Landmark Commission Minutes - 01/26/2021 LANDMARK COMMISSION
MINUTES
January 26, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Michele Derr • Chairperson
John Dickinson •Member
Christy Graham •vice-Chairperson
Joel Hartmangruber ■Member
Andy Lee ■Member
Dan Leslie ■ P&Z Liaison
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
Guests:
Ryan Hager, Applicant, Ramble& Co. 607 r Street
Kathryn Hager, Applicant, Ramble & Co. 607 r Street
Jana Schmader, Downtown Wichita Falls Dev't Inc.(DWFD)
Paul Rodriguez, First Bank
John Phillips, West Floral Heights HD Design Committee member
i. Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions
Chairperson Michele Derr called the meeting to order at 11:59 a.m. Ms. Derr had
Commission members, staff and guests introduce themselves.
II. Election of Landmark Commission 2021 Chairperson & Vice-Chairperson
Chairperson Derr asked if there were any nominations for Chairperson of the Landmark
Commission. Ms. Karen Gagne advised a new roster had been placed in the January
meeting book and welcomed Mr. Dan Leslie as the new Planning & Zoning Commission
Liaison. Ms. Janel Ponder-Smith nominated John Dickinson for Chairperson. Mr. Dickinson
declined and nominated Michele Derr, Mr. Andy Lee seconded the motion. Motion passed
unanimously.
Ms. Janet Ponder-Smith nominated Nadine McKown for Vice-Chairperson of the Landmark
Commission. Mr. John Dickinson seconded the nomination. The motion passed
unanimously. Both Ms. Derr and Ms. McKown accepted the nominations and will serve as
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for 2021.
III. Review & Approval of Minutes from: November 24th 2020 & December 16th, 2020
Chairperson Michele Derr called for review and approval of the November 24th 2020 &
December 16th, 2020 Landmark Commission meeting minutes. Ms. Christy Graham made
a motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Andy Lee seconded the motion. Minutes were
unanimously approved.
Landmark Commission 2 January 26,2021
IV. Action Item: Design Review — 607 7th Street — Wichita Drug House Building (Depot
Square Historic District)
• Façade & Building Rehab/Restoration: (Commercial)
o Historic rehabilitation/conversion for retail space using design professionals: SLA
Architects & Post Oak Preservation Solutions
o Preservation of character defining features
o Storefront— remove non-historic brick veneer on 7th Street façade; construction of
infill compatible storefront (doors/windows) using historic research/photos; repair
masonry, reuse existing iron pilasters, rosettes for awning anchor attachment and
transoms
o Awning/Canopy— replace
o Exterior façade — repairs (repoint/clean masonry, etc.); repaint exterior brick
o Window — install new on rear wall (south façade) not directly visible from street
facing elevations; partial alley view
o Roofing — new TPO roof system with low profile skylights and HVAC units not
visible from public ROW
o Signage — new wall signage "Hager's Depot" 5ft. x 3ft., remove non-historic
hanging sign frame and install new hanging sign under awning.
Ms. Karen Gagne presented the case and stated there were significant items proposed for
this project and it was essentially a complete exterior and interior, restoration/rehabilitation
on the building. The owner/applicants, The Hager's along with their design professional
from SLA, Marcela Trice, were present at the meeting. Ms. Gagne stated this building which
is commonly known as the, "salt and pepper" building is officially referenced as "Dr. Reed's
Wichita Drug House Building"which was constructed in 1889. This property is a contributing
structure to the Depot Square Historic District. The owners have also engaged consultants
Post Oak Historic Preservation Solutions as they are working with THC/NPS to obtain
approval for the restoration/rehab in order to obtain historic tax credits.
Staff stated the proposal outlines plans for removal of the non-historic brick veneer on the
7th Street façade. Along with a replacement storefront based on historic research and
photos which includes new double doors, windows, and awning. Masonry will be repaired
and the existing iron pilasters and rosettes for the awning anchor attachment will be
restored along with the transoms. The condition of the existing awning had deteriorated
beyond restoration and will be removed and a new awning constructed that will retain the
historic character as evidenced in photos. In addition, the non-original sign frame is
proposed for removal as shown on the project rendering. New signage is proposed that will
consist of a wall sign (mounted in the grout not masonry) and a small under awning sign.
Some other key project items include the exterior façade repair and maintenance. The
façade maintenance will include appropriate methods for cleaning, repairing and repainting.
The owners are proposing a new window near the arch door frame on the south/alley
façade and changing out the existing door, however it will have limited visibility from the
alley ROW due to the abutting building's position. The proposal will retain the existing
archway. Ms. Gagne advised there had been significant damage to the roof over the
decades and will require complete replacement. A new TPO roof system with 6, low profile
skylights and HVAC units that will not be visible from the public ROW will be incorporated.
Landmark Commission 3 January 26,2021
Ms. Gagne turned the floor over to Mr. & Mrs. Hager and Marcela Trice from SLA Architects,
whom asked if the Commission had any questions or if there was anything that needed
clarification. Chairperson Derr asked, what would happen with the replacement of the
material on the east side of the building (brick/missing stucco patches). Mr. Ryan Hager
stated they would have to be careful with methods used to strip down the exterior to replace
with stucco which has to be as historically accurate as possible. Originally the east façade
would have abutted another building which is long gone so many decades of exposure to
the elements.
Mr. Andy Lee stated this was one of the oldest buildings in downtown Wichita Falls and that
is was constructed with sand rock that came from the Wichita River. Chairperson Derr
advised the Commission, Landmark member Marcela Trice had recused herself from voting
on this action item. Mr. Andy Lee made a motion to accept the proposal as presented. Ms.
Ponder-Smith seconded, the motion was unanimously approved.
V. Other Business:
a) Monthly Reports
Depot Square:
Ms. Derr gave updates:
• Jan. 30m — Movies & Makers @ Farmer's Market, sponsored by Crash Works
• Feb. 6th—Winter Wine Festival @ Farmer's Market
• Feb. 12th & 13'h — Dinner and Show @ MPEC — Love Letters — Backdoor Theater
• Feb.. 20th- Evening at the Improv @ MPEC - Backdoor Theater
• Farmer's Market —Open 1st & 3rd Saturday of every month
West Floral Heights:
Ms. Ponder-Smith stated no announcements.
b) Updates:
• 615 7th Street - Ms. Gagne gave a brief update regarding progress on this property
and development issues related to infrastructure/utility access.
• Indiana Avenue National Register Historic District Project — Jana Schmader
advised DWFD, Inc. had applied for and received TIF #4 funds from council. DWFD,
Inc. has executed the contract with Post Oak Historic Preservation Solutions and
funds for deposit made for them to begin phase 1 of the project.
c) THC 2021 Real Places Virtual Conference: Feb. 3-5; staff encouraged
commissioners to register as fees reduced significantly with virtual program.
d) CLG Annual Report FY2020 — Deadline Feb. 24th
e) Design Review — Staff Authorized — Minor Alteration/Repairs
• 1505 Buchanan (West Floral Heights) — plumbing/gas permit
• 1717 Hayes (West Floral Heights) —fencing permit
• 1717 Hayes (West Floral Heights) -- electrical permit light pole (backyard)
• 810 Grant (Morningside) — roof replacement: information purposes only
Landmark Commission 4 January 26,2021
f) Articles & Periodicals —The Medallion (Fall 2020)
VI. Adjourn
Next regularly scheduled meeting February 23, 2021 - 12p.m. Meeting adjourned at
12:26p.m.
Ada)
Michele Derr, Chairperson Date