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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 12/18/2008 REC MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING JAN 2 1 2 O9 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS DECEMBER 18, 2008 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. David Brown,Chairman Ms. Mary Lou Breven Ms,Anita Eisenhauer • Ms. Randi Evans Ms. Marie Guajardo Mr. James Klein Mr. Herb Morrison Mr, Leo Rios Ms.Susie Rucker Mr. Reagan Sahadi Mr. Craig Thompson Mr.Art Zeitler MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr, Myron Grossman (Excused Ms. Bunny Tinker (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Mr,Andrew Dimas, Planning Technician Ms. Shelly Shelton,City Planner Ms. Diana Garza, Neighborhood Services Mr. Robert Quiroz, Neighborhood Services Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Mr. David Brown, Chairman. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. Mr. Brown expressed thanks to commissioners for attending today's meeting, since it has been difficult to get a quorum. Mr. Brown continued he was happy that the commission would finally be able to take care of several agenda items that have been carried over for sometime. Mr. Brown welcomed new members Mary Lou Berven and James Klein to the commission and requested them to introduce themselves. Ms, Breven stated she was a history teacher and a historian. Ms. Breven continued she has not taught since she moved to Corpus Christi but she was glad to be on the commission because of her interest in history. Mr. Klein stated he was an Associate History Professor at Del Mar College for the past twelve years and was looking forward to being a part of the commission. ACTION ITEMS; Approve August 28 and October 23, 2008 Minutes: The minutes were approved as distributed. Approve Master Review Committee's Recommendation Whether to Rescind "HC" Designation on the James Belanger House at 1613 Mestina Street & Possible Removal from the Historical Listing to Allow Demolition under Project Operation Clean Sweep (Item was placed back on the agenda at the request of Assistant Director/Planning Mr. Brown stated that this item has been carried over for several meetings because of not having a quorum and also the commission was waiting on requested information from staff that had not been received. For benefit of new commissioners, Mr. Brown presented brief background information on the agenda item. Mr. Brown stated that earlier in the year, the Landmark Commission received a request from Neighborhood Services Staff to rescind the "HC" designation on the subject property due to the deteriorating condition of the house. When the request was originally submitted, the commission tabled action on the request so that the Master Review Committee could tour the structure to make Its own analysis and recommendation. Before action could be taken, the house sustained heavy fire damage to its interior. Mr. Brown continued that after the fire, staff was requested to provide a written analysis of their findings. The information was received for the October 23, 2008 meeting, but no action was taken due to lack of a quorum. The agenda item was rescheduled for today's meeting. At this point in the meeting, Mr. Brown introduced Mr. Thomas Gaddis, owner of the property, and asked if he would like to address the commission. Mr. Gaddis expressed thanks for being at today's meeting and stated he SCANNED Landmark Commission Meeting . December 18,2008 Page 2 hoped the commission would approve removing the"HC"designation so that the structure could be torn down. Mr. Gaddis continued that he inherited the property several years ago as a result of a swindle and he has done nothing with it. Mr. Gaddis went on to say that the property has been vacant for sometime and has become a haven for the homeless community and it was an eye sore to the community. The fire was caused by a homeless individual trying to keep warm. Mr. Gaddis stated he has paid for signs to be posted and the signs were removed. Fencing around the structure has been torn down and individuals were still entering the house. Mr. Gaddis continued that he had been working with Neighborhood Services since 2003 in trying to get the house on the Operation Clean Sweep demolition list because he did not have the money to personally demolish the structure. Mr. Gaddis continued he was hopeful that the commission's action today would allow for future demolition of the house. After all comments and discussion concluded,the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. ZEILTER AND SECONDED BY MS. RUCKER THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE THE MASTER REVIEW COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO RESCIND THE "HC" DESIGNATION ON THE JAMES BELANGER HOUSE LOCATED AT 1613 MESTINA STREET AND REMOVE SUCH STRUCTURE FROM THE HISTORICAL LISTING TO ALLOW DEMOLITION TO PROCEED UNDER OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP. After the motion was on the floor,the floor was opened for discussion. Mr. Zeilter commented that the style and architecture of the house warranted the "HC" designation at the time and it was unfortunate that nothing was ever done with the property. Mr. Thompson added that at a previous meeting, it was briefly discussed and requested that Neighborhood Services provide the commission a listing of the top ten to twenty properties that were considered "endangered species" before they were scheduled for action before the Building Standards Board. Mr. Thompson continued that if the commission had this list, property owners could be contacted regarding fixing up their properties before they went to the Building Standards Board. Mr. Zeitler stated that may be the commission could compile a list of properties that had historical markers and Mr. Thompson stated the properties with markers were probably not the ones that would be on the "endangered species" list. Mr. Thompson continued that over a period of time, this property was kind of forgotten about once the designation was in place. After all comments and discussion concluded,the motion passed. Approval of Master Review Committee's Recommendation to Allow Construction of a Two-Stow Garage with Guest Quarters for the"HC"Designated Greer-Young-Westeraren House located at 234 Rossister Street: Mr. Brown stated that this item was on the October 23, 2008 meeting agenda, but no action was taken. Mr. Brown gave a brief update for benefit of new commissioners. Mr. Brown continued that Ms. Faryce Goode- Macon, Assistant Director, Development Services, requested the Landmark Commission to meet and review plans for this project. The Master Review Committee met and reviewed the plans provided by the City Building Inspections Section. The plans showed proposed construction of a two-story structure with approximately 1,800 square feet. The ground floor consisted of an open parking area, garage, multi-purpose room and a bedroom, and the upper level included guest quarters with two bedrooms, office, living area, dining room, without a kitchen, and two toilets. Verified by staff,the proposed plans were in general conformance with City requirements for zoning, site usage and occupancy. Based on the Master Review Committee's review, it was the Committee's recommendation to approve the plans with the following recommendations: 1. New columns should match detailing of those on the existing house. 