Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 10/22/1998 (610 410 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCTOBER 22, 1998 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Deborah Douglas, Vice Chairman Ms. Sharon Brower Ms. Betsy Chapman Mr. Kevin Maraist Mr. James Maxwell Ms. Elizabeth Rentz Ms. Bunny Tinker MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Alan Belcher (Excused) Mr. Joe Dove (Excused) Mr. Jesus Leija (Excused) Ms. Grandis Lenken (Excused) Ms. Melissa Nucete, Chairman (Excused) Mr. Joe Williams (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Michael Gunning, Acting Planning Director Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Ms. Bunny Tinker, Acting Chairman. The roll was called a quorum was not present. Upon arrival of Ms. Deborah Douglas at 4:50 p.m., a quorum was declared and the meeting was turned over to Ms. Douglas to chair the remainder of the meeting. Three new commissioners were introduced and welcomed to the Landmark Commission. Ms. Sharon Brower is a fifth grade science and math teacher in the Flour Bluff Intermediate School, Mr. Kevin Maraist is an attorney with the firm of Hornblower, Manning, & Ward, P.C., and Ms. Elizabeth Rent is a realtor/broker with Arlene Steele Realtor. Commissioners and staff members introduced themselves and welcomed the new commissioners. Mr. James Maxwell informed commissioners that today's meeting was his last meeting and he will not seek reappointment. Mr. Maxwell continued that he has enjoyed serving on the commission, and he hoped to be able to possibly work with the commission on future projects. Mr. Maxwell went on to say that he found a person who agreed to serve on the commission -- Mr. Tom Stewart. Ms. Macon added that Mr. Stewart was appointed by Council on Tuesday, October 13, 1998 and he would be on board at the next SCANNED Landmark Commission)eting *10 October 22, 1998 Page 2 scheduled meeting. Ms. Macon expressed thanks and appreciation to Mr. Maxwell for his service on the Commission. ACTION ITEM(S): Aoorove Minutes for August 27. 1998 Meeting:.The minutes for the August 27, 1998 meeting were approved as distributed. fi-' . .I •v-rnm•r - , . - .s Hi . ' .l . u' '.n• Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison, addressed the Commission. For benefit of new commissioners, Ms. Macon provided brief information regarding the Landmark Commission's affiliation with the Texas Historical Commission. Ms. Macon stated that the Commission received its certification as a Certified Local Government in March 1988; which enables the Commission to apply for grant monies for historical projects. Ms. Macon continued that the CLG conference held in September was funded through the THC grant program. Previous funding years, the Commission applied for grant monies to hire a preservation consultant to survey the city's historical resources -- the survey was completed over a period of approximately six years, and the final phase was completed in 1997. Approximately 1,200 properties were surveyed. Ms. Macon stated that at the last meeting, she informed the Commission that a grant for the 1998-99 funding cycle could not be submitted because of the October 1 deadline; and also the 1997-98 grant had to be closed and finalized. The closing and finalization of the previous grant would not take place until the middle of October. Ms. Macon continued that since the August meeting, she spoke with THC staff and found out that the deadline for the 1998-99 grant cycle is December 11, 1998. Ms. Macon went on to say that if the Commission approved submitting a grant request, the following projects are proposed: 0 To create an educational brochure that would inform the public and property owners on how to get an area designated as a historical site, the steps and procedures required to initiate the zoning process, outline the responsibilities and function of the Landmark Commission; and highlighting some of the Commission's accomplishments in historical preservation. Ms. Macon interjected (for benefit of new commissioners) that the Landmark Commission has been in existence since 1974 and some people really do not understand what the Commission is about; and Landmark Commissionhieeting 410 October 22, 1998 Page 3 0 To initiate a plaque program recognizing property owners whose structures are designated as "potential landmarks" or "HC." Ms. Macon continued that the plaque program could work twofold: create a greater awareness of historical preservation and give recognition to property owners who participated in this great step towards historical preservation. Ms. Macon stated again that it is hoped that the development of a plaque program would help in getting people interested in preservation. Ms. Macon stated that cost estimates would be obtained for both projects and all of that information will be included in the grant request. The grant request will be matched with Staff's in-kind services. Ms. Tinker asked Ms. Macon if she had any cost estimates for the plaques and Ms. Macon answered she received a brochure from a CLG representative when she attended the preservation workshop in Denver, Colorado. The brochure features different styles, materials, and costs. Ms. Macon went on to say that at this time, no decision had been made. At the appropriate time, the Landmark Commission will be involved in selecting details for the plaque. Ms. Macon continued that basically she wanted the Commission to decide whether or not a grant request would be submitted. After all comments and discussion concluded, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MS.TINKER AND SECONDED BY MR. MAXWELL THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION SUBMIT A GRANT REQUEST FOR THE 1998-99 FUNDING CYCLE, TO THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION, TO CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL BROCHURE AND DEVELOP A PLAQUE PROGRAM. MOTION PASSED. DISCUSSION ITEMS(S): SUBMITTAL OF "POTENTIAL LANDMARK" LISTING BY CONSENTING PROPERTY OWNERS TO PLANNING COMMISSION FOR PUBI IC HEARING. For benefit of new commissioners, Ms. Macon provided a brief recap of the June 25, 1998 