 1995 and 1999 adding trees to the property as well as an awning at some point. The current owners are not planning any changes to the Ohio Street fagade, only trimming of the trees and rehab existing doors. This request is mainly focused on the rear of the structure to bring it back to more of its original state. Ms. Gagne advised the commission there had been several changes to the rear of the property that included a very large overhead garage door being installed at some point without Landmark approval. The addition of this door was not adequately installed. In photos the faulting and lack of support is clearly visible. The owners have engaged a Historic Preservation Consultant because they are also working with Texas Historical Commission (THC) to apply for state historic tax credits. That process with run concurrently with this design review. Ms. Gagne stated part of this proposal was to have the large rear garage door removed and then add a new lintel that will be properly installed to provide support the wall and also fill in with salvaged brick. The existing roll top door which is non-functional at this time is proposed to be bricked in and then the large door that was added are to be replaced with two pedestrian doors, one a double door and one a single door. Ms. Gagne stated in photos you could see how the overlap of the property lines effect redevelopment of this property. It's almost an overlap at the rear of 620 and 612 7th Street and the land that 612 7th Street actually extends about 10 feet out, leaving only 2-3 feet access gap for 620 Ohio to get to that roll top door. There are also 2 windows on the other side of that being blocked by 612 71h Street. The owners are proposing to install a firewall inside the building and will function as two separate unit spaces. A note provided by the Historic Preservation Consultants and their detailed assessment of the building addressed the fact that those two doors on the McIntosh Building are not original and are being proposed for replacement. Due to the access issue with the 71h Street property they are looking at creating an internal access point for the 2nd unit, essentially the double pedestrian door being put in where the white overhead door will be removed will be a point of access for both units. There are other impacts for whomever rents the second unit due to it having less than 3 feet access is difficult in having full use of that building as well as impacts on the International Building Code, fire access and fire ratings. Ms. Gagne referred to the design guidelines in addressing the changes to the fagade, which is visible from public right-of-way, even though it is in the alley, and the removal and replacement of doors. The guidelines state there are to be no added architectural features, Landmark commission 4 June 23, 2020 which, in this case the owners are trying to restore the structure to the original time period. The walls are to be replaced with in -kind materials and the original door openings are not to be enlarged or closed in. Also it states to try and retain original doors which they are rehabbing back to a style more time -period appropriate. Ms. Gagne turned the discussion over to the owners/applicants along with their architect and legal consultant. Mr. John Dickinson, owner, stated his architect, Mr. Syd Littikin, wished to address the commission. Mr. Littikin stated in the rear of the building on 7th Street had an added addition in stucco that was not approved by Landmark Commission that extends out approximately 17 feet behind the subject property has multiple cracks in the walls. Mr. Littikin also advised the commission the old over -head door was completely rotted and not salvageable. As there is less than 3 foot of access in the rear a door would not comply with the required 5 foot of space by the International Building Code, therefore, they are requesting to block that off for security purposes. The large overhead door does not meet code requirements and is not structurally safe. Mr. Littikin went into detail on proposed design plans and existing damage to structure. Ms. Marcela Trice stated she had some questions regarding the in -fill of brick asking if the replacement brick would be the removed bricks off the structure in other areas for repair. Also she stated the other windows on buildings in the area have arched openings at the top and questioned why they didn't stay with that design. Mr. Dickinson stated they cannot be sure if the arch -head openings are original but that if it is something the Commission requires they will comply. He also stated the brick would be the same brick salvaged from the structure. Mr. Andy Lee stated the owners and Mr. Littikin have taken the correct steps with Texas Historical Commission (THC) and there is a recommendation letter to enclose the back door due to the limited access area. There is still part B of the process to go through with THC before a final recommendation would be given. Mr. Lee stated he thinks this is a good proposal. Ms. Janel Ponder -Smith asked if only the back doors where being proposed. Ms. Christy Graham advised that was correct. Ms. Gagne stated the front doors most likely would not come to the commission for review as that was considered routine maintenance. Ms. Graham made a motion to approve the design review as presented. Mr. Lee seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VI. Action Item: Design Review — 900 81h Street (Hamilton Building, WF Landmark #21) *Ms. Gagne requested to move this item to the end of the meeting and move to Other Business as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, opplicant, was not yet present. VII. Other Business: a) Monthly Reports Depot Square: Ms. Derr gave updates: • July 91h —Wichita Theater, Titanic Musical • July 11th — Farmer's Market, Master Gardeners • July 25th — Farmer's Market, Watermelon Festival • August 81h — Farmer's Market, Master Gardeners • August 22nd — Farmer's Market, Salsa Day • New painted horse on the corner of 8th & Scott Street, Choose Your Side Landmark Commission 5 June 23, 2020 • July 41h — SAFB, Fireworks West Floral Heights: Ms. Ponder Smith spoke at length about the West Floral Heights neighborhood being unhappy with the design review process and their complaints to her. Chairperson Derr and Ms. Gagne advised since this was not on the agenda they would discuss after the meeting. b) Updates: 502 Ohio Ms. Gagne advised this property had already gone to council and placed on a demolish order, but, recently due to the recent storms the building has collapsed in on itself. The owner, Mr. Hanson had a structural report done that states the building still has viable use and has been in contact with city staff and has obtained a restoral permit. City staff will continue working closely with Mr. Hanson on his plans and timeline due to its dilapidated condition. 