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Landmark Commission Minutes - 11/26/2013 6 FCEIV'ED rN MINUTES CLERK'S OFFICE LANDMARK COMMISSION DAL: November 26, 2013 p ,14-- TIME:f J 4' MEMBERS PRESENT: Stacie Flood, Chairperson • Members Christy Graham • Andy Lee ■ John Kidwell • Steve Wood • Michael Koen • Councilor Michael Smith •Council Liaison Karen Montgomery-Gagne, Planning Administrator •staff Peter Scott, Assistant City Attorney II • Leo Mantey, Planner I ■ Charles Prothro, owner/applicant 2028 Avondale • Guest ABSENT: Jackie Lebow • Members Carolyn Looney • I. Call to Order and Introductions Chairperson Flood called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. and introduced the members of the Commission. Ms Gagne introduced the guest at the meeting, Mr. Charles Prothro. Ms Gagne stated that Mr. Prothro is the owner of the property that is up for consideration as a Historic Landmark at 2028 Avondale Street. Commission members and staff present introduced themselves to Mr. Prothro. II. Review and Approval of Minutes from October 22, 2013 Chairperson Flood called for approval of minutes from the October 2013 Landmark Commission meeting. Mr. Koen motioned for approval and Mr. Lee seconded. The minutes were approved with a unanimous vote. Ill. Application for Landmark Nomination -2028 Avondale (McMahon- Bullington-Prothro House) Ms Gagne referred members to their packets and provided additional photos of the front, rear and side façades of the McMahon-Bullington-Prothro House. She also provided a research document submitted to staff by Mr. Prothro which contained written information on the history of the home and its associated families and pictorial overview of the three families outlining the significant roles these families have played during development of the City of Wichita Falls. Ms Gagne expressed staff was pleased to work with the Prothro's when they were nominating their property at 2028 Avondale Street for consideration as a City Landmark. LANDMARK COMMISSION November 26,2013 Page 1 Ms Gagne stated that 2028 Avondale is located in the original Country Club Estates. This area was featured in the City's heritage tourism brochure published in 2010. Ms Gagne noted the City had long term interest in the area either as a historic district, or to have some of the properties designated as landmarks. She said staff is excited to be able to consider this application today. Ms Gagne stated this will be the seventh property to be considered in the past two years, the original goal was to have 10 properties nominated and designated by the end of 2013. Ms Gagne gave a brief history of the house. She informed the commission that The McMahon-Bullington-Prothro House is a quality example of architectural craftsmanship, constructed in 1928 by D.H. Whitehill with exacting requirements for Mr. John L. McMahon. The lots were purchased from The Hamilton-Martin Investment Company. During the home's 85-year history, only three families have resided at 2028 Avondale. The McMahon family lived in the home until it was purchased by their son-in-law Mr. Ralph Bullington in 1956, where he raised his family. The property was purchased by the current owners, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Prothro in 1996. J.L. McMahon was prominent in the civic and religious life of Wichita Falls. As an outstanding Catholic layman, he was active in the Sacred Heart Church and he served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus local council. Additionally, he was active in the national Conference of Christians and Jews as well as the war time USO. He was active in promoting the welfare of the city of Wichita Falls. He was one of the Vice Presidents of the City National Bank of Commerce, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and, also, a member of the Wichita Club. In 1956, 2028 Avondale was purchased by J. L. McMahon's son-in-law Ralph E. Bullington. Mr. Bullington began his oil and gas career in Wichita Falls with his best friend Jack 0' Donohoe. He later co- founded McMahon-Bullington Company with his two brothers-in-law, John L. McMahon, Jr., and Joe K McMahon. Ralph was active in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the University of Texas Alumni Association. The current owners Charles B. Prothro and his wife, Cheryl Norriss Prothro purchased 2028 Avondale on May 29, 1996. Charles is active in the community, serving as president on the boards of the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation, the Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center, and Christ Academy of Wichita Falls, Inc. He is also active on the various other non-profit boards. Staff stated that based on the detailed architectural overview, considering that exterior of the home was maintained in its original condition since 1928, and with the family's involvement in the development of the community, staff recommended the house be considered for Landmark designation. Ms Gagne gave Mr. Prothro the opportunity to make a presentation to the commission. Mr. Prothro presented the commission with a scrap book which contained photos of all the families that have lived in the house over the years. He stated the house at 2028 Avondale is original; it remains today as it was built in 1928. He also said the residence is of adam design with georgian style. Mr. Prothro informed the commission that the house had a major fire in 2001 due to a contractor's negligence. The fire started in the basement; the total loss was due to heat and smoke. The interior was completely remodeled/restored after that but the exterior remained intact and was not altered. He stated the exterior has been maintained with special attention given to the vitrified, burgundy brick, custom made for its construction from shale formations near Coffeyville, Kansas. LANDMARK COMMISSION November 26,2013 Page 2 Ms Graham thanked Mr. Prothro for nominating his house. Mr. Prothro replied saying it was a great project to work on and hopes the Commission's approval will be a positive contribution to the home. He said other member of the family along with the Bullington's helped in putting together the information; hence the whole application process was a community effort. Mr. Prothro concluded by saying he hopes to invite members of the three families to attend the designation ceremony at City Council when the date is scheduled. Mr. Koen made a motion to recommend to City Council the nomination of the McMahon- Bullington-Prothro House as a designated Landmark. Ms Graham seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried. Ms Gagne stated the recommendation will be submitted to City Council for their approval at