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MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OCTOBER 27, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Craig Thompson, Chairman
Dr. James Klein
Ms. Laura Commons
Ms. Christina Crouse
Ms. Anita Eisenhauer
Ms. Marie Guajardo
Ms. Karen Howden
Mr. John Olson
Mr. Leo Rios
Dr. Mark Robbins
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Kris Cardona
(Excused)
Mr. Anthony Gavlik
(Excused)
Mr. Herb Morrison
(Excused)
Mr. Leo Rios
(Excused)
Ms. Susie Rucker
(Excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Andrew Dimas, City Planner
Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 4:43 p.m. by Mr. Craig Thompson, Chairman. The roll was
called and a quorum was declared.
ACTION ITEMS:
Approve September 22 2011 Minutes: The September 22, 2011 minutes were approved as
distributed. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Ms. Eisenhauer and seconded by Mr. Olson and
motion passed.
Presentation on Tax Abatements for Historically Significant Structures: Mr. Craig Thompson,
Chairman, addressed the commission. Mr. Thompson stated in past meetings, the commission
discussed several incentives in which to get property owners involved in historical preservation and
maintaining their properties as to avoid being placed on the Building Standards Board "hit list." Mr.
Thompson continued that one of the items discussed was "tax abatements." Mr. Thompson continued
that during the revising of the UDC, one of the recommendations the Landmark Commission submitted
for inclusion was for the City to initiate a tax abatement program for historical preservation. Mr.
Thompson stated he had had been in conversation with Mr. Michael Culbertson, Vice President of the
Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, regarding tax abatements and he agreed to
give a presentation on that subject. After Mr. Thompson's opening comments, the floor was turned over
to Mr. Culbertson. Handout materials were provided for commissioners to review.
Mr. Culbertson expressed thanks for the invitation to come and share with the commission. Mr.
Culbertson's presentation was summarized in the handout presented. Mr. Culbertson began his
presentation in stating that for local industries to expand it is the city that approves or make changes to
the tax abatements and there was a process in place for that to begin. Mr. Culbertson's presentation was
as follows:
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Landmark Commission Meeting
October 27, 2011
Page 2
Tax Abatement:
• Tax abatements are covered under the State of Texas Tax Code, Section 312, and the
Code allows cities and counties to determine the amount and length of their abatements,
although the cap was ten (10) years.
• Nueces County
Currently, there is no provision for historical properties, residential nor industrial, in the
tax abatement guidelines.
• City of Corpus Christi
City has tax abatement guidelines. Currently, abatements are available to industrial and
business properties only, but it does not allow abatements for residential properties.
Abatement guidelines do not address historical properties, either residential or
commercial. The Nueces Loft project received a tax abatement based on the property's
location and the amount of the investment. Mr. Culbertson continued that in order for tax
abatements to be granted for historical properties, the following must apply:
Tax Abatement for Historical Projects:
Process:
• Criteria must be in the guidelines;
• Must be in compliance with the Development Services and Unified Development Code;
• Requires a four -fifth (4/5) majority vote to amend the guidelines; and
• The abatement is only for the City of Corpus Christi and part of the city's extraterritorial
jurisdiction (ETJ).
• Submit application for a change in zoning and a tax abatement application to the City
Development Services Department;
• Development Services Department will forward the application to the Landmark
Commission for designation as an historical property;
• Review and approval by the Landmark Commission with a recommendation forwarded to
the Planning Commission;
• Review and approval by the Planning Commission with a recommendation forwarded to
City Council; and
• Final approval by the City Council for both the zoning overlay and the tax abatement for
the property.
After Mr. Culbertson's presentation, the floor was opened for comments and detailed discussion.
Mr. Thompson stated that until the city becomes more involved with historical preservation and realize its
importance, more buildings and home will continue to be on the Building Standards Board's hit list. Mr.
Thompson continued that more and more of the city's history was lost and destroyed because historic
preservation was not viewed as an avenue to generate funding. It was continued that it was unfortunate
that our city leaders do not see the importance of our history. Mr. Thompson went on to say that in the
past, the Landmark Commission has been working to get tax abatements for historic properties included
in the UDC and into the old Zoning Ordinance, but it has been an uphill ordeal.
Landmark Commission Meeting
October 27, 2011
Page 3
After all comments and discussion concluded, no action was taken. Mr. Thompson expressed
thanks to Mr. Culbertson for attending today's meeting and for the presentation.
