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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 03/26/1992 ;2ay0:.4 V MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MARCH 26, 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Patricia Atkins Mr. James Catron Ms. Alclair Pleasant Ms. Bunny Tinker Mr. Donald Victory Mr. Joe Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Mary Ellen Collins Mr. Edwin Goodman Ms. Cynthia Hill-McKinney Ms. Pam Lakhani Mr. Leslie Mabrey Mr. Govind Nadkarni Mr. Michael Shelly Ms. Mary Whitmire STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Michael Gunning, Staff Liaison Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Mr. Joe Williams, Vice- Chairman. The roll was called and a quorum was not present. ACTION ITEM(S): Approval of February 27, 1992 Minutes: The minutes will be approved at the April 23, 1992 meeting. Nominating Committee's Recommendation For Chairman: Mr. Williams stated the Nominating Committee met and recommends Ed Goodman as the new chairman. The committee's recommendation will be voted on at the April meeting. Acceptance of Peggy Clark's Resignation: Acceptance of Ms. Peggy Clark's resignation will be approved at the April meeting. DISCUSSION ITEM(S): Resignation of Joe Williams As Liaison to Heart of Corpus Christi Mr. Williams explained that he is still interested in the Heart of Corpus Christi , but because of time restraints, he is unable to attend the meetings. Mr. Williams continued that he spoke with Ms. Tinker about serving as his replacement and she agreed. Mr. Williams requested Staff to write a letter to the Heart notifying them of the change. Presentation By the Regional Transit Authority: Mr. Steve Ortmann, Chief Development Officer for the Authority, presented proposed SCANNED Landmark Commissiorhoeting March 26, 1992 Page 2 plans for relocating the bus operation at Leopard and South Staples Street. Mr. Ortmann expressed thanks to the commission for allowing him to be on the agenda. Mr. Ortmann introduced Mr. Craig Anderson to the Commission. Mr. Anderson is the design consultant who has been working with RTA on the poster project from the Six Points area to downtown. Mr. Ortmann continued that RTA is experiencing serious problems with its bus operation at the Leopard and Staples Streets intersection as indicated on the graphic. Mr. Ortmann referenced taped areas on the graphic showing existing routes and structures. Mr. Ortmann continued there are five (5) bus stops in that area that accumulatively average a daily ridership of 3,500. In 1988, the average daily ridership was approximately 1,100. The ridership is growing astronomically and it is expected to continue. Mr. Ortmann continued that the increased activity will force most of the transfer activity to occur at this location as opposed to lower areas in the downtown area. Mr. Ortmann cited some of the problems existing are safety, potential conflict with cars, pedestrians, and other buses. Mr. Ortmann continued that the Authority has been made aware of the economic problems experienced in the area because of the increased activity, traffic congestion has been created in front of several local businesses; which limited some of their business opportunities. Mr. Ortmann stated the Authority has been investigating several alternate locations to help eliminate the problem. Two locations have been identified for possibly relocating the bus transfer center. One of the proposed locations is vacant property across Staples Street from the City Hall parking lot, adjacent to Mestina Street and the Texas Employment Commission. The property is undeveloped and is behind the site of the old Frank Strauss Company. The metal building has been removed from the site. Currently, RTA is negotiating with the property owner to develop an off-street transfer facility. A linear bus bay will be created that would eliminate all bus traffic from the intersection. Mr. Ortmann stated the second proposed location is the reason he is at today's meeting. The Board requested that RTA Staff look into the feasibility of purchasing the entire block of property beginning at the Leopard/Staples Streets intersection over to Waco Street. This block includes the old pawn shop, LaTerraza Ballroom, and several other structures. Mr. Ortmann continued that the most prominent building in the group is probably the LaTerraza Ballroom. Mr. Ortmann stated he assumes it is the City's desire to have this area designated as historical. Mr. Ortmann continued he was informed that the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was also interested in using some of the structures on that side of the block. Mr. Ortmann stated he wanted to know what the Commission's plans are for this area of Leopard Street and how far the boundaries would extend. He continued he would like to receive something in writing stating the Commission's position regarding RTA relocating their bus transfer facility to this location. Mr. Ortmann stated from a transit operations standpoint, he would be inclined to recommend this site to the Board as being the best to relocate this facility. Landmark Commissioeting March 26, 1992 4110 Page 3 Mr. Ortmann stated he was at today's meeting to receive information as well as share information. After Mr. Ortmann's presentation, the floor was opened for comments and questions. Mr. Catron asked if RTA would raze the entire block and was the Frank Strauss location large enough to accommodate the proposed use and Mr. Ortmann stated