Loading...
Landmark Commission Minutes - 03/17/2005 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION March 17, 2005 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jan Schaaf, Chairperson • Members Ken Dowdy, Vice Chairperson ■ Ken Birck ■ Michael Collins ■ Stacie Flood ■ Drew Hayes ■ Dianne Thueson • James Esther, Jr. ■Council Liaison David A. Clark • Staff Karen Montgomery-Gagne, Planner III ■ GUESTS: Brian S. Bowman, 1514 Grant Street Norman M. Lewis, contractor Eddie Weruk, 1508 Tilden Street ABSENT: Shirley Craft ■ Doug James ■ I. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS The Chairperson called the meeting to order and asked both members and staff to introduce themselves while recognizing guests in attendance. Mr. Eddie Weruk was representing the application at 1508 Tilden, Mr. Brian Bowman for 1514 Grant Street, and Norman Lewis is a contractor for Mr. Bowman. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The Chairperson called for discussion and approval of the December 13th meeting minutes, there being no discussion. Mr. Michael Collins introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Ms. Dianne Thueson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. III. ELECTION OS LANDMARK COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON & VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR 2005 The Chairperson called for nominations for Chairperson and Mr. Ken Dowdy introduced a motion recommending that Ms. Jan Schaaf continue as Commission Chairperson, seconded by Ms. Thueson. Mr. Michael Collins introduced a motion to close nominations seconded by Ms. Landmark Commission March 17, 2005 page 1 Thueson. Commission members voted unanimously to retain Ms. Schaaf as the 2005 Landmark Commission Chairperson. The Chairperson called for nominations for the Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Schaaf introduced a motion recommending that Mr. Dowdy continue as Commission Vice-Chairperson, seconded by Mr. Collins. Nominations were closed and the Commission unanimously voted to retain Mr. Dowdy as the 2005 Landmark Commission Vice-Chairperson. IV. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW— 1514 GRANT STREET The Chairperson requested staff provide an overview of the design review application. Ms. Gagne referred members to their meeting packets with photos of the site along with the architects' blue prints. She indicated that the applicant, Mr. Brian Bowman, was requesting to build a 518 ft2 addition to an existing residence at 1514 Grant Street, West Floral Heights Historic District. The original house was constructed in 1948 with a reddish-brown, raked brick façade. The Chairperson introduced the applicant, Mr. Bowman, along with his contractor Mr. Norman Lewis. Mr. Bowman thanked the Commission for their consideration of his application. He indicated that he would try to match the existing brick as much as possible for the addition, along with reusing the windows currently on the north façade and place them in the addition on the east side to maintain consistency. The contractor provided some photos with sample brick composition and he noted that it might be somewhat difficult to get an exact match since the raked brick façade used a sloppy mortar joint technique. Mr. Bowman informed the Commission that he considered siding but preferred if feasible to maintain a brick façade along Grant Street. The Commission members were in agreement that a brick veneer would provide consistency with the existing façade and follow the design review guidelines. The Chairperson asked if the east façade (Grant Street side) of the addition would be offset from the existing façade. Mr. Lewis stated the addition would have a 2 %2 ft offset. Mr. Dowdy inquired about eave projection, whether it would match the existing lines and the setback to the northern lot line. Mr. Bowman replied that the eave projection would match and Mr. Lewis indicated the new side yard setback would be approximately 8ft the City Zoning Ordinance only requires a 5ft interior side yard setback. Ms. Thueson introduced a motion to approve the design review application for an addition to the residence at 1514 Grant Street. Mr. Collins seconded the motion. The Commission voted on the motion and the application was approved unanimously. V. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW— 1508 TILDEN STREET Planning staff provided an overview of the design review application at 1508 Tilden Street, West Floral Heights Historic District to demolish a rear, detached garage and replace with a larger, more compatible garage. Ms. Gagne referred Commission members to photos taken by staff and a sketch with the footprint/dimensions for the proposed replacement garage. The applicant, who will be conducting the construction, informed staff the request for demolition related to structural problems identified with the garage and a desire to enlarge the building to incorporate a workshop. The applicant was unable to attend the meeting but requested a family member, Mr. Weruk, speak on behalf of the application. Mr. Weruk provided a brief overview and stated that the replacement garage would maintain the same pitch as the existing garage. In addition, they would try to reuse the same brick and incorporate three columns on the front façade in order to maintain consistency and replicate the design of the house. Landmark Commission March 17, 2005 page 2 Mr. Collins introduced a motion to approve the request to demolish the rear, detached garage at 1508 Tilden and replace the structure with a larger garage that replicates the exterior finish of the house. Ms. Thueson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VI. DISCUSSION REGARDING LANDMARK COMMISSION'S FORMATION & VOLUNTEER APPOINTMENTS to a WEST FLORAL HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Planning staff provided a brief update regarding the provisions for the appointment of a Historic District Preservation Liaison and Design Review Committee incorporated into the Historic Preservation Ordinance and Design Review Guidelines when they were updated in September 2003. Ms. Gagne pointed out that since City Council approved the creation of the West Floral Heights Historic District in January 2005, that the Commission and staff needed to begin