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Landmark Commission Minutes - 02/06/2013 --t--GEIVED IN GiTY CLERK'S MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION cT February 6, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Christy Graham, Chairperson ■Members Stacie Flood John Kidwell Michael Koen Jackie Lebow Andy Lee Carolyn Looney Steve Wood Karen Montgomery-Gagne, Planning Administrator ■staff David Biesinger, Planner 1 Councilor Michael Smith ■ Council Liaison ABSENT: Marilyn Carper ■Members Scott Stillson I. Call to Order,Introductions and Swearing In New Commission Member Chairperson Graham called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. Ms. Gagne swore in Jackie Lebow as a new member to the Landmark Commission. 11. Election of Landmark Commission Chairperson and Vice Chairperson foe 2013 Ms. Gagne opened the floor for nominations for Chairperson. Mr. Koen nominated Ms. Flood and Ms. Graham seconded the nomination. Ms. Flood nominated Ms. Graham but no one seconded, so the nomination failed after which Mr. Koen closed nominations. Commissioners voted unanimously for Ms. Flood as the new Chairperson. Ms. Graham called for nominations for Vice Chairperson. Mr. Kidwell nominated Ms. Graham and Mr. Koen seconded. There were no other nominations, and Commission members voted unanimously for Ms. Graham as the new Vice Chairperson. Ms. Graham turned the meeting over to Ms. Flood. III. Review and Approval of Minutes from December 11t', 2012 Chairperson Flood called for approval of minutes from the December 11'', 2012 Landmark Commission meeting. Mr. Koen motioned for approval and Mr. Wood seconded. The motion carried. IV. Discussion and Determination of Commission Priorities for 2013 Ms. Gagne introduced the agenda item by reviewing some of the goals outlined in the Texas Statewide Historic Preservation Plan. She noted that the goals of the City Landmark Commission align with those of the Texas Historic Commission (THC).This is especially helpful when applying for a Certified Local Government(CLG)grant through THC. Ms. Gagne also reviewed Commission priorities, goals, and projects established in previous years highlighting completed projects such as creating the Design Review Guidelines document,applying for a CLG grant to update the 1982 Ellen Beasley Historic Preservation Plan &Survey, and working with planning staff and property owners to research and nominate sites/buildings for City Landmark designation by City Council. Looking forward, Ms. Gagn6 identified a number of residual projects/goals to consider as priorities for 2013. These include: • Expanding the Depot Square Historic District along Indiana Avenue, • Updating the 1982 Preservation Plan and Survey, • Researching and nominating at least 6 properties for historic designation, and • Developing a periodic media release to educate the public on historic preservation. Ms. Gagne opened the floor for thoughts and discussion. Councilor Smith mentioned the Public Information Department has two new employees that could assist in developing a monthly media release on the City channel or on the City website. Mr. Kidwell asked if these media releases would be more informative focusing on historic sites that already exist or if they would be a call for nominations of additional landmark designations. He felt that the releases could help encourage historic homeowners to approach the City/Landmark Commission about historic designation. Councilor Smith said the media releases could both educate the public about the city's history and inform them of a way to participate in history through designation. Ms. Gagne added that the Landmark Commission could inform the public of the benefits of historic designation and diffuse misconceptions of the City controlling what a property owner can and cannot do once their property is designated as a historic landmark. Ms. Graham suggested using the preservation video that the Commission made four years ago. Mr.Wood pointed out that not many people know of the history of Wichita Falls beyond the Kell House. Highlighting each landmark would help teach the public about the City's history. Chairperson Flood said it's important for the public to understand the reason we designate historic sites is not necessarily to protect them from what we might do but from what future generations might do. For the benefit of Mr. Lebow, Ms. Gagne gave a brief overview of some of the projects that the Landmark Commission has completed with federal funding through the CLG program.These include an educational video on historic preservation, a brochure highlighting key historical sites within the city, and the Design Guidelines document. In reference to the four priorities previously identified by staff, Mr.Wood felt that if the Commission is awarded the CLG grant,then the Commission should scale back and choose only one more of the four