yes. Mr. Catron added the Landmark Commission previously reviewed slides of the Leopard Street Corridor and several of the structures were rated medium to high priority. Ms. Tinker responded to Mr. Ortmann's question regarding the boundaries. Ms. Tinker stated the Commission was using Tancahua Street as a starting point over to the Crosstown Expressway. After further discussion, Mr. Ortmann reiterated he needed clarification in writing as to what the Commission's intentions are for the property and if the Commission felt that RTA's proposal for this use would be in conflict. Mr. Ortmann asked if the Commission was aware of any plans from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the response was no. Mr. Ortmann continued that based on available information, they were fairly well into the planning stages. Ms. Tinker asked Mr. Ortmann if the newspaper article that appeared in the November 8, 1991 Caller-Times regarding RTA hiring an out-of- state consultant team to conduct a study and assist with a wide- range of capital improvement projects planned during the next five years had any correlation to what is happening now. Mr. Ortmann responded that RTA has a series of projects that require review work that starts at Six Points, down Staples Street to City Hall and continuing on Leopard Street to the lower downtown area. The Six Points area is the anchor point and the Staples/Leopard Streets project would be considered as the mid focal point and the lower downtown would be another focal point. The first phase of the project is from Six Points to City Hall . Mr. Ortmann continued that RTA just recently opened bids for a project that would develop twelve (12) high-rise bus stop improvements from City Hall to Six Points along Staples Street. The improvements will include new lights, expansion of shelters, receptacles, etc. This work will be preceding over the next couple of weeks. After this project is completed, the next project to begin will be the bus transfer facility. Mr. Catron asked if the area that is currently being used just off to the side of City Hall at Staples Street would remain the way it is and Mr. Ortmann replied yes. Currently, all of the routes are served at this location. It is proposed to keep two (2) routes that do not have much transfer activity. Ms. Tinker asked what the colors of blue and white represented on the graphic and Mr. Ortmann answered the blue color represented covered shade shelters and white represented buses. Ms. Tinker asked the height of the shelters, how will they look, and will they be compatible with the shelters across Landmark Commission ting March 26, 1992 410 Page 4 the street, and Mr. Ortmann stated the concrete shelters were approximately 12 to 15 feet in height and the design of the shelters is not final. There has been discussion regarding whether the design treatment should be kept the same or if it should be changed. No decision has been made. Ms. Tinker asked if it would be alright if the Commission tabled making a decision on the proposal since there is not a quorum present and Mr. Gunning interjected that the Commission could not table the item since it requires action by a quorum. Ms. Atkins asked if the proposed Staples Street location would be large enough to accommodate future bays and Mr. Ortmann answered that it would be very marginal -- the Staples Street location is not not the ideal site. Mr. Gunning continued that from Staff's opinion, the Commission should be careful to restrict its comments to the historical appropriateness to the area. Mr. Gunning continued that he knows there are concerns regarding the Leopard Street Corridor and the building facades that front along Leopard Street, but at this point, the Commission should be cautioned not to make a recommendation of approving/disapproving a proposal submitted by the Regional Transit Authority since that falls under the authority of City Council . Mr. Gunning stated in clarifying Mr. Ortmann's position that he is requesting the Commission's recommendation with regard to the RTA's proposal to the historical impact of the properties, including the subject property. If the Commission is commenting on the impact the proposed use would have on the historical properties, or potentially historic properties, the letter would be appropriate. Staff was requested to bring the slides of the Leopard Street Corridor to the April meeting, along with the written summary of comments previously made. Ms. Tinker asked Mr. Ortmann if there was a deadline for the Commission to submit its response to RTA's proposal , and Mr. Ortmann stated there was no specified deadline, but if the Commission could respond after the April meeting, that would be fine. Mr. Williams expressed thanks to Mr. Ortmann for attending the meeting and presenting RTA's proposed plans. Mr. Catron volunteered to contact Richard Gonzalez, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, to see what their proposal is regarding the Leopard Street properties. Update On City Council Action Regarding the Preservation Plan: Mr. Gunning stated the Preservation Plan has gone through two (2) readings at City Council level . The first reading passed unanimously. At the second reading, there were two no votes. Landmark Commissioeting 410 March 26, 1992 Page 5 Several questions were raised regarding scenic views, access to bays and estuaries, and additional questions on the tax abatement issue as to whether or not the plan is implementing policies. The plan is establishing direction