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Landmark Commission Minutes - 01/26/2010r _ t MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION January 26, 2010 - MEMBERS PRESENT: Dianne Thueson, Chairperson ■ Members Marilyn Carper ■ Stacie Flood ■ John Kidwell ■ Michael Koen ■ Jim Newsom ■ Steve Wood ■ Councilor Charles Elmore ■ Council Liaison Karen Montgomery- Gagn6, Planner III ■ Staff ABSENT: Cindy Cotton ■ Christy Graham ■ Pat Sullivan ■ I. CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS & SWEARING IN NEW MEMBER Chairperson Thueson called the Commission meeting to order at 3:15pm however due to issues with the broken glass top for the conference table in the Council Conference room the meeting was moved into Council Chambers. Staff and Commission members welcomed Mr. Koen. Ms. Gagne indicated Mr. Koen is a former Landmark member who owns an architectural firm and brings architectural expertise to the Commission. Chairperson Thueson and staff requested Mr. Koen recite the City's Oath of Office and he was officially sworn in as a Landmark Commission member. II. ELECTION OF LANDMARK COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON & VICE CHAIRPERSON for 2010 Chairperson Thueson called for nominations and discussion. Mr. Newsom introduced a motion to continue the current slate (Dianne Thueson, Chair and Pat Sullivan, Vice Chair) without changes for 2010. Mr. Koen seconded the motion. Chairperson Thueson called for additional discussion. Ms. Flood inquired if Ms. Thueson still had a term remaining. Chairperson Thueson responded that she was recently reappointed by City Council in December for another term. The motion was called to a vote — the motion passed unanimously. Staff indicated they would inform the City Clerk's office of the renewed motion for Chairperson Thueson and Vice - Chairperson Sullivan for 2010. III. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 15, 2009 Planning staff recently returned from maternity leave and the meeting minutes will be ready for review & approval at the next Commission meeting. Landmark Commission January 26, 2010 page 1 IV. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW — 609 7th STREET — Signage & Exterior MODIFICATIONS Chairperson Thueson introduced this item and requested staff provide additional details. Ms. ( Gagne indicated the proposed restaurant ( Jefe's Bar & Grill) will be situated at 609 Seventh Street (circa 1901 — brick/masonry) in the former Jennifer's Antique Mall behind the Holt Hotel parking lot. The owner, Mr. Pedro Moreno, is proposing minor alterations to the exterior of the building and was in attendance to answer any specific questions with the design review request. Mr. Moreno explained he operated a restaurant on Sheppard Access Road that was a target for theft and arson. He is looking to rebuild his business downtown after hearing good things about downtown's improvements. Mr. Moreno explained he would like to paint the exterior in an adobe brown with accent colors which is a tough choice for final color selection and add a new sign as outlined in the drawing for Jefe's, have some white twinkle lights and have security bars on the large plate glass windows. Councilor Elmore emphasized the architectural details of the building should be painted with an accent color. Mr. Moreno agreed and stated that he liked the structure as is and was only proposing minor alterations. Ms. Carper inquired about the sign details, size, location, etc. The owner stated he intended to have a sign made to fit the existing frame. Members discussed the request for signage and Mr. Moreno requested the ability for some lighting as there currently is no electricity to the sign frame and would like to hang some lights similar to the Wichita Theatre new design which may help with security. Both Ms. Carper and Chairperson Thueson stated that security bars on the exterior of the windows are not permitted in the Depot Square Historic District. The Commission dealt with a similar case in 2008 on 7th Street and no security bars are permitted to be installed on the historic structures. Chairperson Thueson explained the installation of security bars changes the fagade and can permanently affect the building fagade and materials. Mr. Moreno understood security bars were not an option but he did inquire about night time lighting and lights that can change colors. Chairperson Thueson stated that stringing Christmas type lights /twinkle lights along with building roof line or awning would not constitute a permanent change to the fagade. Mr. Moreno asked the Commission if he could remove the tree in front of the building. Councilor Elmore stated that was a concern for City Council removing trees and green space from the City. Planning staff directed the applicant to Mr. Murphy in the Parks & Recreation Department for additional information. This was not something the Landmark Commission could address. Mr. Newsom inquired about the type of restaurant the applicant was opening. Mr. Moreno stated Jefe's Bar & Grill will be a Mexican /Peruvian style establishment. Chairperson Thueson confirmed with Mr. Moreno the new signage would be located over the original sign and use the