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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 06/28/2012SUMMARY SHEET LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 28, 2012 The Landmark Commission welcomed new member Dennis Miller to the Commission. Mr. Miller is a civil /structural engineer with LNV, Inc. and fills the competency of an engineer. 2. The Landmark Commission approved establishing a subcommittee to formulate and define the process to be used in updating the Landmark Commission City -wide Historic Site Survey. MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUNE 28, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. James Klein, Chairman Ms. Kim Charba Mr. Anthony Gavlik Ms. Karen Howden Mr. Armando Mendez Mr. Dennis Miller Mr. Herb Morrison Dr. Mark Robbins Mr. Sean Thorson MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Laura Commons (Excused) Ms. Christina Crouse (Excused) Ms. Margareta Fratila (Excused) Ms. Marie Guajardo (Excused) Mr. John Olson (Excused) Mr. Leo Rios (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Andrew Dimas, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Dr. James Klein, Chairman. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. Dr. Klein welcomed new commissioners Dennis Miller and Sean Thorson to today's meeting and requested commission members and staff to introduce themselves and the new members. Mr. Miller stated he was a civil /structural engineer with the firm of LNV, Inc. and today was his first meeting. Mr. Miller continued he was looking forward to being on the commission. Mr. Miller filled the competency of an engineer, replacing Eric Villarreal. Mr. Thorson stated he was with the firm of Envoy Mortgage and he also was excited about being a part of the commission. Mr. Thorson filled the competency of title searcher, replacing Kris Cardoha. ACTION ITEM: Approve March 22, 2012 Minutes: Motion was made by Ms. Howden and seconded by Dr. Robbins to approve the March 22, 2012 minutes as distributed. Motion passed. DISCUSSION ITEM: Updating the Bound Volumes of the Historical Survey Properties for Consideration by the Landmark Commission: Mr. Andrew Dimas, Staff Liaison, addressed the commission. Mr. Dimas stated for benefit of new commissioners, Staff was requested to give a brief power point presentation on the Landmark Commission's Historical Windshield Survey and the commission's proposal to update the bound volumes of the surveyed properties. Mr. Dimas began his presentation by providing brief background information regarding the initial site survey. Mr. Dimas stated the historic site survey was funded through Texas Historical Commission (THC) grants through the Certified Local Government Program and the City of Corpus Christi. The windshield site survey of properties throughout the city was conducted as Phase I by a preservation consultant. The information compiled in the windshield site survey was used to complete Phase 11 in the format with a data sheet, slides and photo of each property. Landmark Commission Meeting June 28, 2012 Page 2 The windshield site survey was completed in 1989 and 1990 and Phase II was completed in June 1991 with updates and revisions completed in 1993. Approximately 1,500 sites and properties were surveyed and ranked. Mr. Dimas continued that the finished survey resulted in approximately thirty (30) volumes of data divided by geographic areas of the city. The power point presentation showed an example of a completed data sheet, photo of the site and the area map showing the geographic location of the properties surveyed. Some of geographic areas surveyed included: Louisiana Parkway; Leopard Street Corridor; Blucherville; Agnes /Laredo and Old Irish Town /Bluff. Mr. Dimas stated the surveyed properties were entered into the City's Building Division data base and flagged. If a demolition permit was requested on any of the surveyed properties, staff would be contacted and the request would come before the commission before the permit was issued. Mr. Dimas continued that in addition to the volumes housed in Development Services, a set of the volumes was also maintained in Neighborhood Services Code Enforcement office in City Hall. Mr. Dimas continued that because of the age of the volumes, a lot of the properties have probably been demolished or in such disrepair, the cost to bring them to code would be too excessive. Mr. Dimas continued that the commission has been in discussion for sometime in trying to find a way to inventory the volumes and eventually have the information digitized and scanned. Mr. Dimas stated that former commissioners Bunny Tinker and Anita Eisenhauer briefly worked on the project, but they found the project to be more involved and more resources were needed. After Mr. Dimas' presentation, the floor was opened for discussion and comments. Ms. Charba asked what specifically would be involved in getting the volumes scanned. Mr. Dimas stated that currently, the binders contained hard copies of the survey along with the