Loading...
Landmark Commission Minutes - 03/16/2010MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION March 16, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dianne Thueson, Chairperson ■ Members Marilyn Carper ■ Christy Graham ■ John Kidwell ■ Scott Stillson ■ David A. Clark ■ staff Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III ■ ABSENT: Cindy Cotton ■ Stacie Flood ■ Michael Koen ■ Jim Newsom ■ Steve Wood ■ I. CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS and SWEARING IN NEW MEMBER Chairperson Thueson called the Commission meeting to order at 3:10 pm and members introduced themselves and their position on the Landmark Commission. The February meeting was cancelled due to an emergency health issue on the Commission and on January 27th (day after the January meeting) Ms. Pat Sullivan regrettably submitted her resignation from the Landmark Commission due work commitments and business travel. City Council recently appointed Mr. Scott Stillson to fill the vacated position #4 on the Commission. Planning staff and Chairperson Thueson requested Mr. Stillson recite the Oath of Office and officially swore him in as a Commission member. Mr. Stillson provided an overview of his background in the community and interest in historic preservation. II. DISCUSSION REGARDING STATUS of DESIGN REVIEW at 2900 10th/TILDENSIGN REVIEW — 609 7th STREET — Signage & Exterior Chairperson Thueson and planning staff provided an overview of the project from December through early February. Staff further explained they have not had any contact with the property owner since they were informed of the January Commission meeting. After the January Commission meeting staff drove by the site and noticed the garage doors were removed & replaced with a false fagade & provided photos for Commission members. Planning staff worked with the Building Inspection office to review their records in case a building permit for structural alterations was issued — no permit issued and no inspection required. A building inspector checked the site and informed Planning staff the change out would not have triggered a permit so it would be very difficult for Code Enforcement to issue a citation. Commission members discussed the originally requested revisions & concern about lack of follow - up from the property owner. Mr. Kidwell stated there is more concern with the house and if the accessory structure alterations are appropriate to the house. Chairperson Thueson commented that the Commission had never actually voted on the application but deferred it for additional information at both the December and January meetings. She suggested the West Floral Heights Historic District Design Review Committee send a letter to the applicant encouraging them to paint and finish the project. Ms. Carper a West Floral Heights District member stated she would contact Landmark Commission March 16, 2010 page 1 Ms. Susan Koch and Ms. Cindy Cotton regarding the issue and provide follow -up at the April meeting. Chairperson Thueson commented if the applicant had attended a Commission meeting and clearly outlined the project details it would already be addressed. However, that was not the case and since a building permit is not required for changing out garage doors it was not triggered in the Building Inspection's database. Mr. Kidwell requested a point of clarification regarding the Commission's inability to proceed with penalties. Chairperson Thueson stated due to weak Design Review Guidelines it doesn't provide the teeth necessary for the Commission via Code Enforcement to enforce any type of violation. III. CLG TXHC 2010 GRANT UPDATE Ms. Gagne provided an update and overview for new members regarding the current situation with the FY2010 CLG grant. The grant application was submitted in May 2009 and the City received approval in late November along with a contract required to be signed to officially accept the grant. Staff had 60 -days in order to have the contract signed & sent back to THC. Staff discussed the situation with the City Manager in December and at the time, due to 2nd quarter budget shortfalls; there would be no available (50 %) match from the City's general fund. Ms. Gagne received a call from the CLG Division (THC) urging the City to reconsider the options as the grant application received a high ranking and they needed to obtain an answer within 10days so they could encumber the federal fund allocation for the State. She further explained through some creativity the grant the City Manager agreed to tentatively accept the FY2010 grant, technically a match could be utilized in the City's FY2010 -2011 budget year which commences Oct. 1, 2010. If the funds are not available during the upcoming budget process for the match the City will have to inform THC no later than August 30th they are unable to fulfill the grant commitments. Chairperson Thueson inquired if the City was not receptive to the idea of the Commission soliciting donations to cover the cost of the project. Planning staff responded that the City would still ultimately be responsible as the grantee and be the party who signed the contract. Mr. Stillson raised a point of concern that the donations would be a great way to meet the local match but if something happens with the grant project and we don't meet the grant obligations how does that reflect on the Commission and City when the donations have to be returned to the donors. Members discussed the grant situation and were pleased that there is still an opportunity to have the Design Guidelines overhauled by a professional so they function as a resource