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Landmark Commission Minutes - 12/11/2012MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION December 11, 2012 U MEMBERS PRESENT: Christy Graham, Chairperson ■ Members Stacie Flood ■ John Kidwell ■ Andy Lee ■ Steve Wood Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planning Administrator ■ staff David Biesinger, Planner 1 ■ GUESTS: Denny Jones ■ Guests ABSENT: Marilyn Carper ■ Members Michael Koen ■ Carolyn Looney ■ Scott Stillson ■ Dianne Thueson ■ Councilor Michael Smith ■ council ualson I. Call to Order & Introductions Chairperson Graham called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. Ms. Gagne introduced Denny Jones, property owner of 1506 Hayes. II. Review & Approval of Minutes from October 23, 2012 Chairperson Graham called for approval of minutes from the October 23, 2012 Landmark Commission meeting. Mr. Lee motioned for approval and Mr. Wood seconded. The motion carried. III. Application for Design Review 1506 Hayes, West Floral Heights Historic District Replace cedar shake shingles with composition shingles Chairperson Graham introduced the application and Ms. Gagne provided photos of the home taken at the time West Floral Heights was nominated as a historic district along with current photos. The building is a Colonial Revival with Cape Cod Style architectural features. City staff was notified of the roof replacement by Mr. Torres, the building contractor hired by Mr. Jones. Mr. Torres had gone ahead and started to replace the roof without prior approval from the historic preservation officer or the Landmark Commission. Code Enforcement issued a stop work order on the project prompting Mr. Torres to apply for a building permit with Building Inspections. The project was flagged as a historic property by Building Inspection. Mr. Jones was very helpful and diligent in providing information for the design review application. This case is very similar to a previous Landmark case in May 2012 where the insurance company would not renew the homeowner's policy unless the cedar shake shingles were replaced by a material that is less flammable. In this case, the rear portion of the roof had already been replaced with composition shingle — probably before the 2005 West Floral Heights historic Idalk district designation. The rear accessory structure also has green composite shingles. Ms. JPGagn6 noted the current photos show an unfinished roof covered by tarps to protect it from inclement weather. To prevent further damage, the roof needs to be finished in the immediate future. Ms. Gagnd requested the applicant, Mr. Jones, provide additional information. Mr. Jones brought a sample of the green composite shingles he proposed using to finish the roof. He said the shingles were laid out in a shake style pattern. Mr. Wood asked the reason for the shingle replacement. Mr. Jones said that he needed to repair parts of the roof and the home insurance policy could not be renewed unless he used a more fire - resistant shingle. Ms. Graham verified that Mr. Jones was still within his timeframe for fixing the roof before he would have to renew his home insurance. Mr. Jones said that he had until February 2013. Mr. Kidwell clarified that the back portion of the roof had already been replaced with the green composite shingles. Ms. Gagn6 added that she spoke with the painting contractor, who said the second story porch architectural detail was undergoing routine maintenance — nothing was being changed out or altered. No design review would be required. Chairperson Graham cited a precedent in which the Landmark Commission approved another home in West Floral Heights to change the roofing material due to the same insurance requirements. She then asked for a motion. Ms. Flood motioned for approval to allow replacement of the cedar shake roof with textured composite shingles along with new decking. Mr. Kidwell seconded. The motion carried. Chairperson thanked Mr. Jones for coming to the meeting and informed him that he would be receiving a certificate of appropriateness from city staff. Mr. Jones asked if his contractor would need to take the certificate to Building Inspections in order to receive a work permit. Ms. Gagn6 said she would email both Mr. Jones and the Building Inspections Division immediately following the meeting to expedite the process so he could get his roof fixed prior to the inclement weather. IV. Overview Regarding 2013 CLG Grant Application Historic Preservation Survey and Plan Ms. Gagne noted that city staff had only included an abbreviated version of the grant application in the Landmark meeting booklet. Staff tried to include only the most pertinent information to conserve paper. If Wichita Falls is awarded the grant, Ms. Gagne suggested that more consultants be contacted to get formal