HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 11/18/2021
MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
LANDMARK COMMISSION
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 11:30 pm
1201 LEOPARD STREET
November 18, 2021
STAFF:
Nina Nixon-Mendez, Assistant Director & Historic Preservation Officer
Catherine Garza, Agenda Coordinator
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Dees and a quorum was established with Chair Robbins
absent.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 26, 2021
A motion was made by Commissioner Brown to approve the minutes listed above and it was seconded by
Commissioner Freeman. The motion passed.
III. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: August 26, 2021 – Madam Chair Robbins
Correction was noted that Chair Robbins was present at this meeting but arrived late.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
V. BRIEFINGS:
1. Historic Resources Survey
Nina Nixon-Mendez, Assistant Director, informed the Commission about this resource which can be accessed
through the Department’s home page when you click on “Landmark Commission Web Viewer”. This webpage
also includes other useful information such as the Commission’s mission statement and responsibilities. She
pointed out the interactive “Landmark Viewer” link/map which contains descriptions of each Local, State and
National designations. The interactive map for the Historic Resources Survey is operated in the same way and
contains the surveys which were performed in the 1990’s. It does not contain current conditions as some of the
sites may have been demolished. When a location on the map is chosen (“red dot”) it will give you a description
of the property; some may contain an archived photograph.
2. Steamboat (Ropes) House
Ms. Nixon-Mendez began with a brief history of this property which included action taken by this Commission
on December 19, 2019, to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition (COAD 1219-01) with specific
conditions: record drawings of the Steamboat House (as-builts or Point-Cloud Model), salvaging pieces to be
incorporated in Heritage and elsewhere, and to create White-Paper on Colonel Eli Ropes (i.e. and brothers) to
file with drawings. On October 22, 2020, the Commission also reviewed a memo from the Parks and Recreation
(Parks & Rec) Department for removal and to relinquish the Steamboat House to Ram House Movers instead
of following through with demolition. On this day, the Commission recommended that conditional items “1 & 3”
of the COAD be fulfilled.
COMMISSIONERS:
Dr. Christine Riser-Robbins- Chair
Randy J. Dees, Sr. – Vice-Chair
Dr. Ira Freeman
Madeleine Fontenot
Kathleen de la Garza
COMMISSIONERS:
Roslyn Michelle Wanzer
Dr. Jen Brown
Armando Mendez
Veronica Wilson
Dante Gonzalez, Interim Director of Parks & Rec, updated the Commission on this item. He said that Parks &
Rec has had reorganizations with executive leadership and this project is currently on hold. Mr. Gonzalez said
that at the time, Ram House Movers did do a site review of the house and that anything with historical
significance/value had already been removed and all that was left is just a “shell” (no water/electricity). Ram
House Movers were given a 45-day timeline of action. He said they have reached out to Ram House Movers
on several occasions and have not received a response. Thus far, the City has not received any other interested
parties in moving the house. He provided pictures of the house that were taken earlier today. From observation,
the house is in poor condition and is heavily covered with boards to keep out vagrants. He said the house is
deteriorating at a rapid pace and is a safety hazard. At this point, the City will follow through with demolition. He
also mentioned that a Utilization Plan has just been completed for Heritage Park. Currently, there are no plans
to consider demolition on any other houses in the area. After Staff’s update, the floor was opened for
comments/questions from the Commission. Vice Chairman Dees expressed his disappointment in the City’s
neglect of this property. He asked that this house be a “standing” agenda item for the Landmark Commission
with periodic updates.
3.UDC Amendment – State Mandate for Historic Landmark and District Designations
Andrew Dimas., Development Services Administrator, presented item "3" for the record as shown above. He
began the presentation by giving a brief background of the 87th Texas Legislature. The first State mandate he
explained was Senate Bill 1585 which is in reference to historic designations for both landmarks and historic
districts. If the property owner does not consent to the proposed designation or inclusion of the owner’s property
into a historic district, a three-fourths vote of approval is required by the Landmark Commission and the City
Council (UDC Section 3.4.2.A). This amendment also refers to tables 3.1.6.A and 3.1.8 of the UDC. Section
3.4.2.B of the UDC has also been amended to omit “Planning Commission”; Section 3.4.2.C of the UDC has
been omitted. Staff and Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed UDC text amendments.
This item is tentatively scheduled for City Council consideration on December 14, 2021. With that, Mr. Dimas
finished his presentation and took questions from the Commission. No action was taken on this item.
VI.HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER’S REPORT
Assistant Director, Nina Nixon-Mendez, updated the Commission on upcoming agenda items for December and
January 2022. In December, new Commissioner, Dr. James Pruitt, will be attending the meeting fulfilling the
Historian position; Commission Wanzer was reappointed by City Council. She informed the Commission that
there are still three vacancies to be filled on the Commission: Regular, Regular Title Search and Engineer. In
January, the Commission’s Annual Report will be reviewed for approval and final submission to the City
Secretary’s office. She also acknowledged Vice Chairman Dee’s service to the Commission as he has reached
his term limit, and this is his last meeting; Chair Robbins has reached her term limit. Vice Chairman Dees gave
a few words on his history of service with the Commission.
VII.FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Littles-Martin House, Heritage Park (possible funds for mold remediation)
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
____________________________
Historic Preservation Officer