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Landmark Commission Minutes - 09/30/2005. MINUTES -. �' �'� � � IN LANDMARK COMMISS diCl CLERK'S OFF -ICE Date September 30, 2005; Time -ID' 5Ptn MEMBERS PRESENT: Jan Schaaf, Chairperson ■ Members Ken Dowdy, Vice Chairperson ■ Michael Collins ■ Shirley Craft ■ Stacie Flood ■ Drew Hayes ■ Douglas James ■ Charles Elmore ■ Council Liaison Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III ■ staff GUESTS: B.C. Gilbert, applicant ■ ABSENT: Dianne Thueson ■ Joshua Miller ■ Cindy Cotton (non- voting member) ■ II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The Chairperson called for discussion and approval of the June 23rd meeting minutes. Mr. Douglas James introduced a motion to approve the June 23rd minutes. Mr. Ken Dowdy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. III. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW — 600 6th STREET The Chairperson introduced the application and staff distributed color photos of the building situated at the northwest corner of 6th and Ohio Streets. Ms. Gagne provided a brief overview of the application requesting to install a 10ft x 10ft commercial grade garage door in the Ohio Street fagade. Staff introduced B.C. Gilbert, applicant, and indicated that he recently moved to Wichita Falls and would be leasing 600 6th Street for an artist's studio and gallery. In order to move materials in /out of the building he requires a larger entry. Councilor Elmore inquired about the building's owner. Mr. Gilbert responded that the building owner resides in Nocona and is not interested in selling the building. He added that eventually it's his interest to purchase a building downtown. Commission members Landmark Commission September 30, 2005 page 1 asked him about the proposed changes to the fagade, Mr. Gilbert responded that the new overhead door would be located in a space that previously had a garage door. One of the site photos provided a view of the fagade interior that showed the location of the previous door opening, transom windows and former storefront window. Ms. Shirley Craft questioned the reasoning for cutting into the Ohio Street fagade when there appear to be areas previously altered on the 6t" Street fagade? The applicant indicated that he was attempting to utilize an existing opening in the fagade that was boarded up with stucco - clad plywood. Mr. Gilbert added he anticipates leasing the building on October 1St from owner Charles Petty. At this time, the owner is not interested in selling the building. He anticipates leasing the site for 3 -4 years and eventually purchasing a building downtown for his studio and an art gallery. Mr. James questioned if any other building modifications were proposed. The applicant noted he is only modifying the Ohio fagade and is in the process of designing a sign. Mr. Gilbert indicated he was trying to minimize the amount of funds invested in getting the building ready for his ironwork business since he doesn't own the property. Mr. Dowdy commented the proposed infill layout was logical considering a previous door opening was visible from the interior photos in the same location but he requested additional clarification. The new garage door opening, from the exterior view, completely ignores the established score lines (ie. filler panels scored to create illusion of 2 x 3 sections) in the plywood filler along Ohio Street and doesn't fit the geometry of the fagade. Mr. Dowdy understood the concern with cost and maintaining a budget and didn't want to discourage anyone from locating downtown. However, he questioned if there was a possibility for installing the door without damaging the interior components (ie. transom windows, frames, etc.) and if he intended to expose the covered transom windows. Mr. Gilbert responded that if required to expose /fix the transom windows he would, however, it results in additional expenses for a leased building. He indicated that estimates were obtained from Overhead Door Company regarding installation, he'd frame in the opening and it would be located in the previous door opening. The overhead track would not impact the transom windows. Mr. Dowdy suggested the applicant extend /add score lines in order to break up the facade since the door installation will occupy half the filler space and the score lines will be asymmetrical with the second filler panel that remains unaltered. Ms. Gagne outlined comments from Ms. Dianne Thueson who was unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Thueson had concerns regarding the door placement along the Ohio fagade and the new alteration would visually appear to be an 'alteration upon an alteration' and not blend with the existing fagade. Ms. Gagne stated Ms. Thueson requested that if the proposed door was recommended the two stucco clad filler panels and new door need to be painted in order to blend with the existing brick fagade to reduce the visibility of the alteration. Councilor Elmore inquired about the potential for painting murals in the two filler sections on the building's Ohio fagade. Mr. Dowdy commented that VISIONS had a Design Committee that is in the process of reviewing beautification plans and murals may be a component. Mr. James introduced a motion to approve the request for a 1 Oft x 1Oft commercial -grade steel garage door to be located in the opening previously cut into the original fagade along Ohio Street. Ms. Craft seconded the motion. Mr. Dowdy interjected that he'd prefer Landmark Commission September 30, 2005 page 2 to see the stucco scoring as a condition of approval on the Ohio Street fagade. Ms. Craft suggested that the