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Landmark Commission Minutes - 08/30/2001MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION August 30, 2001 PRESENT: RECEIVED IN CITY CLERK'S OFFICE E Date ---tea' I - of By Rl', Time 4.*X kY Jim Newsom (Vice- Chairperson) ■ Members Loraine Blackwood ■ Ken Dowdy ■ Andi Holland ■ Susan Koch ■ Arthur Bea Williams ■ Council Liaison Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III ■ City Staff Steve Seese, Planning Administrator ■ David A. Clark, Community Development Director ■ ABSENT: Lin Purtle, Chairperson ■ Members Doug James ■ Dick Bundy ■ GUESTS: Shirley Craft, Downtown VISIONS Coordinator I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Vice - Chairperson Newsom at 3:06 p.m. II. REVIEW AND APPROVAL of JULY 27th MEETING MINUTES The Vice - Chairperson asked if there were any changes to the July 27th meeting minutes, there being none, Ms Holland introduced a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Ms Koch seconded the motion. III. DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATION — 607 7th STREET Mr. Newsom introduced the Design review application submitted for Nannie's Cafe Uptown at 607 7`h Street. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne referred Committee members to their packets, which outlined the proposed alterations to the existing structure those being the re- erection of the business sign, street easel sign and a smoker building to the rear of the property. The business owner, Ms Sallie White was unable to attend the meeting. The Committee members discussed the concern about historic district awareness among landlords vs tenants. Councilor Williams indicated that the landlords need to be aware of the historic designation in order to avoid issues with tenants building structures/alterations that are not approved via the Landmark Commission. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne commented that the Landmark Landmark Commission August 30, 2001 Page 1 of 5 Commission was in the process of discussing ways to improve and increase the awareness of the process already in place for historically designated structures and one way to accomplish this is via an annual letter that is mailed to all property owners and tenants within the Depot Square Historic District (and to landmark designated structures) informing them that they own /lease property situated within the City's historic district. Councilor William, Ms Craft, and Mr. Newsom discussed concerns with lease addendums and the role title companies may play in helping inform property owners. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne indicated that she discovered that once properties are designated by Council as a landmark, a 'certified copy of ordinance' is filed in the County Courthouse; however, it is not directly filed with the deed. In order to have the actual deed updated it would have to be re -filed and a new filing fee charged. Therefore, the information is being distributed and the title companies and deed researchers are aware of deed updates but the general public would not have any knowledge of the separate 'certified copy of ordinance' when they research a specific historic property. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne indicated that planning staff and the Committee members are working to improve the process of providing information to the community regarding historic properties, etc. A) Signage: Mr. Newsom asked for comments regarding the re- erection of the existing sign that was professionally designed and painted. Mr. Dowdy introduced a motion to approve the business signage as presented. Ms Blackwood seconded the motion. Motion was passed unanimously. Members were in general agreement that the portable sidewalk easel sign was acceptable. B) Smoker Building: Members were in general agreement that the smokers required screening, as the location is a focal point from Ohio and 7"' Streets. Ms Holland and Ms Koch both indicated that the smoker building is very visible from both Ohio and 7'" Streets and it is not compatible with the existing structure. Councilor Williams noted that the smoker building needed to be camouflaged by placing cinder blocks around the sides of the structure and to remove the wooden frame. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne stated that planning staff discovered this structure at the same time as the building inspection division, when paperwork was received from the health department. At the time of preparing the application, the smoker building was actually situated on City property. The applicant was informed that the smoker building was on City property and that it must be moved closer to the building prior to receiving an occupancy permit and opening for business. Councilor Williams stated that the tenant must remove the smoker building from City property, screen or camouflage it as it detracts from the area, and there may be fire /safety issues with it's proximity to the main building. Ms Holland introduced a motion to deny the smoker building based on the City's Design Review Guidelines, as it is not compatible with the existing structures in the area. Ms Koch seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The Commission members provided the following recommendations: a) the smokers may remain if they are secured and screened from view by creating a 3 -sided cinder block wall which encases the tin structure and is then covered with stucco and painted to match the adjacent building; or, b) construct an approved privacy fence of pressure- treated panels that would attach to the building while enclosing the rear portion of the property. This option would provide the necessary screening from 7"' and Ohio Streets while providing a safe, enclosed area. Landmark Commission August 30, 2001 Page 2 of 5 IV. DISCUSSION OF TAX BENEFIT INCENTIVES for DESIGNATED HISTORIC STRUCTURES Mr. Seese indicated that staff is in the process of reviewing the formula and requirements for permitting a tax freeze on historically designated properties. Planning staff requested that Commission members review this Ordinance section and provide comments and feedback prior to the next meeting. Councilor Williams noted that the delegation to Germany learned that the cost in Europe to renovate properties is so high that it is advantageous to provide some form of tax relief in order to keep the properties on the tax rolls and avoid demolition. Ms. Craft asked if the