Loading...
Landmark Commission Minutes - 01/24/2012C7 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION JANUARY 24, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Christy Graham, Chairperson ■ Members Stacie Flood, Vice Chairperson ■ John Kidwell ■ Andy Lee ■ Dianne Thueson ■ Steve Wood ■ Karen Montgomery- Gagn6, Planning Administrator ■ staff Leo Bethge, Planner II ■ ABSENT: Marilyn Carper ■ Cindy Cotton ■ Michael Koen ■ Scott Stillson ■ Councilor Michael Smith ■ Council Liaison I. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS Chairperson Graham opened the Landmark Commission meeting at 12:12 p.m. II. ELECTION OF LANDMARK COMMISSION CHAIR & VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR 2012 Ms. Gagn6 requested nominations from the Commission for the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Ms. Flood nominated Mr. Wood for Chairperson, seconded by Mr. Kidwell. Ms. Thueson nominated Ms. Graham for Chairperson. Mr. Lee seconded the motion. Chairperson Graham nominated Ms. Flood for Vice Chairperson. Ms. Thueson seconded the motion. Chairperson Graham also nominated Mr. Wood for Vice Chairperson, seconded by Ms. Thueson. Chairperson Graham called for a vote on the position of Chairperson, requesting a show of hands for Mr. Wood. Two hands were raised. Chairperson Graham then requested a show of hands for Ms. Graham to continue as Chairperson. Four hands were raised. By four votes, the Commission unanimously voted Chairperson Graham to continue as Chairperson for 2012. Chairperson Graham called for a vote on the position of Vice - Chairperson, requesting a show of hands for Ms. Flood. Four hands were raised. Chairperson Graham then requested a show of hands for Mr. Wood as Vice Chairperson. Two hands were raised. By four votes, the Commission unanimously voted Vice Chairperson Flood to continue as Vice Chairperson for 2012. III. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 131h 2011 Chairperson Graham requested the Commission review the December 13"' meeting minutes. Ms. Flood motioned to approve the December 2011 Landmark Commission minutes as presented, motion seconded by Mr. Lee. Motion passed unanimously to approve the December 13'h meeting minutes. Landmark Commission January 24, 2012 Page 1 IV. OVERVIEW & DISCUSSION OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO HISTORIC PROPERTY OWNERS (CITY, STATE, NATIONAL) Staff referred members to a letter in their meeting packets outlining new design guideline requirements. Ms. Gagn6 stated a vote was not required on this item since the letter was mailed on January 19t�'. Members and staff discussed. Mr. Lee cautioned staff on the $10 price for the design guideline booklet which seemed exceptionally low, and wondered if this would cover the printing cost. Ms. Gagn6 stated the cost for the initial printing was covered via the matching grant since the cost was approximately $800 for 50 copies. She stated the Design Guidelines were printed at a printing company since the City no longer prints documents in- house. She further justified the customer pricing as it mirrors the cost of the Vision 20/20 Plan, which is sold to the public for $10 per copy. Staff provided copies to Matt Synatschk, Texas Historical Commission (THC), for their files along with a copy of the letter to ensure they knew the City notified all property owners of designated historic structures. The Planning office did not receive any comments from THC regarding the letter's content. Ms. Gagn6 spoke with the Building Inspection Division, noting a statement was added in the digital permitting system, that flags all Recorded Texas Historical Landmarks (RTHL) and State Archeological Landmarks (SAL) and requires owners to show official evidence that the State has reviewed the proposed alteration within the 60 -day timeframe. This information is necessary prior to the City issuing any permits. Ms. Gagn6 stated that most historic designations include dual City /RTHL status and /or City/National Register status, except for the Anderson House, First Baptist Church (original church), and the Weeks Mansion. There is only one State Archeological Landmark, which is the Kemp -Kell Depot (Route Building) site. She further discussed several locations of Texas Historical Markers in Wichita Falls, though they do not include a RTHL designation. Members discussed the City Landmark medallions and recent theft of the medallion on The Elks building. Ms. Thueson stated perhaps owners of city landmark structures locate their medallions inside to protect them from theft or vandalism, versus being on the exterior of the building facing outwards toward a city sidewalk. She also noted that she had not received a copy of the approved Design Guidelines booklet. Ms. Gagn6 