request be approved with condition of painting the fagade and a provision for scoring the facade. The applicant asked if anyone knew how to score the stucco or a contractor who could do the work. Mr. Dowdy stated he could provide the names of some qualified contractors. The applicant indicated concern regarding cost due to leasing rather than purchasing the building and inquired whether the scoring would cost between $504100. Mr. Dowdy commented that the applicant would need to contact a contractor to request an estimate. Mr. James commented that the building fagade at 600 6th Street was previously altered prior to it being incorporated in the Depot Square Historic District and the request to alter the Ohio fagade was really not altering any of the historic components of the fagade. Ms. Craft added that the Commission should encourage new business in the downtown area whenever someone is ready to move forward with a project. After additional discussion, members suggested amending the motion. Mr. James amended his original motion to include a condition that the door and two fagade panels (approx. 13ft x 20ft) along Ohio Street be painted to match /blend with the existing brick. The amended motion passed. All Commission members encouraged the applicant to protect the existing architectural features (transom windows and any remaining brickwork) on the interior of the Ohio Street fagade in the event that they may be exposed in the future. Mr. Gilbert thanked Commission members for holding a special called meeting to discuss the application and he is aiming to have the studio open for business by November 1St. Staff indicated that a Certificate of Appropriateness would be mailed to the applicant the following week. _MW IV. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Holt Hotel Progress Report Mr. Dowdy informed members the Holt project officially received its Certificate of Occupancy on September 29th. An on -site leasing manager, Ms. Michelle Smith is at the Holt and showing various units. As of this week, six people have leased units. He indicated that the two canopies (1 per street fagade) were on site to be installed by the end of September. Other key items that remain to be completed include installation of the chandeliers in the lobby and minor finishing details. The Chairperson inquired about the Open House held in August. Various members responded that it was wonderful to see such community interest in the project with significant numbers attending the grand opening event and the open house the following day. The Wichita County Heritage Society - Holt Committee were great hosts and worked tirelessly to organize the event. b. CLG Video Project Update — Staff provided a brief update and indicated that Mr. Collins had volunteered to be the Video Steering Committee Chair /Facilitator and he provided a detailed overview of activities to date, noting that he was in the process of researching and writing the historic timeline of Wichita Falls for the video. Mr. Collins indicated that smaller focus groups were developed on the Steering Committee to begin working on contacts for interviews, narration, voices; review of historic neighborhoods; a technical production component (ie. filming key locations, historic video footage, etc.); gathering historic Landmark Commission September 30, 2005 page 3 photographs /news clippings; and the development of an accompanying curriculum guideline. • He informed members that n o ce the framework was established the steering committee can move forward with the subcommittees and begin chronicling not just buildings but developing a compilation of the past, present and the people of Wichita Falls. Ms. Craft inquired about the connection between people and industry through the development of the community. She echoed Mr. Collins sentiments that prominent historic structures play a role in the video but not the entire story — including `living links' are critical for audience interest. Mr. Collins asked fellow members for input and comments. Both Mr. James and Ms. Schaaf thanked Mr. Collins for his dedication and hard work with getting the video project organized. Mr. Dowdy asked when an initial draft of the script/timeline would be available for review. Mr. Collins indicated that a draft 5 -page historic overview would probably be complete by the end of September and a copy will be provided to the Commission members and video steering committee for review. C. Preservation Texas — Nominations for 2006 Texas Most Endangered List Staff explained Preservation Texas is seeking nominations postmarked by Oct. 14th for the statewide most endangered list of historic structures and /or sites. Ms. Gagne asked members if they were interested in submitting a nomination for the Berry Brown House at 14th & Travis. The Commission discussed the possibility and Mr. James introduced a motion to submit an application nominating the Berry Brown House for Preservation Texas 2006 Most Endangered List. Mr. Collins seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. d. Member Resignation — Mr. Drew Hayes regretfully announced his resignation from the Commission as he is taking a new position with Good, Fulton & Farrell Architects in Dallas and will be moving within two weeks. Members both congratulated him on the new position and commented about the loss for the Commission. Staff requested Mr. Hayes submit an official letter of resignation from the Landmark Commission prior to leaving Wichita Falls. V. ADJOURN The Commission meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm. Jan Schaaf, Chairperson Date Landmark Commission September 30, 2005 page 4