Landmark Commission Minutes - 06/27/2023 LANDMARK COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 27, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Michele Derr • Chairwoman
John Dickinson • Member
Christy Graham ■ Member
Joel Hartmangruber • Member
Andy Lee • Member
Noros Martin • P&Z Liaison
Nadine McKown ■Vice-Chairwoman
Marcela Medellin ■ Member
Janel Ponder Smith • Member
Monica Aguon, Assistant City Attorney • City Staff
Terry Floyd, Development Services Director • City Staff
Karen Montgomery-Gagne, Principal Planner/HPO • City Staff
ABSENT:
Tim Brewer ■ Council Liaison
GUESTS:
Greg Gilliland, Wichita Falls Brewing Co. • 617 rh St.
Matt Bitsche, Wichita Falls Brewing Co. ■617 rh St
Cecil Witherspoon, Reporter ■ WE TRNews
Jana Schmader, Executive Director •Downtown Dev.
I. Call to Order, Introductions and Welcome
Chairwoman Michele Derr called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. Ms. Derr had
Commission members, staff and guests, introduce themselves.
II. Review & Approval of Minutes from: May 23rd, 2023
Chairwoman Derr called for review and approval of the May 23rd, 2023 Landmark
Commission meeting minutes. Mr. Noros Martin made a motion to approve the minutes,
Ms. Christy Graham seconded the motion. Minutes were unanimously approved 9-0.
Regular Agenda
Ill. Action Item: Design Review — 617 7th Street (Depot Square Historic District)
Establish an Outdoor Patio/Beer Garden with:
• Decorative Fencing (metal)
• Arched Swing Gates (wood/metal)
• Shade Sails/Support Poles (canvas/wood)
Landmark Commission 2 June 27,2023
• Tables/Chairs; Decorative Planters
• Food Truck
Ms. Karen Montgomery-Gagne presented the case and stated representatives from
Downtown Wichita Falls Development as well as the applicants, the owners of the
Wichita Falls Brewing Company, were present for the meeting. Ms. Gagne advised the
Commission the subject property was located in downtown Wichita Falls, at 617 7th
Street, on the western edge of the Depot Square Historic District. Ms. Gagne stated the
proposal before the Commission was to establish an outdoor patio/beer garden on a
vacant lot; the component of concern for the Commission related to the addition of items
visible from the public right of way which are proposed to include: decorative
fencing/arched gates, shade sails attached to free-standing poles, mobile food truck
and other non-permanent elements (tables, mister-fans and decorative planters) to be
used by the adjacent business, Wichita Falls Brewing Company.
Inventory photos shown to the Commission reflected the lot had been vacant since at
least 1985. Ms. Gagne stated the adjacent business at 701 Indiana Avenue that houses
Wichita Falls Brewing Company is not inside the Depot Square Historic District,
however, the right-of-way and sidewalk on the 7th Street side were inside the historic
district.
Ms. Gagne referenced the previous case brought before the Commission in October
2020 to establish an outdoor patio and seating area in the 7th Street right-of-way. That
proposal was approved according to the site plan, with requirements that it must be
fenced; outside the corner 45ft sight visibility triangle & obtain an encroachment
agreement, noting the encroachment agreement was not completed at this time and
design review approvals expire in 12 months from the date of approval if a project has
not commenced. This project's design review approval expired November 2021.
Ms, Gagne displayed current photos taken June 19th, 2023 showing the subject property
was adjacent to existing Wichita Falls Brewing Company that had leased the lot for
development of the outdoor patio/beer garden. A photo of the former building threshold
and mosaic tile floor (circa 1907) was shown with staff noting the existing threshold
would be relocated to accommodate support posts for fencing and gates along the
property's edge (sidewalk). Ms. Gagne stated the mosaic tile flooring is to be retained
and where concrete is missing and/or damaged will be filled with crushed granite to
cover the exposed dirt.
A photo showing the view looking to the east wall (rear) of 701 Indiana, outside the
Depot Square District, is the location for future lighting for the open-air beer garden with
it directed onto 617 7th Street. Ms. Gagne indicated staff has informed the applicants
that utilities cannot cross property lines as the lot is only leased.
Staff showed the Commission sample photos provided by the applicant as examples of
the proposed decorative fence and swing gates along the property line at 7th Street
public right-of-way and sidewalk. The proposed fence would be made of metal/steel with
Landmark Commission 3 June 27, 2023
the lower sections consisting of steel materials, approximately 3x3" or 4x4" mesh pattern
to match the gates as shown in photos, will either be painted black or polished steel
color. The upper sections will consist of two metal cross poles connected to the 4x4"
steel support posts.