existing frame and he agreed. Members discussed the various requests in the design review application. Mr. Koen introduced a motion to approve the new restaurant signage, based on the submitted design, using the existing sign frame /attachment with the addition of updated lighting similar to the Wichita Theatre's new design — no exterior security bars are permitted on the windows. Ms. Carper seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Staff indicated a certificate outlining the approval would be mailed to the applicant and provided to the Building Inspection office in order to apply for a building permit. V. DISCUSSION REGARDING STATUS of DESIGN REVIEW at 2900 101h /TILDENSIGN REVIEW — 609 7th STREET — Signage & Exterior Commission waited to proceed with the application as the applicant was not present for the second meeting to discuss the design review issue with the accessory structure at 10th/Tilden Streets in the West Floral Heights Historic District. During the interim, planning staff provided an overview of the case since it was initially scheduled for consideration at the December meeting, noting staff spoke With the applicant & clearly informed her of the meeting date & time. The only updates received were a faxed sketch of the proposed revisions to remove the existing garage doors & close off the area with a false fagade that would appear similar to wooden non - functioned garage doors. Landmark Commission January 26, 2010 page 2 Chairperson Thueson suggested the option of tabling the application again since the faxed sketch was not deemed acceptable (no explanation or details provided) and it didn't provide the necessary clarification for the accessory building's facade. Members discussed this option and agreed they had tried to work with the property owner but until additional details are clarified the Commission can not move ahead. Mr. Newsom introduced a motion to table the application for the second time because the faxed drawing is inadequate, the Commission does not want to make an uninformed decision and the applicant needs to make an effort to provide the necessary documents. The motion was seconded by Ms. Carper and after brief discussion the motion to table the application was unanimously approved. Chairperson Thueson requested the West Floral Heights District representatives try to make contact with this property owner to find out the situation /problem and report at the next Commission meeting. VI. CLG TXHC 2010 GRANT UPDATE Ms. Gagne provided an update and overview from discussion at the November meeting, noting the City had 60 days from receipt of the FY2010 CLG grant contract to sign it & submit to the Texas Historical Commission. The 60 day window technically expired on January 22nd. However, prior to this date staff met with the City Manager on December 18th to discuss the need for a monetary match for the grant since all above current budget requests were removed prior to FY2009/2010 budget commencing on October 1st, 2009. During mid - December City Directors were asked to reassess their budgets to find ways to cut expenses with recent news of reductions in sales tax revenues. The City Manager understood the Commission's need to overhaul the design guidelines but explained it was difficult to fund the grant match ($5,625) when employees are being asked to cutback and long -term, potentially having to consider staff cuts. Members discussed ways to help fund the local match and retain the grant project. Chairperson Thueson inquired about the option of finding community sponsors for the project to meet the local monetary match. Ms. Gagne stated that is a great idea but the City would still ultimately be responsible by signing the contract with the State. Staff have contacted the THC (Mr. Derek Satchell) to let them know the situation and to determine if there are any opportunities to hold the grant or look at allocating a local match in the upcoming budget process for FY2010/2011. Chairperson Thueson and other Commission members who worked on the heritage preservation video grant clearly saw the merits of this project and were hopeful a consultant could still be hired to work with staff to update the guidelines. Chairperson Thueson noted staff is involved with numerous Ms. Gagne indicated she would keep the Commission informed of any new developments. VII. HISTORIC SITES BROCHURE - 2009 CLG GRANT Chairperson Thueson inquired if any members of the Commission and subcommittee had made any progress since the December meeting with sites that should be removed from the draft text. Members discussed the importance of reducing the number of entries to a reasonable number and talked about the podcast/CD component of the project. Mr. Kidwell explained the podcast format and the ability to download from a host site (eg. City of Wichita Falls website). Mr. Koen questioned where the brochures would be available & if the CD's would be for sale. Ms. Flood responded with other members that brochures will be available at travel centers, hotel lobbys, area museums, non profit organizations and distributed via the Convention & Visitor's Bureau beyond north Texas. It would be reasonable to recover the cost of producing /printing the CD for approximately $5.00 which will be utilized to produce more copies. Mr. Koen agreed with the suggestion. Chairperson Thueson stated a work session was needed to assign tasks and make progress on the project as it is due to the State by end of summer. Ms. Flood suggested breaking down each review to 100 words or less and requested clarification whether the focus is on the particular neighborhood vs. individual sites (eg. Fillmore Hill — Kell sister homes). Members discussed and Landmark Commission January 26, 2010 page 3 agreed the individual entries need to be condensed and requested staff review a timeframe for a work session. Mr. Newsom suggested the driving route for the sites match up with the City's bus routes so if people want to take the bus it is a viable option. Staff will obtain a City bus route map to compare with the tentative brochure driving route to see if there is a connection with the transit system. Mr. Kidwell mentioned the unique map in the maintenance office of the Chase Bank Tower on Kemp Blvd. Members discussed the ability to take a photo of a photo and Ms. Flood questioned the glass issue for glare. Mr. Kidwell suggested contacting Ms. Lynette Boddy, building manager for more details. VIII. REVIEW & DISCUSSION 2009 ANNUAL REPORTS — THC & Nat'l Park Service Planning staff directed members to the annual THC report outlining the Commission's activities for the past year; noting items of significance, including the review of 24 requests for alterations (14 staff and 10 Commission review); submittal of a CLG grant application to help overhaul the existing Design Review Guidelines. The report also requested a summary of priorities for the coming year, staff indicated top three: interpretation of the energy code for historic properties (issues for window replacement); completing the historic sites booklet/C D/pod cast and hiring a consultant to overhaul the design review guidelines so they are easy to understand and address all issues. Ms. Gagne explained the National Park Service was behind this year and had not sent out the paperwork for their annual reporting until January. THC was concerned that all Texas CLG's submit their national reports prior to December 301h but the paperwork was not available from the National Park Service. Staff contacted the Dept. of the Interior /Park Service during the holidays via voice mail and email to ensure the Wichita Falls report would not be considered late. IX. COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE & UPDATED ROSTER 2010 Chairperson Thueson referred members to the staff hand -outs listing the Commission meetings dates for 2010. If anyone has a meeting conflict, please contact staff prior to the meeting to avoid being marked absent. In addition a revised roster for 2010 included contact information for each member, Chairperson Thueson requested members contact Ms. Gagne if they have any revisions. X. OTHER BUSINESS: a) West Floral Heights Historic District update Ms. Gagne referred members to the West Floral Heights Historic District handout showing a revised property list for exempt sites. She explained each year in January staff review the Wichita County Appraisal District records for any property owner changes for the original 16 exempt properties situated in the West Floral Heights Historic District. As of the end of 2009, three additional properties have reverted to being in the District due to ownership changes. Currently, there are 10 exempt properties in the District. Ms. Carper indicated the neighborhood will be placing additional honor plaques on the reproduction street light poles to recognize people's generosity to others. The neighborhood association will be working with the Master Gardeners and Mr. Jack Murphy with experimental rose plantings that are earth friendly (less water) for the median park at the entrance to the West Floral Heights Historic District. A member of the association is working to redo the Buchanan Terrace sign and use the former 10th Street brick pavers for the median park signage and walkways in Buchanan Park. Ms. Carper noted a resident surveyor researched the deeds and found the median park was dedicated as a park whereas Mr. Murphy states it is a median. The neighborhood residents don't know who at the City to contact regarding maintenance issues Parks vs. Streets based on conflicting information about how it is defined. b) Newsletter and Periodical update — Staff indicated The Medallion publication should have arrived for Commission members. There is also a new option to receive a digital copy of the publication and staff inquired which format they preferred. All members indicated they preferred the hard copy of The Medallion. Ms. Gagne stated she would visit the THC Landmark Commission January 26, 2010 page 4 J website and submit Mr. Koen's information for the publication. In addition, the annual THC conference will be held in Houston from April 22nd - 24h. c) Other Items for Discussion: i) Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 23`d at 3pm XI. ADJOURN Chairperson Thueson adjourned the Commission meeting at 4:20 pm. Dianne '�JA ag (5VIO Thueson, •- • Datb Landmark Commission January 26, 2010 page 5