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Landmark Commission Minutes - 03/22/2011MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT: Christy Graham, Chairperson ■ Members Marilyn Carper RECEIVED IN � Cindy Cotton CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Stacie Flood ATE: `� �� -�� ■ John Kidwell ■ Michael Koen BY: Andy Lee ■ Scott Stillson ■ Diane Thueson ■ Steve Wood ■ Councilor Michael Smith, Council Liaison ■ Norman Standerfer, Director of Community Development ■ srarr Karen Montgomery- Gagn6, Interim Planning Supervisor ■ Leo Bethge, Planner II ■ I. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS Chairperson Thueson opened the Landmark Commission meeting at 12:30pm. She introduced and welcomed Mr. Standerfer the new Community Development Director to the Landmark Commission. II. ELECTION OF LANDMARK COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON & VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR 2011 Chairperson Thueson opened the floor for Commission discussion to elect a new Chair and Vice Chairperson for 2011. Mr. Lee nominated Ms. Graham as Chairperson. Ms. Graham nominated Ms. Flood for either Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. Ms. Flood also nominated Ms. Graham for either'Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. Chairperson Thueson stated there were two nominations for both positions. She requested by a show of hands the Commission's vote for Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson. Ms. Graham was nominated as Chairperson and Ms. Flood was nominated as the Vice Chairperson. Chairperson Thueson called for a final vote and the Landmark Commission unanimously approved Ms. Graham as Chairperson and Ms. Flood as Vice Chairperson for 2011. Staff' thanked everyone for their willingness to serve and Indicated she would inform the City Clerk's office. �C III. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 11, 2011 Chairperson Graham requested the Commission review the February 11e, meeting minutes. Mr. Koen motioned to approve the February 11'", 2011 Landmark Commission minutes as presented, motion seconded by Ms. Thueson. Motion passed unanimously. IV. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW — WEST FLORAL HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT ENTRY SIGN Prior to discussing the application, Ms. Flood requested a status update from the design guideline consultant. Ms. Gagn6 stated she will be contacting the consultants on March 2e to obtain a Landmark Commission March 22, 2011 page I timeline when they will return to Wichita Falls for fieldwork, anticipated draft and public hearing schedule. Chairperson Graham introduced this item and requested staff provide an overview. Ms. Gagne noted the proposed West Floral Heights entry In will be situated in the median park at the triangular intersection of Grant, Avenue C and 10 Streets. Staff provided colored photos of the proposed sign and location for Commission review. Staff stated the median park is classified as a 'median' rather than an official park by the City Parks Department. The median/park is publicly owned therefore the entry sign is considered an encroachment and requires authorization for placement within the right-0f- -way. Ms. Gagn6 provided some background on the signage issue noting that any requests for encroachments in the public right -of - -way required City Council authorization. The Parks Director, Assistant City Manager and Property Administrator coordinated the preparation of an ordinance (adopted February le) to amend City Code giving City staff authority to review and approve items that encroach on public property. The process is based on the submittal of an application for encroachment through the City Property Management Division. For the proposed entry sign, this is the first case to be processed through staff review rather than via formal action by Council. The proposed sign first requires Landmark Commission review since it's located in the West Floral Heights Historic District, if approved, the applicants must then submit an application to Property Management to place the sign in the right-of-way. Staff explained the Zoning Ordinance outlines specific details for locating a subdivision entry sign. The entry sign must meet a minimum 10ft setback from the right of way. The positioning of the sign, based on Photo #2, will be situated 30ft within the median, and 18hft from the back of curb along Ave. C. Ms. Cotton stated that it's a small sign — less than 67 in height. The intent is to use the existing sign frame from the former Buchanan Terrace apartment site. The sign face dimension is 41" for the length and 18" for the width. The sign will utilize the same floral patter and wording as the vertical street banners —just designed horizontally to fit the subdivision entry sign. The sign will also be double -faced and placed in a concrete foundation to reinforce its position. Ms. Carper added the sign will not stand too tall since the legs of the existing frame will be embedded into the ground. Ms. Flood commented from their experience with signage for the Kell House Museum there are specific City requirements for sign size & placement. If the sign is located within a sight triangle it cannot be higher than 3ft; however, with this sign serving as a subdivision entry sign and situated beyond the 10ft setback from the right of way, the location and height should be okay. Ms. Cotton further added the existing frame will be cleaned and spray painted black, to match the color of the existing street banners. The sign company producing the sign is TNT Sign Co. Mr. Koen recommended the aesthetics, though questioned the sign since it's only in a schematic stage. He would like to visualize the sign as a rendering first before the sign is approved and goes Into