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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 01/26/1995 ii MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 26, 1995 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Edwin Goodman, Chairman Mr. Joe Dove Mr. Neel Fulghum Mr.Adam Klager Ms.Pam Lakhani Ms.Melissa Nucete Mr. Ronald Smith Ms. Bunny Tinker Mr.Joe Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr.James Catron (Excused) Mr.Leslie Mabrey,Advisory Mr. Govind Nadkarni (Excused) Mr. Charles Speed (Excused) Mr. John Wright (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 Mr. Edwin Goodman, Chairman at 4:40 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was not present. Upon arrival of Ms.Bunny Tinker, a quorum was declared. Mr. Ronald Smith, new commissioner, was welcomed and introduced to the Landmark Commission members. Mr. Smith is a resident of the city and is owner of Tranco Properties, a local real estate company. Mr. Smith feels the competency of a realtor replacing Ms. Cynthia Hill,who did not seek reappointment. Mr. Goodman informed commission members that a replacement for Patricia Atkins was also needed. Mr. Goodman continued that Ms.Atkins requested a leave of absence from the commission to pursue completion of her doctoral degree at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. The leave of absence was to be for about six- SCANNED Landmark Commission . eting January 26, 1995 Page 2 months because she wanted to retain her membership on the commission. Since that time, Ms. Atkins has moved to Austin and is working. Mr. Goodman encouraged commissioners to be thinking of possible appointees to fill Ms. Atkins' vacancy. Staff was requested to follow-up with Mr. Chapa in the City Secretary office to let him know of the vacancy. Mr. Goodman continued that Ms. Hill filled the vacancy of a real estate attorney. Mr. Goodman stated that If an attorney. certified in real estate could be found that would be good. It was continued by Mr. Goodman that he would like to see if it was possible to move Mr. Smith into the competency filled by Ms. Atkins and seek a real estate attorney. Staff was requested to follow-up with, Mr. Chapa and see what procedures should be followed In this matter and If the proposal would be allowed. Mr. Dove commented that he knows Ms. Ann Vaty, a recently retired history teacher from Ray High School and he will contact her to see if she would be interested In serving on the Landmark Commission. Mr. Dove will follow up with Ms. Macon to let her know whether or not to send the needed application that has to be on rile in the City Secretary's office. Ms. Macon informed Mr. Goodman and commission members that John Wright has requested a leave of absence from the commission for about four months to take a course at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi. the course is offered on the fourth Thursday of each month, which is the Commission's regularly scheduled meeting dates. After a brief discussion, Mr. Wright's leave of absence was approved by Mr. Ed Goodman, Chairman. ACTION ITEM(S): Approval of August 25 1994 and October 27 1994 - Minutes: The minutes were approved as distributed. Appoint Nominating Commmittee to Select Chairman and Vice Chairman: Mr. Goodman stated that each year in January, a new chairman and vice- chairman are elected. Ms. Hill served as vice-chairman for last year. Mr. Goodman stated that a nominating committee was appointed to bring Landmark Commissionveeting January 26, 1995 Page 3 back a recommendation for new officers for commission members to approve. After a brief discussion,Mr. Joe Dove was appointed to chair the Nominating Committee and Ms. Lakhani and Ms. Nucete were appointed as members. The committee will make its recommendation at the February 23, 1995 meeting. Approve Master Review Committee's Recommendation to Accent Donation of the Buddy Lawrence House Located At 1217 McBride Lane- Mr. Tom Utter, Group Manager for Development Services, addressed the commission. Mr.Utter expressed thanks to the Landmark Commission for allowing him to speak at today's meeting and at this point, Todd White, great-grandson of Mr.Lawrence,was introduced to commissioners. Mr. Utter began his presentation by stating that occasionally an opportunity presents itself that one cannot miss. The donation of the Thomas Merchant "Buddy" Lawrence House was that opportunity. The house is located at 1217 McBride Lane. Buddy Lawrence Drive was named in honor of Mr. Lawrence. Mr. Utter continued that the Lawrence House was purchased by the Javelina Plant in an effort to create a buffer between the plant and the residential houses located in the area. The Lawrence House was one of several houses that were purchased by the plant As background information, Mr. Lawrence was one of the county's first residents to become involved with the vegetable truck farming industry during the 1890s. In addition to truck farming,Mr.Lawrence served as a county commissioner for