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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 06/27/1991 .zfl z fir V MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ROOM JUNE 27, 1991 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Peggy Clark, Chairman Ms. Patricia Atkins Mr. Edwin Goodman Ms. Cynthia Hill-McKinney Ms. Pam Lakhani Ms. Alclair Pleasant Mr. Joe Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Chip Canner Mr.James Catron Ms. Mary Ellen Collins Mr. Leslie Mabrey Mr. Govind Nadkarni Ms. Nancy Rogers Ms. Bunny Tinker (Advisory) Ms. Mary Whitmire STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison Mr. Michael Gunning, Senior Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Ms. Peggy Clark, Chairman. The roll was called and a quorum was not present. Ms. Patricia Atkins arrived at 4:50 p.m. and a quorum was declared. ACTION ITEM(S): Approval of May 23, 1991 Minutes: The minutes were approved as distributed. DISCUSSION ITEM(S): The following items were presented by Ms. Clark: o A newspaper article featured in the June 21, 1991 Caller-Times regarding the Navarro Place project. The project is a master plan to provide social and economic improvements in one of the city's target areas. The project is a cooperative effort between the Catholic Diocese, the City of Corpus Christi, and private businesses. Ms. Clark continued that the project is located in an area of the city which has historical places/sites and is part of the historical site survey. Ms. Clark stated that the Commission should continue to monitor the progress of the project. o Ms. Clark stated she received a copy of the minutes for the Nueces County Commission's May meeting. Ms. Clark continued that Mr. Catron is the liaison between the two commissions, but he has not been able to attend the last several meetings. SCANNED Landmark Commission Minu June 27, 1991 Page 2 o Ms. Clark read a letter dated June 11, 1991 from Ms. Dorothy L. Victor, Project Reviewer with the Texas Historical Commission, to Robert Rivera in the City Neighborhood Improvement Department, regarding a fire in the Old Nueces County Courthouse and possible vandalism in the adjacent annex. Ms. Clark continued that THC is requesting the City to take action to secure the buildings from further vandalism and unlawful entry; since it has been established by the City's Fire Marshall that the building is not safe. n Received correspondence from Brandol M. Harvey,Director of City Planning, requesting assistance in forming the team called for in the South Central Area Development Plan. Representatives from City Staff,Landmark Commission,Nueces County Historical Commission, Texas Historical Commission, and the property owner were specifically referenced. Ms. Clark continued that, at the May meeting, Mr.James Catron and Ms. Mary Whitmire agreed to work on the committee for the courthouse. Mr. Joe Williams and Mr. Govind Nadkarni were appointed at the June meeting to also work on the committee. Ms. Clark stated that Mr. Catron will be the convener and the names previously mentioned will be submitted to Mr. Harvey. Presentation on the Bluchcrville Project: Ms. Rhonda Bosquez,representative from the Junior League, addressed the Commission. Ms. Bosquez stated that the Blucher Family donated the three houses, facing Carrizo Street, to the Junior League. The three (3) houses are The Charles Blucher, a gracious neo-classical structure, built around 1880, with the second story added in 1908, the Richard Blucher House, of similar age and style,is located on the adjacent lot to the north, and the Julia Blucher House, which is currently referred to as the "cottage" was built in 1938. The Junior League is very excited about acquiring the Blucher property and beginning the restoration/renovation project. The League was presented with an opportunity to undertake a project that will have momentous impact upon the community. The focal point of the property is the Charles Blucher House. Ms. Bosquez provided brief background information on the family. Felix von Blucher was a German nobleman who came to the United States from Berlin at the age of twenty-five (25). Mr.von Blucher was well educated,having Master of Arts degrees in civil engineering,law,and languages (spoke seven). In 1849, Mr. von Blucher married Ms. Maria Augusta Imme, daughter of a well-to-do brass manufacturer. The von Bluchers had five children: Julia, Charles, Richard, George, and Mary. Ms. Bosquez continued that the Junior League is proposing to do the restoration/renovation project in two(2)phases. The first phase is adaptive restoration of the Charles Blucher House, with the original four rooms of the downstairs being restored to a period that would best tell the Blucher Family's history and the second story will serve as the League's offices. It is proposed to use the cottage in conjunction with a new period-designed pavilion/reception building that would serve as a multi-purpose room for League meetings and functions and would be available for community use. The Richard Blucher House would be used as a League community project. Ms. Bosquez stated that the League will submit documentation to get the houses designated both at the state and national levels. Ms. Bosquez continued that with the project completed,a large part of the City's history will be preserved. Ms.Bosquez interjected Landmark Commission Min4 June 27, 1991 Page 3 that the Blucher Parkarea was given to the City of Corpus Christi in 1942 by the heirs of Charles von Blucher and it was the family's desire and stipulation that the park be maintained in a natural state and the area has since become a world-renowned bird sanctuary. Ms. Bosquez continued that the League's continued efforts to preserve the bird habitat will be maintained and bird friendly