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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 03/28/1991 V MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ROOM MARCH 28, 1991 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Peggy Clark, Chairman Ms. Patricia Atkins Mr. James Catron Ms. Cynthia Hill Ms. Bunny Tinker (Advisory) Mr. Joe Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Chip Carmer Ms. Mary Ellen Collins Mr. Edwin Goodman Mr. Leslie Mabrey Mr. Govind Nadkarni Ms. Alclair Pleasant Ms. Mary Whitmire STAFF PRESENT: Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison Michael Gunning, Senior Planner Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m. by Ms. Peggy Clark, Chairman. The roll was called and a quorum was not present. ACTION ITEM(S): Approval of February 28, 1991 Minutes: The minutes will be approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting with the following correction(s): Page 6, Sixth Paragraph, First Sentence, the wrong name is stated. The minutes reflect Ms. Molly Dees from THC, and the correct name is Amy Dase from THC. Page 6, Second Paragraph from the bottom, the word "removed" is deleted and the sentence was reworded to read: "Ms. Tinker stated that the ice cream cone . . . has been relocated to Manley's Barbershop on Clifford Street." DISCUSSION ITEM(S): Handicap Ramp for Sidbury House: Mr. Edgar Farrera, City Architect, addressed the Commission. Mr. Farrera stated the Sidbury House was the only house in Heritage Park that did not have a handicap ramp. Mr. Farrera continued that the City was concerned about the liability and being in compliance with State requirements. Mr.Farrera stated he was presenting a conceptual plan for the handicap ramp. The illustration showed that the rear steps to the east of the Sidbury House would be relocated to the furthest corner portion of the house to allow the ramp to extend from the relocated steps along the side and rear portions of the house. The ramp will be constructed of concrete material with wood lattice work underneath. Mr. Farrera continued that several balustrades will be removed in order to allow the ramp's extension; and they are proposed for re-use. SCANNED Landmark Commission Sting March 28, 1991 Page 2 • Mr. Utter slated that he spoke with a representative of the Junior League regarding the installation of the handicap ramp. At the time the Sidbury House was restored, providing access for the handicap was not required. One of the ladies in the proviso class and, who serves as one of the docents, is severally handicapped and confined to a wheel chair. League members are lifting the chair into the house. The proposed ramp is like the one installed at the McCampbell House. A question was asked regarding installing a lift rather than the handicap ramp and Mr. Farrera replied that several interest groups for the handicap were opposed to the mechanical lift. The groups felt that a mechanical lift"segregates"whereby non-handicap persons might feel that the lift was for the "handicapped" only. Ms. Clark asked if access would eventually have to be provided to the second story of the structures and Mr.Farrera answered no. At this point,Mr.Utter stated that the Galvan House has an elevator so that the house is completely accessible to the handicap. The handicap groups are more renounced about the accessibility, and he could not say that in the future that all floors of public buildings have to be handicapped accessible. Mr. Farrera stated that the handicap need to have equal accessibility. Ms. Tinker stated she would like to make a suggestion. Ms.Tinker stated that in old driveway aprons,imprints were made in the concrete so that the concrete did not have a smooth surface. Ms. Tinker continued that there is a firm in California that make the imprint stamp. It was continued by Ms. Tinker that if some kind of imprint was placed in the concrete, it would not make the sidewalk look new. Mr. Utter stated that the process Ms. Tinker was referring to is known as "Bomanite,"which is the name of the corporation that patented the process. Mr. Utter gave an example of this process at Ocean Drive past Airline Road. Mr. Utter stated he would get the names of several companies who perform this type of work and cost estimates. It was suggested to use wood for the surface of the ramp instead of all concrete, but Mr. Farrera stated that using wood as a surface, combined with rainy weather, would create a slipping hazard. Mr. Farrera continued that he was not requesting action at today's meeting, but he wanted to receive input and a response from the Commission on the drawing to see if he was on the right track. Mr. Farrera continued that he will make changes to the design for submittal to the Master Review Committee within the next two to three weeks from today's meeting. After all comments and discussion were received, Ms. Clark thanked Mr. Farrera for addressing the Commission. No action was taken on Mr. Farrera's conceptual drawing. Status on Siting of The Four(4)Woods'Houses: Mr.Tom Utter,Executive Director of Public Works,addressed the Commission. Mr.Utter stated that the City is looking for other funding sources to use in moving and siting the houses the way the Landmark Commission recommended. Mr. Utter continued that the Texas Historical Commission (THC) will not approve the proposed siting as recommended by the Landmark Commission and, therefore, CDBG funds cannot be used. Ms. Clark asked what plan would be acceptable to THC and Mr. Utter answered that the Jalufka Houses should be located close to Mesquite Street and THC requested that the houses be situated directionally on the property as they are currently sited. Mr. Utter stated he talked with Ms. Dase about various configurations for siting the houses and he was told that in order to use CDBG funds, the houses are to sited according to THC's recommendation. Landmark Commission King 110 March 28, 1991 Page 3 Mr. Utter stated that he approached the Landmark Commission requesting help and support to accept the four houses given to the City by the Woods' Estates. The Commission made a recommendation on how they would like the houses to be sited and Staff supported that recommendation. The Landmark Commission has facade review for the two-block area behind Heritage Park and Staff decided to find other funding sources so that the houses could be sited as originally recommended. It is hoped that the houses will be moved by the middle of summer. Ms. Clark stated she spoke with Amy Dase of THC and explained to her why the Commission wanted the houses sited according to the site plan submitted, and Ms. Dase stated that THC wanted the houses in the same configuration as they are currently situated. Ms. Clark continued that Ms. Dase further stated that the Commission could pursue whatever we were trying to create, but THC could not sign-off on the recommendation. Mr. Utter stated that many homes that reflect the history of Corpus Christi have been moved around throughout the city. The houses in Heritage Park were moved to save them. Mr. Utter continued that under current rules and regulations,THC is very hesitant to sign-off on a move through federal funds. If the move is the only way the houses can be saved, they determined that the houses stay in close resemblance to their original siting. The rules have changed significantly since 1984 and when several organizations throughout the State decided to collect historical homes. Mr. Utter gave as an example: the Grande-Grossman and the McCampbell Houses. Both houses have historical markers and they are designated Texas landmarks. Budget for 1991-1992: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison, reviewed the Landmark Commission's proposed budget submitted to the Planning Department for consideration. Ms. Macon continued that the Planning Department would try to fund some of the budget request items; however,funding for the department, as well as the City,would be limited. Ms. Macon continued that priority would have be given to funding requests and utilizing grant funds for payment of membership to the National Trust,the Medallion subscription, and the plaques for the awards ceremony. Ms. Macon stated that grant money is available for two to three members to attend the CLG conference, which is a requirement to maintain CLG status. Ms.Tinker stated she felt in reviewing the budget,there were three items for sure that should be maintained: Preservation Law Updates, the Medallion Subscription, and the Alliance Review. Ms. Tinker stated that the Commission should not loose sight that a full-time preservation officer should be hired. Ms. Tinker continued that she feels this is the only way the Commission will accomplish what needs to be done in the area of preservation. Ms. Clark stated that the Plaque Design Committee should continue working on a new design for the awards plaque. Ms.Macon stated that the Preservation Plan has been revised with the Commission's comments and a cover letter is being drafted to the Planning Director summarizing the recommendations; afterwhich a meeting will be scheduled to review the plan. Ms. Tinker stated she attended the Heart of Corpus Christi's planning meeting for the dedication of the bluff balustrade. After no further business or discussions, the meeting was unofficially adjourned at 6 p.m.