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Landmark Commission Minutes - 08/05/2020 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING August 5, 2020 MEMBERS PRESENT: Michele Derr • Chairperson John Dickinson • Member Christy Graham ■ Vice-Chairperson Blake Haney • P&Z Liaison Andy Lee ■ 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 Asst. • City Staff MEMBERS ABSENT: Joel Hartmangruber • Member Nadine McKown • Member GUESTS: Katrina Lister 1704 Tilden Syd Litteken, Architect 620 Ohio Street Jana Schmader 709 Indiana John Phillips 1508 Hayes I. Call to Order, Welcome, Introductions Chairperson Michele Derr called the meeting to order at 11:07a.m. Ms. Derr advised Commission members that while awaiting for applicants to arrive for action items I & II she would address items IV & V. II. Other Business Chairperson Michele Derr stated the next regularly scheduled meeting would be August 25, 2020 at 12p.m. She also advised commission members they could use the 6th Street entrance if there was a public meeting being held. III. New Business Chairperson Derr asked if anyone had any new business. Mr. Andy Lee gave an update on individual structures in the greater downtown added to the National Register over the past two years and the benefit of then qualifying for historic tax credits. He indicated there would be a presentation at the next meeting regarding creation of an Indiana Ave. district. Landmark Commission 2 August 5, 2020 IV. Action Item: Design Review - 1704 Tilden Avenue — West Floral Heights Historic District Emergency Repairs: o Brick Façade Removal/Repair Due to Deterioration & Separation from Structure o Replace with New, Unpainted Locally Sourced Brick o Front Porch Repair Ms. Karen Gagne presented the case and stated staff received a phone call from Ms. Lister, the owner of 1704 Tilden with an emergency repair situation. The subject property is located in the southern area of the West Floral Heights Historic District, designated by City Council January 2005. Constructed in 1920, it was originally a one story home with the second story being added many years later. Inventory photos from 2013 showed brick veneer starting to crack on the north side. The latest inventory photos from 2019 show sagging in the front porch and much more separation on the north side and cracks were much more pronounced. Staff displayed photos that showed the current deterioration of the structure where mortar and brick veneer had fallen off the home. Ms. Lister, realizing this was an emergency safety issue, contacted a contractor to remove what was falling off and cover the wall with plastic sheeting and scaffolding until the case could be presented to the Landmark. Commission for determination on moving forward with repairs and rehabilitation. Current views show the bowing out of the windows, brick veneer missing and falling off on the north façade. Ms. Lister is requesting to replace brick veneer on all four facades (north, south, east and west), not just what was damaged with unpainted, locally sourced brick. Staff felt that was the best long-term solution for historical integrity of the home, therefore, impacting the front porch and having it removed while replacement veneer is installed and then having it reinstalled/rebuilt. Ms. Gagne stated whenever a situation is in a grey area, or a question of something that may be beyond the scope of an administrative approval and required action by the Landmark Commission, staff contacts the Landmark chairperson. The emergency request had been considered as well as the brick veneer being a major change to the historic structure. This would be considered a remodel that blends old construction with new construction and per design guidelines would trigger design review via the Commission. Ms. Lister wished to replace the faulting painted brick with new unpainted brick to try to bring it back to a more historic look. The home was originally unpainted brick and has been found to be a contributing structure to the neighborhood. The deterioration is so bad the brick cannot be rehabilitated or restored and must be replaced. Mr. John Phillips, volunteer member, West Floral Heights Design Review Committee, stated he believed the deterioration most likely all started with the second story addition. Mr. Phillips stated he believed the home owner is trying to do what is right and replace all brick veneer and not just replace the damaged patches. Ms. Ponder-Smith stated from pictures you could tell the top of the chimney was not painted and therefore, obviously the original brick was indeed unpainted. Ms. Ponder-Smith asked if the chimney was to be replaced with unpainted brick as well. Chairperson Derr stated the application says the request is to "replace all existing brick with new, unpainted, brick". Ms. Gagne stated Ms. Lister indicated all brick was to be replaced therefore, she assumed the chimney being brick would be replaced as well. Ms. Graham stated she had driven by the property and the Landmark Commission 3 _ August 5, 2020 chimney has begun to bow out and will need to be replaced as well. Ms. Graham made a motion to approve the request replacing all brick veneer including the chimney with matching unpainted brick that matched others in the neighborhood. Windows are not on