615 7th Street This former Keller & Duret Hardware building has only the shell left standing. The owner, Mr. Jacob Scott has contracted architect, Mr. Syd Littikin to help with this restoral process. Mr. Littikin spoke of plans and progress on the structure advising the committee some structural drawings had to be revised and should be received by the city in the next few days. Mr. Scott and his team will continue to work with city staff on this project. 1512 Tilden June 10th 2020, a building permit was issued to the owner. This project has moved slow but is moving forward. City staff will continue communication with owner on restoral process. 713 Indiana The front part of this roof collapsed and was promptly removed to avoid pedestrian injury. 909 10th Street This subject property is still under Texas Historical Commission (THC) review. The case has a new reviewer that will be looking at the roof damage, limestone capping's, and the stolen copper downspouts that have caused stone damage. c) Window Rehabilitation Workshop — Hull Millworks: Rescheduling for Fall 2020 d) Design Review — Staff Authorized — Minor Alteration/Repairs 1717 Hayes — inquiry for replacement fencing due to damage (dry rot/water) • 607 7th Street (Depot District) — inquiry regarding building occupancy; roof repair; addition of sky lights; windows and doors; pending additional information for Landmark consideration • 6th Street Winery (Depot District) — verification of design plans previously reviewed by Landmarks Landmark Commission 6 June 23, 2020 • 1716 Grant (West Floral Heights) — backflow testing permit issued • 1512 Tilden (West Floral Heights) — residential remodel permits issued e) Articles & Periodicals/THC Items: • Preservation News (National Trust) • The Medallion (THC) Vill. Action Item: Design Review — 900 8th Street (Hamilton Building, WF Landmark #21) This item was moved to provide time for all parties to attend presentation. Mr. Gagne stated this was a key downtown building on a critical corner of 8th and Lamar. This is a corner unit of the historical Hamilton Building that is well recognized in the architectural field due to prominent Texas architects, Voelcker & Dixon, where involved with the building design. The building is Beaux Arts & Art Deco style and has remained virtually unchanged since its construction circa 1927. A parking garage was added in the back in the mid 1950's and was designated a Wichita Falls Historic Landmark in September 1999. The requested proposal is to remove the current Benchmark sign removed, adding a new Chamber of Commerce Sign on the corner of the building, an awning added and the addition of some new outdoor carpet at the step entry way. Ms. Gagne stated the sign being placed on the southeast corner of 8th and Lamar would give needed visibility to the Chamber of Commerce for citizens and new visitors to Wichita Falls. The proposed sign does comply with the sign ordinance, however, a sign permit will be required along with an encroachment agreement with property management if the proposal is approved. Also in the requested proposal is the addition of two new awnings, one on Lamar and one on 8th Street at the entry point. Inventory photos from the 1950's show canopy awnings on the building. Ms. Gagne introduced Mr. Cody Magana, White Realty for any questions the committee. Mr. Magana stated the new signage would help new visitors in town locate the chamber. The requested awnings to be installed are for an additional safety measure from the rain at the point of entry. Mr. Henry Florsheim, President and CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce stated the sign was designed to match the historic feel and character of the Hamilton Building. Ms. Derr asked if the Commission had any questions. Ms. Ponder -Smith asked for clarification on "new entry way" asking if it was new or they had plans to change it. Mr. Magana stated it had been restored back to the original entry. At some point over the years it had been changed. Ms. Ponder -Smith asked what the purpose was for the outdoor carpet and what it was going to look like. Mr. Magana stated the stone slabs to the entry are original and are worn and beat up. The issue with removing and replacing them is that they are the ceiling to the basement below. Rather than grinding down and creating a slippery area or trying to put down tiles it was suggested they install outdoor carpet that will look like stone. Ms. Derr asked if the original Chamber signs would be staying. Mr. Magana stated yes they would be staying but removing the Benchmark signs. Ms. Trice asked about the awnings why they wouldn't have them on all windows. Mr. Magana stated the trees provide shade to most all windows except that corner where there are no trees. Ms. Trice stated there was no precedence for this type of sign, she feels the style is off and questioned how it was decided upon. Mr. Magana stated directly across the street on the corner there is a Landmark Commission June 23, 2020 similar sign for the Oil & Gas Building as well as another sign a block away on the City National Building and another found on the old masket building. Mr. Magana does not believe it would stand out regarding the style. Ms. Graham stated La Salle Crossing on 7th and Ohio that is now apartments used to be the Studio Hotel and had a sign located on the corner similar to the proposed sign and believes the style is appropriate. Mr. Lee made a motion to approve the design review application as presented. Mr. Haney seconded the motion. Motion was unanimously approved. IX. Adjourn Next regularly scheduled meeting August 25, 2020 Meeting adjourned at 1.30 p.m. uL. a 9 Michele Derr, Chairperson Date