slides and photos. Mr. Dimas continued that before any scanning or digitizing could take place, all of the binders would have to be reviewed to verify if the structure was demolished or still existed, and if it still existed, verify the physical condition of the structure. Mr. Dimas continued that more than two people would be needed to review the binders, record the findings and verify if the structures still existed. Mr. Dimas stated that this project could be a long -term project. After further discussion, Mr. Morrison stated that a steering committee should be established to conduct the initial review of the binders and report back to the full commission their findings. Dr. Klein asked for volunteers to serve on the committee. Mr. Morrison stated he would serve on the committee until his term ended. After further discussion, Commissioners Gavlik, Howden and Thorson volunteered to also serve on the committee. Mr. Morrison stated that after today's meeting, the group would get together to schedule a date to meet staff in Development Services. Dr. Klein requested a motion to establish the subcommittee. The following action was taken: MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MORRISON AND SECONDED BY MR. GAVLIK THAT A SUBCOMMITTEE BE ESTABLISHED TO FORMULATE AND DEFINE THE PROCESS TO BE USED IN UPDATING THE LANDMARK COMMISSION CITY -WIDE HISTORIC SITE SURVEY. MOTION PASSED. Mr. Dimas reminded commission members that when Craig Thompson was the former chairman, one of his recommendations was that the commission create a "top ten" list of structures for the commission to review. The commission would try to help find options for owners to possibly restore their properties that might be targeted for the Building Standards Board "fix-up or tear down" listing. Mr. Morrison stated that establishing a "top ten" list of structures that were in desperate need of repair would be a good place to start. Once the structures were identified, the commission could contact the owner to let them know their property was historically relevant. Mr. Gavlik asked the status on the tax abatement ordinance presented to the commission last year. Mr. Dimas stated that at the March 28, 2012 meeting, the commission approved the proposed ordinance presented by Michael Culbertson, Vice President of the Economic Development Corporation, at the October meeting. Mr. Dimas continued an "unofficial" copy of the March 28, 2012 minutes was forwarded to Mr. Culbertson showing the commission's action. At the time, the minutes were not officially approved until the June meeting because the April and May meetings were canceled. Landmark Commission Meeting June 28, 2012 Page 3 Mr. Gavlik commended Dr. Robbins for putting together the archeological project in Artesian Park. Mr. Gavlik continued that the participants had a great time and all of the comments he heard were very good. The presentation and history of the park was very informative. Dr. Robbins expressed thanks to those that participated in the project and hopefully, more activities of that nature could be continued for community involvement and education. Dr. Robbins continued that it was hoped that may be this project could be piggy backed on and used for other possible sites and neighborhoods. Pooling resources and using former members to assist in the process would be even better. Dr. Klein stated he was excited about the possibility of the archeological team being able to analyze some of the items found on site in Artesian Park. Dr. Klein asked Dr. Robbins if they had a time line as to when the results could be completed and Dr. Robbins answered that his wife was going out of town and would not be back until the end of August. Dr. Robbins continued that the artifacts found were not significant because of the daily usage of the park. Dr. Robbins stated that a locket, pieces of dishes, and glass were found. Dr. Robbins continued that at that time, Artesian Park was central hub of the city. Dr. Robbins stated he spoke with an older gentleman who remembered when the park was filled with a lot of activity — political speeches, dances, selling of war bonds, etc. Mr. Morrison presented information regarding a fund raiser sponsored by C.C. Patch, a local organization trying to renovate the old Ritz Theatre. Mr. Morrison stated that the fund raiser titled "Welcome to Dine with the Ritz and Famous" was scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2012 at the Solomon Ortiz Center. Tickets to the event are $60.00. Mr. Morrison encouraged those members that could to try to attend. Mr. Morrison stated the organization is steadily working hard in restoring the theater to its original state and any assistance would be helpful. After all comments and discussion concluded, and there being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Linda ing Secretary Andrew K. Dimas, City Planner Staff Liaison to Landmark Commission (D EVE LOPMENTSVMLINOA \WORD \LANDMARK WIINUTES12012WN2812MINUTES. 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