Landmark Commission Minutes - 02/26/2013 t'"Ed.REWED IN
MINUTES TIME:
LANDMARK COMMISSION
February 26, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Stacie Flood, Chairperson ■Members
Christy Graham '
John Kidwell •
Marilyn Carper •
Jackie Lebow •
Carolyn Looney •
Steve Wood '
Karen Montgomery-Gagn6, Planning Administrator ■staff
David Biesinger, Planner I •
Peter Scott,Assistant City Attorney II ■
Joe Bohannon, Contractor ■Guests
Michael Bahr, Owner 106 Pembroke ■
Chuck Vergauwen, Supplier,Woodco Supply ■
ABSENT:
" Andy Lee ■Members
Michael Koen '
Scott Stillson '
Councilor Michael Smith ■ Council Liaison
I. Call to Order and Introductions
Chairperson Flood called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. Ms. Gagn6 had Joe Bohannon
(contractor), Mike Bahr (homeowner at 106 Pembroke), and Chuck Vergauwen (supplier with
WoodCo) introduce themselves.
II. Review and Approval of Minutes from February 6, 2013
Chairperson Flood called for approval of minutes from the February 6, 2013 Landmark
Commission meeting. Mr. Kidwell motioned for approval and Ms. Carper seconded. The motion
carried.
III. Application for Design Review—106 Pembroke(Morningside)wooden window
replacement
Ms. Gagn6 introduced the design review application for 106 Pembroke, which is located in the
Morningside National Historic District. The applicant/contractor, Mr. Bohannon, proposed to
replace windows in the house with aluminum-clad wooden windows supplied by Woodco. He
assured the Commission of the owner's (Mr. Bahr) desire to maintain the historic look and
nature of their home.They decided to go with the aluminum-clad wooden frames because of the
longevity of the material and its similar appearance to the original window frames. The purpose
of the window replacement is to increase energy efficiency within the home and to allow the
Bahrs to open and close the windows, which they cannot do at present. The leaded windows
near the front door have a buckling problem, so they are being replaced as well. Mr.
Vergauwen provided more detail regarding the window replacements. He stated there will be
three diamond leaded glass windows with wooden casement sashes with single-glaze leaded
glass panes. The single-glaze prevents side glare issues that would occur if there were a single
sheet of glass installed over the top of the leaded pane. Stiffeners will be installed diagonally
instead of horizontally to hide them behind the lead and to keep the window from buckling in the
future. Mr. Kidwell asked Mr. Vergauwen to elaborate on the stiffeners. He said currently, the
stiffener is the piece that runs horizontally across the window breaking up the diamond pattern.
The new stiffeners will be diagonal which won't break up the pattern. Moving on to the rest of
the windows, Ms. Gagn6 asked if the muntins would be installed on the inside or the outside of
the double pane windows with divided lights. Mr. Vergauwen said that to be architecturally
correct for true divided lights, the muntins would be installed on the interior, the exterior, and in
between the panes. This will apply to all vertical operating windows. Mr. Wood alluded to a
precedent at 126 Pembroke in Morningside where they were approved to install aluminum-clad
wood windows. Mr. Vergauwen further explained that aluminum cladding is merely an exterior
finish to a wood product; they are made to mimic putty glaze windows. Even windows with
primed wood exterior casements have aluminum muntins. Ms. Graham motioned to authorize
the replacement of windows with aluminum clad wood windows with muntins as described
(exterior, between glass and interior) with the same profile/pane configuration (8 over 1)as well
as replacement of the diamond leaded glass windows with the same design/style but with
verticaUdiagonal stiffeners for improved stability ensuring all installation is as historically
accurate as possible. Ms. Carper seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Gagn6
indicated she would notify the Building Inspection Division by the end of the day so a permit
could be obtained for the window replacement project.
IV. Update and Discussion—THC FY2013 CLG Grant Approval
Ms. Gagn6 informed the Commission that the City was approved for the 2013 CLG Grant to
update its Historic Preservation Plan and Survey. She also mentioned that the CLG
Coordinator, Matt Synatschk, whom they usually consult with, took another position elsewhere
and is no longer working with THC. By the time city staff and the Commission starts working on
the project THC will have hopefully filled the position.
Staff explained that due to the issue of federal funding and pending sequestration only the three
top-scoring cities were fully approved to proceed with their CLG projects. Fortunately, Wichita
Falls was one of those cities. Staff is waiting for the contracts to arrive in the mail before going
to City Council with an appropriations ordinance for the local funds previously approved by
resolution last fall. Ms. Gagn6 also thought it would be wise to request for bids on the project to
allow the Commission options for a qualified consultant who would assist with the visioning
portion of the plan.
