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Landmark Commission Minutes - 12/13/2011MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION DECEMBER 13, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT: Christy Graham, Chairperson ■ Members Stacie Flood, Vice Chairperson ■ Marilyn Carper ■ John Kidwell ■ Michael Koen ■ Andy Lee ■ Scott Stillson ■ Steve Wood ■ Councilor Michael Smith ■ Council Liaison Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planning Administrator ■ staff Leo Bethge, Planner li ■ GUESTS: Kristen Howcroft, Municipal Court Prosecutor ■ Eric Russell, applicant, 1409 Tilden ■ JP ABSENT: Cindy Cotton ■ Dianne Thueson ■ I. CALL TO ORDER S INTRODUCTIONS Vice Chairperson Flood opened the Landmark Commission meeting at 12:15 p.m. II. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 2! TH, 2011 Vice Chairperson Flood requested the Commission review the October 25th meeting minutes. Mr. Koen motioned to approve the October Landmark Commission minutes as presented, motion seconded by Mr. Wood. Motion passed unanimously to approve the October 25th meeting minutes. III. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW —1409 TILDEN — REHABILITATION PROJECT Ms. Gagne stated all members received both a digital packet and a hard copy explaining Mr. Russell's plan to rehabilitate his house. Photos of the current state of his property were passed around. In October 2011, Mr. Russell approached the Landmark Commission to discuss his future renovation. His intent was to remove and replace brick structural supports under the front porch, replace windows with architecturally correct 6 over 6 single hung, double -pane windows, replace front porch columns with fiberglass colonial -style columns, replace the front door inner panel with a craftsman -style door (to remove the mail slot), remove and replace cracked porch steps with new concrete steps, repair the existing driveway and potentially add a new curb cut for a second access point to the detached garage. Mr. Russell, of 1409 Tilden, stated his rehabilitation projects will replace original materials with new materials that are sympathetic to the design of the house, such as adding 6 over 6 single hung, double pane windows, and replacing the existing columns with new fiberglass columns. He stated. Landmark Commission December 13, 2011 Page 1 he is not sure if the original columns are load bearing supporting the weight of the roof; there is an assumption they may be load bearing but until it's dismantled there is no way to know the answer. Ms. Carper asked if the carport will remain. Mr. Russell stated it would remain. Mr. Stillson asked if there was a structure behind the house and if it would be repaired. Mr. Russell stated there is an apartment in the rear yard behind the house but there are no alterations proposed at this time. Mr. Koen asked Ms. Gagne if everything was in order. Ms. Gagne replied that everything for Mr. Russell's application was in order, based on his current request. Ms. Gagne added the applicant is considering a potential second driveway access due to the angle of the existing driveway. The driveway access will require approval from the City. Mr. Koen motioned to approve Mr. Russell's rehabilitation plans for his house located at 1409 Tilden. Mr. Kidwell seconded the motion. The Landmark Commission unanimously approved his request to replace/repair the following architectural features: 1) brick structural support for the front porch — brick to be replaced and not painted; 2) removal of bronze aluminum windows and replace with white frame, double pane 6 over 6 low E windows; 3) front door panel replacement with craftsman style insert with narrow glass inserts; 4) front porch columns replace with same style and new support base; 5) concrete porch steps repair and maintain same style; 6) concrete driveway repair and request new egress (curb cut) for detached garage. IV. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW CHAPTER #62 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE Ms. Gagne stated the new Design Guidelines are ready for review and discussion by the Council, based on agreement of the language added to the Design Guidelines, outlined on Page 4, that "any proposed exterior modifications either to a designated historic landmark or to a structure within a designated historic district must be reviewed by the City of Wichita Falls Landmark Commission and obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to any alteration." This section references any exterior modifications to any historically designated property — whether it be local, state, and/or national. Staff provided a recent example from a National Register property that was reviewed in order to replace a fence in Momingside Historic District. On Page 5, the language was kept very open ended, as Ms. Howcroft, City Municipal Prosecutor, explained. She stated this language would apply to all landmarks (not just city designated), to guide future rehab projects. There is a great deal of discretion for these state and nationally designated properties. Local properties would need to conform to the local preservation ordinance. This "broad spectrum" would pertain to state or nationally designated properties, so the Landmark Commission has discretion to look at proposed alterations and provide general guidance for those historic sites. Ms. Howcroft added, the Design Guidelines do not explain the need for a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to issuance of a Building Permit. The Historic Preservation Ordinance denotes the requirement for the design review process. This matter will be reviewed during the next several months as the Commission and staff reviews the Historic Preservation Ordinance for inconsistencies with the new guidelines, including the process for demolitions, compliance and enforcement, and fee schedules. Ms. Gagne stated there is a lock in the Building Inspection computer database, to "red flag" historic designated properties by address. Building Inspection staff is alerted to the need for a design review application and to discuss with planning staff and possibly the Landmark Commission ty depending on the complexity of the request. Landmark Commission December 13, 2011 Page 2 Ms. Carper asked if an alteration is proposed — should the home be made to look historic. Ms. Gagn6 stated the style of the rehabilitated house should fit within the aesthetics of the