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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 07/22/1993 V 4111) MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 22, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Edwin Goodman, Chairman Mr. Joe Dove Ms. Cynthia Hill-McKinney Mr. Adam Klager Ms. Pam Lakhani Ms. Alclair Pleasant Mr. Charles Speed Mr. Michael Shelly Mr. John Wright MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Patricia Atkins Mr. James Catron Mr. Leslie Mabrey Mr. Govind Nadkarni Ms. Bunny Tinker Mr. Donald Victory Mr. Joe Williams (Advisory Member) STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Michael Gunning, Senior Planner Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. by Mr. Edwin Goodman. The roll was called and a quorum was not present. Upon arrival of Ms. Hill and Mr. Shelly. a quorum was declared. Mr. John Wright, new commissioner, was welcomed and introduced to Landmark Commission members. Mr. Wright has been an architect for 17 years. Mr. Wright briefly shared some of the projects he has been involved with: Corpus Christi Independent School District, Regional Transit Authority, Furman Building, and the old Lara Theater located on Starr Street. Mr. Wright continued that he also worked with the Irish Cultural Group on the McCampbell House in Heritage Park. SCANNED Landmark Commission Meefing July 22, 1993 Page 2 ACTION ITEMISI: Approval of Minutes: The June 24, 1993 minutes were approved as distributed. DISCUSSION ITEMS): Select Areas to be Included in Phase II-B of the Historical Site Survey & Other Funding Projects: Ms. Macon stated that Phase II-A of the Historical Site Survey was completed and submitted to the Texas Historical Commission for review and approval. Staff has received the grant funding packet for the next funding cycle and the application has to be submitted in early fall. Ms. Macon continued she recommends that the commission survey the downtown area, LaredolAgnes corridor, and everything south of Morgan to Louisiana over to Staples Street. It was continued by Ms. Macon that because the area is so big it is recommended that these three areas he surveyed only. The proposal that these areas be surveyed next is based on the fact that they are the next oldest sections of the city. Ms. Macon stated the second part of Item A "includes other funding projects" refers to the submittal of the national register application for Blucher Street. Ms. Macon added that this item was presented by Ms. Tinker and discussed at the April 22, 1993 meeting. Ms. Tinker requested the commission to consider submitting an application to the National Register on Blucher Street in conjunction with the Junior League submitting their application for "Blucherville." Ms. Macon added the area in question is located between Carancahua and Tancahua Streets. There are approximately four or five houses on the street that will be included. Ms. Hill asked if the Landmark Commission or Staff would compile and write the information for the nomination and Ms. Macon replied that if the commission decided to submit the application, hiring a consultant to perform extensive research and writing the nomination would be included in the request for funding, as well as continuing Phase II-B of the historical site survey, and travel for commission memberslstaff to attend a preservation conference. Ms. Macon asked commissioners' input as to if they would be interested in requesting additional funding for the national register nomination for the "Blucherville Street" project. Ms. Macon added that based on the amount of funding received for Phase II-A, the Texas Historical Commission could possibly decrease the requested amount for the site survey in order to fund the nomination for the National Register. Ms. Macon continued that the initial request submitted for Phase II-A was 58.000 and 54,000 was Landmark Commission MAI£ting July 22, 1993 Page 3 allocated. Ms. Macon continued she needed a decision from the commission today on what projects should be included in the grant application. After further discussion, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MS. HILL AND SECONDED BY MR. DOVE THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION ACCEPT STAFF'S PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE THE DOWNTOWN, LAREDOIAGNES STREET CORRIDOR,AND THE AREA SOUTH OF MORGAN AVENUE TO LOUISIANA PARKWAY OVER TO STAPLES STREET AS THE TARGET AREAS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GRANT APPLICATION FOR PHASE II-B OF THE HISTORICAL SITE SURVEY AND FOR TRAVEL FOR TWO COMMISSIONERS AND ONE STAFF PERSON TO ATTEND A PRESERVATION CONFERENCE. MOTION PASSED. After the motion passed, Ms. Macon added that it should be kept in mind that even though the funding level decreased, it was still a possibility that all three items could be funded •• it would be hard to make that determination at this time. Mr. Dove asked Ms. Macon if she had an idea of what the cost of Phase II-11 would be and Ms. Macon answered that she knows basically how much money has been allocated for the site survey based on past bids submitted by the preservation consultant. Ms. Macon continued that even though there are not as many areas for this phase, it does not mean there will be less structures that are to be researched. Further discussion ensued regarding whether Ms. Hill's motion should be amended to reflect that if monies were available, the commission wanted to submit the "Blucher Street" nomination for the National Register. After further discussion, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. DOVE AND SECONDED MR. SPEED THAT IF MONIES WERE AVAILABLE DURING THIS GRANT FUNDING CYCLE, THE LANDMARK COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THE NOMINATION FOR "BLUCHER STREET" FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER. MOTION PASSED WITH MS. HILL ABSTAINING. Report On the Habitat For Humanity Housing Project: Mr. Goodman stated that at the June 27, 1993 meeting, Mr. Dove was requested to contact a representative from the Habitat organization to let them know that the Landmark Landmark Commission Milting July 22, 1993 Page 4 Commission is interested in working with the organization to help relocate families into homes. At this point, the floor was turned over to Mr. Dove. Mr. Dove stated he contacted the Habitat Office and spoke with Mr. Erik Bryne, who was requested to speak at today's meeting to provide more information regarding the organization. Mr. Erik