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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 02/26/2015 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI City Hall Council Chambers 1201 Leopard Street January 22, 2015 COMMISSION MEMBERS: STAFF: Laura Commons, Chairman Miguel S. Saldana, AICP, Senior Planner Dr. Mark Robbins, Vice Chairman Linda Williams, Recording Secretary Kim Charba John Olson Ernest Bert Rucker, Jr. Albert Soto Craig Thompson Sean Thorson Nathaniel Westervelt I. Call to Order/Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Miguel Saldana, Staff Liaison, at 4:30 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. II. Election of Officers Mr. Saldana stated the first order of business was to elect a new chairman. Mr. Saldana opened the floor for nominations for the new chairman. After a brief discussion, Mr. Thorson nominated Laura Commons as chairman. There being no other nominations, the nominations were closed. Motion to approve Laura Commons as chairman was made by Mr.Thorson and seconded by Mr.Thompson. Motion passed. The meeting was turned over to Ms. Commons to chair the meeting and to elect the vice chairman. After a brief discussion, motion to approve Dr. Mark Robbins be re-elected as Vice Chairman was made by Mr.Westervelt and seconded by Mr. Olson. Motion passed. III. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the October 23, 2014 meetings as corrected was made by Dr. Robbins and seconded by Mr.Thorson. Motion passed. IV. Action Item Approval of the Texas Historical Commission's Recommendation to Nominate the Galvan Ballroom 1612 Agnes Street, to the National Register of Historical Properties: Mr. Saldana stated Staff received a packet from the Texas Historical Commission containing the proposed nomination of the Galvan Ballroom as a potential designee to the National Register of Historical Properties. Mr. Saldana continued the Landmark Commission, as the Certified Local Government (CLG) representative for the City, was requested to review the nomination and provide its comments and recommendation on the nomination. Mr.Saldana stated the THC board will be meeting next week to review all nominations and the Landmark Commission's recommendation would be considered at that meeting. After Staffs presentation, the floor was opened for comments and discussion by commissioners. Landmark Commission Meeting January 22,2015 Page 2 IV. Action Item Approval of the Texas Historical Commission's Recommendation to Nominate the Galvan Ballroom, 1512 Agnes Street, to the National Register of Historical Properties (cont.) Mr. Olson asked if the nomination of the Galvan Ballroom would affect the extension of the bridge and Mr. Saldana stated no. Ms. Charba asked if the owners had any plans to restore the building back to its original status and Mr. Saldana stated he could not answer that question. Mr. Saldana continued that the commission's role in this request was to review the nomination and provide comments or a recommendation based on the merit of the nomination. If the commission feels that more information is needed before a recommendation can be made, that information can be provided to THC. Dr. Robbins stated that THC did a good job on compiling the information included in the nomination packet and the specifics provided the support of the application. Mr. Thompson stated if the property owner was not agreeable to the nomination, he would like to know who submitted the nomination. After further discussion and comments concluded, Ms. Commons stated the nomination was scheduled as an action item; the commission has to make a decision to approve and provide a recommendation or table action on the request to have additional time to review the request. After further discussion, a motion to table action on the Galvan Ballroom nomination to the February meeting to allow additional time for the commission to review the nomination packet was made by Ms. Charba and seconded by Mr. Westerville. Motion passed. After the motion passed, it was suggested there were several points that should be discussed for the next meeting regarding the nomination. The following items were discussed: • If the owner is aware that the property is being considered for a nomination; • If the nomination is based on its cultural significance; and • Confirm whether the commission is being requested to comment on historical significance or its cultural significance. V. Discussion Items Update on Review of the Bound Volumes of Historical Properties: Mr. Westervelt stated he checked out two bound binders from Development Services for review. Mr. Westervelt continued he used the google earth website to research and confirm if the structures still existed and he had not completed the review. Mr. Westervelt stated he was still unsure of the purpose of the binders and what was their function. Staff provided a brief overview of how the historical binders were initiated approximately twenty- five years ago by former commissioners and staff interested in historic preservation. Their focus was to hire a preservation consultant or a historian to compile an inventory of structures that were considered to be historically significant and could be possibly designated. The phased project was funded through a Certified Local Grant, matched by in-kind services of staff. The phase 1 of the project hired a preservation consultant who performed a windshield survey of properties in selected areas of the city and were identified to be historically significant. Phase 2 of the project resulted in the creation of the historical binders. Based on the windshield survey, more detailed information was researched and compiled on each site included in the survey. The properties were entered and flagged in the Building Inspection Division's database. If a building permit or demolition permit was requested for one of the properties identified in the survey,the applicant had to come before the Landmark Commission to review the request. As part of the process, the commission was given Landmark Commission Meeting January 22,2015 Page 3 V. Discussion Items Update on Review of the Bound Volumes of Historical Properties (cont.) sixty days to work with the property owner to try and find other options if it involved demolition of a structure or making additions or renovations that would affect the historical integrity of the structure. If after the mandated sixty-day period ended and no alternatives were found, the requested permits would be issued. Mr. Saldana stated with the changes in leadership for both the commission and staff over the years, updating the binders has not happened. VI. Items to be scheduled on the Next Agenda • Continued discussion on the purpose of the bound binders and why they are being updated; and • Proposed CLG Grant to possibly digitize the remaining properties in the bound binders. VII. Public Comment None Vlll. Adjournment After all comments and discussion concluded, and there being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. u Miguel S. Saldana, AICP, Senior Planner Linda illiams Development Services Department Develo ment Services Department Staff Liaison to Landmark Commission Recording Secretary (DEVDVS\W ORD\LANDMARK\MINUTES\2015\JAN2215.LMCMTG)