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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 12/16/2021 MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING LANDMARK COMMISSION CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 4:30 pm 1201 LEOPARD STREET DECEMBER 16, 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 and a quorum was established with Commissioner Mendez absent. II. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING THE ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR Commissioner Mendez was nominated for Chairman by Commissioner Wilson. Commissioner Freeman was nominated for Vice Chairman by Commissioner Wilson. All were in favor. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 18, 2021 A motion was made by Commissioner Brown to approve the minutes listed above and it was seconded by Commissioner Fontenot. The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: None. V. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. VI. DISCUSSION AND CONSDERATION REGARDING ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS Nina Nixon-Mendez, Assistant Director, informed the Commission that nominations are open for consideration for this year’s event; deadline is typically March 1, 2022. Awards are typically presented during preservation month in May. Two additional categories are up for suggestion: Buildings/Properties & Architects/Organizations. Buildings and Properties must be 50 years or older; show use of the Secretary of the Interior Standards for treatment of historic properties and their rehabilitation/maintenance. Architects and Organizations must show innovation and preservation mechanisms or work towards a lasting impact regarding preservation projects within the City. Categories can be added or changed at the discretion of the Commission. A motion was made by Commissioner Fontenot to use the two categories described above and it was seconded by Commissioner Wanzer. The motion passed. VII. BRIEFINGS: Annual Report VIII. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER’S REPORT Ms. Nixon-Mendez gave an update on the Historic Preservation Plan that was presented at City Council on December 7, 2021. She stated that Council wanted additional time to go over the Plan. She said the Department did meet with many of the Council members prior to the presentation; the Department plans to have additional briefings with them before it is presented again in either late January or early February. She said some of the primary concerns brought up by Council members were regarding the “protection layer” designation and Strategy COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Ira Freeman Madeleine Fontenot Kathleen de la Garza Dr. Jen Brown COMMISSIONERS: Roslyn Michelle Wanzer Armando Mendez Veronica Wilson Dr. James Pruitt #8 relating to the promotion of a local non-profit organization for advocacy (fundraiser for historic preservation projects). She clarified to Council that by no means does establishing a local non-profit replace the Landmark Commission as a regulatory body. A non-profit could assist in fundraising which the Landmark Commission does not have the ability to do. She informed the Commission that she gave a presentation to the Downtown Management District this morning and the Plan was enthusiastically received as preservation is an opportunity for economic development. After the update, discussion took place amongst Commissioners regarding the presentation to City Council. Commissioner Wilson felt that, in essence, the verbiage for Strategy #8 states that a non-profit could replace or circumvent the Commission; the verbiage needs to be further clarified for boundaries and the entire Plan needs to be refined for Council’s support. Ms. Nixon-Mendez said she would look into some alternative language. Commissioner Wilson mentioned that Council was also concerned with Strategy #12 (Historic Preservation Officer) which may create an additional bureaucracy. Ms. Nixon-Mendez stated she currently serves as the Historic Preservation Officer and needs help in this area as it is considered a full-time position. A Historic Preservation Officer could assist in major projects such as helping neighborhoods become historic districts. Currently, responsibilities for this position are shared amongst several staff members when they have free time. Discussion also took place regarding updating the ordinance itself; authority of the building official regarding dilapidated properties or demolition by neglect code provisions (emergency demolitions). Ms. Nixon-Mendez said there is no predetermined percentage to gauge a building’s designation/condition, but it would involve a comprehensive physical assessment of the property (case by case). Commissioner Fontenot shared her frustration with the Council’s evaluation of the Plan and that they seemed to have had a hard time comprehending certain parts of it even though they had many opportunities for clarification. She also found it discouraging that the old Nueces County Courthouse is continually being used as an example of preservation and it does not capture the intent of the Plan. She mentioned that there were significant changes to Strategy #9 and asked why it was so heavily edited. Ms. Nixon-Mendez said there were a few Council members that requested those changes because they felt it contained inflammatory language that could be perceived as politically divisive. She said that herself, along with the Director, Al Raymond, made those changes at their request. Commissioner Fontenot expressed great concern over this decision and felt that whether the specific language was removed or not, it does not necessarily change the purpose of the Plan. Next, Ms. Nixon-Mendez gave information on the potential historic Morningside district. She said she has been in contact with the President and expressed that they are extremely excited about a potential historic district designation (protection). They plan on meeting with members of leadership after the holidays. She has prepared a map of potential boundaries of the neighborhood along with a presentation. Local districts will be discussed along with national registers as an option. She said she is very optimistic about this project but that there is a lot of work to do with regards to surveys which were not included in previous structural surveys. For surveys, the Department will also work with the IT Department for this to establish a website/application (ESRI Collector); volunteers will be utilized. Ms. Nixon-Mendez added that an orientation, to be scheduled after the holidays, will be held for Commissioner Pruitt, but that any other Commissioners are welcome to attend as well. An email will be sent with information to follow. IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Discussion took place regarding grant funding for the Littles-Martin house. Ms. Nixon-Mendez stated that there may be opportunities for funding through the Texas Preservation Fund; that information was provided to the Parks and Recreation Department. Commissioner Fontenot suggested that activity items be considered for Preservation Month. Commissioner Freeman suggested a summer workshop for future projects. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.