twenty-eight(28)years. He also played a major role in the "new paved roads" movement developing cow trails into paved roads. The first hard road system of the county was constructed during his tenure and the first causeway over the Nueces Bay was constructed. The Lawrence House Is located across from an area that the Javelina Plant Is buying out. The City has requested industrial companies to buy properties where they are infringing on residential areas. The Javelins Plant bought out property owners located between their plant and McBride Lane; and the Lawrence House was included in the buy out Mr. Utter continued that several Landmark Commissioners toured the house Landmark Commission Ceti. January 26, 1995 rr Page 4 in order to make a recommendation to the full commission on whether the house should be accepted and possibly relocated to the two-block area behind Heritage Park. The photo board was passed around with pictures of the Lawrence Family and the house. The top and bottom floors of the house have been closed. Mr.Utter continued that Staff was told about the house by Todd White and he wanted to know If the City would be interested in the house. Mr.Utter further clarified that Mr.White does not have a conflict of interest, even though he is a city employee. Mr. Utter stated he spoke with a representative of Coastal Refinery Corporation, which owns the Javelina Plant, and was told that the company Is willing to donate the house to the city because they need to clear the property. An agreement was worked out that the City purchase the house for $10 and was given six months to move the house off its current site. During that six-month period, the City will determine its financial position and the economic Impact of accepting the house. Mr. Utter continued that if it was feasible to move,the house would be moved to a location in the two-block area next to the Seamen's Center. There are some houses that have been donated to the city before,but the City was unable to raise the monies to move them. The interior of the Lawrence House has wonderful floors. Mr. White's family is the only family that lived in the house. The house contains 3,400 square feet of living space and it has a lot of character. Mr.Utter continued that he would like for the Landmark Commission to approve acceptance of the house from the Javelina Plant;which will give Staff six months to move the house. The first thing to do would be to have the City architect get a cost estimate on rehabilitation of the house. Mr.Utter added that house movers had been contacted to also provide a cost estimate to move the house. The house is very tall,which will add to the moving cost. Mr.Utter continent that a tenant has been found for the house. Mr.Utter stated that Staff will get back with the Landmark Commission within the next sixty(60)days, at the most seventy-five (75). Mr. Utter continued that if Staff needed additional time to move the house,the Javelins Plant could grant it. Landmark Commission Seting 0 January 26, 1995 Page 5 Mr. Utter continued there were several factors to be considered in accepting and moving the house: 1) the economic and feasibility in moving the house;and 2) a good cost estimate of how much it would cost to restore the house. Mr.Utter stated since he began his public career,he has been involved in approximately 7 or 8,000 rehabilitation projects, mostly single-family residences, and one can never know what will be found once the project is started. There will always be costs involved. The Lawrence House is one of the larger remaining houses with board and batten siding Instead of regular siding running horizontaL The board and batten siding runs vertical and there is not an example of this nature in the Heritage Park area. The house stands out because its siding, which was an acceptable style of houses--not just for the shotgun house, but it was also an acceptable style for large prominent families. Mr.Utter continued that Staff has prevented the house from being demolished, and he needed the commission's decision to accept or not accept the house so that it can be presented to City Council on Tuesday, January 31, 1995. After Mr. Utter concluded his presentation, the floor was turned over to Ms. Bunny Tinker, member of the Landmark Commission Master Review Committee. Ms. Tinker stated that Mr. Joe Dove,Mr.John Wright, and herself, along with Ms. Macon and Mr. Utter reviewed the house. Ms.Tinker continued that the Master Review Committee is in agreement that the house should be saved from demolition. Ms.Tinker continued there were several metal structures located In the back of the house. Ms.Tinker continued that it might be possible that they can be used. It was stated by Ms.Tinker that there is a historical marker with the house, which also adds to its significance. Ms. Tinker continued that she was not sure if the marker could be moved to a new location or if the marker had to remain where it was originally placed. The marker was granted based on Mr.Lawrence's