stated she would provide Ms. Thueson with a copy. In addition, with the cost of printing the documents coming in just under the estimate, any additional funds will be set aside in a special account to help off -set the cost for future printings and historic projects. V. DISCUSSION & DETERMINATION OF COMMISSION GOALS FOR 2012 - THC PRIORITIES: ENCOURAGE LANDMARK NOMINATIONS AND NATIONAL REGISTER LISTINGS Ms. Gagne provided an overview of the Texas Statewide Historic Preservation Plan 2011 -2020. She noted this article was to appear in the December 2011 Medallion and inquired if any Commission members received copies. Members of the Commission commented that they also didn't receive that issue of the periodical. She stated there were nine forums across the state, with 1,089 responses to THC's online survey in order to formulate eight key goals. She discussed these goals in general, to include: 1. Survey and Online Inventory 2. Emphasize Cultural Landscapes 3. Implement Policies & Incentives 4. Leverage Economic Development Tools 5. Learn & Experience History Through Place 6. Connect Preservation to Related Fields 7. Cultivate Political Commitment 8. Build Capacity of the Preservation Community ® She stated these goals were generic but the Commission's local mission feeds into these goals. THC contacted the City in 2011 noting areas for future improvement as a CLG community including: additional training for staff /Commission members and greater diversity on the Commission. Training is mentioned as one of the eight goals, along with encouraging ethnic and cultural diversity Landmark Commission January 24, 2012 Page 2 when people are appointed to the City's Landmark Commission. Ms. Gagne stated there are only three positions on the Landmark Commission "at large" that are not pre - assigned by a professional category, so it is difficult to fill them with culturally diverse people particularly when the City has a difficult time getting applicants to serve on the various volunteer Boards. Ms. Gagne stated the Commission, for 2012, should consider nominating historic properties since the last nomination/designation was in 2007 for the Holt Hotel. All members were in agreement on the need to work with historic property owners. Nomination and subsequent designation would provide protection to these properties. When talking to property owners, referencing or using the Touring Wichita Falls History Brochure would be helpful since their property was a featured site. Ms. Thueson recommended Commission members work with individual property owners instead of focusing on districts. Ms. Gagne followed up, stating there is a regional training opportunity coming up in Georgetown, TX through the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC). The cost for registration is $65, and the event is planned for the end of March and staff encouraged Commission members to register. This conference may be quite useful since NAPC provides attendees with a binder filled with reference materials. Mr. Wood stated the mission for 2012 should be to designate new properties since 2007 was a long time ago and there are a lot of properties to consider — members and staff were in agreement. The current list of city landmarks (27) could be doubled. Ms. Thueson stated we now have visual and sample materials that could be dispersed, regarding historic preservation — it's a long term education process. She added we need to promote this concept and get people interested in historic preservation. Ms. Gagne stated there are various organizations that are looking for programs/speakers, perhaps staff could speak to these civic groups regarding historic preservation. Ms. Flood suggested the Rotary and Optimist Clubs. Ms. Thueson further stated how preservation could be discussed in schools, for a teacher to conduct lessons on historic preservation and architecture. This could be a good long-term project for a school, to possibly select a historic neighborhood and map out the historic structures or conduct basic research which could assist in nominating additional properties. Ms. Flood stated only one school trip is planned for the Kell House this semester. Ms. Thueson responded to Mr. Flood's statement, that the materials already produced would make a good long -term project for kids — and not to count on school to pay for any associated costs. Ms. Gagne stated we could work with Sherry Parker, WFISD curriculum specialist, to circulate these materials. Staff provided a box of 500 historic tour brochures to WFISD when first produced in fall 2010. Chairperson Graham stated the public shouldn't under estimate the value of the preservation video and written materials. Another example of getting information to the community may include re- showing