Loading...
Landmark Commission Minutes - 05/19/2009MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION • May 19, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dianne Thueson, Chairperson Marilyn Carper Stacie Flood Ron Fox John Kidwell Pat Sullivan Steve Wood Councilor Charles Elmore Karen Montgomery- Gagne, PI ABSENT: Christy Graham Cindy Cotton Jim Newsom ■ Members ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Council Liaison ■ Staff ■ ■ ■ Is I. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS Chairperson Thueson called the Commission meeting to order at 3:10 pm after quorum was obtained. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF MARCH 2009 MEETING MINUTES Chairperson Thueson called for review and approval of the March 24th, 2009 meeting minutes due to lack of quorum at the April Commission meeting. Ms. Thueson introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. III. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW — KELL HOUSE — 900 BLUFF — PLACEMENT OF ARBOR by MUSUEM SIGNAGE Chairperson Thueson requested staff provide an overview of the application. Ms. Gagne referred members to the emailed information that included a request for placement of an arbor over the main sign at the corner of 91h & Bluff Street, staff requested the Kell House Museum curator, Ms. Stacie Flood provide additional information. Ms. Flood noted the Master Gardner's approached them regarding the opportunity to incorporate a beautification project at the Kell House Museum site in honor of Mrs. Willie May Kell who was well known for her gardens. Ms. Flood explained, the Master Gardner's expressed an interested in placing a wooden arbor (painted white) over the main sign with either rose or wisteria vines planted at the base and trained to climb the arbor frame. Chairperson Thueson inquired if the Kell House Board had reviewed the request? Ms. Flood indicated the Kell House Board reviewed the application request on May 14th and endorsed the proposal. Mr. Fox asked if by approving the arbor proposal the Commission was setting a historical precedent for arbors on the Kell House site. Ms. Flood responded the Kell House grounds had existing arbors, including a metal arbor near the pond in the back yard. Ms. Sullivan commented the wooden arbor would be aesthetically pleasing. Chairperson Thueson stated the arbor should not be attached to the museum sign nor the Kell House. Mr. Fox inquired about any potential review /approval issues as the Kell House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic mark Commission May 19, 2009 page 1 Places. Ms. Flood stated the Kell House as a historic site listed nationally, with the State of T9xas and as a local City landmark. However, the level of review for proposed alterations is at a State (THC) and local level (Landmark Commission). Mr. Kidwell questioned who came up with the idea for needing an arbor around the sign? Ms. Flood noted the Master Gardeners Society approached Kell House staff with the idea. Chairperson Thueson stated the arbor concept/placement was unusual, particularly to locate the wooden arbor over the existing sign. However, she stated the Commission was not here to discuss the aesthetics of the issue but to focus on the application request and potential impacts regarding the Museum. Members continued discussion when Mr. Kidwell questioned why the Commission was reviewing the request when it did not involve the actual Museum building or carriage house. Ms. Flood explained because the Museum is a prominent historic structure in the community and with recent events regarding the accessibility ramp, any exterior modification is brought before the Commission for review. Ms. Sullivan stated that was logical since the Museum maintains a national, state and local recognition. Mr. Wood noted a concern with the arbor depending on its height; if the arbor is 6 -7ft tall and covered with wisteria vines it may block the view of the Kell House. Other Commission members were in agreement with this concern, the Kell House is the focal point and the view should not be blocked. It was generally agreed by Commission members the project should be coordinated closely with Mr. Steve Smith, Smith's Gardentown in conjunction with the Master Gardeners and the arbor /vines are not to block the view of the Kell House Museum from 9`h Street. Ms. Carper introduced a motion to endorse the placement of a painted wooden arbor over the existing Kell House