HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 03/28/2019MINUTES
LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI - City Hall Council Chambers
1201 Leopard Street
March 28, 2019
4:30 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS:
Jillian Becquet, Chair Ernest Bert Rucker
Craig Thompson, Vice-Chair Dr. Christine Robbins
Dr. Ira J. Freeman Lisa A. Garza
Dr. Bryan Stone Randy J. Dees, Sr.
Kathleen de la Garza Monica Rawlings
STAFF:
Andrew Dimas, Project Manager
Kristy Glick, Recording Secretary
Nina Nixon-Méndez, Director of Development Services
I. Call to Order: 4:35PM
II. Roll Call:
• Members Present: Jillian Becquet, Bryan Stone, Kathleen de la Garza, Ernest Bert Rucker,
Ira J. Freeman, Lisa A. Garza, Randy J. Dees, Christine Robbins (4:38pm)
• Members Absent: Craig Thompson
III. Approval of Minutes: January 24, 2019 Meeting
• Motion to approve minutes made by Kathleen De La Garza; seconded by Randy Dees.
Minutes approved unanimously.
IV. Discussion and Possible Action:
• Update on Landmark Commission Committees
o Landmark Awards: Two nominations were received for the awards- Anita Eisenhauer
for her continuous work in local historic preservation, and the Bay Jewel, built in 1928
and originally housing Taylor Bros. Jewelers, for its recent renovation after sitting
vacant for 30 years. Dr. Freeman moved to accept the two nominations, which was
seconded by Mr. Dees; motion passed unanimously.
o Director Nina Nixon-Mendez suggested the awards be presented at a City Council
meeting in May to coincide with Historic Preservation month. She also suggested
Mayor Joe McComb could make a proclamation recognizing Historic Preservation
Month at the same meeting.
o Ms. Nixon-Mendez also offered an alternative plan to hold the awards at an off-site
venue and invite the local history community to attend.
o Mr. Dees moved to authorize staff to investigate both awards ceremony options,
which was seconded by Chair Jillian Becquet; motion passed
• Process of Historic Designations – Craig Garrison
o Mr. Garrison reviewed the differences between local, state and national historic
designations. The need to strengthen the demolition ordinance and the possibility of
tax abatement for local historic landmarks was discussed.
o The commission directed staff to investigate and take first steps in designating the
Furman Avenue and Uptown neighborhoods as local historic overlay districts.
V. Director’s Report
• UDC evaluation report overview: includes a suggestion to add a Neighborhood Conservation
District.
• SB 1488: a bill currently in the Texas State Legislature that will prohibit local governments
from designating an historic property without the owner’s consent.
• CLG Grant: Grant was awarded to the City of Corpus Christi. It provides funds for an online,
digital inventory and survey system hosted by the Texas Historical Commission.
i. THC wishes to set up an initial stakeholders meeting for an overview of the inventory
system and hands-on training.
VI. Items to be scheduled on the next agenda
• CLG Grant Update
• Furman Avenue designation
• Landmark Commission Awards
VII. Public comment:
• Mses. Laura Sandoval and Lauren Lavender, Ritz Theatre Board Members, gave the
commission an overview of their fundraising efforts, upcoming events and renovation plans.
VIII. Adjournment: 5:44PM
____________________________________________
Jillian Bequet, Chairperson
City of Corpus Christi Landmark Commission