for the Commission, City and local property owners. Chairperson Thueson requested Ms. Gagne keep the Commission updated on any progress or setbacks with the FY 2010 CLG grant. IV. OTHER BUSINESS: a) West Floral Heights Historic District update Ms. Carper commented on a minor issue at 1701 Tilden (corner Tilden & Ave G) regarding a wooden, privacy fence complaint. Ms. Gagne noted she'd received a call from a member of the West Floral Heights Historic District. Chairperson Thueson explained the current Design Review Guidelines do not address fencing which is another reason the Commission hopes to overhaul the policy document. Ms. Gagne stated the fence didn't require a building permit because there were no brick pillars, excessive height, etc. Ms. Carper indicated that she would talk with the concerned property owner. b) Roster — revised Landmark Commission 2010 for information. c) Annual Preservation Conference — Training & learning opportunity in Houston, from April 22- 241h, 2010; staff encouraged members to attend. Newsletter and Periodical update — Commented the March /April Medallion issue arrived — staff inquired if anyone was not receiving the State publication. Mr. Stillson expressed an interest in receiving the publication. Chairperson Thueson noted after she's read the publication, she takes it to her husband's office for reading material in the waiting room. Ms. Carper indicated she looks forward to receiving her copy and reads it cover to cover for Landmark Commission March 16, 2010 page 2 useful articles & information. Commission members preferred to receive the publication in the mail rather than email. d) Next Meeting: April 27th, 2010 at 3pm e) Other Items for Discussion: i) Depot Square District (623 Ohio St.) — Ms. Graham provided an update for the Commission regarding 623 Ohio; noting after 2 +years of trying to acquire the vacant lot at 623 Ohio, they were able to purchase the property and intend to develop it for additional parking to serve both the LaSalle Crossing (534 7th St) tenants and Somewhere In Time Antiques (617 Ohio). Ms. Graham requested feedback from the Commission whether a design review application would be necessary in order to move a decorative iron fence from the rear line separating 623 Ohio & 534 7th Street. Ms. Graham explained they would like to incorporate the vacant lot into the existing parking lot to the rear for the LaSalle Crossing tenants. Members briefly discussed the request and unanimously determined no new items /structures would be added to the lot and the decorative fence in its' existing location was previously reviewed by the Commission — no action necessary. Staff noted other City permits may be required and recommended checking with the Building Inspection office. ii) Mr. Kidwell, Planning & Zoning representative to the Commission, informed the Commission about a rezoning study on the Kemp corridor between Avenue C and Ave M to consider rezoning existing Limited Commercial (LC) to a new special purpose Corridor Commercial (CC) District. He explained the draft zoning district language will be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission at their April 14th meeting and a follow -up public meeting will be scheduled with Kemp Street property owners. Commission members and staff discussed the current commercial uses permitted in the LC Zone and the types of activities proposed for the CC Zone along with accompanying design standards, sign requirements, etc. Staff indicated they would email a copy of the draft CC language to the Commission and requested Ms. Carper forward it to the West Floral Heights District. Ms. Carper questioned type of commercial uses that will be permitted. Mr. Kidwell and staff explained the Corridor Commercial (CC) Zone would be more restrictive than the traditional General Commercial Zone. iii) Landmark #10 - Berry Brown House issue — Travis /141h Street; Ms. Gagne noted she was just informed about a potential demolition issue before the Commission meeting. The City Code Enforcement office maintains a list of properties /structures that are deemed a public safety hazard, abandoned or in various stages of neglect. Ms. Gagne was informed the property may be at risk as it is slated for a public hearing for demolition at City Council's May 4th meeting to consider demolition. Ms. Gagne stated that since Planning was just alerted to this issue before the meeting, it was being discussed under Other Business and was not advertised under regular agenda items therefore no official action can be taken until the next Commission meeting. Members were surprised regarding the short notice and were concerned about options to save the structure. Discussion among members ensued with questions about the Berry Brown's listing on Preservation Texas' Most Endangered List to when it was considered for Sheriff's sale for back taxes to the Kemp Center past interest in possibly acquiring the historic site. Mr. Stillson commented if the structure is deemed a public nuisance is there an opportunity for the City to appropriate the property, take ownership as a pass- through entity and sell it to another organization for redevelopment. Mr. Clark joined the meeting & discussion and expressed some concern about the City being a pass- through entity due to recent budget cuts and questioned funding to acquire the site during the interim. Chairperson Thueson Ms. Graham expressed extreme concern with the potential demolition of the Berry Brown house and stated the Commission and City needed to look at viable alternatives. She apologized to the Commission but stated she would need to