Landmark Commission Minutes - 08/03/2000�e.
MINUTES
LANDMARK COMMISSION -
DESIGN REVIEW & ORDINANCE GUIDELINE SUBCOMMITTE
August 3, 2000
PRESENT:
Lin Purtle, Chairperson
Jim Newsom
Lorraine Blackwood
Dorothy Rhone
Steve Seese, Planning Administrator
Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III
ABSENT:
Susan Koch
Dave Clark, Community Development Director
GUESTS:
None
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Purtle at 3:15 p.m.
Members
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0
City Staff
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II. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF LANDMARK COMMISSION ORDINANCE
Ms. Purtle and City Planning staff outlined the purpose for the subcommittee's meeting regarding
the landmark ordinance. The key reason for the update is to provide clarification and reduce the
inconsistencies in the ordinance which have arisen in recent years regarding it's interpretation
and enforcement. Ms. Purtle also informed the subcommittee that Ms. Dawn Muir (interested
citizen) had forwarded a copy of the City's current Landmark's Ordinance to the Texas Historical
Commission for review and comment. A staff member from the Texas Historical Commission
reviewed the City's current landmark ordinance and provided numerous recommendations and
suggestions for the Commission to consider during their update.
Mr. Seese provided two handouts for the subcommittee members — the first being the existing
ordinance with the Texas Historical Commission's written recommendations /suggestions in the
margin and the second, being a copy of the existing ordinance as scanned into the computer.
The two copies provide an opportunity to compare and review each section of the ordinance
while addressing some of the issues brought up by the State Historical Commission.
Section 2 -160.6 — Purpose and declaration of policy for the Landmark Commission will generally
remain the same as it outlines the need and purpose for designating historic landmarks within
the City of Wichita Falls.
Design Review & Ordinance Guideline Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
' Section 2 -160.7 — Historic landmark designation outlines the requirements in order to designate
a City landmark. It was generally agreed to add a sixth item, that being:
"(6) Possesses significance in history, architecture, archeology, and culture."
Section 2- 160.7.1 — Landmark Commission. Numerous amendments were recommended to this
portion of the Ordinance. The State Historical commission and Commission members in
attendance recommended the following changes to the Landmark membership requirements:
"(1) Of the nine (9) members, one (1) shall be a licensed real estate broker or appraiser, one
(1) shall be a member of the planning and zoning commission, one (1) shall be a member
of the Wichita County Heritage Society, one (1) member from each or any historic district
(person shall either own property or reside within), two (2) shall be licensed architects,
and three (3) shall be members at large."
"(2) All members should have knowledge and experience in one of the following categories:
architectural, economic, cultural, archaeological, or historical development of the city
which prepare them for carrying out their duties on the commission, and they shall serve
without compensation."
All subcommittee members agreed that to qualify for membership on the Landmark commission
there should be some kind of qualification in the various areas outlined in subsection (2) as
referenced above.
The State Historical Commission addressed the issue of "ethnic diversity" in their review of the
current ordinance and suggested a new category be created under Section 2- 160.7.1(a)(3). Mr.
Seese mentioned the idea of looking at the ethnic composition of the commission and whether it
is representative of the population composition for the entire City. Ms. Purtle asked if this
amendment would improve the certified local government application since efforts were being
made to diversify the commission. The subcommittee members present agreed that the
question of ethnic composition and whether it was a requirement for the CLG application should
be examined.
Mr. Seese indicated the commission's term [part (b)] is set by City Council and that the terms
were recently updated to reflect current expiration dates.
"( c) Proceedings. The landmark commission shall meet a minimum of six (6) times annually and
may hold other meetings as necessary. These meetings shall be open to the public. A
simple majority of the members shall constitute a quorum and at least five (5) affirmative
votes shall be necessary to carry out any action of the commission. The commission shall
adopt appropriate guidelines and procedures relating to the provisions of this division and
for the conduct of its business. The City Council shall appoint a Chairperson for the
landmark commission. "
Another issue addressed by the State Historical Commission is the appointment of a Historic
Preservation Officer (HPO). Mr. Seese indicated that the HPO, if appointed, could probably be a
member of the commission or an existing City staff person. It was generally agreed that the
issue of an HPO required further discussion since it would require additional City resources
should staff become the HPO.
Design Review & Ordinance Guideline Subcommittee Meeting Minutes 2
A concern was mentioned regarding Section 2- 160.7.1 — part (d)(3) with "...landmark
commission shall approve... applications for alterations to the exteriors of designated
landmarks..." Mr. Newsom stated that there are issues regarding the definition of 'moveable' vs
`permanent' structures which need to be addressed during the Ordinance update. Ms. Purtle
asked the other subcommittee members whether the landmark ordinance and /or commission
should be regulating exteriors, buildings, objects, structures and /or site changes on landmark
properties or those within the historic districts of the City. All subcommittee members were in
agreement that this is a key issue which must be determined during the update as far as what is
allowed on the site and /or building alterations. Ms. Purtle further stated that the ordinance may
become more lenient regarding some of these issues (i.e. site development, placement of
objects on property, etc.) but it will provide a more succinct record of what is required under
various circumstances, which is not the present case.
The title for Section 2- 160.7.3 — 'Exterior alterations to landmarks' will remain the same.
Ms. Rhone asked what the subcommittee was aiming for with this update — a) a better Ordinance
for the City; or b) a better application for CLG. Mr. Seese responded that the ultimate goal is to
improve the existing City landmark ordinance so it clearly outlines requirements for citizens.
Through updating the City ordinance, it should improve the City's CLG application.
The subcommittee agreed that a 30 -day review period was sufficient under part (2) as
extensions (if necessary) may be granted under part (3). However, concerns were raised
regarding the wording of part (4) and how it can reasonably be enforced by the commission, i.e.
"landmarks must be maintained to ensure their structural soundness and to assure their exterior
preservation..." The issue relates directly to landmark designated properties /structures which
have fallen into disrepair and the concern of how their upkeep can be enforced by the
commission.
Subcommittee members requested Mr. Seese to check on the City's 'system' for addressing
dilapidated and run -down properties and if their landmark or historic designations are ever
checked.
Section 2- 160.7.4 outlines a variety of design criteria that should be addressed in a structure's
evaluation. Ms. Purtle raised a key point of whether the landmark commission should be
determining 'what' is placed on historic sites or just regulating the actual structure. The State
Historical Commission recommended that this section [(a) through (j)] be referenced as the
Secretary of the Interior's 'Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings' so citizens know the
criteria were developed nationally.
Another portion of this Section 2- 160.7.4 addresses signs within historic areas. The
subcommittee agreed that better signage of the entire Depot Historic District is necessary and
more visibility so property owners know they are situated in a historic area and certain criteria
must be addressed when rehabilitating structures.
III. ADJOURN
It was agreed that further meetings should be held. The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Lin Purfle, Chairperson Date
Design Review & Ordinance Guideline Subcommittee Meeting Minutes 3