the preservation video at Wichita Theatre. Ms. Thueson stated the video could be shown during the rewrite of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Mr. Wood inquired how does the Commission designate properties? Staff explained anyone interested in nominating a property must complete the nomination application, provide a historic photo, document the structure's historic significance and submit a minor processing fee. The application is reviewed by the Commission and a determination is made to either recommend designation or not and then it is submitted for City Council consideration for landmark designation via ordinance. Ms. Gagne stated we have 33 historic properties that could be nominated, though some are in historic districts, based on the list provided of Proposed Historic Properties for Local Landmark Nomination. This count could be reduced to 20, since a few of these historic properties are already in West Floral Heights and Morningside. Even if 5-10 properties could be researched, reviewed and nominated in 2012 that would be a major accomplishment. Staff explained that research and information on the properties may be found at the Wichita County Archives, Wichita Falls City Library, and the Times Record News archives. Mr. Lee stated Mr. Jim Pettyjohn had photos and historic information on Spudder Park and THC had information on the Anderson House and Weeks Mansion. He further stated WFISD is more concerned about their school budget than the education of its students. Mr. Lee noted the need to Landmark Commission January 24, 2012 Page 3 get history and art teachers involved in this project to research the history of their WFISD buildings to nominate some of the historic schools (eg. Alamo, Crockett, Ben Franklin, etc.) as landmarks. Ms. Thueson stated we'll need the owner's consent for all nominations before proceeding to the Council, but before we nominate these properties they'll need to be listed specifically — by group. She stated she could review the 11 houses in her immediate neighborhood as the houses are classed as Mid - Century Modern (ranches). Chairperson Graham stated she can review the former Austin Elementary School and Travis Crossing for nomination. She stated that Parks could become a category, and requested staff discuss the idea with the Parks Director, particularly for all historic parks, eg. Riverside Cemetery, Lucy, Harold Jones, Spudder. Ms. Gagn6 noted she would have to count the number of bronze medallions on hand to ensure sufficient quantity. She noted medallions have not been reordered for over a decade and the cost would need to be considered for the next budget year. Ms. Gagn6 stated she can review 2106 and 2116 Hiawatha Blvd. She will contact Ms. Carper to determine If the West Floral Heights Church may be interested in nomination. Staff indicated it would be great to experience the public approaching the City saying "I want a local landmark medallion on my house — how do I obtain one?" Staff will follow -up on how many medallions remain in stock as the Commission can only recommend nominating as many properties as medallions are currently available. VI. OTHER BUSINESS a. West Floral Heights Historic District — Monthly Report No report — there was no one present representing West Floral Heights. b. Design Review — Staff Authorized: -1708 Grant — change electrical box/new service is Building Inspections signed off on this electrical box. - 290210' Street — excavation /new sewer connected Building Inspection signed off on this excavation/new sewer connection; planning staff verified no exterior structural modifications. -1300 Tilden — electrical service (rear) Building Inspection signed off on this new electrical service; planning staff verified design review application on file and part of the approved project plan. c. Articles & Periodicals - NAPC publication "Beyond Certificates of Appropriateness" article written by Matt Synatschk THC which featured the Touring Wichita Falls His brochure — a 2010 CLG funded project. - Preservation — National Trust (January/February) d. Upcoming Meeting/Events - City Council —1400 Travis — Historic Tax Freeze Item Ms. Gagn6 stated the proposed tax freeze for the Berry Brown House, at 1400 Travis, is currently on hold as staff is waiting for additional drawings/design sketch from Ms. McCoy in order to move forward with the request. - Museum NTX History — Black History Month Exhibit Opening — January 2e, 6pm "Extraordinary People & Everyday Heroes" Ms. Gagn6 stated the exhibition starts January 2e and will go to the end of February. - Next Meeting — February 28'" —12pm VII. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 1:17pm. &01� ZUARIt� - - Chairpersorotraham Date Landmark Commission January 24, 2012 Page 4