Museum sign at 9`h & Bluff Streets, the arbor will not attach to the sign nor block views of the museum. Mr. Wood seconded the motion. Chairperson Thueson called for additional discussion, there being none — the motion passed unanimously. Note for the record: The Museum curator excused herself from voting on this agenda item to avoid any potential conflict of interest. IV. CLG 2009 PROJECT — REVIEW, DISCUSSION & DETERMINATION HISTORIC SITES LIST Chairperson Thueson requested this agenda item be moved to the end of the meeting as a work session. Commission members were in agreement. V. DISCUSSION -2010 CLG GRANT SUBMITTAL- DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINE PROJECT Chairperson Thueson introduced this item and expressed some hesitation about applying for a 2010 grant when the Commission is still in the midst of completing the current CLG grant project for the historic sites brochure. As Commission chair, she stated it is important that if the Commission members vote to pursue a grant project and express their commitment and desire to implement preservation projects they need to follow- through when the grant is approved and the work begins. Many of these projects, as in the past with the preservation video "Wichita Falls — The Future of Our Past" require significant work and commitment; Chairperson Thueson added the Commission can not completely rely on staff to complete the entire project as they have other concurrent projects. Ms. Gagne provided insight into the 2010 CLG grant project as a follow -up from previous conversations at the April Commission meeting. Ms. Gagne stated ideally working with a consultant to overhaul the Design Review Guidelines would provide a more detailed and comprehensive reference document rather than struggling through the process with the Commission and staff. Planning staff recently submitted a draft City budget and funds will be limited for next year; however, we are working with two preservation consulting firms (Austin & DFW) to obtain estimates for updating the guidelines. Staff opted to include the design review guideline project as an 'above current', non - programmed budget line item. If the Commission is interested in pursuing this project, it must be included in the City's proposed budget. Ms. Gagne explained if there are funding issues Landmark Commission May 19, 2009 page 2 ` during budget review process, the first things removed would be above current requests. However, the project was estimated at $17,000, with the anticipation the project will bid for a lower amount in 2010. Members discussed the situation and inquired about funding and in -kind support. Ms. Gagne stated the only funds for the project would come from the City's general fund and if the Commission opts to apply, then hopefully some match funds via the THC's CLG program. The 2010 application will be less complicated than previous CLG grant submittals (previous preservation video and historic sites brochure) because the budget would consist of monetary funds with no in- kind match incorporated. In -kind time will still be contributed to the project by planning staff and the Landmark Commission (reviewing each phase of the consultants' work). Staff noted the timing for the design review guideline update will be contingent upon both funds being available in the City's budget and being successful in obtaining CLG funds as a match for 2010. Chairperson Thueson called for a motion regarding the application for a 2010 CLG grant. Ms. Flood introduced a motion for the City /Commission to apply for a 2010 CLG grant for overhauling the existing Design Review Guidelines. Mr. Fox seconded the motion. The motion passed with unanimous support. VI. OTHER BUSINESS: a) West Floral Heights Historic District update Ms. Carper highlighted the events within the District during the past month, specifically noting Mrs. Carol Wagner's speech that addressed key events in the 1 00y history of Floral Heights. Ms. Carper provided staff with a copy of her research for the West Floral Heights Historic District files. b) Newsletter and Periodical update — Staff referenced materials emailed to the Commission with information from THC regarding recent preservation events around the State. c) Other Items — Next Meeting Members discussed timing for the next grant project work session and June regular meeting. The Commission reached a consensus for a combined work session /meeting for June 23rd at 3pm in Room 