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Landmark Commission Minutes - 08/13/2008MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION • August 13, 2008 LJ MEMBERS PRESENT: Dianne Thueson, Chairperson ■ Members Marilyn Carper ■ Christy Graham ■ John Kidwell ■ Jim Newsom ■ Steve Wood ■ Councilor Charles Elmore ■ Council Liaison David Clark, Director, Community Development ■ staff Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III ■ Delores Culley, Exec. Dir., Wichita County Heritage Society ■ ABSENT: Cindy Cotton ■ Ron Fox ■ Stacie Flood ■ Pat Sullivan ■ I. CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS & SWEARING IN NEW MEMBER Chairperson Thueson called the Commission meeting to order at 4:05pm, after a quorum of members was obtained. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF JULY 2008 MEETING MINUTES Chairperson Thueson called for review and approval of the July 9, 2008 meeting minutes. Mr. Newsom introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Mr. Kidwell seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. III. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW REGARDING KELL HOUSE ACCESSIBILITY RAMP — 900 BLUFF STREET Chairperson Thueson referred members to the application packet and staff comment. Ms. Gagn6 explained some background details regarding the request for a handicapped access ramp and deferred to Ms. Culley, Executive Director, Wichita County Heritage Society for additional details. Ms. Culley provided an overview of the situation to Commission members, noting the case was heard in Federal court and the judge removed the wooden ramp option and provided them options of two other ramp designs. The WCHS Executive committee voted on the two court approved designs and voted for the option outlined in the Design Review application. Ms. Culley referred members to the drawings included with the application for an overview of Museum grounds /proposed location for the accessibility ramp and a detailed drawing of the ramp handrail. She noted the railing will be white and more ornate than the piping shown in the drawing; it will be very similar to the railing at the ramp installed at the Bundy, Young, Sims & Potter building on 9'h Street. Ms. Culley stated based on drawings prepared by Volz & Associates, a person would enter the ramp from the sidewalk access by the curb and angle toward the house. With the revisions, you will enter the house at the rear northwest corner by gch Street. This proposal results Landmark Commission August 13, 2008 page 1 l in two shrubs being removed and the accessibility ramp probably won't be visible from V 7Street. Ms. Carper inquired if the steps will be used. Ms. Culley indicated the entire porch will be utilized. Mr. Wood noted concern with safety for the person in the wheelchair when going up or down the ramp. Councilor Elmore asked if a wheelchair lift would be a better option. Ms. Culley responded the wheelchair lift, to their knowledge, was not an option — the only options permitted are those approved by the court. She added no one wants to see pipe railing similar to the materials used at the Graham Purcell Federal Courthouse building; the railing will be decorative along with the posts. Ms. Christy Graham arrived late but stated as a Board member for the Wichita County Heritage Society (WCHS) she should not participate during this agenda item at the Commission meeting to avoid potential conflict of interest. Chairperson Thueson and Commission members were in agreement that if Ms. Graham was a voting member of WCHS she should not be involved with voting on the design review application. Ms. Graham removed herself from the room and abstained from voting. Mr. Newsom inquired about the contractor listed on page 2 of the application and whether bids were obtained. Ms. Culley explained additional detail about the case and explained Volz & Associates, Inc. (Austin) were retained by the family pursuing the lawsuit and the American Civil Liberties Union — Texas Chapter. The project will be bid but for the design review application the WCHS used the name of the company that had provided a construction estimate in early 2007 of $28,000. However, Ms. Culley noted the judge also ordered variances for the doorways, there are costs for each state inspection in addition to constructing & installing the accessibility ramp so the estimated total project cost is now $50,000. Councilor Elmore stated this was a ridiculous situation. Mr. Kidwell asked if it would be better to use the front entrance for the ramp. Ms. Culley responded the front entrance was not considered an option — the house was excluded from the regulations for second storey access due to square footage of the house. She added there is no recourse if the judge's ruling is appealed because it will be determined in the same courtroom and no recourse to recoup the attorney's fees over the past 1.5 years. The WCHS has to build the ramp or the federal judge will shut down the Kell House Museum and determine whether it can be used for the WCHS offices. Ms. Carper inquired how the ADA was dealt with in the past. Ms. Culley stated for the past two years, arrangements are made with parents and for any school groups touring the Museum so prior arrangements can be made. She noted the Museum would have made an exception and moved Santa outside for Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter's benefit. Ms. Culley reiterated the Museum staff and WCHS try to accommodate everyone so they can enjoy Museum events and Santa House; explaining the annual Santa House event has become a tradition for multiple generations in the Wichita Falls area. Ms. Culley stated after completing the ordered interior alterations, no one will be allowed to use the sun room it will be blocked off from access. Mr. Newsom suggested going to the Texas Historical Commission and request their review of the proposed alterations. Ms. Culley stated WCHS would have to go back to the federal judge with THC's result and if THC doesn't approve the ramp request the organization is stuck. She informed Commission members the doors in the Kell House Museum are a quarter -inch (1/4 ") to narrow to comply with ADA standards. Mr. Wood inquired about the ramp at the sidewalk and whether it was up to Code. Members discussed, and were in agreement the City had not yet upgraded the sidewalk access at this location