identified priorities—probably the monthly media release. If the Commission is not awarded the grant then they should focus on the expansion of Depot Square as a top priority for 2013.After further deliberation the Commission decided to rank their priorities for 2013 as follows: 1. Update the Preservation Plan and Survey pending approval of the CLG grant 2. Designate at least 6 properties as historic landmarks 3. Have a monthly media release focusing on some aspect of historic preservation 4. Expand Depot Square Historic District along Indiana Avenue V. Update and Discussion Regarding Designated Historic Property Inventory Everyone was given a list of potential sites for historic designation, and Ms. Gagne asked if anyone had particular interest in pursuing any of them. Ms. Graham said she knew John and Penny Denman at 2116 Hiawatha and volunteered to talk with them. Chairperson Flood said she and Mr.Wood know Michael Callahan of 3000 Hamilton—both agreed to contact him. Ms. Flood also said she would gather information for nominating the Riverside Cemetery. Mr. Koen said he would contact Mark Prothro of 3301 Harrison, and Randy Funston of 2023 Berkeley. Ms. Gagne said she would talk with Jack Murphy about potential parks and cemeteries, and that she would ask Dianne Thueson if she had made any progress with Mark Prothro of 3301 Harrison. Mr. Biesinger gave an update of the first annual photo inventory of all historic designated properties in the city.The City is keeping this photo inventory to monitor the condition of its designated sites from year to year. Mr. Biesinger said he had photographed all properties in the Momingside and Depot Square Historic Districts.The West Floral Heights Historic District was photographed except for one street, and he had most of the individually designated landmarks to photograph. He said he fully anticipated completing the inventory before the March Landmark Commission meeting. Vl. Other Business a) West Floral Heights Historic District—Monthly Report Ms. Looney brought copies of the West Floral Heights monthly newsletter and passed them around to members. In October, the district had a home tour to raise funds for neighborhood projects. They are in the process of talking with Mark Beauchamp about purchasing historic replica stop signs with neighborhood funds, and having the city install them. Ms. Looney asked Councilor Smith what it would take for her to have a vote on the Commission. She said she represented over 200 homes and felt that warranted a vote. Councilor Smith said he would talk with the City Attorney and get back to her. Ms. Gagne explained that when the Historic District was initially created there were expectations of multiple historic districts being established inundating the City with representatives on the Commission potentially pushing personal agendas. The solution at that time was to allow non-voting positions on the Landmark Commission for each new historic district. It would take an amendment to the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance to change the Landmark composition and voting structure. b) Design Review—Staff Authorized—Minor Alterations/Repairs Ms. Gagn6 showed some photos taken of 410 Momingside, which was a design review case approved in 2012. The owner did a good job of installing a wrought iron/brick gate that does not obstruct the view of the main house, but it is still evident that the gate is a new addition. Staff simply wanted to show the Commission the result of the case they had previously approved. Ms. Gagne made mention of a case where a chain link fence was replaced by a board-on-board fence, which is always good when a historic property makes such improvements to look more appropriate. Finally, Ms. Gagne commented that,with the consultation of the Commission Vice- Chair, staff approved a project for 1401 Hayes to replace the stucco on the outside of the house as the project was deemed as necessary repair. c) Texas Treasure Business Award Program THC has a new program to recognize businesses that have impacted the state's economy for 50 years or more. Staff included information about the program in the meeting packet and Ms. Gagne asked the Landmark Commission to think about any local businesses they might consider nominating. d) Articles and Periodicals Staff provided an article entitled "g Practical Reasons to Save Old Buildings". Ms. Gagn6 said it would be a good resource for talking to others about the benefits of historic preservation. She also noted that she would need to sign up Mr. Lebow to receive The Medallion, THC's quarterly newsletter. Vll. New Business Councilor Smith said he saw a medallion on the Kell Field Terminal Building and wondered what kind of designation it had. Ms. Gagne said it was a city designated landmark. Vlll. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 1:13 pm. ala�la��3 Stacie Flood, Chairperson Date