2. Private doors from the multi-purpose room match the single door used at the rear covered porch. After a brief discussion,the following action was taken: , IT WAS MOVED BY MR. MORRISON AND SECONDED BY MR. SAHADI THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE THE MASTER REVIEW COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO- STORY GARAGE WITH GUEST QUARTERS FOR THE "HC" DESIGNATED GREER-YOUNG-WESTERGREN HOUSE LOCATED AT 234 ROSSITER STREET AND THAT THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPLETED PROJECT. MOTION PASSED. Landmark Commission Meeting December 18,2008 Page 3 Discussion Item: Presentation of Proposed Plan for Heritage Park Expansion: Mr. Brown stated that a small group of commissioners had been meeting trying to come up with a proposal by which the City could acquire additional property to expand the Heritage Park complex since the park is at its maximum. Mr. Brown continued that the group was excited about the possibility of what can be done with the expansion and how it would affect the city as a major attraction. Mr. Brown stated there were no formal plans in place and, at this time, no meetings had been scheduled with Park and Recreation staff. The proposal was still in conceptual phase and nothing had been finalized. At this point in the meeting, Mr. Thompson was requested to give a brief presentation of what the group had been discussing. Mr. Thompson stated that about six to eight months ago, the commission discussed the possibility of pursing "HC"designation on land west of Heritage Park. The land was across Mesquite Street that incorporated the Ropes Steamboat House, Mary Carroll House, Buddy Lawrence House and the Seamen Center located on the corner of Mesquite. Mr. Thompson continued that, as a result of that discussion, a small group of commissioners began meeting to see if the group could formulate an overall master plan to expand the park. Several meetings included a staff member from Development Services who was very knowledgeable and helpful in providing history regarding the inception of the idea and how the park eventually evolved. Mr. Thompson went on to say that if the commission could present a master plan that would enhance the current park and provide pedestrian traffic into the park which would benefit the park financially. Mr, Thompson stated that according to Park staff, the park was in the red and if an overall master plan would help the park sustain itself that would be even greater. Mr. Thompson reiterated that the group had not formally presented anything to staff for review or approval because at this point, everything was still conceptual. It was continued that the purpose of the presentation at today's meeting was for informational purposes only; the group did not have anything for the commission to approve. The group wanted to present a brief update to let the commission what was going on and how to proceed from this point. Mr. Thompson stated they found some original plans of Heritage Park; which were very helpful. The plans showed that the east parking lot was originally sites for additional homes to be placed. Some of thepossible structures discussed for placement included an old school or church building, and a motor courtyard setting that provide space for an art colonist. The bottom line for the expansion is to get more pedestrian traffic into the area and the only way that can happen, is to increase availability of space for events to take place, The Jazz Festival has been a great event that has drawn people to the area and the pedestrian traffic was able to move from section of the park to the next without any problem. Other ideas presented were moving some of the old shotgun houses and that could be salvaged and convert them into shops and possibly create a children's court. Mr. Brown stated that one of the main things that needed to happen was to close Mesquite Street at certain times when big events were scheduled. Once the Harbor Bridge was realigned, more houses could be moved into the area. Mr. Brown stated that after the group has gotten to a point where the plan can be presented, they will meet with Sally Galvik to get her input and approval before the plan is formally presented to the Park Board. Mr. Thompson stated after the last group meeting, he received a phone call from Wes Vardeman, who is now with Park and Recreation, stating that Ms. Gavlik had been aware of the group's meeting and based on the information she had received, she was very receptive to the idea. Andrew Dimas, Staff Liaison, stated that staff would like to be included in any future meetings. After Mr. Thompson's presentation and all discussion concluded, no action was taken. Ms. Rucker expressed concern regarding the physical condition of the old Second Baptist Church. Ms. Rucker continued that the building had been vandalized and al the windows were broken out and the building was a great eye sore to the area. Mr. Brown stated at the next meeting, a nominating committee would be established to select officers for 2009. Mr. Brown continued it was great to have a full commission again and he was hopeful that attendance would be better for 2009. • Landmark Commission Meeting December 18,2008 Page 4 There being no further business,the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. • . 4 • _ 11,4 z Linda illiams Amor- Dimas, Plan ng echnician Recor.'ng Secretary Staff Liaison to Landmark Commission (H:PLN-DIR\LINDA\WORD\LANDMARK\MINUTES\DEC 1808.MINS) MECENEO SUMMARY SHEET JAN 2 1 2009 LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 18, 2008 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE 1, The Landmark Commission approved the Master Review Committee's recommendation to rescind the "HC" designation on the James Belanger House located at 1613 Mestina Street and remove such listing from the City's historical listing to allow demolition to proceed under Operation Clean Sweep. 2. The Landmark Commission approved the Master Review Committee's recommendation to allow construction of a two-story garage with guest quarters for the "HC" designated Greer- Young-Westergren. House located at 234 Rossister Street. As part of the approval, the Master Review Committee's recommendations are also to be included in the completed project. 3. Mr. Craig Thompson presented a brief presentation on a proposed plan for expansion to the Heritage Park complex. No action was taken. SCANNED