fabrication. Ms. Gagn6 stated the Commission can conditionally approve the entry sign now, contingent upon receiving a final design sketch prior to approval. She further stated she will request an e-mail from TNT Sign Co. for final review of the drawing. Staff noted a sketch of the final sign design will also be needed for Property Management as part of their application review for placement of a sign in the City easement. Ms. Cotton stated the process has taken significant time but anticipate Property Management will be ready to go since with their review since they already have a copy of the design review application — simply waiting for the Landmark Commission's review. Mr. Kidwell also stated the motion should reference zoning compliance. Mr. Koen confirmed this item would be included in the motion. Ms. Carper added the neighborhood has worked closely with the City in the past on various projects including the Parks Department planting and replacing trees in the City median park and the Traffic Department installing signage on the new street lights. In the future, donation plaques will be installed on the street lights. Mr. Koen motioned to accept the application for the sign, conditioned that Ms. Gagn6 receives an e- mail from the sign company to provide a final design of the entry sign, for Landmark Commission Landmark Commission March 22, 2011 page 2 final review, and for the sign to comply with all City Zoning Ordinances & Codes prior to final approval. Chairperson Graham requested staff outline the details of the motion prior to a Commission vote. Ms. Gagn6 stated, from her understanding, the motion would read as follows: "...to conditionally approve the historic district entry sign parallel to I& Street and Ave. C, contingent upon: 1) it conforming with all Building Code and Zoning Ordinance requirements (Sec. 6700 — Signs), specifically size/placement; and 2) submittal of the proposed design drawing (too scale) prepared by the sign contractor." Mr. Stillson seconded the motion. Members discussed the detailed motion and reminded the applicants that additional approval was still necessary from the City Property Administrator. The motion passed unanimously. V. OVERVIEW & UPDATE — THC TRAINING SESSION POWER POINT HANDOUTS Ms. Gagn6 stated she was not able to e-mail the Texas Historical Commission (THC) Training Session power point handouts due to the file size. She included a copy of the materials with each Landmark Commission packet. VI. OTHER BUSINESS a.) West Floral Heights Historic District — Monthly Report Ms. Carper stated the West Floral Heights Neighborhood Association replaced and installed two new sidewalks at 1601 Grant and 1513 Tilden. She stated the Neighborhood Association attempts to replace two sidewalks each year as a reinvestment within the neighborhood. Ms. Cotton stated in 2000 the Neighborhood Association installed a partial sidewalk and ramp. It was also noted that as an incentive for joining the Association with paid dues, property owners will receive the added benefit of having their street address painted on the curb. b.) Reminder — THC Training & Annual Conference — March 31'9 to April 2nd, Austin, TX Ms. Gagn6 provided a friendly reminder that late registration for this conference is still accepted. She provided a postcard advertising the conference for those that may be interested. c.) Preservation Articles & Journals Ms. Gagn6 provided a preservation article from Mr. Bethge. She further stated there were no new publications at this time — anticipate release next month. Mr. Stillson requested the Commission meeting times be revised to commence at noon since he has work commitments from 8-12 and 1-5 p.m. Chairperson Graham asked the Commission if this would be a problem. Ms. Gagn6 stated that a vote to change the meeting time is necessary. Based on this, Mr. Stillson motioned to change the Landmark Commission meeting time to start at noon, versus 12:30 p.m. Ms. Carper seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Next Regular Meeting — April 26, 2011 -12:00 noon d.) Other Items for Discussion — 400 Ohio & 713 Indiana Councilor Smith mentioned the building bcated at 400 Ohio has a collapsing roof. This is a concern since irs located in the historic district. Secondly, there is another building (713 Indiana) with a collapsing roof/fagade - though this building is outside of the Depot Square historic district. Ms. Gagn6 stated both the City Building Inspection and Property Management Divisions are investigating these issues. She further stated these types of issues need to be reviewed by the Landmark Commission before the roof is demolished. Councilor Smith advocated that if the roof and/or the building are demolished, the facade should be reconstructed as the original design. Ms. Gagn6 further stated these issues need to be worked into the Design Guidelines for buildings in historic districts. Mr. Lee stated his concerns relate to Ask the exposure of common party walls that were not originally constructed to withstand various weather elements thus causing additional deterioration to adjacent structures. These party walls must be restored as well. Chairperson Graham referenced a positive adaptive reuse project in Ft. Worth (Main Street around the Historic Stockyard District). The owners converted Landmark Commission March 22, 2011 page 3 n a brick warehouse where the roof & upper floors were deteriorated into a restaurant. They were able to retain the front fagade and included an inner outdoor patio one level below the location of the original roof. VIII. ADJOURN Chairperson Graham requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Thueson motioned and Ms. Carper seconded to adjourn the meeting, at 1:09 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Chairperson raham Date Landmark Commission March 22, 2011 0age 4