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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 02/26/2004 410) Q MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING FROST BANK BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM, 3P0 FOOR FEBRUARY 26,2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Myron Grossman,Chairman Ms.Susan Abarca Dr.Thomas Weneck Ms. Grand's Lenken Mr.Kevin Maraist Dr. Richard Moore Mr. Elmon Phillips Ms. Bunny Tinker MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. David Blanket (Excused) Ms. Deborah Douglas (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon,City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary Mr. Myron Grossman, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. AC11ON ITEM: Approval of January 22, 2004 Mlnuteg The minutes for the January 22, 2004 meeting were approved with the noted corrections: Page 1,Action Item for Master Review Committee's Recommendation: First paragraph,third sentence should read: "Ms, linker continued that. . . previously disclosed that the building had been cladded Mice -once early on by Lanes Department Store, minutes reflect"a Mr. Lanes.' Same sentence, should read: 'the second cladding'and minutes reflect"preservation effort." Page 4-Update on Gold Star Court: Add statement"the actual cost was$3,423.43." Page 4 - Items Not Scheduled: First bullet - Statement read: "Informational signs could be used to delineate the different boundaries,of the city outlining time frame. . .were established." Statement should read"Informational signs could be used . . .different city limit boundaries of the city were established.- OTHER stablished:OTHER MATTERS: Historical Presentation on Baffle of Palo Alto: Mr. Myron Grossman, chairman, addressed the commission. Mr. Grossman stated that to continue his effort in prodding interesting historical Information to commission members, he requested Mr. Phillips to bring a brief presentation on the Bale of Palo Mo. At this print in the meeting,the floor was opened to Mr.Phillips. Mr. Phillips stated that when Mr. Grossman asked him to bring a presentation on the bale of Palo Alto, he thought about it and after talking with Ms. Tinker, he decided to go back and deliberate further on Zachary Taylor and his importance to the City of Corpus Christi. Mr. Phillips continued that a lot of people do not know how long he was here in the city. Records show that Zachary Taylor and his men landed at St.Joseph Island on July 25, 1845. On August 15"'of the same year, he came to Corpus Christ. Mr.Phillips stated that at that time, it was difficult to get to Corpus Christi because the bay was very shallow. Zachary Taylor lived in a house located on North Beach on Pearl Street. There were approximately 4,000 soldiers camped on North Beach, which had high weeds and brush. Once the soldiers moved onto the beach and began removing the weeds and brush, 134 rattlesnakes were killed. Clone Jefferson Davis, son-in-law of Zachary Taylor, James Street Franklin Pearse and U. S. Grant were included as part of the troops camped on North Beach. Mr. Phillips continued that two of the officers were later presidents of the United States. On February 12, 1845, the Steamship Dayton exploded and eight soldiers were killed in the explosion. Those eight soldiers are now burled In the Old Bay View Cemetery and SCANNED Landmark Commission Meeting fili February 26,2004 Page 2 the Nueces County Historical Commission initiated the paperwork for the graves to receive markers. President Polk had a policy of manifest destiny and sent an emissary in Juy to march to Mexico to see if the United States could buy land. There were several disputes about the ownership of Nueces Strip. The Mexican government did not want Texas to be annexed into the United States. On March 8, 1846, once the troops left Corpus Christi, they set up camp at Ft. Brown in Brownsville, Texas. In 1846, war was declared on Medco because the Mexican soldiers attacked the soldiers located at Ft. Brown. The Mexican soldiers were attacked at Resaca(meaning dry river bed)and they retreated back to Mexico. In September 1847, Mexico City was captured. Santa Ma, former military and political leader of Mexico City, was captured. After his capture, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed settling the dispute over the Rio Grande and Nueces Rivers. U.S.Grant was almost killed when he fell between Iwo ships. Grant was considered to be very innovative in his military endeavors. He was the first officer to use artillery In bale. The classic common method used In war was for the soldiers to march and use bayonets. Mr. Phillips concluded his presentation by stating that he wanted to emphasize the Importance of Zachary Taylor's influence here In the ciy and the South Texas Area. Dr. Moore commented that when the war started, Pope stated he received a mystery visitor, which turned out to be Santa Anna. Santa Anna had been hired to build an army to defeat the president in Mexico, but he ended up defecting and fighting against the United States. Mr. Phillips passed out brochures on the Centennial House and staled the hours of operation fa the Centennial House - on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. and on the first Sunday - 1 to 3 pm. Mr. ' Grossman expressed thanks to Mr. Phillips for his presentation. Update on CDBG Grant Request: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison, addressed the commission. Ms. Macon stated that the Planning Commission met on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, to review staffs recommendation of approval on the list of grant proposals. Ms. Macon continued that Staff did not recommend