meeting with the property owners. Ms. Macon continued that the Commission selected eighty-two (82) properties to consider for"potential landmark" status. Notification letters were sent to the property owners requesting their attendance at the June 25 meeting. Ms. Macon stated that approximately forty-five (45) property owners attended the meeting and a Landmark Commission Rieting October 22, 1998 Page 4 presentation was given by Staff explaining the purpose of the "potential landmark" status and its significance to the community. Ms. Macon emphasized that the "potential landmark" status would not prohibit a property owner from making any permanent changes to the property, but the designation would ensure that the Landmark Commission reviewed any proposals for demolition/removal of the property, and a 30-day waiting period would be imposed. This 30-day waiting period would allow the Commission an opportunity to discuss other alternatives with the owner. If an alternative could not be reached between the owner and the Landmark Commission within the 30-day period, the owner would be allowed to follow through with his original plan. Ms. Macon continued that after the June 25 meeting, property owners were given thirty (30) days to determine whether or not they wanted their properties to be included on the "potential landmark" listing. Ms. Macon stated that twenty-seven (27) owners responded and agreed to have their properties listed. The next step of this process is to present the list to the Planning Commission for their review and approval and forward it to City Council. Ms. Macon continued that Staff is scheduling this item before the Planning Commission on Wednesday, November 11, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Ms. Macon stated that commission members will be sent a reminder of the meeting and she encouraged all of the commissioners to attend if possible. Ms. Macon was asked how many property owners were interested in pursuing "HC" zoning and Ms. Macon responded that three of the property owners indicated an interest-- two on Furman Avenue and one on Up River Road. Ms. Tinker added that properties contained on the list are tagged in the Building Inspections' Department computer so that when a permit is requested for demolition/removal, Planning Staff is notified, who in turns, notifies the Commission. Ms. Tinker wanted to ensure that the new commissioners knew the distinction between a "potential landmark" and a property that is actually"HC"designated. If the property is"HC"designated, before a property owner can obtain a permit, the Master Review Committee and Landmark Commission must review the proposed changes to ensure that the historical integrity of the structure is maintained. For a "potential landmark" designated property, the 30-day waiting period is imposed. Ms. Tnker asked Ms. Macon if there was a way to let commission members know where the item was placed on the agenda and Ms. Macon responded that she has requested that the item be placed first. Landmark CommissionWeting 410 October 22, 1998 Page 5 Final Report of CLG Historical Conference/Workshop Held September 24-26 1998: Ms. Macon stated that Staff submitted the final report to the Texas Historical Commission to close out the 1997-98 grant. Ms. Macon continued that the comments and responses received from THC Staff and conference attendees were very positive and THC was very well pleased with the overall conference and arrangements. Ms. Tinker urged new commissioners to subscribe to the Medallion publication; which is published by the Texas Historical Commission. Ms. Macon added that the publication is a wonderful resource on historical preservation issues, laws, and it is a wonderful way to find out what other cities are doing for preservation efforts. Appoint Commission Member to Serve On Nueces County Courthouse Ad Hoc Committee: Ms. Macon stated that Mr. Ed Goodman, previous chairman of the Landmark Commission, was appointed by City Council to serve on the Nueces County Ad Hoc Committee for the County Courthouse. The function of the Ad Hoc Committee was to review plans to see if the building was solid and review bids submitted by engineering firms. Since that appointment by City Council, Mr. Goodman is no longer on the Landmark Commission and has relocated to another city. A replacement from the Landmark Commission is needed to fill the vacancy of Mr. Goodman. Ms. Macon continued that last week, bids were received from engineering and architectural firms to perform the structural analysis on the courthouse and the number of bids were narrowed to four. Even though the Ad Hoc Committee will be working with the engineering consultant and with their proposal, it was suggested that an engineer from the Landmark Commission replace Mr. Goodman on the Ad Hoc Committee. After a brief discussion, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MS.TINKER AND SECONDED BY MS. CHAPMAN THAT MS. MACON CONTACT TOM STEWART OR JOE WILLIAMS TO BE THE LANDMARK COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION TO SERVE ON THE AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE. MOTION PASSED. Ms. Macon informed commission members that she received a phone call and apology from Linda Salyers, Chairman of the Nueces County Historical Commission. Ms. Macon also extended an apology in what appeared to be a breakdown in communication. There was a mis-communication in having Landmark CommissionOfeeting IQ October 22, 1998 Page 6 the County Historical Commission create a display table for the Thursday evening reception. Ms. Macon stated that since the regularly scheduled meetings for November and December fall on holidays,the Commission should decide if the meetings should be canceled, or if alternate dates should be selected. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of members present, that if a meeting was needed before the regularly scheduled meeting in January 1999, the meeting date would be scheduled earlier in the month. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Lin a Williams Faryce Goo -Macon, City Planner Recording Secretary Staff Liaison to Landmark Commission (H:OCIMINS.098)