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Landmark Commission Minutes - 11/05/2010MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION November 5, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dianne Thueson, Chairperson ■ Members Marilyn Carper ■ Stacie Flood ■ Christy Graham ■ John Kidwell ■ Michael Koen ■ Jim Newsom ■ Scott Stillson ■ Steve Wood ■ Councilor Michael Smith ■ council raison Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Interim Planning Supervisor ■ staff Leo Bethge, Planner II ■ staff ABSENT: Cindy Cotton ■ 1. CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS Chairperson Thueson called the Commission to order at 12:39 pm. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 30th, 2010 The Chairperson provided time for Commission members to review the September 3& meeting minutes. Mr. Newsom motioned to approve the September 30, 2010 Landmark Commission minutes, motion seconded by Ms. Carper. Motion passed unanimously. III. APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW — TEMPORARY STORAGE BUILDING, KELL HOUSE MUSEUM — 900 BLUFF STREET Ms. Gagne initiated discussion regarding the proposed to locate a temporary storage building on the Kell House grounds at 900 Bluff Street. Staff described the site plan, application and site photos of the proposed area. Ms. Flood, Kell House Museum curator, stated review of the application by the Commission was urgent based on the need to move forward with the repairs for the Kell House foundation. She noted the Museum Collections need to be moved out of the building for storage during project renovations. Ms. Gagne felt this review was important based on the status of the project and to ensure the Commission was aware if questions arise. Ms. Flood continued the discussion in greater detail, describing the foundation problems of the house. The weight of the historic items stored in the attic and on the second floor is creating this foundation issue. In order to solve this issue these items need to be transferred to a temporary storage facility in the building's backyard. The overall length of time to fully resolve the foundation problems is estimated between 7 to 10 years, and the time to stabilize the house is 3 -5 years. Ms. Flood explained after the foundation is stabilized the Wichita County Heritage Society (WCHS) will develop a plan for a permanent storage facility to house the Collections. The unit's dimension is 8ft x 40ft and the height is less than ten feet tall and will be stored on skids. The location will be adjacent to the Carriage House (southwest comer of lot) and could be seen over the fence, with the Landmark Commission November 5, 2010 page 1 I fbnce height consisting of six feet. In addition, the facility will not be equipped with plumbing or heat, though electricity will run underground from the Carriage House. Chairperson Thueson asked if natural screening could be planted since the concern was expressed of seeing this facility from 9t' Street. Ms. Flood stated it will be screened by the arbor and existing trees in the backyard. Ms. Graham and Mr. Newsom asked if it could be painted, such as green, to camouflage it. Mr. Stillson suggested using a trellis and ivy to disguise the storage container. Ms. Flood indicated she would look into this option. Councilor Smith asked about the purchase price. Ms. Flood stated it would cost $200 to rent per month. A purchase price was not mentioned by Ms. Flood. Mr. Newsom asked if it could be "squared -off' in the back, so that it would fit into the comer more evenly. Ms. Flood stated two-sections of the fence and gate will be removed in order to place the storage building, then arranged per the site plan. Mr. Koen moved to approve the long /short term placement of the temporary storage facility, contingent upon proper screening from view from 9"' Street and it be reviewed again in five years. Ms. Carper seconded the motion. The motion passed with 6 member voting in favor and 3 members abstaining. Ms. Flood, Museum curator, filed a conflict of interest from with the Clerk's office; Ms. Graham and Mr. Newsom are WCHS Board members; all three abstained. Ms. Flood stated she will return in the near future to further discuss Kell House building improvements. Ms. Carper asked if the furniture has ever been moved around. Ms. Flood stated the furniture and costumes are too heavy; hence, the need to store these items in anther location. IV. DISCUSS TIMING S DETAILS FOR HERITAGE TOURISM BROCHURE UNVEILING - MEDIA EVENT Ms. Gagn6 congratulated both the Commission and Mr. Levy in completing the work on the brochure and the narrated audio version of the brochure. The media launch is planned in conjunction with the CWF Public Information Office, the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Ms. Watson with the Museum of North Texas History. The media unveiling date is set for November 18"', at 10:00 am, at the Museum of North Texas History. Postcard invitations will be mailed next week to the Mayor /City Council and project partners. Ms. Gagn6 asked the Commission if there were any corrections to the invitation list. Chairperson Thueson asked if all the building owners would be invited. Ms. Gagn6 stated time was too limited for additional mailings since the postcards will be mailed on Tuesday, November 9t'. Mr. Levy, Public Information Office, rovided an update on the audio brochure noting the CD will be available by the end of November 5 . Discussion commenced regarding the use of the brochure. Staff indicated brochures will be delivered to each museum featured along with the CVB, the Chamber and the Texas Travel Center. Ms. Gagn6 stated she will provide brochures to Ms. Sherry Parker at WFISD for use with each 3' grade teacher, for future local history assignments. Ms. Carper asked if she could have additional brochures to include in the Floral Heights newcomer baskets for incoming residents. Ms. Gagne felt this wouldn't be a problem. Chairperson Thueson commented contributions are always kindly accepted for brochure reprinting purposes. Ms. Flood questioned an address and Mr. Wood requested his address to be changed to 5011 Silvercrest. V. OVERVIEW COUNCIL REVIEWIACTION FOR CLG 2010 - DESIGN GUIDELINE PROJECT Ms. Gagn6 stated it was the intent of the Commission, based on budget approval, for the Council to appropriate matching funds in order to start the design review guideline project. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) wanted the City to retain the grant award for this project; however, the grant contract was needed prior to the City's determination of the budget process. Ms. Gagne explained staff prepared a Council agenda item to appropriate the City's portion of the project costs ($5,625) and to authorize entering into a contract with the project consultants (Hardy -Heck- Moore, Inc. HHM). David Moore, the project consultant, is planning to visit Wichita Falls in January to Landmark Commission November 5, 2010 page 2 discuss 'the goals of the project, based on his scope of services, such as the treating of masonry, fencing, etc. op Chairperson Thueson asked if we received a copy of the Grapevine, TX Design Review Guidelines. Ms. Gagne requested the Commission review it on -line prior to a work session. The Chair felt, based on the size of the Grapevine guidelines, the Commission should review it simply for how it may pertain to our City, and to look at certain chapters of importance. Chairperson Thueson stated Grapevine, TX has the best source for design review guidelines. She further stated that after an initial review of this document the Commission should discuss ideas prior to Mr. Moore's site visit with the Commission in January. Mr. Newsom felt that Building Inspection and/or Code Enforcement should be involved in the process, for code compliance reasons. Chairperson Thueson followed up, stating if the Commission has any material to add, to bring it forward so we can create a packet of material the Commissioner's could use for the design review guideline update and for future historic building reviews. She further stated the Commission should gain Council approval since the last review /revision of the design review guidelines in 2003. Ms. Gagne further added the review of the Historic Preservation Ordinance should also be amended as the Commission Is modifying the design review guidelines. She stated the City has moved forward in appreciating the worthiness of historic buildings since the documents were last updated 7 -8 years prior. Councilor Smith stated from a City Council perspective there is interest in protecting and enhancing historic properties. Chairperson Thueson added the revised design review guidelines will help residents with how to appropriately renovate /maintain an historic building. Ms. Carper added that many residents have the misconception/concern that design review guidelines tell the homeowner "what to do ". Commission members discussed these issues and were in agreement the design review guidelines need to have teeth so as to better assist the public and the City of Wichita Falls mission to protect local historic resources. VI. OTHER BUSINESS: a.) West Floral Heights Historic District — Monthly Report Ms. Carper stated the Neighborhood Association approved the granting of $500 for sidewalk repairs to three properties through their neighborhood sidewalk replacement project. Signage will be placed at these sites to show the efforts of the Association putting funds back into the District. Additional planting of trees is planned to re- create a tree canopy effect during 2011. Chairperson Thueson suggested contacting City Parks Department to possibly partner in their program, to help plant or to participate in the plantings. Ms. Carper stated Mr. Johnny Combs was elected President of the West Floral Heights Neighborhood Association. Ms. Carper further stated plaques will be updated and placed at the new street lights donated by residents. Starting in the first 2 weeks of January as a paid membership incentive the Association will paint the property address along the curb for new neighborhood association members. This will include the Floral Heights logo. Ms. Carper is also looking for new volunteers to draft the Floral Heights Newsletter since there is a demand to continue this service. The plan is to generate a newsletter once every-other month versus on a quarterly basis, as was the prior timeframe. She further mentioned the need for participates for the annual Turkey Trot, on Thursday, November 25"' at 8:00 am. Prizes will be offered. Participates can ride, walk or run. 40 Ms. Gagn6 discussed The Medallion. She handed an extra copy to Councilor Smith. She mentioned the THC Historic Preservation Conference is planned for Austin, TX, in Spring of 2011. Landmark Commission November 5, 2010 page 3 LL 0 b.) ' * Request for Comment — Telecommunications Tower at 5548 Burk Road Ms. Gagne stated based on the Section 106 Process Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sends all correspondence for telecommunication towers, even if they are not included in historic districts. Mr. Stillson questioned the Section 106 review process for future towers proposed in historic districts. Ms. Gagn6 stated currently, per the Design Review Guidelines, there is no authority to regulate these uses. She further stated if a tower is planned in a historic district, for permitting purposes, Building Inspection would notify Planning Staff of these requests. Councilor Smith stated when Sec. 106 reviews come before City Council they are taken very seriously. Chairperson Thueson requested if other Commission members had business to discuss. Mr. Newsom stated the Call Field Aviation Museum is 90% completed, with all displays and exhibits. In addition, on December 11'' and le Momingside will display their Christmas luminaries. Councilor Smith stated an interested resident has come forward to donate many historic photographs of the city and 35-40 large -size model ships to the Museum of North Texas History, which is planning for a future display. Ms. Gagne discussed with the Commission the next meeting date. Mr. Newsom felt that it's best not to meet in December, the Commission agreed. Ms. Gagn6 recommended using the next meeting date on November 23'd as a workshop session to discuss ideas and concepts for the revised design review guidelines project since there are no pending applications at this time. Members were in agreement and Chairperson Thueson stated the next meeting will be November 23ro at 12:30pm as a work session with pizza. VII. ADJOURN Chairperson Thueson recommended a motion for Carper seconded the motiop to adjourn at 1:40 pm. V1 S&e- ianne Thueson, Chairperson adjournment. Mr. Wood motioned and Ms. Motion passed unanimously. OR ARA RA A Landmark Commission November 5, 2010 page 4