chain herself to the Berry Brown building before she'd allow another downtown building, especially a Landmark site, be torn down due to public nuisance /neglect. Other members expressed their concern with the sudden news regarding the Berry Brown house. Staff reminded Commission members Landmark Commission March 16, 2010 page 3 that the Historic Preservation Ordinance provides for a 60 -day delay period for any potential demolition request for historically designated structures. V. ADJOURN The Chairperson entertained a motion from Mr. Kidwell to adjourn the regular portion of the Commission meeting at 4:12pm. Motion was seconded by Ms. Graham. Motion passed unanimously. The Commission moved into the work session which commenced at 4:15pm and adjourned at 4:36pm. ianne Thueson, Chairperson Date VI. WORK SESSION — 2009 CLG GRANT — HISTORIC SITES BROCHURE Chairperson Thueson provided an overview of the grant & brochure project for our new Commission member, adding that any work /time dedicated to the grant project needs to be recorded for the local match. The project focus is to incorporate approx. 69 sites /locations with a brief write -up, photo along with a podcast/CD. The brochure will feature two maps and be pocket size for people to enjoy either on a walking or driving tour. Members discussed the importance of reducing the number of entries to a reasonable selection — may need to reduce down to 60 and group sites based on their proximity to each other or by category (eg. museums, churches, neighborhood districts, etc.). Chairperson Thueson commented from her experience with the Fargo ND brochure (eg. 30 -35 words per entry & large photos) it was critical to condense the written description for each entry or it will result in further reducing the number of sites featured in the booklet. Members discussed the need for photos — both current & historic - and agreed only representative photos for prominent sites should be included. Ms. Graham stated she gathered historic photographs for most sites in the downtown and for other key locations. In conjunction with historic photos, Mr. Kidwell reiterated the Chase Bank Tower — bank maintenance office has a detailed historic Wichita Falls aerial map that may be of interest for the project. Ms. Gagne indicated that she would contact Mr. Levy, Public Information Office (PIO) to see when he would be available to accompany staff and Chairperson Thueson to view the map prior to the next meeting. Chairperson Thueson requested the current photos be taken during springtime — Ms. Gagne commented she would coordinate with Mr. Levy to provide an updated list of the proposed sites for inclusion in the brochure. Another question arose regarding potential narrators for the downloadable podcast & CD — Chairperson Thueson stated that she has some ideas for speakers and would have more information at next month's meeting. Chairperson Thueson inquired about the project deadline and Ms. Gagn6 stated a draft (print - ready) copy of the brochure & CD need to be submitted by August 1" to the Texas Historical Commission for review prior to submittal to the printer for publication. The final grant progress update is due August 30th, 2010 and by that time the Historic Sites Brochure /Booklet should already be in publication. The City will need to obtain grant reimbursement prior to September 301h, 2010. The original grant indicated 70,000 brochures printed by a printing company in the metroplex. Due to cost increases and economic changes from when the grant was initially submitted in June 2008 there may be fewer brochures printed to meet the funding limitations. Chairperson Thueson stated a revised monthly schedule was needed for the project so all Landmark Commission members would be involved & stay focused on the pending deadline. Members began discussing a realistic timeframe and developed the following: Landmark Commission March 16, 2010 page 4 . , April — work on text; photograph buildings (PIO); May — select narrators — choose final option; begin map list with GIS mapping tech Ask June — finalize draft text — submit a copy to all project partners for review & comment & send to THC for review /comment July — develop draft booklet & obtain THC approval to publish in August August/September — submit & distribute brochures; work with CVB and submit grant paperwork for reimbursement Members discussed the timeline concerns and Ms. Carper inquired if the Commission was still using the same cover photo. Chairperson Thueson stated the same photo will be utilized and Ms. Graham referred to the historic photo books and showed options for some historic buildings with the postcards of the downtown buildings. Chairperson Thueson stated the goal for today was fine tuning the draft text, in order to accomplish this task each member received assignments for the next meeting: Ms. Thueson — Southland & Brook Village /Country Club & Lost Wichita Falls Ms. Carper - Fillmore & West Floral Heights District Mr. Newsom — Morningside District Mr. Stillson — Historic churches Mr. Kidwell — Museums Ms. Flood — Historic Schools & Parks Ms. Gagne indicated there are two new sites for consideration — Wichita Falls State Hospital and the White Sanitarium. Members discussed the merits of each site and agreed the State Hospital didn't need to stay in the booklet and the sanitarium should remain if space permits because it is a unique location. Chairperson Thueson requested all members submit their edits to the planning staff by April 2nd in order for staff to incorporate the edits & reformat into columns. Landmark Commission March 16, 2010 page 5