Landmark Commission Minutes - 10/06/2008MINUTES
LANDMARK COMMISSION
• October 6, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dianne Thueson, Chairperson
■ Members
Marilyn Carper
■
Cindy Cotton
■
Stacie Flood
■
Ron Fox
■
Christy Graham
■
John Kidwell
■
Jim Newsom
■
Steve Wood
■
Councilor Charles Elmore
■ Council Liaison
David Clark, Director, Community Development
■ staff
Karen Montgomery- Gagn6, Planner III
■
Richard (Dick) Bundy, Bundy, Young, Sims, Potter Architects
■
ABSENT:
Pat Sullivan
■
I. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS
Chairperson Thueson called the Commission meeting to order at
3:35pm, after a quorum of
members was obtained.
II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF AUGUST 2008 MEETING MINUTES
Chairperson Thueson called for review and approval of the August 13, 2008 meeting minutes.
Mr. Newsom introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Ms. Flood 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. Gagnd
explained some background details regarding the request for a handicapped access ramp but
deferred to Mr. Dick Bundy, principal with Bundy, Young, Sims and Potter Architects and Mr.
Wood who worked on the revised ramp design and explained the ramp would be wood frame.
The new design is more sensitive to the Kell House Museum details and the plans illustrate a
steel railing system and use of concrete is expensive, outdated and can be a maintenance
problem. The wooden ramp system is practical and offers more tolerance during construction
than setting a concrete ramp. The architects explained the landing will have to be topped with
wood in order to raise it to meet the ADA requirements. Mr. Bundy referred to copies of the
drawings and dimensions provided to Commission members noting the wooden ramp system was
both an aesthetic and practical solution to meeting the ADA requirements.
• Councilor Elmore inquired if the new ramp design /materials would reduce costs? Mr. Bundy
stated he couldn't quantify costs until a contractor was hired and materials ordered. He did note
Landmark Commission October 6, 2008 page 1
framing lumber had dropped in price in the past four months but didn't have figures for the steel
railings. Councilor Elmore asked if the ramp railing would be similar to the railing in front of the
Kell House. Mr. Bundy stated the railing styles would match. Ms. Graham inquired if AMSCO
• would be utilized for the steel railings as a local steel resource? The architects noted the project
would be competitively bid. Members discussed the ramp design alterations and reviewed the
plans.
After discussion, Chairperson Thueson called for a motion, Mr. Newsom introduced a motion to
approve the revised ramp design and proposed materials as prepared by the architectural firm of
Bundy, Young, Sims & Potter Inc. for the Kell House Museum. Ms. Marilyn Carper seconded the
motion. Mr. Kidwell questioned the longevity of the wood for the ramp and if it was pressure
treated material? Mr. Bundy explained the decking materials would be synthetic wood, utilizing 1
'/4 inch pieces and the synthetic wood would not be used on the sides of the ramp. The
Chairperson called for a vote on the motion. The motion was passed with three members
abstaining from the motion.
Commission members inquired about the ramp project costs and the Museum staff noted the total
costs for this endeavor would be $130,000. Ms. Carper asked if the Museum would be able to
meet the court ordered deadline for installation. Ms. Flood noted the architectural plans would be
mailed to the Texas Historical Commission the next day for their consideration now that the
Landmark Commission had provided local approval.
Note for the record: The Museum curator, a Wichita County Heritage Society Board member and
an employee with Bundy, Young Sims & Potter, Inc. excused themselves from voting on this
agenda item to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
IV. OTHER BUSINESS
• Announcements
a) West Floral Heights Historic District update
Ms. Cotton invited all Commission members and their families to participate in the 7cn
annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in the historic neighborhood. Event begins at
8:30am at 1300 Tilden.
b) Newsletter and Periodical update — Staff provided copies of recent preservation
publications to Commission members.
c) Title company update — Planning staff received a call from one of the title companies
following up on the request to identify all City designated historic properties to help inform
property owners at the time of closing of restrictions that may accompany historically
designated properties. The title company discovered the Clerk's office missed recording
the West Floral Heights Historic District ordinance at the County Courthouse to ensure
each designated property was recorded. The Clerk's office is in the process of having the
ordinance filed at the courthouse.
d) Museum Coordination Project — Mr. Clark updated members about the Museum
coordination efforts noting that the Kemp Center, Wichita County Heritage Society,
Railroad Museum, Fire & Police Museum, Museum of North Texas History and Wichita
Falls Museum of Art are working together for joint share of exhibits and resources to avoid
duplication and help with an overall marketing strategy.
e) The Mane Event — Ms. Graham highlighted the importance of Leadership Wichita Falls
public art project and encouraged members to look for the horses being placed throughout
the community. There are numerous horses sponsored in the downtown.
Landmark Commission October 6, 2008 page 2
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f) CLG update — Ms. Gagne indicated she's tried to contact Mr. Derek Satchel[, the State
CLG Coordinator to find out if the grant submittal was successful. Staff are still waiting for
a response from Texas Historical Commission staff.
g) Other — Ms. Graham noted a concern in the Depot Square Historic District at 616 70h
Street, the original front door appears to have been changed and bars are across the
window portion. In conjunction, disturbance situation at 607 7th Street (former Tommy's
House of Music) with late night BYOB — receiving complaints from tenants at LaSalle and
the Holt Hotel lofts. Ms. Graham inquired if the City could consider an ordinance to limit
late night hours of operation (eg. no club open or can serve alcohol after 2am) at certain
types of establishments similar to requirements enacted at the Historic Fort Worth
Stockyards.
V. ADJOURN
The Commission adjourned the meeting at 4:05 pm.
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Landmark Commission
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October 6, 2008
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