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Landmark Commission Minutes - 03/24/2009MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION • March 24, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dianne Thueson, Chairperson ■ Members Stacie Flood ■ Christy Graham ■ John Kidwell ■ Steve Wood ■ Councilor Charles Elmore ■ Council Liaison David Clark, Director, Community Development ■ staff Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III ■ Virginia Artho, applicant, 1413 Hayes ■ ABSENT: Marilyn Carper ■ Cindy Cotton ■ Ron Fox ■ Jim Newsom ■ • Pat Sullivan ■ I. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS Chairperson Thueson called the Commission meeting to order at 3:20pm, after a quorum of members was obtained. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 2009 MEETING MINUTES Chairperson Thueson called for review and approval of the February 24, 2009 meeting minutes. Ms. Flood introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Ms. Graham seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. III. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW — 1413 HAYES — WINDOWS & STORM DOORS Chairperson Thueson requested staff provide an overview of the application and acknowledged the applicant, Mrs. Virginia Artho. Ms. Gagne referred members to their meeting packets, and explained the applicant at 1413 Hayes Street was requesting to replace existing windows with energy efficient windows that maintained the same fenestration along with installation of two storm doors (original doors will remain). Chairperson Thueson questioned the specifications for the windows and Mrs. Artho explained the detailed measurements and specifications were included with the application, staff distributed copies at the meeting and details were also in the packets. Mr. Kidwell inquired if the windows to be replaced were original and wood? Mrs. Artho noted they were wooden and to her knowledge original to the house; the majority of the windows in the house are sealed shut due to years of paint/caulking. Ms. Graham asked if the new windows would replicate • the pane pattern (6 over 1 & transom) of the existing windows. Mrs. Artho noted they want to keep the same design simply have more energy efficiency and the ability to open the windows. Ms. Gagne spoke for Mr. Newsom in his absence and informed the Commission he was fine with the proposed alterations as long as the existing window style /fenestration matched the replacement Landmark Commission March 24, 2009 page 1 windows. Members inquired about size of home and age of construction — Mrs. Artho responded the house is 2,100 sq ft and built around 1927. The property owner also indicated after initially contacting planning staff about the proposed project, they referred her to the Building Inspection ® office to ensure all Building and Energy Code requirements were followed with the proposed window replacements. Mr. Kidwell introduced a motion to approve the application replacing the identified windows (north and south facades; narrow attic window) and to install storm doors with custom ordered products from Home Depot and the replacement windows will maintain the same fenestration (6 panes over 1 pane) with the exception of the small attic window. Mr. Wood seconded the motion. Chairperson Thueson called for additional discussion, there being none — the motion passed unanimously. Staff noted they would coordinate with the Building Inspection office and mail the Certificate of Appropriateness. IV. CLG 2009 GRANT AWARD — PREFERRED HISTORIC SITES /EVENTS Chairperson Thueson indicated her disappointment with the initial turnout of Commission members at the first work session for the CLG grant project. Only three Commission members attended the meeting on March 10th. Chairperson Thueson added, to date, the City has done the majority of the work on the grant project and is the main participant. However, when staff inquired if the Commission wanted to pursue the grant project by submitting an application, members noted interest and agreed to support the project. Now it's time for those members who indicated an initial interest to help make the project a reality. Members' commitment to work on the CLG project was factored into the grant's local match of in -kind contributions. Chairperson Thueson asked how many members had submitted their list of top historic sites for inclusion with the booklet? Staff noted they hadn't received responses from any Commission member. Ms. Thueson requested other Commission members participate in the work session tentatively scheduled for April 14th. Mr. Kidwell asked what assistance was needed that the Committee was not receiving. Councilor Elmore asked if other buildings and sites not necessarily designated would qualify for inclusion. Chairperson Thueson stated she is looking for other input/direction from Commission members — noting we need everyone's personal priority list for preservation — even historic sites not listed as locally or nationally designated. Ms. Thueson referred to a Fargo N.D. historic walking brochure she helped develop and noted they included some photos and references for buildings lost to neglect or demolition and showed a comparison photo of what now sits where the historic building once existed. Ms. Graham inquired if the Historic Sites Booklet/Brochure would focus on City sites, County or both. Members and staff responded the Booklet would focus on sites within the City limits since it was a City project. Ms. Flood reminded members about 3 -4 years prior Wichita County Heritage Society worked with the Planning Division to design a map of key historic sites throughout Wichita County with paid advertising spaces around the perimeter. She added it was a good map with quality information but not as successful as a revenue generator and too large for people using it for a walking tour. Chairperson Thueson stated at this point there is no specific booklet format determined, it is still up for discussion among the project