Bryne was introduced and welcomed to the commission. Mr. Bryne expressed thanks for having the opportunity to speak to the commission about Habitat. Mr. Bryne provided background information about the organization. Habitat For Humanity is a national non-profit organization whose purpose is to buy and refurbish homes to make available for people who are living in substandard housing. Homes have also been obtained through donations. The City gave one structure to be moved. The organization operates in approximately 55 countries and receives its funding primarily through private donations. To offset major costs of labor, which is a large portion of the formula, labor is done through volunteers. To date, two homes have been donated for 1993. Mr. Bryne continued that the local Habitat organization received a grant of $130,000 from the Behmann Foundation to buy and acquire city properties which are available. The projects have to be completed by 1994. A total of $5,000 has been used for actual construction and materials. Mr. Bryne added that the organization also received 860,000 in CDBG funding; which one-third will be spent for houses in this area. Mr. Bryne clarified that the monies outlined became available within the past thirty to ninety days. All monies will be used to acquire property; there is no money allocated to purchase materials and for labor. Mr. Bryne outlined qualifications in selecting personnel for the program. The qualifications are by income •- up to $20,000 for a family of five. Most of the families that are waiting to be placed are single women with children and it is hoped they will be placed within the next twelve months. Mr. Dove asked if there was anything that the City could do to help expedite things and Mr. Bryne answered that the City has been excellent in working with the organization and he really could not think of anything that the City has not done. Most of the efforts have been through the Planning Commission. A question was asked if the money could be used to build houses and Mr. Bryne explained that the money could he used to purchase existing structures only. Landmark Commission Milling S July 22, 1993 Page 5 Several property owners donated homes, but extensive work had to be done on them to bring the structures up to city code. Mr. Bryne added that it is sometimes cheaper to refurbish a house rather than restore it. It was continued by Mr. Bryne that the selected families for the program pay for their homes -- they pay the actual purchase cost of the house. There are no costs included for materials or the land. The home owners are given a twenty- year loan period to pay for the house. Mr. Bryne commented that the quality of the finished product of homes built by Habitat is very good. Mr. Bryne added that homes built by Habitat in Florida withstood Hurricane Andrew. After Mr. Bryne's presentation, the floor was opened for comments and questions. Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison, stated that the Landmark Commission deals with homeslstructures that are historical. If a home is designated "HC," under guidelines outlined by the Department of Interior, the building standards codes can be modified. Mr. Bryne commented that a local church donated a house to the organization because they wanted to use the vacant land as a parking lot. The family selected for that house will be placed within the next thirty days. Mr. Bryne continued that the organization is continuously looking for property to purchase so more families can be placed in homes. The organization can also purchase land using CDBG funding. Mr. Bryne added that if a historical site became available the organization would be interested. Mr. Bryne added that the organization has been the recipient of one lot and one lot with a house from the City. Ms. Macon asked how much money is available for the organization to purchase land and Mr. Bryne answered approximately $40 to $50,000. Ms. Macon continued that she would investigate the possibility of the four Woods' houses owned by the City to be used for Habitat. Ms. Macon stated that either one of the twin Jalufka Houses or the Young House could possibly be considered. Ms. Macon asked Mr. Wright if he knew the price of property in Old Irish Town and he responded that the property would probably be expensive because of its close proximity to the bayfront center. Mr. Goodman stated that if property was found in the area, it would most likely have to be donated by the property owner or possibly an agreement could be worked out where the organization could pay a small fee for it. Ms. Macon Landmark Commission Meitng July 22, 1993 Page 6 added she felt the City's original purpose for the four houses was more of a commercial venture than for residential purposes. Mr. Wright asked if the Landmark Commission would be interested in keeping the houses for residential purposes and it was responded that it would be ideal if one or more of the houses could be used for Habitat's purposes, but it would be hard to say at this point. Ms. Macon stated that she will get the information needed for Mr. Bryne regarding the Woods' houses. Mr. Gunning stated his only concern regarding the possibility of using one or more of the four houses is that the houses will not be restored to their original condition. Mr. Gunning continued that he felt the Landmark Commission's proposal would not meet all of the criteria set forth by Habitat. Mr. Bryne asked what guidelineslregulations should govern the property if it was designated. Ms. Macon interjected that she would compile the necessary information for Mr. Bryne and meet with him to further discuss the possibility of the Woods' houses. Mr. Goodman asked Mr. Dove, and Ms. Lakhani to meet with Mr. Bryne and Ms. Macon to further discuss the possibility of the commission working with Habitat in trying to find property in one of the target areas defined in the survey and submit a report at the September meeting. (Ms. Tinker was also appointed to work on this committee.) Mr. Goodman stated that the commission did not have any pressing items to he discussed or action taken on and he recommended that the August meeting be cancelled. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of members present that the commission will not meet in August, but will have its regularly scheduled meeting in September. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. C> C7. l c et Faryce Good- acon, City Planner Staff Liaison✓ fiLIE1111311-11110)