or policy to consider tax abatement as a future incentive for historic restoration. Before today's meeting, Staff compiled additional information to clarify the tax abatement issue as well as additional information requested by Cezar Galindo regarding the sixty-six (66) properties originally protected by ordinance in 1987. Staff submitted the requested information and it will be included in the Council 's packet for Tuesday's meeting. Staff was requested to give an update report on the CDBG public hearing. Mr. Gunning stated the first public hearing was held on Wednesday, March 25, 1992. The Planning Commission was presented Staff's recommendations on what projects to fund. Part of Staff's recommendations included a request on behalf of the Landmark Commission for $9,400 to continue Phase II-A of the historic survey. No action was taken on any of the recommendations. On Wednesday, April 1 , 1992, the Planning Commission . will consider Staff's recommendations as well as input received from the various agencies and a recommendation will be submitted to City Council as to what projects should be funded. Mr. Gunning continued he is not sure if the Landmark Commission was aware that the amount of money requested from CDBG is more than anticipated. This increase was due to reduced grant allocation from the Texas Historical Commission ($8,000 to $4,000). Continued Slide Review of South Bluff Park: Mr. Gunning stated the majority of the slides presented at today's meeting were previously viewed at the February meeting. This time, the slides are shown in the correct order rather than at random. It will help commissioners get an accurate picture of the properties in proper context. The following slides were presented: 1001 Agnes: Ms. Tinker provided brief background information regarding this structure. Ms. Tinker stated the Landmark Commission reviewed slides of this house and another house located on Marguerite Street in October 1991. Since the October meeting, the house has been torn down. This house was owned by Burkett and Burkett Law Offices. Ms. Tinker informed the Commission that the second house, located directly behind the Suniland Furniture Company on Marguerite Street, was sold and has been repaired and painted. At the time of the Commission meeting, the owner of the house was out of the country. 1001 Agnes Street - House was demolished. 1011 Agnes Street - Previously reviewed. Landmark Commissioeting March 26, 1992 Page 6 1014 Agnes Street - Previously reviewed. 1015 Agnes Street - Previously reviewed. 1017 Agnes Street - House is owned by Harry Heaney. Built between 1900 to 1920. Stylistic influence - Classical Revival , residential use, - medium priority rating. 701 Blucher Street - Previously reviewed. 705 Blucher Street - Previously reviewed. 709 Blucher Street - House built between 1900 to 1910, Prairie Four-Square style, medium priority rating. 711 Blucher Street - Previously reviewed. South Upper Broadway - The Old Alamo Iron Works - medium priority rating. Ms. Tinker suggested that the Commission review the Alamo Iron Works site again when the houses on Blucher Street are reviewed again. 613 South Upper Broadway - Richard King House - previously reviewed. Ms. Tinker added that Mayor Rhodes received a letter from the Texas Historical Commission requesting comments from the Landmark Commission on the Richard King nomination for National Register. The owner submitted the application. Ms. Tinker continued that she and Mr. Williams reviewed the nomination and written comments were submitted to THC for the Review Committee. The Committee will review the nomination, on Saturday, March 28, 1992. 615 South Upper Broadway - Previously reviewed. 801 South Upper Broadway - Previously reviewed. Old Fire Station - Built in 1942, high priority rating, Modern Stylistic influence - owned by the City of Corpus Christi . Ms. Tinker asked if any uses have been discussed for the building and Mr. Gunning stated he did not know, but he would report back at the April meeting. 215 South Carrizo - Structure was built between 1890 to 1910, L-plan, residential type, Queen Anne stylistic influence - low priority rating. 217 South Carrizo - One-story frame residence with alterations to the porch - has two east-facing bays, a pier and beam Landmark Commissioileting March 26, 1992 Page 7 foundation on brick piers - L-plan, Queen Anne stylistic influence - low priority rating. 221 South Carrizo - One-story frame with alterations to porch, windows, and doors, it has three east facing bays, pier-beam foundation on brick piers - built between 1890 to 1910, L- plan, Queen Anne Stylistic influence - residential use - low priority rating. 425 - 427 South Carancahua - Previously reviewed. 503 South Carancahua - Structure built in 1910s, Plan - rectangular, domestic function, Stylistic influence - Prairie Four-Square - low priority rating. 513 South Carancahua - Structure built between 1910 - 1920, Plan - Asymmetrical , residential use, Stylistic influence - Classical Revival - medium priority rating. 519 South Carancahua - Structure built in 1920s, one-story apartment complex with two parallel units with synthetic siding connected on main (east) facade by arched entry. Alterations have been made to siding, porch, and windows. Complex is unique to area as multi-family units in primarily single-family neighborhood. No stylistic influence - medium priority rating changed to high. There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 5:50 p.m. (A:106AMINS.244-LMC)