considering how to address the provisions that pertained to design review within the newly created District. Planning staff indicated that they discussed this issue with the City attorney and he indicated that the Commission should provide some form of notice to property owners within the West Floral Heights Historic District indicating that they are looking for volunteers to apply for the Preservation Liaison position and for the West Floral Heights District Design Review Committee. Staff provided the Commission with an amended City of Wichita Falls Boards & Commissions application that is geared towards finding volunteers with interest in preservation. Staff requested input and direction from Commission members with regard to getting applicants from the neighborhood. Ms. Thueson recommending emailing the West Floral Heights neighborhood association with information and the application so it may be included in their monthly newsletter. Ms. Schaaf inquired about the provision for staggered terms of appointment for the Design Committee volunteers since everyone will be appointed in 2005. Ms. Thueson commented that in her experience with this issue, each member of the newly formed committee would draw a number to specify their term - 1, 2 or 3 years. Staff indicated that the Preservation District Liaison, who would be a non-voting member of the Commission, would most likely be appointed by City Council. Generally, appointments by Council to fill vacancies on the City Boards & Commissions occur in July and December. Ms. Gagne indicated that she would prepare a brief overview or request for volunteers that could be distributed to the neighborhood and also for posting on the City website and Cable Channel 11 to encourage volunteer applicants. The information would be prepared for the Commission to review at their next meeting. VII. REVIEW, COMMMENT & ENDORSEMENT of the CLG GRANT CONTRACT for the LANDMARK COMMISSION'S HERITAGE VIDEO PROJECT Ms. Gagne indicated that the National Park Service, via the Texas Historical Commission (THC) had approved our CLG Grant application to research and produce a 15-minute heritage video. The grant timeline extends from October 2004 through September 2006. The approval letter and contract was received on February 15th however with the recent changes in city administration the paperwork had not been submitted for signature. Mr. Clark indicated that prior to signing the contract with THC, an appropriation ordinance must be prepared and submitted for City Council consideration. Planning staff stated that they had reviewed the details outlined in the contract from the National Park Service and Texas Historical Commission. Ms. Gagne indicated that she wanted to review the details with the Commission members prior to requesting signature from City officials. Key requirements outlined in the grant contract include: semi-annual progress report due on October 2005 and April 2006; grant payment is only via reimbursement; the minimum grantee match of'in- kind' services is $5,833.33 or 40% of eligible project costs; 3 copies of all publication/videos must be submitted to the THC prior to final grant payment; standard federal grant requirements apply Landmark Commission March 17, 2005 page 3 for professional qualifications; a civil rights assurance must be signed and submitted; all volunteer hours of the Commission members, staff, etc. must be tracked and logged on volunteer account sheets; and travel/mileage expenses should be tracked. Staff asked the Commission if they were prepared to accept the requirements outlined in the grant contract, which was provided to each of them for review. The Commission members were in general agreement that they should accept the grant contract and proceed with the project. Mr. Collins, a professor with Midwestern State University, reiterated he would volunteer his services along with Dr. Charles Olsen to assist in preparing the video script. Ms. Thueson indicated that we would also have assistance from the County Archives and the Museum of North Texas History to prepare the narration. Mr. Collins noted that for a 15 minute video there might only be about 8- 10 pages of script interspersed with photos and interviews. Mr. Collins introduced a motion that the Landmark Commission approve the CLG grant contract to develop a 15-minute heritage video. Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Councilman Esther stated that the grant contract must be presented to City Council in the near future for their endorsement in order to proceed with the video project. Mr. Clark stated that an appropriation ordinance would be prepared for presentation at the April 5th City Council meeting. VIII. OTHER BUSINESS: a) Preservation Resource Materials — information included in the meeting packets. Staff did refer the Commission to a letter that appeared in the Times Record News on January 29, 2005 that praised the designation of the West Floral Heights Historic District by City Council and the work of the residents and the Landmark Commission. b) 2005 Annual THC Conference — April 14-16th — Staff referred members to their meeting packets and indicated that, if anyone would be attending, there was a kickoff seminar on diversity in preservation on April 14th. Ms. Flood noted that Ms. Fashimpar, Executive Director of the Wichita County Heritage Society would be attending the conference. Ms. Thueson inquired about the potential of Ms. Fashimpar providing an overview of the conference highlights at the next Commission meeting. c) Historic Building Materials Available for Rehab Projects Councilman Esther highlighted that if property owners rehabilitating historic building: are looking for replacement doors, shutters, windows, etc. they are available foi purchase at Strickland's Lumber at 115 Lee Street. In conjunction, Ms. Schaaf anc Mr. Dowdy mentioned the Habitat for Humanity's Builder's Center that offers buildinc materials at reduced rates for renovation work. The Builder's Center is located a Lamar and 13th Street. Ms. Thueson recommended that this information should bE passed on to the West Floral Heights Association as a resourced for home renovatior projects. IX. ADJOURN The Commission meeting adjourned at 4:25 pm. Jan Schaaf, Chairperson Date Landmark Commission March 17, 2005 page 4