the December 17 meeting. She also said if City Council gives their consent to designate, the mayor will present the Landmark medallion to the family at the Council meeting. IV Other Business a)West Floral Heights Historic District— Monthly Report Ms Gagne stated there was no new information. Mr. Lee said the Turkey Trot event was well attended. Councilor Smith said Ms Looney brought up some issues last week, one of them was about two structures on Garfield Street that have been neglected. Councilor Smith stated those structures have now been demolished; the City now has two empty lots that can be built on. b) Design Review— Staff Authorized Minor Alteration / Repairs Ms Gagne informed the Commission that staff had received numerous minor design review items. Building Inspections have been busy over the past weeks with requests for permits in the historic districts. They were mostly changes with heating and air conditioning. - 1409 Tilden—carport renovation/roof repair - 1301 Grant—roof replacement(asbestos to composition shingle) - 1705 Tikien—plumbing(Rebath)—interior alteration - 111 Pembroke—roof replacement(composition shingle) - 1314 Grant—installation of new HVAC system - 1611 Hayes—changing HVAC system - 1300 Tilden—residential plumbing permit for new flow system;existing sewer line c)Council Update--Historic Preservation Ordinance Revisions—Nov 19th Ms Gagne informed the members that Council approved the ordinance text revision that the Commission had recommended to City Council. She said there was a concern about the newly revised positions and need for existing members to submit board/commission applications, of which, Mr. Scott was very helpful in clarifying. She said she wanted the commission members to pay special attention to the non-voting preservation liaison position, because it no longer exists with Council's recent action. She wanted to ensure everybody understood that aspect of the ordinance especially Ms Looney who is the current preservation liaison member. Ms Gagne said the City Clerk, Ms Norr, is working on putting together a list for all the various boards and commissions for City Council appointments and re-appointments at the December 3rd meeting. There was some question regarding interpretation among planning, legal and the clerk's office of whether existing commission members with positions that were amended with the ordinance change would be required to submit a LANDMARK COMMISSION November 28,2013 Page 3 new board/commission application for Council consideration. The ordinance revision interprets that the non-voting liaison member position is eliminated, thus implying that the person holding that position needs to apply for the position of residential district representative. It was determined, based on direction from legal counsel Mr. Scott, that any commission member with a position that was reorganized or eliminated with the recent ordinance revision would need to resubmit a board/commission application for Council's consideration on December 3r'. Ms Gagne said that, as of last month, Ms Looney had not submitted her board application. Ms Gagne said she had made numerous efforts to encourage Ms Looney to apply for the new position even prior the ordinance revision being approved by City Council. Ms Gagne stated there are currently four people who have applied for vacancies on the Commission, two are from the West Floral Heights district and the other two are people with interest in historic preservation. Chairperson Flood said Ms Looney had been made aware of the need to reapply. She also stated sliding Ms Looney over to the new position might have some issues; it is possible Ms Looney has not reapplied because she is not interested or too busy to take on that role. She will have to be contacted again concerning the position because she is currently a valuable member worth retaining. Councilor Smith said, if that was the case, then the Commission should contact Ms Looney and make her aware of the situation on the ground. Ms Gagne stated that she will email Ms Looney and follow up with a phone call to encourage her to apply again if she wants to be considered for appointment on the Commission. A.Q, Ms Gagne stated that Ms Graham will also need to re-apply because her term is associated with a position that was reorganized with the text amendment and her current term expires the end of 2014. Staff indicated she can complete the application online on the City's website. d)Articles & Periodicals: Ms Gagne presented an article from the American City and County magazine that outlined the benefit of historic preservation and the value it has in communities. Ms Gagne also presented the Commission with the current edition of The Medallion saying it featured interesting articles this month. She highlighted one that outlined photography tips for historic preservation. Councilor Smith said he has never received a copy of The Medallion. Ms Gagne said she will check on the free online subscription page at Texas Historical Commission and rectify the problem for him and any other member who has the same problem. VII New Business: Councilor Smith informed the Commission that the downtown street lighting project is completed. The bulbs have been upgraded to LED, which he said has made a big difference in the downtown since its completion. Ms Graham asked if the lighting project was for streets only excluding alleys. Councilor Smith said the initial plan may not have included the alleys; he would however research that and give her feedback. Councilor Smith informed members that project was funded through a federal grant with a payback period of 6-7 years. Councilor Smith also encouraged members on the Commission to visit the newly inaugurated Travel Center. He said it is a beautiful and fabulous structure both internally LANDMARK COMMISSION November 26,2013 Page 4 and externally. He stated there is a conference room included which is open to the public for free with an advance reservation. Councilor Smith stated the conference room is currently available during regular working hours of the Travel Center but might serve the public in the evening as time goes on or depending on demand for use. Ms Gagne stated the Commission can revise the time for the meetings which is currently at 12 noon. She said it can be changed if the time currently conflicts with any members' schedule. Meeting date for December is yet to be determined. It will be based on receipt of any applications or businesses. A meeting for January 2014 is set for January 28, 2014. VIII. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 1:00pm. 90z\oji 420111 Stacie Flood, Chairperson Date LANDMARK COMMISSION November 26,2013 Page 5