V. Update and Discussion Regarding 2013 Landmark Nominations
Ms. Graham said she spoke with John Denman of 2116 Hiawatha. She couldn't remember if he
said the home was built in 1951 or if an addition to the home was completed in 1951. Either
way, the home is old enough to meet the 50-years-old criterion. Mr. Denman said he would talk
with his wife about nomination, so Ms. Graham will follow-up with them. Chairperson Flood
asked how to handle a situation where a potentially historic home has an addition that is not at
least 50 years old. Ms. Gagn6 said it depends on the Department of the Interior's Standards and
how visible the addition is from the public right-of-way, materials utilized, etc. It is a case-by-
case situation. The issue of the Sacred Heart Church billboard came up. The church had been
on the list of buildings to consider for landmark nomination until they erected a modern billboard
on the property. Mr. Wood made a very good point that the city wouldn't want to see the church
torn down in 15 years because it was never nominated due to the billboard.There seemed to be
a consensus that the Commission should still pursue nominating the church in spite of the
billboard.
Following on the heels of a discussion about the repairs on First Baptist Church, Ms. Graham
said there is a lot of masonry downtown that is deteriorating due to weathering. She suggested
using a clear paint to protect the masonry. Ms. Graham also noted there was some new graffiti
on the elevator shaft on the roof of the Holt Hotel, but the owner had since painted over it. Ms.
Gagn6 said painting is considered routine maintenance and is not regulated by the Landmark
Commission. Staff also reminded Commission members of the City's graffiti abatement
program administered through the Code Enforcement Division. Mr. Lebow indicated he knew
about a new product that resists any type of paint. He noted using anti-graffiti paints before but
this was a different product that works much better—nothing sticks to it. He said he would get
more information about it and share with the Commission.
Ms. Gagn6 said Mr. Koen talked with Mark Prothro about nominating his home at 3301 Harrison
(Perkins-Prothro home) as a local landmark. It is definitely a property that the Commission
would appreciate having designated. Ms. Gagn6 said she also talked with Mr. Prothro and
explained the process and criteria for designation. He was very interested in nominating his
home. Mr. Biesinger also talked with the residents of 2108 Wenonah and they seemed
interested in nominating not only their own home but their neighbors' home at 2110 Wenonah
for designation as a historic landmark. He said he would get them the information they needed
to apply for designation. The neighbors' home (2110 Wenonah) is listed in the Wichita Falls
Historic Touring brochure produced by the Landmark Commission. The City's Parks Department
indicated that they would be in favor of the Commission nominating some of the city parks, so
city staff will get in touch with Jack Murphy, Parks Department Director, about nominating those
properties. Chairperson Flood said she would contact the McCulloch's about the McKana Home
at 2103 Avondale. Mr. Wood said he would check on #2 Crestway (Momingside). Ms. Carper
agreed to talk to John and Karen Thomas of 1500 Grant about nomination, and Ms. Looney
agreed to talk to the Mason's about 1400 Tilden.
VI. Other Business
a) West Floral Heights Historic District—Monthly Report
Ms. Looney was going to meet with Mark Beauchamp about installing the new stop signs that
they had raised money for within the Association. Almost all of the money they raised was
independent of the City for this project and came from the homes tour.
Ms. Looney asked if there was a penalty for those that ignore the design review process
regulated by the Landmark Commission. She said she was out walking and saw someone
replacing entire windows without a permit. Ms. Gagn6 said that she didn't have any contact
information for the owners of the house other than their names which resulted in a disconnected
phone number. She indicated requesting more information from the District contact people in
order to approach the property owners about the window replacement without a permit. Ms.
Gagn6 emphasized the importance of the role of district liaisons representing the Landmark
Commission. The City needs some sort of proof before investigating and citing code violations.
Two city staff members had gone to look at the site in question and they couldn't tell that a
violation had occurred or if the front windows had been replaced. Staff noted they could not
entry private property without permission; they have to remain in the public right-of-way
(sidewalklalley). Ms. Looney was not satisfied that nothing could be done in the situation. Ms.
Gagn6 explained the penalty is that the violator has to go through the design review process
and if they are approved for a permit they pay double the price of a permit. Peter Scott from the
City Attorney's Office reaffirmed that code enforcement officers cannot simply go onto the
property and inspect the windows. They have to be able to see the violation from the right-of-
way. Ms. Looney said she would try to contact the property owners while they are trying to
update their neighborhood directories.
b) Design Review—Staff Authorized—Minor Alterations/Repairs
The residents of 311 Momingside applied for a storm shelter through the Wichita County Storm
Shelter Rebate Program. They are located in a historic district, but since the shelter will either
be in the backyard underground or in a garage where it won't be visible, there is probably no
design review issue.
c) Summer Intern Potential
Chairperson Flood said that a woman named Marie Oehlerking submitted a resume to the
Heritage Society for a possible internship. Ms. Flood thought she might be a good candidate to
assist with the in-kind work that will be necessary for the Preservation Plan Update and Survey.
Ms. Flood said she would direct Ms. Oehlerking to Ms. Gagnd to see if an arrangement could be
made.
d) Articles and Periodicals
Ms. Gagne made sure that everyone was receiving their copy of The Medallion in the mail,and
reminded the Commission that the periodical has interesting articles and updates concerning
historic preservation from around the state.They may also contain some updates regarding the
future of THC during/after the current legislative session.
VII. New Business
At the next meeting, Councilor Smith will be present to talk about the membership composition
of the Landmark Commission. The next meeting will be held on March 26, at 12:00 pm.
Vill.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 1:02 pm. 0
3 a (1al
Stacie Flood, Cha rperson Date
0