bids. Hardy, Heck, Moore, Inc. (HHM) gave an initial estimate for the two -phase project of developing a Historic Preservation Survey and Plan. City staff was under the impression that the estimate was for the entire project, but later learned that HHM had only estimated the cost of the first phase. This caused a problem when staff went before City Council underestimating the total cost of the project. Due to the error, the total cost increased to nearly $44,000 with $11,000 of that being in -kind work. The $12,000 cash match approved by City Council was the only amount that stayed constant after having to rework the preliminary budget for the grant application. Staff didn't want to ask THC for more than $21,000 (THC provides a 50:50 match) based on past grant approvals and limited funds statewide. Staff believes they have a good case moving forward because the existing plan is 30 years old, and THC has urged Wichita Falls numerous times to update the preservation plan. Ms. Gagn6 speculated that THC would notify grant recipients around February 2013 of the final determination. Mr. Lee asked if staff would wait until then to ask for additional bids on the project or if they would do so in January. Ms. Gagne said staff would wait for the official approval from THC to move forward. In the event that Wichita Falls is approved for the grant, the $12,000 cash match approved by City Council will be worked into the 201312014 budget as the budgeting process begins in March. Ms. Gagnd added that she feels hesitant to move forward with the project having only acquired one bid. She said she would talk with Matt Synatschk at THC to obtain his advice on the matter. It would probably be a good idea to go through a more formal bid process. While compiling the grant application staff tried to get a second bid from another consulting firm, Quimby McCoy, but they said they simply didn't have the time. Ms. Flood asked if THC could provide a list of consultants that do preservation planning. Ms. Gagne explained that because THC is a state agency they cannot recommend private companies. However, Mr. Biesinger called various communities in Texas that had done similar projects and asked those that used a consultant whether or not it was a good experience. A few of the communities were fortunate to have a university with a preservation is program from which the community could get student volunteers to help out with in -kind work. They didn't necessarily hire a consultant. Chairperson Graham asked if there were any further comments or questions, there being none moved to other business. V. Other Business a) West Floral Heights Historic District — Monthly Report Ms. Looney was absent so there was no report. b) THC Approved 1200 9"' Street Entry Door Replacement with Revisions Ms. Gagnd said the architect working with First Baptist Church had missed on some communication to the City, so she asked Adam Alsobrook, THC regional reviewer, to forward her the information regarding the door replacement. First Baptist Church was approved to replace the exterior doors of the old sanctuary. They already had the doors made before they sought approval for installation from THC. When Mr. Alsobrook saw the design of the doors he requested they change the central design panel to mirror the existing doors. After First Baptist changed the design, Mr. Alsobrook approved the installation. City staff and the Landmark Commission are optimistic about First Baptist Church's understanding of the design review process, and the requirements of their RTHL designation which runs with the life of the structure. Mr. Kidwell asked the purpose for replacing the doors. Ms. Gagnd said that there was a concern about knocking people down the exterior stairs as the doors opened because the windows on the doors were very narrow and difficult to see through. Additionally, the wood itself was in bad condition and needed replacement. Mr. Wood verified that it was a maintenance issue. Ms. GagnL mentioned that she thought the new doors had already been installed but hadn't been able to verify. c) 2012 CLG Annual Report – Submitted December 5t' Ms. Gagnd noted the ease of the new online submission option, however, it didn't give her the option to print a copy once the report was completed. She contacted Matt Synatschk at THC to obtain a copy. In 2012, the city had 33 design reviews, 23 of which were minor allowing them to be approved by city staff /preservation officer. In the report, Ms. Gagne included window replacement as a recurring issue. She was pleased to be able to report that four buildings were added to the list of historic landmarks. She reported that Wichita Falls has a great Commission with a diverse composition of experts in their various fields of employment. She also noted that updating the Historic Preservation Survey and Plan was an issue that THC could