The proposed gate would be constructed of a mix of louvered wood sections on the
bottom portion and steel mesh material (match fencing) on the top portion with arched
top. Gates must swing outward & panic hardware installed for compliance with fire and
building code requirements. Ms. Gagne advised an encroachment agreement will be
triggered unless gate has full-range movement to latch to the fence as not to obstruct
sidewalk area. Photos also displayed an example of how signage above the gate would
be laser cut metal with the words, "Beer Garden" in either polished, clear-coated steel
or painted black to match the fencing and gates.
Site plans displayed showed three shade sails that would be attached to posts on the
subject property that would not be attached to adjacent property walls. Brewery owners
propose a new access door, approximately at midpoint along their rear/east wall, for
patrons and employees allowing access between the brewery and patio. Brewery
currently maintains an access easement with owners of 617 7th Street allowing this
option. The site plan also shows a food truck from Progress & Provisions, to be parked
at the rear of the lot, however, Ms. Gagne reminded the Commission only the fencing,
arched swing gates/sign and shade sails/support posts were up for consideration today
as other elements are not permanent additions to the property.
Ms. Gagne advised the Commission that staff believed the outdoor patio proposal and
accompanying material components meet the Wichita Falls Design Review Guidelines
found in section 4 (E). New Construction — Design/Style & Fencing) based on the mix
of wood and metal materials and respect for the remaining historic architectural
elements, reflecting appropriate fence and gate scale and finishes as found in and
previously approved in the Depot Square Historic District.
The applicant has also stated he would like to use COR-TEN weathered steel materials
for the outdoor patio where possible.
Chairwoman Derr asked the applicant, Mr. Matt Bitsche, if he wanted to add anything
to Ms. Gagne's presentation. Mr. Bitsche stated he thought Ms. Gagne did a wonderful
job in her presentation and had brought a sample of the fence and gate materials to
display for the Commission. Mr. Bitsche recapped Ms. Gagne's presentation and stated
there would be landscaping of desert willows on each side of the entry gate as well as
from the top cross-bar running above the fencing panels.
Chairwoman Derr asked if there were any comments from the public, and with no public
comments, Ms. Derr asked for any questions from the Commission. Mr. Martin asked
if there would be any restrooms for patrons. Mr. Bitsche advised of the access to be
constructed (door in rear wall of 701 Indiana) that would allow access to the restrooms
inside the brewery. Ms. Marcela Medellin asked where the COR-TEN would be used.
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Mr. Bitsche stated he doubted that would be used at all as it was only a consideration if
the Commission recommended use to retain additional historical character. Ms.
Medellin asked about various measurements and locations for elements in the proposal
to which Mr. Bitsche provided answers.
With no other comments, Chairwoman Derr asked if there was a motion. Mr. Andy Lee
made a motion to approve the design review case as presented to establish elements
on site for an outdoor patio/beer garden at 617 7th Street which is considered in
compliance with the Wichita Falls Design Review Guidelines. Ms. Smith seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously 9-0 in favor of the proposal.
IV. Other Business:
a) Monthly Reports
Depot Square:
Ms. Derr gave the following updates:
• July 4tn - 4th of July Parade would begin at 9am at the corner of 9th and Ohio,
sponsored by The Kell House
• July 71h—29' —Wichita Theater—The Little Mermaid
• July 11' — 2151— Wichita Theater— Camp Imagination
• Aug. 4" —26" —Wichita Theater— Dinner Theater— Greater Tuna
• Aug. 18' — Sept. 16' — Wichita Theater— Sponge Bob, The Musical9+
West Floral Heights:
Ms. Smith stated there were no updates.
b) Updates:
• THC Distinguished Service Award - Wichita Co. Recognition
• Sec. 106 Review: 7541 North Central Frwy - Communications Tower Proposal
c) Resources/Periodicals: various webinar opportunities with NAPC/NPS
d) Design Review — Staff Authorized — Minor Alteration/Repairs:
• 600 8th St- Historic Holt Hotel LLC. (Depot District/Landmark)- various site repairs
V. Adjourn
Next regularly scheduled meeting August 22, 2023 — 12 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 12:41 p.m.
2.3
Michele Derr, Chairperson Date