tax freeze policies were already included in the City Ordinances. Planning staff indicated that the tax freeze policies are already part of the City Code and that to date they have never been utilized. Another item for consideration is that that the Depot Square Historic District is encompassed by the City's TIFF area. TIFF policies would preclude the issuance of a tax freeze for renovated properties sited within the Historic District. Councilor Williams suggested that it might be of interest to contact the WF School District to discuss the possibility of also freezing the school taxes on approved renovations to historically designated properties. Ms Holland stated that she had received numerous phone calls from local residents interested in obtaining the tax freeze. However, because the Ordinance is very restrictive most people are not even eligible for application by the time they learn of the incentive. Ms Holland suggested that staff address the following concerns with the existing Ordinance: a) look at the high limit on rehabilitation investment, b) the property must be pre - designated as a Landmark within the Historic District, and c) renovation /rehabilitation plans must be pre- approved by the Landmark Commission prior to starting any activity on the structure. V. REVIEW & DISCUSSION - REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION Ms. Montgomery-Gagne congratulated the Commission members for their work on updating the Instructions for Completing Wichita Falls Landmark Nomination Forms.' She noted that the final sections to be addressed prior to completion of the booklet are the tax freeze information and the accompanying documentation. Ms Koch indicated that she had questions regarding the number of photos that should be submitted for an individual vs a district landmark nomination designation. Ms Holland commented that for a district designation the majority of homes should be photographed in order to obtain a record of the structure's exterior, ie. panoramic view of each block. Ms Montgomery-Gagne brought various landmark files that had a mix of black and white, color and Polaroid's. She noted that consistency is necessary for all submittals. Ms Koch stated that the existing policies were based on the National Standards, which have probably been updated since this booklet was first prepared. All Commission members agreed that for the next meeting staff would research and locate the National Standards for preparing photographs for submission. Landmark Commission August 30, 2001 Page 3 of 5 VI. CLG STATUS - DISCUSSION & REVIEW OF COMMENTS RECEIVED BY THE TEXAS CLG COORDINATOR AND THE CITY'S UPCOMING APPLICATION Ms. Montgomery-Gagne referred members to the meeting packet, which included a letter from Ms. Bratten Thomason, Texas Historical Commission that outlined the two areas of concern regarding the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance and CLG status. In order to obtain CLG recognition from the State for grant planning, specific items must be addressed by the local municipality within their Historic Preservation Ordinance. One of those items is the appointment of a local historic preservation officer, which usually is a planning staff member. Ms. Holland introduced a motion for planning staff to prepare appropriate wording to update the Historic Preservation Ordinance for Council in order to obtain CLG status. Ms. Koch seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. VII. DISCUSSION & COMMENT ON THE EXPANSION OF THE DEPOT SQUARE The Vice - Chairperson discussed the importance of designated the remaining portion of the Wichita Falls Railroad Museum since it was missed during the most recent expansion in 2000. Ms Holland noted that the land behind the Depot building should also be designated. She also noted that the Railroad Museum Board had not yet formally discussed the inclusion of the property within the Historic District but the main members had previously indicated an interest in being designated. Ms Koch introduced a motion to expand the Depot Square Historic District to include the 4 lots owned by the Railroad Museum and the city property between the Depot Building and the Railroad Museum property. Ms Blackwood seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. VIII. OTHER BUSINESS: 1) Heritage Society's Historic Downtown Buildings Tour- Oct. 13, 2001 Ms Holland provided an update on the Heritage Society's activities with their fall event a — Downtown Buildings Tour that will include the Littlest Skyscraper Building, Bundy, Young, Sims and Potter Building, Federal Courthouse, Wichita County Courthouse, Holt Hotel, Hamilton Building, Wichita Theatre and the Kemp Center for the Arts. The tickets are $15.00 that includes a guided tour of the buildings and lunch afterwards to the Kemp Center. 2) Updated Walking Tour Map/Brochure of Downtown Depot Square Ms. Montgomery-Gagne provided a handout from a brochure developed by the City of El Paso for a Downtown Historic Self- Guided Walking Tour. Discussion continued with the possibility of developing a downtown brochure that would address both the Depot Square Historic District and the Downtown area produced in cooperation with VISIONS, the Heritage Society and the Landmark Commission. Ms Craft and Mr. Clark indicated that the downtown association (VISIONS) was in the process of looking at a variety of ideas to encourage activity and promote the downtown area, one of those ideas being street signage. The Commission members decided to hold off on detailed discussions at this time, as they may be premature but to look into possibilities for a brochure during the winter months. Landmark Commission August 30, 2001 Page 4 of 5 3) New Landmark Commission Member Mr. Seese indicated that a replacement for Dorothy Rhone's position had been found and was in the process of awaiting City Council appointment prior to the September meeting. The tentative new member under the 'licensed real estate broker or appraiser' category would be Ms. Jan Schaaf. 4) Historic District — Heritage Days Party Mr. Newsom and Ms Craft informed everyone that the Heritage Days event was scheduled for September 21st and it is anticipated that by then the downtown will have 35-40 buildings with lights on and activity 7 days /week. IX. ADJOURN The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, September 201h at 3:00 p.m. The Landmark Commission was adjourned at 4:36 p.m. 09-)D. o / Date Landmark Commission August 30, 2001 Page 5 of 5