committee and Commission members. Chairperson Thueson explained the work session will address three key items, much more than just the CLG project — it also includes work on the Design Review Guideline update and Historic Preservation Ordinance revisions. The Commission Chairperson requested each member submit their preferred historic sites /events prior to the next work session. Ms. Gagne reminded Commission members who work on the Historic Sites Booklet project to keep track of their time and contributions for grant management records. All 'in -kind' hours put toward the project need to be recorded on the official project timesheets including research time /reading documents and fieldwork looking at historic sites for consideration. Staff indicated they will email a reminder notice with the proposed meeting time. Landmark Commission March 24, 2009 page 2 V1. DISCUSSION -2010 CLG GRANT SUBMITTAL- DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINE PROJECT Chairperson Thueson commented it was important to upgrade our current Design Review • Guidelines as they do not provide clear guidance for a person trying to interpret what is not and what is acceptable for historic alterations. Ms. Thueson referenced the City of Grapevine's Design Guideline Table of Contents provided at the February meeting — very detailed listing of all possible items relating to historic rehab /renovations. Planning staff indicated they received detailed information from a City of Grapevine staff member who oversees their Preservation Program. He indicated the City hired a consultant and obtained a CLG grant to complete the project. The Guidelines are now 5years old and will be updated in 2009. They explained the Grapevine Guidelines have 98.5% local content for examples and photos and strongly encouraged us to consider working with a preservation consultant. Staff also indicated, apparently the Texas Historical Commission (THC) refers to the City of Grapevine's Design Review Guidelines as a model for the State. Chairperson Thueson stated Grapevine's document doesn't appear to be reinventing the wheel - it includes many local photo examples coupled with basic Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitating /Renovating historic buildings. Ms. Gagne added the Grapevine staff were encouraging but didn't recommend staff and the Commission tackle the project without additional resources. They indicated we were able to copy Grapevine's ideas and format to develop something uniquely suited for our community. Other examples noted if historic building guidelines developed while Mr. Clark worked in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio and they provide another style /format for consideration. Ms. Gagne explained she contacted the THC CLG Coordinator who indicated 2010 CLG applications would be mailed to communities in mid - April. Mr. Kidwell inquired about the application deadline. Staff noted the applications are always due the beginning of June. Chairperson Thueson added if the Commission applied for CLG assistance via THC it would be possible to expand the • City's existing Design Review Guidelines with outside help (consultant) in order to address many items currently lacking from the Guidelines and include local examples for each section. VI. REVIEW & DISCUSSION of HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE Chairperson Thueson deferred item to the Commission indicating she was not ready to begin analysis of the Ordinance until the next work session. During the interim, Ms. Gagne provided copies of the current Historic Preservation Ordinance for members to review prior to the next meeting in order to discuss sections for revision. Members requested the opportunity at the next work session to consider meeting beyond the traditional 8 -5pm timeframe since most people work during those hours. Chairperson Thueson and staff discussed the request among the members and agreed to consider setting a meeting time at 4pm on weekdays. VII. OTHER BUSINESS: a) West Floral Heights Historic District update There were no attendees from the West Floral Heights Historic District at the meeting. b) Newsletter and Periodical update — Staff provided copies of recent preservation publications. Ms. Gagnd provided copies of the March /April Medallion publication and members responded they are now receiving copies since staff notified THC. The publication featured a timely article about Accessibility Issues and historic structures. The monthly THC NewsBriefs highlighted the upcoming annual conference and time to travel around the state for events related to heritage tourism and TX wildflowers. Staff included an article from the • March /April Preservation magazine that focused on "Going Green at Home" and featured a detailed article about historic home windows and exercising caution with replacement windows simply because they appear more energy efficient. Landmark Commission March 24, 2009 page 3 c) THC Annual Conference — April 15 -17th — Lakeway, TX Staff highlighted the upcoming conference and provided copies of the conference registration booklet. Ms. Gagne noted early registration discount for the conference ends by ® April 1st d) Other Items: Mr. Clark mentioned the potential for people to pursue a tax credit for energy efficiency for home improvements (eg. windows, doors, insulation, etc.) — need to check IRS regulations to find out details. Ms. Graham encouraged everyone to drive downtown at look at the former Muehlberger's building at 7th /Indiana to see the renovation progress. The building owner (Will Tucker) is completing the work himself and the fagade has really improved since removal of the slipcover and uncovering the upper windows. VIII. ADJOURN The Commission adjourned the meeting at 4:00 pm. The next regular Landmark Commission meeting will be April 28, 2009 at 4pm with a work session tentatively scheduled for April 14th _ timing to be determined. .4 ail i Manne Thueson, Chairperson Date Date: qA Landmark Commission March 24, 2009 page 4