significant contributions to the community and county, beginning with starting the first vegetable truck farmer on his 36-acre farm. Mr. Goodman stated that if the Landmark Commission can help save the house and get it placed in the Heritage Park area, this would be great. Landmark Commission"eting January 26, 1995 Page 6 This is an opportunity to be able to place more houses near the Seamen's Center. (Ms. Tinker requested that the minutes reflect that the Master Review Committee did not formally meet before today's meeting,January 26, 1995,but generally commented about saving the structure during the tour). After Ms. Tinker's committee report, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. DOVE THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE THE MASTER REVIEW COMMITTEE'S OVERVIEW TO ACCEPT THE "THOMAS MERCHANT "BUDDY" LAWRENCE HOUSE OFFERED BY THE JAVELINA COMPANY. After the motion was on the floor, further discussion ensued. Mr. Utter explained that City Staff is not in any way supportive of moving old houses Just to be moving them. In this situation,the Javelins Company purchased the house and because of environmental concerns, the house was going to be removed. Mr. Utter continued that there were three options to consider. the City accept the donation of the house and save it, find someone to move and save it, or allow the house to be demolished. Mr. Goodman interjected that through the City and the Landmark Commission,there Is a viable place to move the house into the Heritage Park area and the house would complement what is already in the park and would be an added accomplishment to what has already happened in the area. At this point, Mr. Goodman stated he wanted to complete the action farted with Mr. Dove's motion on the floor and in order to complete Mr. Dove's motion,a second was needed. Ms.Tinker added that since this was a committee overview,a motion was not needed--all was needed was for the commission to accept it. Mr.Dove withdrew his motion from the floor. After final discussion,the Landmark Commission accepted and approved the Master Review Committee's overview to accept the donation of the Thomas Merchant "Buddy" Lawrence Family House from the Javellna Plant Landmark Commission sting 0 January 26, 1995 Page 7 Ms. Nucete asked Mr.Utter who would be looking into the cost of moving the house and Mr.Utter answered that Staff has contacted several house movers and requested a cost estimate from them. Mr.Utter commented that all of the houses in the Heritage Park area were moved into the park, and some of the houses were very large. Mr. Utter continued that since Southwestern Bell and continued have franchises with the City,their services will be gratis. Mr.Utter explained that some of the cables under not included in the franchise and one of the biggest problems in moving the house will be the underpass, off-ramps, and access roads. The largest house moved into Heritage Park was the Galvan House;which was cut in half before it was moved. The two houses that were the strangest to move were the Merriman-Bobys'House,located between the Cliff House and the Crude-Grossman House. When the movers lifted the Grande-Grossman house,it was nothing but a shell of a house. Staff should have a cost estimate within the next sixty(60)to seventy-five (75) days to find out if it is cost effective to undertake the project. Mr. Utter stated that this restoration project was going to be fairly expensive and he was asked to give an estimated cost of what it would be to move the house off-site to its new location and restore it and Mr. Utter stated that his estimation would be between $350-450,000, and that was a modest estimate. Mr. Utter continued that the total cost for the Galvan House was about$700,000. Mr. Utter stated that the restoration of the Grande-Grossman House(now used by Bayfest,Inc.) was restored by Lulac Council No. 1. The organization had a number of work weekends where the membership did most of the work themselves, and the total cost of restoration was$95,000. The Grande-Grossman House was in the poorest physical condition of all the houses in the park. The McCampbell House was restored by the Irish Cultural Society and their total restoration cost was $850,000. All of the non-profit organizations had a difficult time in restoring and maintaining their structures. Landmark Commission meeting January 26, 1995 Page 8 Mr.Utter concluded by stating that the City has been looking for a house that size to place in the Heritage Park area and the "Buddy" Lawrence House will certainly work. Identifying Public BuldingslStructures to Pursue For "HC" Zoning Designations* Mr. Goodman stated that he and Ms. Macon had been talking about thio agenda item and probably where we might want to ursue "BC" zoning is with public buildings. At this point,Mr. Goodman 'trued the floor over to Ms. Macon to provide more Information. Ms. Macon stated since the Commission is nearing completion of the Preservation Site Survey, ]as a point of