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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 10/27/1994 fr MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCTOBER 27, 1994 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Cynthia Hill-McKinney, Vice Chairman Mr. James Catron Mr. Neel Fulghum Mr. Adam Klager Mr. Charles Speed Ms. Bunny Tinker Mr. Joe Williams, Advisory Member Mr. John Wright MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Edwin Goodman, Chairman (Excused) Mr. Joe Dove (Excused) Ms. Pam Lakhani (Excused) Mr. Leslie Mabrey (Excused) Mr. Govind Nakarni (Excused) Ms. Melissa Nucete (Excused) Ms. Alclair Pleasant (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Michael Gunning, Senior Planner Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order by Ms. Hill, Vice Chairman at 4:40 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was not present. Mr. Neel Fulghum, new commissioner, was welcomed and introduced to Landmark Commission members. Each member introduced themselves and briefly stated their affiliation with the Commission. Mr. Fulghum is a resident of Corpus Christi and is President of Stewart Title Company. Mr. Fulghum stated that the Stewart Title Company has been very active in historical preservation in the city of Houston and he was looking forward to being a part of the commission and working on local SCANNED Landmark Commissi*i Meeting October 27, 1994 Page 2 preservation projects. DISCUSSION ITEMS): presentation On Buildings In Downtown Area. Mr. Tom Forrest, President of the Heart of Corpus Christi, addressed the commission. Mr. Forrest expressed thanks for the opportunity to speak at today's meeting. Mr. Forrest provided brief information regarding the function of the Heart and its purpose. The organization is non-profit and is comprised of approximately 200 volunteers. Mr. Forrest continued that for the past eight years, the primary goal of the organization has been to revitalize the downtown area. The group has been a very active, energetic and forward thinking for almost eight years. The group is a tremendous asset to the city and is doing a great job in trying to make things happen in the area because it is the heart of the city and what happens in the area is important to the entire community. Mr. Forrest stated that several years ago, the Heart obtained services of national consultants who did an assessment and helped the organization develop economic strategies and a business plan for the downtown area. Mr. Forrest continued that part of the plan included recommendations for the Heart to protect and preserve the historic features in the downtown area as well as other historic assets that are located in the area. The consultants pointed out examples of other areas where historic preservation has been very important to the economic revival of downtown areas. Mr. Forrest cited the city of Galveston and Breckenridge, Colorado (the city he came from) as two cities that were very successful in revitalizing economic development in their downtown areas through historic preservation. Mr. Forrest continued that he was hoping that the commission and the Heart could work together toward preservation and identifying historical assets Landmark Commis Meeting S October 27, 1994 Page 3 in the downtown and surrounding areas. Mr. Forrest stated he wanted to get input from the commission to present to the Heart as to what they could do in developing historic districts, reviewing buildings that need to be protected in some way so they would not be torn down, and finding various funding sources to assist in restoring these buildings once they are identified. Once the buildings are lost, they are lost to the whole community and these buildings and the history involved do belong to the entire city. Mr. Forrest emphasized again the importance of historical preservation to the economic revitalization to the downtown area and to the overall well- being to the city. Mr. Forrest stated he wanted to know how the Heart could assist the commission in creating a historic district in the downtown area and if there were other options available that he could present to the Heart of Corpus Christi Board and volunteers as to what the commission had been reviewing and possibly looking at happening in the area. Mr. Forrest continued that he felt the Heart and the commission are working toward the same common goal. Ms. Hill suggested that Mr. Forrest review the "HC" zoning ordinance that was created by the Landmark Commission and staff and approved by City Council. The ordinance does not allow for creation of historic districts, but it does allow for properties to be zoned "HC." Ms. Hill continued there is a process that has to be followed. Mr. Forrest asked if the "HC" zoning would be applied on a per property basis and Ms. Hill answered yes. Ms. Tinker asked Staff if the downtown area had been surveyed and Ms. Macon answered that the downtown area was included in the current phase of the survey. Ms. Tinker asked Mr. Forrest if he had a feel of how many property owners would be willing to designate their properties "HC" and Mr. Forrest answered no he did not. Mr. Forrest Landmark Commission Meeting October 27, 1994 Page 4 continued that he was not sure if there would be a great deal of support from the property owners, but that scenario could change if the commission and Heart Board had an opportunity to discuss a feasible plan of action with the owners. Mr. Forrest continued that at this point, he wanted to find out exactly what plans the commission might have for the downtown area or if there was interest in creating a historic district in the area. Mr. Forrest went on to say that in talking with people from the Heart and several property owners in the area, it was felt they would be very supportive in this effort if they were aware