Mr. Dimas stated that since staff was in the beginning process of preparing text amendments to
the UDC, this would be a good time for the Commission to initiate the amendment and get it into the
document. Mr. Dimas continued that in addition to the amendment for the tax abatement, this would also
be a good opportunity to create the "top ten" list of structures the Commission would like to see preserved
before they were placed on the Building Standards Board's list to fix up or tear down.
November and December Meeting Dates: Mr. Thomson stated that normally for the past several
years, the Commission did not meet in November. Also, since the December meeting date normally fall
during Christmas week, the meeting date was also cancelled. After a brief discussion on whether the
commission should cancel both meetings, it was the consensus of members present that the November
meeting be canceled and the Landmark Commission would meet on December 15, 2011.
Commissioners would be notified if an alternate meeting site had to be found if the Council Chambers
were not available.
Mr. Thompson stated that at the December meeting, this would be a great opportunity for the
commission to brainstorm regarding the best way in which to proceed in creating the language for the tax
abatement. Mr. Thompson continued that it was worthwhile to get it right. Mr. Thompson stated we could
get samples of how other cities wrote their ordinances and what information should be included.
Mr. Olson asked if the South Bluff United Methodist Church qualified for tax abatement and it was
answered that the proposed use for the facility would not meet the criteria, but the church would be a
perfect example if an appropriate use could be found for the building. Mr. Dimas stated he received
several telephone calls regarding the building, but they did not have enough money to fully complete any
type of money -making endeavor.
Mr. Olson stated his father was the construction foreman for the South Bluff Church and he was
also a member of the local body.
Commissioners were updated on several past and upcoming events scheduled:
At the annual Jazz Festival, the Friends of Heritage Park had two (2) booths — one booth
was for selling food items and the second booth was used for membership subscriptions;
which was a success. Mr. Dimas added the gentleman who came to Development
Services to apply for the promotional permit for the festival, stated this festival maybe one
of the best ones held in several years and it could be the last one held at Heritage Park
because of the traffic problem. It was stated that instead of moving the event from
Heritage Park, may be the City should expand the parking;
• The Annual Greek Festival was scheduled the following weekend after the Jazz Festival;
• Mr. Thompson reminded commissioners of the "Dios de Los Muertos" Festival scheduled
for Friday, October 28, 2011 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Thompson commented on a
statement made by Jim Lago that the artwork on the bluff balustrade was scary. Mr.
Olson asked if the mural was completed and Mr. Dimas answered they were nearly
finished — the artists needed to fill in some "blue" and the mural would be completed.
• November 1, 2011, 7 p.m. — Mr. Jim Maloney will give a presentation on his book entitled
"Corpus Christi History" at the Museum of Science and History;
• November 5, 2011, at the Jones Library at Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas - The
South Texas Historical Association will hold a presentation on "African American Life in
South Texas;"
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October 27, 2011
Page 4
November 12, 2011, 10 a.m. to 2 — Cemetery walk at Old Bay View Cemetery. The
Veterans' Band will open the event; sixteen (16) storytellers have been confirmed for the
enactments and Robert Jones will represent the African-Americans.
Ms. Eisenhauer informed commissioners about an event called the "Texas Tropical
Trails" that will be in Rockport on the third Tuesday in November. The event allows
people from various historical groups to come and give historical presentations, display
different venues of artwork using aluminum and other metal materials. The event is
sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Tourist Bureau and several historical groups.
Ms. Eisenhauer continued that a lot of the participants are tourists who live in the area
during the warmer months and they are history oriented and they bring money to the
community and the coastal bend area. Mr. Thompson suggested that may be the group
could be contacted to give a presentation at a future commission meeting.
• Mr. Thompson reminded commissioners of the "Dios de Los Muertos" Festival scheduled
for Friday, October 28, 2011 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Thompson commented on a
statement made by Jim Lago that the artwork on the bluff balustrade was scary. Mr.
Olson asked if the mural was completed and Mr. Dimas answered they were nearly
finished — the artists needed to fill in some "blue" and the mural would be completed.
Mr. Thompson stated It would be interesting to have a historical presentation on the
infrastructure, roads, lights of the city that included information regarding the first road constructed in
1916 in the downtown area, history of Buddy Lawrence Drive — its extension to the port area and the
name change from Chemical Plant Road to its current name, etc. along with other street names. After
further discussion, no action was taken.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
(K:DEVELOPMENTSVCS\LINDA\WORD\LANDMARK\MINUTES\2011 \OCT2711 MINUTES.MTG)
Andrew K. Dimas, City Planner
Staff Liaison to Landmark Commission