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Landmark Commission Minutes - 03/25/2004MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION March 25, 2004 PRESENT: Jan Schaaf, Chairperson Ken Dowdy, Vice Chairperson Ken Birck Michael Collins Ralph Gibson Drew Hayes Doug James Dianne Thueson David A. Clark, Director of Community Development Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III ABSENT: Shirley Craft James Esther, Jr. RECEIVED IN CITY CLERK'S OFFICE / Date 5- —64 By P,Ci Time ■ Members ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ City staff ■ ■ ■ Council Liaison I. & 11. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS The meeting was called to order by Chairman Schaaf at 3:36 p.m. The two new members, Ralph Gibson and Drew Hayes, were sworn in by Mr. Clark and introduced by Mr. James. Mr. Gibson is the curator at the Kell House and the Wichita County Heritage Society (WCHS) representative while Mr. Hayes is an intern architect with Secord & Lebow. All members of the Commission welcomed the new appointees and expressed appreciation for their interest in historic preservation. III. ELECTION OF LANDMARK COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON The Chairperson requested nominations for a Landmark Commission Chairperson for 2004. Mr. James introduced a motion to nominate Ms. Schaaf to continue as Chairperson. Ms. Thueson seconded the motion. Mr. Collins motioned to close nominations, seconded by Mr. James. Motion passed unanimously. Nominations were opened for Landmark Commission Vice - Chairperson for 2004. Mr. James nominated Mr. Dowdy to remain as Vice - Chairperson, which was seconded by Ms. • Thueson. Mr. Collins motioned that nominations be closed, seconded by Mr. James. Motion was passed unanimously. Landmark Commission March 25, 2004 Page 1 of 5 The Landmark Commission Chairperson and Vice - Chairperson positions remain unchanged for 2004 with Ms. Schaaf and Mr. Dowdy, respectively. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Chairperson called for any revisions to the December meeting minutes as presented. There being no revisions, the minutes were declared approved by the Chairperson. V. DISCUSSION & COMMENT REGARDING NEW NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT SIGNAGE DESIGNS /PLACEMENTWITHIN THE DEPOT SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT The Chairperson requested staff address this item — Ms. Gagne indicated the National Park Service- Department of the Interior approved the Depot Square Historic District application for National Register of Historic Places recognition in early February. The applicants requested planning staff and the Landmark Commission review the potential for adding special signage notating the National Designation within the Depot. Staff commented that the VISIONS organization, in conjunction with the City Streets Department and Landmark Commission produced, installed and updated the street signs and poles within the Depot Square District in 2002. The existing signs have a reflective forest green background with white lettering and a logo. Based on the excellent condition of these street signs, staff recommended developing additional signage specifically noting National Register status that would enhance the district. Ms. Crump with the VISIONS /Downtown Development Inc. organization indicated their willingness to pay for the cost of adding National Historic District signs in the downtown as a component of their 2004/2005 budget. Mr. Collins and Mr. James were in agreement that additional signage was necessary, that it should be prominently displayed and distinguish the District as a Nationally recognized area. Ms. Thueson commented that in her work/travel to other communities /states, National Districts are recognizable based on the standard use of brown colored signs. Mr. Gibson stated that it would be ideal to also have National Register signs outside the district in order to direct people downtown or to a specific site, ie. signage for the Kell House Museum is located on Holliday /Broad St. Ms. Gagne indicated that she is in the process of discussing the potential of locating signage on the elevated freeway and /or Holliday /Broad St. with the TxDOT District office and City streets department. Commission members requested assistance from planning staff. Mr. Clark commented that brown signage is generally universal for denoting historic areas, particularly National Register sites. Staff discovered that there are no national standards for National Register signs — this is an item addressed at a local level via design review guidelines. THC provided sample photos from a National District in San Antonio — Monte Vista and clarified that there are no specific guidelines. Mr. Collins recommended that only one sign design be utilized for simplicity, stating "National Register of Historic Places." Mr. Dowdy and other members were in agreement with maintaining simplicity but preferred the signs reference the Depot Square. Commission members recommended implementing staff suggestion for "Depot Square National Register District." In order to develop a final design, Mr. James introduced a motion for a Signage Subcommittee composed of Mr. Ken • Dowdy, Mr. Drew Hayes and Ms. Dianne Thueson to work with City planning and street department staff. Mr. Collins seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The Landmark Commission March 25, 2004 Page 2 of 5 Commission members were in agreement that only one sign design would be utilized, signs 1 would all be the same dimension, and be placed near the boundaries of the district. The Signage Subcommittee and planning staff will coordinate a meeting within the next month to discuss the sign project. Final Subcommittee sign choices will be presented to the entire Commission for determination. Mr. Collins inquired about the Landmark Commission's role in encouraging Depot District owners to obtain individual National Register plaques for their buildings. Ms. Gagne referred members to the THC Application Form for National Register of Historic Places Plaques provided in the meeting packets. Ms. Thueson indicated that individual owners are able to purchase their own plaques. Planning staff added that any property owner with a contributing property /site in the national district can apply via THC to purchase a plaque. The plaques range in cost/size, beginning with a 5" x 7" for $75 up to a 9" x 12" for $150. Ordering plaques through the THC has a significant cost advantage because they have negotiated special rates with a sign manufacturer (some manufacturers charge up to $390 /sign). Mr. Collins recommended that staff review the type /style of plaque already in place on other National Register sites (ie. Hodges /Hardy /Chambers House (Graphics II); Weeks Mansion, Route -Depot Bldg; and Hamilton House) for similarity with the THC plaques. Mr. Collins introduced a motion to suggest that VISIONS /Downtown Development Inc., an organization composed of downtown business owners, encourage Depot Square property owners to pursue and be consistent in the display of historic signage. Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion. Motion received unanimous support. Commission members requested staff send a letter to property owners indicating the recent National Register designation and a copy of the THC Historic Places Plaque order form. VI. DISCUSSION & UPDATE REGARDING CLG GRANT PROJECT — POTENTIAL EDUCATIONAL VIDEO Planning staff obtained a copy of Corpus Christi's 2001 CLG application for an educational heritage video and workbook project conducted in conjunction with the city's 150th year celebrations. The scope of their project is beyond what would be considered in Wichita Falls but it does provide an example of a similar, approved grant proposal. Some Commission members offered suggestions for the grant application based on previous experience in other communities. Ms. Thueson indicated that an 8- minute video was too brief to offer an educational component — she recommended a minimum of 15 minutes. Based on her experience with a preservation video in Fargo, N.Dakota, Ms. Thueson stated that a slide show was developed using three projectors showing a perspective of historic resources with narration. Using today's technology the project could be developed with digital multimedia with lower production costs. Mr. James recalled an excellent video produced by the THC (approximately 20 -30 minutes) that was shown at the Regional Workshop held at the Kemp Center in 2003. Ms. Thueson suggested a tentative video outline with a general history of the community, a focus on key • historic resources in Wichita Falls closing with the importance of preserving historic properties. Both Ms. Thueson and Mr. Collins re- iterated the reason for developing the Landmark Commission March 25, 2004 Page 3 of 5 CLG preservation video was to help educate and improve the level of awareness in Wichita Falls regarding historic resources. Planning staff indicated that they had contacted Mr. Jim Gorham, a professor at MSU in the Mass Communications Department who indicated slight interest in the project. However, he noted that traditionally students are required to develop both the project concept followed by implementation as a component of the coursework. Ms. Schaaf indicated that she would contact Ms. Carla Bolin, Chair, Mass Communications Department to get a determination whether MSU is interested in partnering with the City. Mr. Gibson and Mr. James suggested staff contact the Visitors & Convention Bureau and BCI to find out who prepares their promotional videos. Mr. Dowdy raised two questions — 1) if there wasn't sufficient time to meet the spring application deadline were there other projects the Commission could submit for CLG assistance? and 2) During the application review process, would the City be penalized for submitting an application two -years in a row? Planning staff indicated that if the video project is not finalized in time that other projects could definitely be considered for submission. Mr. Gibson suggested two potential projects with the WCHS: 1) development of a self - guided walking tour brochure for historic sites within the County and Wichita Falls; and 2) an oral history program. The oral history project will be receiving funding assistance from some area foundations in order to purchase items, including a laptop, digital camera and video /audio editing equipment. The estimated value of the equipment is $3,000. Other Commission members suggested two potential projects — training for members and development of an information kiosk in the Depot Square Historic District situated near the Route building or Farmer's Market. Final direction for staff was to pursue the video project based on information from Bratten Thomason, THC CLG coordinator, determine if the WCHS, VISIONS and the City Public Information office are interested in partnering with the project. The Commission Chairperson will work with Ms. Bolin at MSU to see if the video project has potential as a student assignment and, if they are interested, develop some preliminary cost estimates for a 20- minute production. VII. REVIEW & DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED `HISTORIC PRESERVATION FACT SHEET' Mr. Clark noted that the West Floral Heights Neighborhood Association requested assistance with the historic district nomination process in their neighborhood. Ms. Gagne developed a brief summary, a 'Historic Preservation Fact Sheet' that provides a one -page overview of the historic district nomination process, reasons for having historic district and detail regarding design review guidelines. The fact sheet was reviewed by the City Manager's office and legal prior to distributing to the West Floral Heights group. The Neighborhood Association distributed copies of the fact sheet in conjunction with their March newsletter. Commission members endorsed the information contained in the fact sheet, requested that it be incorporated into the nomination procedural booklets and a copy of the information emailed to all members. • Landmark Commission March 25, 2004 Page 4 of 5 is VIII.OTHER BUSINESS Holt Hotel Update Mr. Clark reported that construction work is underway on the Holt with Electra Construction as the general contractor. He noted that the Marchman Hotel building, designated as a landmark by City council in 2003, is under renovation (interior components) in order to facilitate the relocation of state health and human service agencies with approximately 120 employees. Preservation Journal Articles The Planning division received complimentary reference materials from the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC), based at the Center for Community Design & Preservation, University of Georgia. The research materials provided information /guidance regarding design guidelines and architectural styles developed in the post -war era (recent history) that are beginning to reach the 50 -year age threshold when historic designation may be considered. 2004 Annual THC Historic Preservation Conference — May 6 -8th Planning staff encouraged Commission members to register for the conference since it will be in Fort Worth. Conference registration, including meals and one workshop (submitted prior to April 23rd) is $140 or a single -day registration is available for $35. Mr. Gibson indicated that he is scheduled to attend the conference as a representative for the WCHS. The Chairperson encouraged members to consider registering for a day- ticket on Friday, May 7th with the opportunity for car -pool to Fort Worth. IX. ADJOURN The Landmark Commission was adjourned at 5:18 p.m. a4,( _! J Schaaf, Chairpe on (5� �Z 2a Datff Landmark Commission March 25, 2004 Page 5 of 5