that there are some economic advantages in historic preservation. Mr. Forrest continued that he had not taken a survey of how many owners would be interested in creating a historic district, but it was something that could be done over time, and revitalization of the downtown area can be accomplished by working with another group like the Landmark Commission. Ms. Tinker told Mr. Forrest that if he wanted to personally know which buildings were historical, the Nueces County Historical Commission could provide him with that information for the interim. Ms. Tinker continued that the Landmark Commission had not done any research in the area because the County had already conducted some research and the commission's efforts were placed in other areas. Mr. Wright asked for clarification as to what determines a historical district and it was answered by Ms. Hill that the "HC" ordinance approved does not provide a way to create historic districts because an entire block of prop= 'y would have to be designated. The ordinance allows the designation on a per property basis. Ms. Tinker interjected that the big difference is that if a vacant lot is located between two historic buildings, the vacant lot cannot be included as a designation. Ms. Tinker continued there would be no control Landmark Commis4h Meeting S October 27, 1994 Page 5 on what could be placed on the vacant lot, between the two historic buildings, if there is no district designation; which the city does not have. Ms. Hill commented that she personally felt it would be a wonderful thing for the Landmark Commission and the Heart of Corpus Christi to work together when the survey is started in the downtown area. The commission could keep the group informed as to what is being done on a continuous basis until the project area is completed. Ms. Hill suggested that when the commission begins reviewing slides from the downtown area Mr. Forrest should attend one of the meetings; which might give him a better feel as to what the commission is trying to accomplish. Mr. Forrest stated that a number of people would appreciate the opportunity to work with the Landmark Commission and also be available to review slides of properties from the area. Mr. Forrest continued he would appreciate receiving any information that the commission have available and also have the opportunity to look at new buildings that might be constructed to ensure their compatibility with those buildings that have been identified as historical. Mr. Forrest continued that by the groups working together, it would enable the opportunity to have all options out on the table for those who are involved in the revitalization of the area, including the property owners. Mr. Forrest stated there are a lot of property owners in the downtown area that are supportive of the Heart; and some have seen examples of historic preservation where it has been good in other communities, but they are not sure they want to go through the trouble to achieve it. Mr. Forrest continued that, with the Lendmar! Commission's help, he would like to be able to present some options to the property owners, as well as the merchants in the area, and determine which ones are available to us. Mr. Forrest went on to say Landmark Commission Meeting October 27, 1994 Page 6 that the other volunteers feel that the downtown area is very important to the overall economic development to Corpus Christi. Ms. linker suggested to Mr. Forrest " it may be the Landmark Commission could do a slide presentation for him and the group of volunteers from the Heart of Corpus Christi Board on buildings that have been identified by the consultant. Ms. Tinker continued that this phase will not be presented until early spring. Mr. Forrest stated he wanted to make sure he understood what will come out of the survey and that is properties will be identified for "HC" designation, and the ones identified as historically significant will be further pursued for "HC" designation. At this point, Ms. linker commented that the current "HC" ordinance requires owners consent for designation, except for facade only; which does not require owner's consent. Ms. Hill requested Staff to provide Mr. Forrest a copy of the "HC" ordinance for their information and file. Ms. linker went on to say that Planning Staff compiled a wonderful presentation regarding the "HC" ordinance that was presented to the City Council made before it was approved. Mr. Forrest stated the Heart of Corpus Christi could help and support the Landmark Commission in putting together available options of historical preservation in the downtown area, and at some time in the future, present what the Commission has done, and what the Commission is currently doing, and what options are available. Mr. Forrest continued that the presentation could be done in a seminar setting or however Staff wants to set it up. Mr. Forrest commented that with the support of property owners and merchants and those volunteers who have worked in the area for a long time, the group may be able to help the Commission accomplish some of the things both groups would like to see happen in the Landmark Commiss Meeting V October 27, 1994 Page 7 downtown area. The business plan and the economic strategy that has been laid out for the group will be very important to the downtown area. Ms. Macon asked Mr. Forrest if the Heart would be interested in meeting with Sally Victor, Preservation Consultant, who is conducting the survey and letting her give a presentation on the area since she is just starting and Mr. Forrest answered yes. Ms. linker asked Mr. Forrest if the Heart had an inventory data bank and Mr. Forrest stated there was a great deal of information available. Ms. linker suggested he contact Anita Eisenhauer, Chairman of the Nueces County Historical Commission, to get a copy of their inventory to