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Landmark Commission Minutes - 08/25/2003MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION August 25, 2003 PRESENT: RECEIVED IN CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Date --cig V� By ' , Time Ken Dowdy, Vice - Chairperson ■ Members Ken Birck ■ Loraine Blackwood ■ Michael Collins ■ Shirley Craft ■ Douglas James ■ Dianne Thueson ■ Dave Clark, Director, Community Development ■ City Staff Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III ■ GUESTS: Co. Linda Ammons ■ Ken Humpert ■ Richard Graham ■ Andy Lee ■ John Traylor ■ ABSENT: Jan Schaaf ■ Michael Koen ■ James Esther, Jr. ■ Council Liaison I. CALL TO ORDER The Vice - Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF JUNE MINUTES The Vice - Chairperson asked if there were any corrections to the June 26th meeting minutes, there beintq no amendments or corrections, Mr. Douglas James introduced a motion to approve the June 26t meeting minutes as presented and Ms. Dianne Thueson seconded. Minutes unanimously approved. III. APPLICATION FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION — 925 Lamar Street Mr. Dave Clark introduced this item and requested that the representatives outline their request for designation. Councilor Linda Ammons and business partner Ken Humpert outlined the history of the Marchman Hotel building and their proposed rehabilitation plans. The architectural firm of Dixon, Dixon and Dice designed the building that was constructed during 1926 -1927, first leased by the Hilton Hotel chain from 1927 through 1931. The building was known as the Marchman Hotel and functioned as a hotel until approximately August 1971 when it was sold and developed into a retirement center through to June 2000. The owners outlined their proposed renovation plans, noting that the main lobby will be rehabilitated to the 1930/1940's style. To date, the dropped ceilings on 1St floor were removed unveiling original, plaster crown molding and 16ft ceilings. In places where the crown molding was destroyed, plaster molds were utilized to replicate existing details. Renovation plans will include curved archways and faux finished lobby walls. The building has already undergone asbestos abatement and replacement of electrical systems. Ms. Thueson indicated that the building would be culturally significant D R A F T Landmark Commission Minutes August 25, 2003 Page 1 of 3 in addition to its historical qualities. Mr. James and Ms. Shirley Craft inquired about the plans for the building once renovated. Ms. Ammons stated that the original plan for the upper floors was corporate apartments, noting the success of Mr. Rick Graham's downtown (LaSalle Crossing/Travis Crossing) market -rate apartment units. However, the most recent focus is office space for a potential state agency relocation. The owners noted that if the state agency is interested in the location, they would probably lease up to 27,000 sq ft. The finished building will have approximately 57,000 sq ft. Mr. James and other members questioned whether the exterior fagade would be returned to the original appearance? Ms. Ammons and Mr. Humpert indicated that the exterior is similar to the original appearance with the major exception being windows, removal of the pediment on the west and south sides along with the 1St floor awnings. The owners are not proposing to introduce any changes to the exterior and will not be applying for federal tax credits due to the numerous alterations that the State Historic Preservation Officer will require. Mr. Graham offered to lend the building owners a 1940's era aerial photo of Wichita Falls downtown that showed detail of the Marchman building's exterior features. Mr. Clark acknowledged Ms. Thueson's comment about cultural significance and that the nomination would reflect this information. Mr. Collins introduced a motion to recommend that the Marchman Building be designated as a Wichita Falls Landmark. Ms. Thueson seconded the motion. The motion passed with unanimous support. Planning staff informed the owners that the recommendation would be forwarded to City Council for consideration at their September 16th meeting. Commission members and planning staff discussed the proceedings from the August 19th City Council meeting. Ms. Ammons provided an overview of events at the meeting and based on her interpretation thought that the Council was prepared to vote on a 75% commitment level for historic district nominations. Mr. Clark indicated that Council did not seem to have issue with the Preservation Ordinance revisions but did have contention with specific items within the Nomination procedures and Design Review guidelines. The discussion at city council focused on the nomination procedures for a historic district and concerns relating to design guidelines, staff commitment and enforcement within residential neighborhoods. Ms. Thueson commented that the representative of the Southland application indicated readiness to hire a lawyer and move ahead with their district application. She stated that a determination should be made regarding the Southland application in the near future. Mr. Collins encouraged Council members to request the preservation documents be placed back on the Council agenda for the September 2nd meeting. Commission members asked the procedure for placing items on the city council agenda. Mr. Clark explained that there are three avenues for requesting items on the Council meeting agenda, either via the City Manager, or three Council members, or the Mayor. Mr. Clark indicated that, at this time, he was informed by the City Manager that the documents would not be