material will be used in the restoration project. The estimated cost for the restoration project is $80 ,O00 and the League has committed $200,000 as a fundraiser. Ms. Bosquez passed around pictures of the Blucher Family, along with a copy of a letter written by Maria Blucher in 1908. After the presentation, the floor was opened for questions and comments. Ms. Clark informed Ms. Bosquez that the Consultant's recommendation for the Bluchcrville arca was to have the area designated as an historical district rather than designate each house. Ms.Clark continued that the Consultant offered another suggestion that the City and Junior League co-sponsor the project together. After all comments were received, Ms. Clark expressed thanks to Ms. Bosquez for attending today's meeting and giving the presentation on the project. Proposed Moving of the John Tamez' House: Ms. Clark stated that Mr. John Tamez wrote a letter of request to the Landmark Commission regarding his home at 409 Artesian Street. Ms. Clark continued that Mr. Tamez is requesting the Commission's assistance in obtaining "HC" designation for his house. Mr. Tamez was introduced to the commission. Mr. Tamez expressed appreciation to the Commission for allowing him to attend today's meeting. Mr. Tamez provided brief background information on the house. The house was built during the period of 1904-1908, and the family purchased the home in 1941 and lived in it until 1986. In 1986,the house was sold to Nueces County. The County made plans to demolish and remove the house from its current location. Mr. Tamez continued that he made an appeal to the Commissioners' court to purchase and relocate the house instead of tearing it down and his request was granted. Mr.Tamez continued that he is financing the restoration and the move, but he has encountered several difficulties in meeting City codes. Mr. Williams asked Mr. Tamez what requirements was the City requesting that would change the design of the house and Mr.Tamez replied that handrails had to be installed on the stairway due to the design of the stairs. Mr. Tamez explained that before the house could be moved to its new location at Kinney Street, the property had to be replatted for compliance with current city codes and to obtain building and moving permits. Mr. Tamez stated that Mr. Erik Johnson, Building Inspector, suggested that he talk with the Landmark Commission. Mr.Tamez continued that he wanted to obtain the "HC" designation for the property and he wanted to know the proper procedures to follow. Ms. Clark stated that in order to proceed with the zoning application for the designation, more documentation will needed to substantiate the significance of the house and Mr. Tamez stated he would provide the necessary documentation. Mr. Michael Gunning, Planning Staff, told Mr. Tamez that before "HC" zoning could be initiated,the house had to be moved to its new location. Ms.Macon explained that also if Mr. Tamcz was successful in obtaining the"HC"designation for the house,the building codes would be under the guidelines for historical properties rather than the standard building codes. After further discussion, no action was taken. Ms. Clark thanked Mr. Tamez for presenting his proposal to the Commission and applauded his efforts in trying to save and restore his family's house. Ms.Clark read the announcement regarding the"National Trust Conference"to be held in San Francisco, California. The conference will be in October 1991. Ms. Macon stated that this Landmark Commission Minh110 June 27, 1991 Page 4 would be a good conference to attend and she will review the grant monies for travel to see what funds would be available for the conference. Ms. Clark stated that on Monday,June 3, 1991, the subcommittee met to revise the matrix as shown in Figures 5 and 6 in the Preservation Plan. Ms. Clark stated she hoped that commissioners had an opportunity to review the information contained in the packets. Ms. Clark continued that the Commission's revised matrix provides the Commission with overview of the changes that will be done to the properties in those specific areas, i.e. roofs, door openings,parking,landscaping,etc. For public property opened to the public,owner's consent will not be required to be designated"HC"zoning. If the property is public ownership,but not opened to the public, owner's consent is required. If the structure is private, for the grounds, owner's consent is not required for designation but for the entire structure, owner's consent is required. Ordinarily, interiors of structures are not designated. Ms. Macon stated that the Commission's revised matrix has been completed and incorporated into one document and is being reviewed by the director. After further discussion, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MS. HILL AND SECONDED BY MR. GOODMAN THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE THE REVISED MATRIX AS SUBMITTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE. After the motion,a question was asked why there was no number indicated for private property under building interior and Ms. Macon explained that the number was inadvertently left out, but a level (1) would be placed there. Also, a question was asked why couldn't the category "For Abutting Right-of-Way Review"he noted for the bottom box since it applies to only one category of ownership. Mr.Goodman suggested that an asterisk and notation be placed under 'Private ownership"that Facade Abutting Right-Of-Way Only be placed in the box and it might eliminate confusion. After further discussion, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. GOODMAN AND SECONDED BY MS. HILL TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THE MATRIX AS SUBMITTED. THE MOTION PASSED. The meeting was officially adjourned at 6:15 p.m.