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Landmark Commission Minutes - 12/19/2002MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION December 19, 2002 PRESENT: Jan Schaaf, Chairperson Ken Dowdy, Vice - Chairperson Ken Birck Loraine Blackwood Michael Collins Shirley Craft Douglas James Mike Koen Jim Newsom Dianne Thueson James Esther David Clark, Dir. Community Development Steve Seese, Planning Administrator Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III GUESTS: Richard Graham, Owner, LaSalle Crossing, 530 Seventh Street I. CALL TO ORDER The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. i i;- CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Date I - 0 -6 D., By Time ■ Members ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Council Liaison ■ City Staff ■ ■ II. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES Mr. Newsom introduced a motion to accept the November 21s` meeting minutes as presented and Mr. Koen seconded. Minutes approved unanimously as presented. III. INTRODUCTION & SWEARING -IN OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBER The Chairperson introduced this item and requested Mr. Seese swear -in the new member of the Landmark Commission — Ms. Shirley Craft. Ms. Craft recited the oath and expressed her appreciation for being appointed by City Council to the Commission. IV. REQUEST TO DISCUSS NATIONAL REGISTER POTENTIAL FOR THE DEPOT SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT The Chairperson introduced Mr. Richard Graham who requested to meet with the Commission in order to request assistance regarding the nomination of the Depot Square Historic District for National Register recognition. Mr. Graham provided Commission members with background regarding his involvement with the Depot Square and his investment ($600,000) in restoring /renovating the LaSalle Crossing Building at the corner of Ohio and 7 1 Streets. As a downtown property owner he expressed his interest in obtaining historic tax credits at a national /state level, noting that the availability of federal tax credits would encourage other historic property owners to renovate buildings. He indicated that significant historic research was prepared for the buildings within the Depot Square District and organized into a submission to the National Park Service (Mr. Gary Sachau) for recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. The research materials were originally submitted to the National Park Service on July 18, 2000 with a response being issued on May 22, 2001. Planning staff provided a copy of the Historic Preservation Certification Application Form (Part 1 — Evaluation of Significance) for Commission Landmark Commission December 19, 2002 Page 1 of 4 members. Mr. Graham noted that the National Park Service has already established during their preliminary determination, "that the (LaSalle Crossing) appears to contribute to the significance of a potential historic district, which will likely be listed in the National Register of Historic Places if nominated by the State Historic Preservation Officer." Mr. Graham outlined the numerous problems he had encountered with the Texas Historic Commission (Greg Smith & Chase Robertson). Mr. Clark tried to clarify the information Mr. Graham presented, by asking if anyone had submitted an application for national designation - noting that the application involved either submission as a district or an individual building. Mr. Graham responded that if the building were in an established local historic district Part I of the application process was unnecessary. Ms. Thueson outlined that for a national register designation every building within the Depot Square would have to be presented with significant research and classified as either contributing or non - contributing as part of the application. Mr. Graham provided a brief oral history of the Depot Square District along with providing a binder with information sheets /photos and news clippings for each building. He highlighted various historical facts, including: an early version of the Waldorf Hotels was downtown (612 7th Street), a White Elephant Salon which burned in the 1960's was along Ohio, the Littlest Skyscraper, the City National /Federal Reserve Bank (71h /Ohio Streets), Keller Building (7th Street), first Zales Jewelry Store (DeFoor's Pawn Shop - 8th /Ohio Streets), etc. He informed the Commission that had also discussed concerns regarding the Texas Historic Commission (THC) with Judge Gossom (Wichita County) along with the local State Representative. Mr. Graham requested agency /Commission support and assistance in having the research and application endorsed by the Texas Historic Commission in order to obtain National Register recognition. Mr. James asked how the Landmark Commission could assist Mr. Graham in his efforts for national designation? Mr. Graham responded that the research is almost complete for designation — simply need to encourage the THC to endorse the application and forward to Washington for final approval. He provided photo examples of other buildings across the nation that had received national designation (ie.Colorado —Monte Villa Inn; Arizona, Kentucky, etc.) but were in disrepair and deteriorated. Mr. Clark responded by noting that the research binder and detail was phenomenal and more downtown property owners are needed like Mr. Graham who has a strong interest in seeing things revitalized. He explained some of the requirements necessary in order to attain listing on the National Register, which include having individual building documentation completed on special paper and a review by the Texas Historic Commission. THC then forwards their recommendation to the National Park Service. To obtain tax credits, a building must first be determined as eligible for the National Register or contributing to a National Register district. Plans are then reviewed by THC and Washington and credits awarded if the approved plans are followed. Mr. Clark used the Holt Hotel as an example of the review stages and process the THC follows. Mr. James asked if a district designation would assist the Holt restoration project? Mr. Clark stated not really at this point, as the Holt is being reviewed as an individual building. District designation would take care of much of