and it would have to be marked for handicapped access. Ms. Culley stated the court ordered the accessibility ramp be completed by November 14, 2008. Chairperson Thueson inquired about the time for variance filing and Ms. Culley responded timing was anywhere up to 90 -days. Mr. Kidwell asked what happens if the Commission denies approval of the design review application. Ms. Culley replied WCHS would have to go to the federal court judge and seek his determination of what is required for accessibility. Mr. Wood asked Commission members for solutions and potential to consider removal of the stairs and installing a double -back or switch -back ramp design. Ms. Culley stated both ramp plans show blocked stairs. Mr. Wood suggested a ramp down to the sidewalk, turn Landmark Commission August 13, 2008 page 2 • v and ramp down toward the building. Ms. Culley commented work prepared by architect Mr. Dick Bundy initially showed the ramp up close to the house then out toward the trees; members discussed the other option and debated about the most appropriate design for the ramp. Ms. Culley noted the court was not interested in Mr. Bundy's recommended plan, the only plans considered were the ones prepared by Volz & Associates, Inc. Chairperson Thueson asked if part of the sidewalk is removed what happens to the steps. Ms. Culley indicated the ramp will come up to the porch and the steps will remain; if the ramp later is removed it won't affect the original steps underneath. Mr. Wood had an issue with the ramp protruding past the building and removing the sidewalk. Will the ramp angle interfere with the large tree in the courtyard? Ms. Culley stated the ramp will not interfere with the tree. After additional discussion and concern regarding the federal court's ruling, Chairperson Thueson noted the Landmark Commission's concern with: 1) any permanent change to the Kell House Museum building; 2) visibility from the street with shrubbery covering a portion of the ramp; and 3) whether the ramp can be removed and not affect the overall structure. She added the interior variance issues are not items for the Landmark Commission to address. Mr. Wood had an issue with making the sidewalk run into a ramp built over /on top of stairs along with the short-term construction deadline. Mr. Wood drew a sketch of his alternate proposal with the ramp coming out straight to 91h Street and running back to the steps — using a double -back design. He took issue with the design in the application because if the wheelchair is to close to the ramp /step it could go over. Ms. Carper inquired about width of step /platform. Mr. Wood recently visited the site and measured the distance with 7ft 11 inches and 4 -steps with a large platform. Members discussed Mr. Wood's ramp sketch and Mr. Kidwell questioned the length of ramp and steepness. Mr. Wood stated a 30ft ramp is needed with 3 ramp sections (9ft, 9ft and 12ft) and 5ft x 5ft landings for a switchback ramp design. Chairperson Thueson tried to recap the Commission's involvement with the accessibility ramp ® review, noting in 2007 the Commission rejected an initial design review application submitted during fall 2007 that proposed three different options for a ramp. The Commission requested the Kell House Museum Board review the various options and select/submit one recommended design to the Commission for final review and consideration. Members discussed the current application request. Ms. Culley stated if the Landmark Commission approved the proposed accessibility ramp, the plans would then be submitted for THC review and approval and the WCHS could then apply for the waivers /variances for interior work. Chairperson Thueson stated she was hearing the Landmark Commission liked the concept but not the ramp design. Mr. Wood noted the sketch for a switchback style ramp would require a lot of concrete and railings. Ms. Culley commented they may be able to use brick on the outside of the switchback. Mr. Kidwell stated the presented option didn't provide sufficient detail and questioned how the application could be addressed with the time constraint. Chairperson Thueson called for a hand vote, requesting a show of hands for Commission members in favor of the accessibility ramp. Commission members voted unanimously for the accessibility ramp. Chairperson Thueson called for a vote whether there should be another design. The Commission voted unanimously to see other design options with more detail regarding ramp views and the railing. Chairperson Thueson stated the Landmark Commission liked the concept but not the design of the ramp. However, it takes time to develop an alternate ramp design for the Commission's review. Chairperson Thueson asked if the federal judge would grant additional time if the Landmark Commission doesn't approve the court ordered ramp design. Ms. Culley stated she didn't have an answer — it was all dependent on the federal judge but the most important consideration with the accessibility ramp is ensuring historic integrity of the Kell House Museum is maintained. Chairperson Thueson called for a motion. Mr. Kidwell introduced a motion that the Landmark Commission approve the request for a handicapped ramp installation but require additional design details via design review prior to final approval. Mr. Newsom seconded the Landmark Commission August 13, 2008 page 3 motion. Chairperson Thueson called for further discussion, there being none the motion passed with unanimous approval. Note for the record: Ms. Graham left the room during discussion and voting for Agenda item III (Kell House Museum design review for accessibility ramp) and re- joined the meeting after completion of any discussion relating to the ramp project. IV. OTHER BUSINESS Announcements Ms. Culley provided an update regarding the Kell House Museum fence project. She explained the existing fence was torn down and the contractor was ready to install the concrete footer for the new fence. The Heritage Society anticipates project completion by early September. Ms. Gagne referred members to the newsletter and publication information included with the meeting packets. It was determined City staff would contact Commission members regarding the next meeting date in September. V. ADJOURN The Commission adjourned the meeting at 5:00 pm. - • n-, -C-h-airperson Date CITY CLERK'S OFFICE _ J Landmark Commission August 13, 2008 page 4