include in the Heart's data bank. After Mr. Forrest's presentation, Ms. Hill expressed thanks to him for attending today's meeting and Ms. Macon was requested to coordinate scheduling a date to present the "HC" ordinance and other historical information to the Heart of Corpus Christi. Ms. linker asked Mr. Forrest if he knew who received the winning bid on the Starr Street Cafe and Mr. Forrest answered that he was not sure of the name, but it was the same owner of the Sparkman Building. Preservation Site Survey Updates Ms. Macon stated that Sally Victor, Preservation Consultant, has started Phase Il-B of the survey on the five (5) areas included in the grant. Ms. Macon continued that Ms. Victor will start in the downtown area. Mr. Wright asked if it was possible to have her come, in the very near future, to address the Heart of Corpus Christi and Ms. Macon answered yes that Ms. Victor could be requested to address the Heart of Corpus Christi. Landmark CommissionoMeeting October 27, 1994 Page 8 1994 Current Planning Award From TXAPA• Ms. Macon stated that the Planning Department submitted the Landmark Commission/Staff's Preservation Plan and "HC" Ordinance to the Texas Chapter of American Planning Association under the category of "current planning." The department was notified that the submittal won under the category "current planning." The City of Corpus Christi was one of seven other cities that competed. Ms. Macon passed around an informational brochure that outlined the winners of various categories. Mr. Gunning added that the award was significant in that it was very difficult to achieve and the city competed against seven cities in this category. The presentation was made at the awards luncheon. ACTION ITEMIS)• Approval of August 25. 1994 Minutes. The minutes will be approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Acceptance of The Awards Committee's Recommendation For 1994 Recipients for Awards Ceremony In the absence of Mr. Joe Dove, Chairman of the Awards Committee, Ms. Macon submitted the recommendations. Ms. Macon stated that for the past seven years, the Landmark Commission has awarded three (3) plaques to property owners for rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, or restoration of structures; and certificates were awarded to promotion of local history through writings, videos, visuals, brochures, etc. The Committee reviewed five (5) nominations for structures: 1) Richard King House located at 611 Upper North Broadway for adaptive reuse. The house was nominated for the National Register and it was granted; Landmark Commissili Meeting 1� October 27, 1994 Page 9 2) Julius Lichenstein/Ward House at 615 Upper North Broadway for renovation; 3) Charles Blucher House for restoration; 4) Toups' Board House for renovation; and 5) Rear portion of George Fisher Elementary School for adaptive reuse. The rear brick portion was painted. The Committee reviewed two nominations for promotion of local history: 1) Junior League of Corpus Christi - Research and documentation on the Blucher Family through establishment of the "Blucher Museum" and creation of a historical brochure on "Blucherville;" and 2) Nueces County Historical Commission - Research and documentation on the survey of outdoor public sculptures throughout the City and Nueces County, entitled "Save Our Sculptures." Ms. Macon continued that the Awards Committee recommended the following three structures for the 1994 Awards plaque: Mr. & Mrs. David Dunn for the adaptive reuse of the Richard King House; Mr. & Mrs. Sam Beecroft for the renovation of the Julius Lichenstein/Ward House; and The Junior League of Corpus Christi for the restoration of the Charles Blucher House. Landmark Commissten Meeting • October 27, 1994 Page 10 The recipients for the certificates were as outlined: Junior League for research and documentation establishing the Blucher Museum and creation of the historical brochure on Blucherville; and Nueces County Historical Commission for research and documentation on the survey of outdoor public sculptures. It was the consensus of members present to accept the Awards Committee's recommendations for the 1994 Awards Ceremony. The ceremony will be Tuesday, November 15, 1994 at 12 noon at the Seamen Center. Ms. Tinker requested that a note be placed in the file for the 1995 awards stating that the Landmark Commission give a special awards plaque to Morris Lichenstein for his efforts in historical preservation. Ms. linker continued that Mr. Lichenstein single-handedly saved an entire block from being demolished. Ms. Tinker also requested that Bill WiIhelmi design the plaque and that it be called the "Morris Lichenstein Award." A question was asked when would the Commission begin designating properties_. and Ms. Macon suggested that designating could start after all or a great majority of the areas were surveyed and completed. Phase II-B is the last major area for surveying and those sites left are scattered. Mr. Gunning commented that before the Commission undertook the task of designating properties, Staff needs to look at the implementation procedures and solidify the process and then come back to the Landmark Commission. Landmark Commissll Meeting October 27, 1994 Page 11 Ms. Hill added as an agenda item that each commission should bring a list of possible buildings that can be surveyed for the next meeting. Ms. Hill also informed commission members that today (October 27, 1994) was her last official meeting. She would not be seeking reappointment. Ms. Hill expressed thanks to commission members for having the opportunity to work with each one and she will periodically check to see what progress the Landmark Commission has made. The meeting was unofficially adjourned at 5:45 p.m. S/ ze 4% 4EB Faryce Go e-Macon, City Planner Staff Liais n to Landmark Commission (A:OCTMINS.094-LMC3A)