funding neither the Landmark Commission's grant request na a grant proposal for downtown historical renovation. Ms. Macon continued that Mr. Grossman wrote a letter to the Planning Commission requesting them to reconsider the commission's request for funding. After the conclusion of the commissioner's discussion, the Landmark Commission's request was included in the list of grant proposals prepared by City Staff, and, in addition, the Planning Commission approved $37,500 for the grant proposal written by City Staff for a historical consultant in the downtown area. The downtown grant would pay a one- time fee for a consultant to write grant proposals in seeking additional funding for revitalizing the downtown area. The CDBG proposal will be approved at the April 20, 2004 City Council meeting. The council meetings begin at 9 a.m. and, as before, any commissioner that Is available Is encouraged to attend the meeting. Ms. Macon stated she had received several phone calls from homeowners in the Del Mar area who are interested in the plaque program. Ms. Macon stated she would update the homeowner on the final outcome of the CDBG funding for the plaques. Mr. Grossman stated that at the last commission meeting, commissioners talked about historical districts and how they would be a great way for the city to get the community involved In preservation efforts. Mr. Grossman continued that he thought the commission might need to further pursue the topic and see Moat support, It any,can be gained. Mr. Grossman stated he spoke with Norma Urban, President of the Downtown Management District, to see if she would interested In gMng a presentation to the Landmark Commission. Mr.Grossman continued that she told him she had to talk with several other people and she would get back with him. As of today, he had not received an update from her. Mr. Grossman stated he would make another effort to call her and if he did not receive a response, he would contact the new revised group of the Heart of Corpus Christi to see if they would be interested in giving a presentation. Dr. Kreneck stated that since the commission is discussing the pncsibility of establishing historical districts,he was in contact with a student from the University of Texas, as part of her academic program, is doing research on the feasibility of laying out historic districts and she might be interested in worlring with the Landmark Commission. Dr. Kreneck continued he would provide the student's name at the next meeting. Landmark Commission Meeting February 26,2004 Page 3 Scheduling of "Potential I andmark' Property located at 402 Peoples Street for Plannina Commission and CIN Council Action: Ms. Macon stated that the dates for the Planning Commission and City Council meetings are Wednesday, March 24, 2004, 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, March 30, 2004, 9 a.m., respectively. Mr. Grossman stated he was very disappointed and dissatisfied with the new location that staff has selected for the commission meetings to be held. Ms. Tinker also voiced dissatisfaction with the new location and wanted to know why staff made the decision to move the Landmark Commission out of the council chambers. After further discussion, Mr. Grossman stated he would like authorization from commissioners to write a letter to staff informing them that the commission is very dissatisfied with the new meeting location and want to return to the council chambers. After all comments and discussion concluded,the fallowing action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY DR. KRENECK AND SECONDED BY DR. MOORE THAT MR. GROSSMAN, CHAIRMAN OF WE LANDMARK COMMISSION,WRITE A LETTER TO STAFF STATING.OBJECTIONS TO THE NEW MEETING LOCATION AND RELOCATE THE MEETINGS BACK TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. IF THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE,THE SIXTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. MOTION PASSED. Dr. Moore referenced a book publication he found in doing research. The book was published by Dr. David Bianke and he suggested that Dr. Bianke be requested to give a presentation on his book for the next meeting. Ms. linker stated there is a two-story house located at King and Laredo intersection that was condemned by the city and proposed for demolition by the National Guards. Ms. Tinker continued that the house was built in 1903 and was purchased by a young man who wants to restore it. Ms. Tinker recommended that commissioners go by and look at the structure. Ms. Macon stated that at the public hearing meeting for the South Central Area Development Plan at the Bayfront Center, a section within the plan proposes expanding Heritage Park on the east side of Chaparral Street. Ms. Tinker emphasized that the Landmark Commission was given review authorization of the berm area years ago by management staff and that staff should be reminded of that before anything definite is proposed. Mr Macon informed commissioners that she was contacted by Judge Flores and he is interested in having his home, located at 1410 Comanche Street placed in the Heritage Pah area. There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. 'i j - l egiti- Linda Williams Faryce e-Macon,City Planner Recording Secretary Staff Liaison o Landmark Commission • 0 SUMMARY SHEET LANDMARK COMMISSION METING FEBRUARY 26,2004 1. Mr. Elmon Phillips, Landmark Commissioner, gave a historical presentation on the Importance of Zachary Taylor and his army to the City of Corpus Christ 2. The Landmark Commission approved writting a letter to City Staff stating their objections to the new meeting location In Me Fire Departments conference room,third floor of the Frost Bank Building.