500, Memorial Auditorium. VII. ADJOURN The regular Commission meeting adjourned at 3:40 pm. and the Commission moved forward with the work session for the CLG historic sites brochure. "o I "Sis / blanne Thueson, Chairperson Work Session: CLG 2009 PROJECT — REVIEW, DISCUSSION & DETERMINATION HISTORIC SITES LIST Chairperson Thueson referred members to the draft historic sites suggestion list organized after the April Commission meeting. Ms. Gagne thanked Ms. Flood for emailing the basic list which saved staff time and explained the list included national, state and local historically designated structures /sites along with sites listed in the Historic Preservation Plan recommended for designation, former historic sites now demolished, and prominent buildings or sites of interest to the community and visitors. Ms. Gagne noted the only concern with the list is it includes approximately 70+ sites that need a determination whether they should be in the brochure — maximum space for 55 -58 listings. Members began discussing each item on the list and the best approach for filtering Landmark Commission May 19, 2009 page 3 sites. Questions arose regarding how to deal with historic districts - was it more appropriate to provide a brief overview or pick key sites for inclusion. Chairperson Thueson stated all sites should be indexed but a question of whether it's by category, designation or location - the Commission members need to be in agreement with the index format. Mr. Wood, Ms. Flood, Ms. Carper and Chairperson Thueson were in agreement that historic districts should only include exemplary sites that provide a good overview of the district. Mr. Fox inquired about the inclusion of Texas Historic Markers, referring members to the book, "Why Stop ?" a compilation of historical markers throughout Texas as a resource. Commission members began reviewing nationally and locally designated structures noted on the list and discussing relevance for inclusion, each structure agreed for inclusion was marked on a master map for future reference in the brochure. During the work session members reached agreement about inclusion of the following sites: National Register designation: 1. Hamilton House -1106 Brook Ave - circa 1919 2. Hodges -Hardy Chambers House /Graphics II -1100 Travis-circa 1900 3. Frank Kell House - 900 Bluff - circa 1908/09 4. Weeks Mansion - 2112 Kell Blvd - circa 1925 5. Kemp -Kell Depot(Route Building) -503 811-circa 1909 6. Depot Square Historic District- Ohio /51h/6th /7th /811 St downtown - 39 structures 7. Morningside Nat'l Historic District -103 structures City of Wichita Falls designated landmarks: 1. Municipal Auditorium -1300 lth St - circa 1927 2. Frank Kell House - 900 Bluff - circa 1908/09 3. First United Methodist Church - 909 1011 St 4. Woman's Forum - 2120 Speedway 5. Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd - 110910th St. 6. Hodges -Hardy Chambers House /Graphics II -1100 Travis - circa 1900 7. Hardin Administration Building (MSU) - 3400 Taft Blvd. - circa 1936 8. Dr. Fanous' Office -1411 91h St - circa 1940 9. Berry Brown House -1400 Travis - circa 1890 10. Weeks -Estes House -1 Crestway 11. Hamilton House -1106 Brook Ave - circa 1919 12. Lillis Morgan House -1808 Elizabeth 13. Kell Air Field Terminal Bldg (Little Adobe - Heritage Center) - #2130 Heritageway /Missile Rd - SAFB 14. Big C Appliance (Kemp Grocery) - 500 8th 15. Elks Home /BYSP Office -1005 91h St. - circa 1930 16. Kemp Center for Arts /former City Library -1300 Lamar - circa 1917 17. Central YMCA -1010 9th St 18. Kemp -Kell Depot(Route Building) -503 811-circa 19 19. Toodles - 616 7th St 20. Hamilton Building - 900 81h St/Lamar - circa 1927 21. Littlest Skyscraper - 701 LaSalle 22. Graham B. Purcell Bldg /Federal Office Building -1000 Lamar - circa 1933 (Voelcker & Dixon Architects) 23. Cline- Bridwell Mansion (White House) - 3100 Hamilton Blvd 24. John F. O'Donohoe /Anderson Bean Bldg Site (Iron Horse Pub) - 615 81h St 25. Holt Hotel Bldg - 600 8th 26. West Floral Heights Historic District -10"St - Ave H & Buchanan - Hayes /Garfield The work session adjourned at 4:55pm and various members had assignments to research lost historic buildings on the Eastside, concerns about inclusion of cemeteries and the Catholic cemetery, reviewing the Heritage Society's historic postcard collection of other sites to consider, and the location of former Governor Allred's house in West Floral Heights. Landmark Commission May 19, 2009 page 4