help address in the community by approving the City's 2013 CLG grant application. d) Design Review – Staff Authorized – Minor Alteration/Repairs: -1501 Tilden – replace residential gas meter - 900 Bluff – commercial plumbing permit; work part of restoration project -1709 Tilden – replace existing HVAC unit These were all minor items that won't negatively impact the property. Some items rolled over from November because there was no meeting. e) Articles and Periodicals Ms. Gagne asked if the commissioners had received their copy of the Medallion. All members received copies. Staff referenced a feature article on Victoria. Mr. Lee digressed noting he received several emails from the Preservation Trust. He said he still couldn't figure out where the city was on its preservation tax credits. He reminded staff and the Commission to stay current on eligibility and reporting to ensure that the city continues to receive preservation tax credits. Ms. Gagne reminded the Commission that with the new state legislative session, commissioners might be receiving emails from Preservation Texas lobbying on behalf of THC. THC is not allowed to lobby, and there is potential that their funding may be cut completely. There may be a need to submit letters in support of THC to elected officials in the near future. f) New Commission Roster & Meeting Schedule - 2013 Ms. Gagn6 passed out copies of the Commission roster for 2013, and asked commissioners to double check their contact information. Ms. Dianne Thueson has served on the Landmark Commission for the last 10 years and has decided to retire. City Council appointed Mr. Jackie Lebow, a local architect, to fill the vacancy. Stacie Flood, Andy Lee, and Michael Koen were all reappointed to serve on the Commission. Ms. Graham asked what the term limit is for serving on the Landmark Commission. Ms. Gagn6 responded that it is generally 3 two -year terms. In the event that a Commission member is heavily involved in a project when they reach their term limit, however, Council has the discretion to reappoint that member to see the project through completion. With the exception of May (Memorial Day) and possibly November (Thanksgiving), Landmark Commission meetings have continued to be scheduled on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. Commission member, Scott Stillson, had indicated concerns about being able to continue to serve on the Landmark Commission based on his work conflicts at the Public Defender's Office. Chairperson Graham asked if anyone had any other items to discuss. Mr. Lee had some concerns about a number of buildings with serious deterioration issues that need immediate attention. He expressed a little frustration that the Landmark Commission doesn't have power to abate the issues or to force property owners to abate them, but he wanted the Commission to go on record stating that the issues need to be resolved. He specifically addressed the Berry Brown House, the graffiti at 600 Ohio Avenue, the Zales Building, the building at 713 Indiana, and the building at 617 7"' Street (not in Depot Square Historic District). Ms. Flood and Chairperson Graham both echoed feelings of powerlessness to save these historical buildings. Ms. Gagne offered to write a letter to City Council listing the buildings that are questionable for demolition. Ms. Gagne and Mr. Lee went back and forth over whether or not that was the best course of action. The hope is that property owners of these buildings will fix the problems once they are under the threat of demolition. On the other hand, property owners may continue to do nothing at all, resulting in the eventual demolition of a historic building. Ms. Graham brought up the concern that if buildings within the Depot Square National Historic District are demolished, the historic district could lose its designation. She proposed expanding the district so that if some buildings are demolished there are still enough buildings remaining to preserve the historic district designation. Mr. Lee commented that it would be incongruous to ask City Council to demolish four deteriorating buildings in the district, while at the same time asking to expand the district. He proposed expanding the district first and asking for demolition later. Ms. Graham and Ms. Gagn6 seemed to agree. Ms. Graham offered up the idea of having the Landmark Commission work on expanding Depot Square in early 2013 in the event that they are not awarded the CLG grant. The Commission seemed to agree naming the Wichita Theatre and other buildings along Indiana Avenue as potential additions to the district. Chairperson Graham stated the next meeting was scheduled for January 22, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. moon). VIII. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 12:54. Christy Graha , Chairperson r .2 /co/aoi3 Date