architectural period (historic being anything over fifty years). Staff noted Department of the Interior guidelines discourage "false" historic alterations that create an inappropriate fagade for the structure. Ms. Carper further stated prior to this a property owner of State /National sites didn't need to come forward for review? Ms. Gagn6 stated the applicant needed to agree to certain standards, but now the applicant will need additional design review, for any state or national historic property. Ms. Gagn6 stated a notification letter will need to be mailed to all historic properties (local, state and national). This letter would explain the following intent: 1) the new Design Guidelines; and 2) that prior to any new construction, major alteration or demolition to a state or national landmark a 60-day notification is now required by the state (THC) to review the proposed revisions. This is all required prior to obtaining a building permit or authorization by the Landmark Commission. Ms. Gagn6 stated the Design Guidelines now go to City Council for discussion purposes only. This is planned for the December 20th Council meeting. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is pleased with the document. Staff worked closely with the Legal Department to develop the final revisions. In early January the Council may review and approve the Design Guidelines. Another matter that pertains to the Design Guidelines review includes the review of the current Historic Preservation Ordinance. This review is important as it ties into the Design Guidelines. For example, per Section 62- 36(b), a preservation district liaison from a historic district is considered as a non - voting member of the commission. This means that Ms. Cotton, who represents the West Floral Heights Historic District, is not a voting member. She feels that she's not fully part of the Commission since she is not permitted to vote. In addition, treatment of exterior murals needs to be referenced in the Historic Preservation Ordinance. She further stated that education and awareness will help bring preservation in a different light. Mr. Lee provided an example of how to use the Design Guidelines. If First Baptist Church wants to tear down another historic building would the church need to come back to the Commission? Ms. Gagn6 agreed if the project involved a local, state or nationally designated property it would need Landmark Commission review. V. OTHER BUSINESS a) West Floral Heights Historic District - Monthly Report Ms. Carper stated the street light plaques were finally being installed on their reproduction, historic city street lights, and over 100 patrons attended this year's successful Thanksgiving Turkey Trot race. In addition, the neighborhood Christmas Party was scheduled for December 16th as a progressive dinner. b) Design Review — Staff authorized and provided an overview for the following: -1410 Grant — A plumbing permit was issued. -1309 Grant — Three layers of shingles were removed and replaced with light gray composition shingles. The physical roof, pitch and design, will not be altered. -2911 Sturdevant — The driveway approach was replaced and staff signed off on the request. Staff noted this is a Momingside District property (national district) and previously alterations were not reviewed. c) Articles & Periodicals: Ms. Gagne presented the fall issue of the Medallion. She discussed one article regarding the new THC Commissioners. She further discussed the November/December issue of Preservation. She passed both periodicals around for review and informed Commission members back issues of The Medallion are available as color pdfs on the THC website. Landmark Commission December 13, 2011 Page 3 E E C d) Upcoming Meetings: Ms. Gagne discussed the tentative Landmark Commission schedule for 2012. The July and December meetings were left as "to be determined" at this time. She asked if the schedule worked for all of the Commissioner's schedules. The Commissioner's agreed with continuing the same schedule time and day - meeting the fourth Tuesday of the month at 12:00 noon. Ms. Gagn6 further stated the Council will discuss the Design Guidelines at their December 20"' meeting. She recommended if any of the Commissioners could attend - to provide support - it would be appreciated by staff. She will also draft a letter to address potential future changes to the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The proposed tax freeze for the Berry Brown House, at 1400 Travis, is tentatively scheduled for the Janua7 3'd, 2012 Council Meeting. The next Landmark Commission meeting is scheduled for January 24 , 2012 at 12 pm. Councilor Smith commented it was very important to have the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson in attendance at the December 20"' Council Meeting to support the Design Guidelines and to reinforce the needs of the Landmark Commission. Chairperson Graham stated she will be in attendance. Councilor Smith asked Ms. Gagne if she feels the Building Inspection computer system is sufficient to "red flag" historic properties. She stated she feels more comfortable now since the prior software, back in 200812009, was not catching these issues. Since that time she also provided a list of addresses to Building Inspection so they're aware of the historic properties within the City limits. Ms. Gagn6 further explained due to the historic lock in the software, on -line permit applications for historic properties must be processed in the office. Councilor Smith asked Ms. Gagne if she receives a lot of design review calls. She stated she receives a few calls/ inquiries regarding design review but it tends to be seasonal with more activity during spring/summer. Ms. Carper questioned if 1411 Garfield was approved for a metal roof. Ms. Gagn6 stated only the soffits and fascia were approved to be covered with metal, not the roof. Ms. Carper further questioned if Mr. Russell's house, at 1409 Tilden, will be rehabbed as a colonial or as a craftsman since they are two different styles. Ms. Gagne stated Mr. Russell is replacing the columns with colonial -style columns. VI. ADJOURN Mr. Koen requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Koen motioned and Chairperson Graham seconded to adjourn the meeting, at 1:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. q rte. 1/, Vice Chairperson Flood Date I CITY CLER���- ::�F�E . DATE::: _ Landmark Commission December 13, 2011 Page 4