this design review application and will need to be brought back before the Landmark Commission for a review at a future date. Ms. Gagne advised the applicant is aware that windows are separate from this application. Ms. Ponder-Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. V. Action Item: Design Review Extension Request - 615 7th Street — Keller-Durret Hardware Building; Depot Square Historic District (National Register & Wichita Falls Designation) o New Roof o Pre-Engineered Structural Framework for Weight Bearing o Rebuild West Facade — Brick o Rebuild North Facade/7th St: New Awning, Door, Windows, Transom Panel & Lighting o Repair Rear Wall — Brick, Windows & Door Ms. Karen Gagne stated the owner of 615 7'h Street, a property that was previously declared a safety hazard and slated for demolition, was moving forward with plans to renovate/rehabilitate the shell of the historic structure. Ms. Gagne stated this case was brought before the Landmark Commission in May 2019 with the approval of multiple renovations. Any design review approval has a 12-month expiration time frame unless an extension is requested from the Commission. In this case, with it being a complex project under a demolition order, working through financing, coordination among owner & architect, and trying to keep this site from becoming a demolished historical structure, as a result of these various factors, the Commission has the option to extend the design review approval. Staff has provided members with the items previously approved along with what the Commission requested be altered and the new building plans which are essentially the same with the exception of a few minor items. Ms. Gagne advised with the new plans the facade would remain brick including west wall, however, the address number block on the 7th Street facade is an added minor detail that staff believes is logical and blends nicely with the other historical structures downtown that have original building name or number blocks. The design plan for the rear wall is unchanged and remains as approved in 2019. A significant change on the submitted plans that the Commission previously required is the pre-engineered structural steel wall be covered in matching brick. The floor plan also remains unchanged, however, signage has not been proposed and when it is, will trigger review by Landmarks in the future when a tenant is determined. Ms. Gagne turned the discussion over to Mr. Syd Litteken, project architect, for any questions or comments from the Commission. Mr. Litteken stated the budget for the project had gone up to just under $200,000 due to unexpected issues found with the foundation. Permits have been issued for the internal steel building and an asbestos report that was requested has been completed. Proven Surveying was working on platting the property so property lines will be accurate. Landmark Commission 4 August 5,2020 Chairperson Derr asked if there were any further questions for Mr. Litteken, then asked Ms. Gagne if the Commission was only voting on the extension. Ms. Gagne stated a motion should include the plan change for an address block on the front façade (7th St). Ms. Graham introduced a motion to approve the design review extension and new address block signage on the 7th St facade. Mr. Andy Lee seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Gagne made a procedural note that Ms. Lister was now present, after a timing conflict with work, regarding 1704 Tilden Avenue and had samples of the replacement brick. Chairperson Derr requested to see brick samples. Mr. John Dickinson asked Ms. Lister if proposed brick matched the original color. Ms. Graham asked about when the 2nd story addition was made to the structure. Ms. Lister stated addition was in 1950. Ms. Graham asked if the chimney was added at that time to which Ms. Lister was not sure. Ms. Lister did advise the Commission the chimney brick would be replaced as well as all brick façades. Ms. Graham, vice-chairperson, requested a point of order regarding the original motion for 1704 Tilden, Ms. Graham introduced a motion to void the original motion for 1704 Tilden. Ms. Ponder-Smith seconded. Motion unanimously approved. Ms. Graham then introduced a new motion for 1704 Tilden to approve the design review request to replace all brick façades and chimney brick with new matching, unpainted brick. Ms. Graham advised Ms. Lister she would need to bring back a request for any window replacement/repairs for approval at a later date. Mr. Dickinson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Gagne had one remaining procedural item as new business to discuss with the Commission relating to mandatory online training for municipal board/commission members related to the Texas Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act. Ms. Gagne stated it was a requirement to have verification of completion on file. The goal is to have all online training courses completed and turned in before the next meeting date of August 25tn Ms. Gagne advised Ms. Christal Ashcraft would be sending an email to each member with the web address and instructions after the meeting was adjourned. VI. Adjourn Next regularly scheduled meeting August 25, 2020. Meeting adjourned at 12:08 p.m. AI Jo__it tj( Michele Derr, Chairperson Date