the first step to provide tax credit qualification to the downtown district. Mr. Graham responded that the conflict is with the district application and that THC will not recognize it's national eligibility. There is no issue with an individual building project. Mr. James commented that the purpose of the Landmark Commission is to pursue designation of worthy historic properties and if they are serious about the Depot Square Historic District— obtaining national recognition should simply be another step in the preservation process. Ms. Craft questioned the status of the application and if the THC had signed -off on the submittal prior to review in Washington? Mr. Graham stated Part I was complete for the LaSalle Crossing building and the THC has the paperwork for the district. Mr. Clark reiterated that once a building is determined to be eligible for the National Register (a Part 1 application), then the improvement plans must be approved (Part 2) through THC and the National Park Service. He suggested that Mr. Graham contact the THC and request a letter outlining what information was lacking from his application. Mr. Graham responded that the THC has refused to put in writing what is wrong with the individual building application. Mr. James suggested the Commission and planning staff contact the THC to determine what information is still outstanding. Councilman Esther asked if the issue with the THC related to a non - governmental Landmark Commission December 19, 2002 Page 2 of 4 agency submitting the application. Ms. Thueson indicated that should not be an issue, the THC would submit a packet to an applicant for completion, which is not difficult; simply time consuming because the research must be completed for every single building in the proposed district. Mr. Collins added that from his experience in Fort Worth, anyone could nominate a national application in order to obtain tax credits. Mr. Graham reiterated that his experience with the THC, in particular Mr. Greg Smith, was negative regarding the area surrounding the Holt Hotel due to the number of vacant land parcels within the Depot Square. Ms. Thueson raised an concern for Board members— will the Landmark Commission be significantly involved in the preparation, research, etc. for preparing a completed district application — or — will planning staff have to take on this responsibility. Mr. Koen introduced a motion that the Landmark Commission Chairperson and Mr. Clark prepare a letter to forward to the THC requesting what information is missing from Mr. Graham's application. Ms. Blackwood seconded the motion. Mr. Esther commented that he concurred with the actions of the Commission and it was important to determine what can be done to move the process to the next phase. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Craft commented that as the downtown coordinator for VISIONS, this was thefirst time she had heard of problems with the national register application. She indicated how crucial it was to coordinate communication downtown to help further the efforts for revitalizing the entire Depot Square and downtown. V. UPDATE /FEEDBACK REGARDING CITY COUNCIL & THE REVISED INSTRUCTIONAL BOOKLET FOR NOMINATING LANDMARKS & HISTORIC DISTRICTS The Chairperson introduced this item and planning staff provided copies of the updated Instructional Booklet to each member. Mr. Clark highlighted the main issues that the City Manager and Council still have regarding the guidebook. He noted that some of the issues related to the commitment level necessary for submitting a district application (ie. 51 %- 100 %) and the potential for additional workload for staff due to design review applications and managing the historic districts. Mr. Clark explained that there might not be an increased staff workload for the inclusion of a small historic district (ie. under 200 properties) but additional designations could change that. Citing comments made at the last Council meeting, Mr. Clark asked Mr. Esther if Council would be willing to meet with the Landmark Commission to discuss the issues relating to the Instructional Booklet. Mr. Esther agreed that a study group /working meeting with Council and the Commission was necessary. Ms. Craft asked who would be involved in the work group meeting? Mr. Clark responded that the entire Landmark Commission and City Council would be involved in the discussions and it would be open to the public. Mr. James introduced a motion to request a joint meeting with the Landmark Commission and City Council for discussing and updating the guidebook- Instructions For Completing Wichita Falls Landmark & Historic District Nomination Forms. Mr. Collins seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. VI. OTHER BUSINESS: Other a) Mr. Clark thanked Mr. Newsom for his on -going assistance on the Landmark Commission over the past 11 years, noting that he was involved in numerous projects, including Depot Square expansion attempts, designation of local landmarks and policy updates. Planning staff and Commission members thanked Mr. Newsom for his dedicated service to historic preservation in the City of Wichita Falls. Mr. Newsom offered that the Morningside neighborhood would be looking to submit a local district application after Floral Heights' application is submitted and reviewed. Mr. Newsom thanked fellow Commission members and staff, indicating that he'd enjoyed serving on the Board. He provided a follow -up from the November meeting, noting that the house at 1714 Elizabeth was not a local landmark— 1808 Elizabeth is the landmark property Landmark Commission December 19, 2002 Page 3 of 4 in that area. Mr. Newsom added that he purchased the property at auction and is in the process of renovation and may apply for landmark status in the future. b) Ms. Craft updated the Commission that she is in the process of researching ordinances and resolutions to address building neglect/derelict conditions. She anticipated having materials for the Commission to review at the January or February meeting. VII. ADJOURN Meeting was officially adjourned at 4:25 p.m. Planning staff indicated they would contact Commission members regarding the joint City Council /Landmark meeting in early January. Jan Schaaf, Chairperson Date Landmark Commission December 19, 2002 Page 4 of 4