considered at the Council meeting on September 2 "d. Mr. James stated that the citizens are requesting council to look at the preservation procedures as a mechanism to help maintain and save some of the older neighborhoods within the city. Ms. Thueson commented that she received numerous phone calls after the council meeting with concerns about the nomination process and that the leadership of the city does not see value in historic preservation. Mr. James and Ms. Thueson commented about the presentation from Doug Harmon, CEO, Forth -Worth CVB, about heritage tourism potential within Texas at the THC Regional Workshop at the Kemp Center August 13th. Mr. Collins, as a former long -time resident of Fort Worth, noted that the city made a conscience effort to focus on the long -range future and benefits of heritage preservation in the downtown as an opportunity to improve and change the city's image of an 'old cattle town.' Councilor Ammons stated that she and other council members asked the Mayor to revisit the preservation documents later in the same council meeting in order to revote and clarify the confusion. However after the council finished executive session, the Mayor stated the preservation documents were going back to subcommittee. Commission members were concerned about the documents being returned to them for additional review and questioned what could be done to assist city council in their review process. Mr. Clark indicated that there were three key items of concern relating to the minimum commitment level necessary to nominate a district of which council had considered 100% and also 75% D R A F T Landmark Commission Minutes August 25, 2003 Page 2 of 3 with the potential of an 'opt -out' clause. The application fee structure for a district was revised from Landmarks recommendation in March to establish a $100 base fee with an additional fee of either $5 per property if the district had 50 or fewer properties and $10 per property fee for districts with more than 51 properties. The other concern related to the reference of 'color' still being found within the Ordinance, Nomination procedures and Design Review guidelines. Staff indicated that the references to color came from the Sec. of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation with regard to ensuring new alterations /rehab projects blended in with the character of existing building materials, etc not in the sense of regulating actual paint colors. Commission members discussed the items of concern and Mr. James introduced a motion to respectfully request that the preservation documents be forwarded back to City Council for additional consideration and that the Landmark Commission accepts a minimum 75% commitment level from property owners in an area proposed for a historic district nomination, are not in favor of an 'opt -out' clause and will remove all references to the word 'color.' Mr. Collins seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Commission members were in agreement that a letter should be forwarded to council members outlining this unanimous recommendation and to request for consideration. IV. REVIEW, DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATION to the TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION (THC) REGARDING the NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION for the DEPOT SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT Mr. Graham provided an update regarding the progress of the National Register application being submitted in conjunction with Mr. Andy Lee for the Depot Square Historic District and the Studio Hotel. Mr. Graham outlined that the boundary for the national register application mirrored the boundary of the local Depot Square Historic District. Ms. Craft introduced a motion to endorse the National Register application for the Depot Square Historic District. Ms. Thueson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commission members along with Mr. Clark recognized the work and dedication Mr. Graham and Mr. Lee have exhibited in the development and research for this application and in the level of interest within downtown Wichita Falls. V. OTHER BUSINESS Planning staff highlighted information in the meeting packet of interest to the public and Commission members: a) Depot Square Historic District — National Register Nomination Public Information Meeting — August 25th Backdoor Theatre — 501 Indiana @ 5pm b) Holt Hotel Project update — Construction Bid opening — August 28th @ 3pm — Depot Building c) City Council Consideration — Anderson Bean Bldg — 615 8t Street — September 2 "d Meeting Pending Council review of the landmark application, Mr. Lee indicated the Iron Horse Pub owners are planning to host a Landmark Plaque presentation — September 4th @ 4:30 p.m. d) THC Regional Workshop — August 13th — Excellent Workshop — highest attendance of all four workshops with 118 registrants — THC planning a follow -up event in spring 2004. Ms. Craft stressed the importance of maintaining strong communication between the Planning Division /Landmark Commission and the Wichita County Heritage Society office regarding public awareness for these preservation events. e) September Meeting Date — To be Determined - Planning staff will contact members with a meeting date and status of the preservation documents with city council VI. ADJOURN Meeting was officially adjourned at 4:36 p.m. Landmark Commission members and planning staff reconvened for the Public Information Meeting at the Backdoor Theatre at 5:00 p.m. with the Texas Historical Commission staff. Jan Schaaf, Chairperson Date D R A F T Landmark Commission Minutes August 25, 2003 Page 3 of 3