information for the new commissioners, Ms. Macon briefly stated that the commission has been Involved in a site survey of structures built in 1945 or prior to that period. The structures were surveyed by a preservation consultant and the commission reviewed the consultant's work.] Ms. Macon continued that since most of the city has been surveyed and a newly adopted "BC" zoning ordinance was approved by City Council, the commission is now ready to begin identifying structures for possible "HC" designation. Ms. Macon stated the commission should start with public structures owned by the City, County, and Federal governments. Ms. Macon requested commissioners to bring,to the February meeting,a list of possible public structures that might be considered a high priority and worthy of the commission's pursing for "11C" designation. The information will be reviewed and compiled and proposing which structures the Commission wants to initiate zoning applications forwarded to the Planning Commission and City Council. Mr. Goodman asked if it was possible for Staff to pull the slides of public structures that the Commission previously rated as high priorities and bring to the February meeting to review them. Mr.Goodman stated that was a good way to start the process and at the same time, the new commissioners would be able to see the slides. Mr.Gunning commented that it is obvious that we need to move forward and begin to apply the new"HC" regulations before everyone forgets that we have them. Mr. Gunning continued that the Landmark Commission would have to submit zoning applications with detailed historical data to Landmark Commission Meting V January 26, 1995 Page 9 Staff who would then present them to the Planning Commission and City Council. Mr. Gunning went on to say that it should be remembered that "HC" zoning, even though it is an overlay, the same process would be followed as other zoning requests -- such as notification of property owners within a 200 foot radius of the subject property and public hearings. Mr. Gunning stated that after the Landmark Commission completed its review of the structures ranked with a high priority,it has the authority to direct Staff to proceed with the "HC" zoning on the properties. After further discussion, Ms. Macon commented that she was trying to find out If the Commission was ready to pursue designation, and if so,the commission could start with the public structures,and those slides will be brought to the February meeting. Mr. Goodman stated that the Commission is ready to pursue designation. Achieving this goal would result in seeing the hard work that was put into creating a new "HC" zoning ordinance and trying to preserve those structures that are worthy. Mr. Gunning added that the Commission should look at properties with a high probability of being approved by the Planning Commission and City CounciL Identify Sites and Boundaries For Landmark Districts. Ms.Macon stated that this item was something that Ms. Tinker would like to see the commission pursue-establishing historic districts. Ms.Macon continued that in pursing public buildings, the commission could also review what area of town that could be outlined as historical site boundaries. The City of Galveston has established several different districts,and some of those districts do not have the regulations in place, but that is how they started in getting those areas recognized. Mr. Goodman asked how would the commission go about establishing and Identifying these districts and Ms. Macon answered that a work map would be brought in for the commissioners to review and commissioners could establish boundary lines where there are high concentrations of properties. Ms. Macon continued that ht the future,the Landmark Commission could apply for THC grant monies to create a historical tourist folder that really described Landmark Commission Meeting January 26, 1995 Page 10 the districts and what properties are contained in them for the tourists as well as for the citizens of Corpus Christi. Ms. Macon informal commissioners that Ms. Sally Victor, Preservation Consultant, will attend the February meeting to gave an update on Phase II-B the Preservation Site Survey. Mr. Goodman asked what areas were included in this phase and Ms.Macon answered the areas surveyed are all of downtown, Soutn Morgan Avenue / North Louisiana Area, Agnes/Laredo street / Airport Road, and South Louisiana / Ocean Drive / Airline Road. Mr. Goodman stated that at the February meeting, he wanted to discuss replacements for vacancies on the commission. Mr. Goodman also stressed the importance of having a quorum present at each meeting. He continued it is hard to get anything accomplished when there are not enough members present to conduct business. Mr. Goodman stated the Commission will be reviewing and discussing attendance at another meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. iI Jn i 1 . nt`41 hcir-&_.J Faryce Cio i e-Macon, City Planner Staff Liais 1 n to Landmark Commission