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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 03/24/2022MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING LANDMARK COMMISSION CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 4:30 pm 1201 LEOPARD STREET MARCH 24, 2022 COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: Armando Mendez - Chairman Roslyn Michelle Wanzer Dr. Ira Freeman —Vice Chairman Veronica Wilson Madeleine Fontenot Dr. Jen Brown Kathleen de la Garza Dr. James Pruitt Matthew Forrester Albert Montez 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 Williams absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 24, 2022 A motion was made by Commissioner Brown approve the minutes listed above and it was seconded by Commissioner De La Garza. The motion passed. III. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: None. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT - None. V. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO INITIATE AN HISTORIC OVERLAY ZONING DESIGNATION 1. 805 Park Avenue as a Historic Landmark (Robert H. Budd Jr. and Sylvia G. Budd, owners) 2. 817 South Staples Street as a Historic Landmark (Nathan and Ursula Kolenovsky, owners) Nina Nixon -Mendez, Assistant Director, presented items 1 & 2" for the record as shown above. She began the presentation by explaining the historic/landmark designation (UDC Section 3.4); explained the purpose of an historic overlay (UDC Section 6.3). She went over the historical significance of each property as well as architectural style/historic rehabilitation; presented photographs of the subject properties. She pointed out that 805 Park Avenue has a Historic Resource Survey. The owners of both properties have consented to the designation. After Staff's presentation the owners of each property came forward in support of the designation and gave additional background. Staff supports a motion to initiate an historic overlay rezoning to designate the properties as a historic landmark. A motion was made by Chairman Mendez supporting initiation for an historic overlay rezoning to designate both properties as a historic landmark. It was seconded by Commissioner Brown and the motion passed unanimously. VI. DISCUSSION & CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE SAM & ADA WILSON HOUSE AT 3745 OCEAN DRIVE Ms. Nixon -Mendez stated this item was added to the agenda per the request of the Commission. She does not have an update but stated she could attempt to contact the property owner (Ed Rachel Foundation) regarding a designation if it is at the request of the Commission. Commissioner Brown stated she is opposed to initiate a designation without the support of the property owner. Commissioner Fontenot concurred with Commissioner Brown and felt the Commissions initiation would not be the best use of time and energy. She thinks the Foundation could have chosen at this point to designate considering public opposition over purported plans for the property (demolition/new townhomes). She does not wish to go against the owner's opinion. She also expressed that the scope of the Commission may be limited since the proposed Historic Preservation Plan has not been adopted. Discussion took place regarding establishing a subcommittee consisting of five Commission members for the purpose of visiting the property/to build a working relationship with the owner. The committee would evaluate and report on the property. Vice Chairman Freeman felt limiting the committee's scope to only this property is selective, suggested to broaden the committee's purpose to possibly consider other significant properties on Ocean Drive (previous briefing). It was requested to add the formation of a subcommittee to the next meeting's agenda. VII. BRIEFING ON RESTAURANTS: Lucy's Snackbar, The Astor, Snapka's Drive Inn & Frank's Spaghetti House Ms. Nixon -Mendez began the presentation by informing the Commission that Lucy's Snackbar was renovated, and the remaining restaurants have been maintained by using Secretary of the Interior's Standards. She proceeded to give background information for each restaurant along with photographs historical survey's if available. According to the current owner, The Astor is the longest continually running steakhouse in Corpus Christi established in 1957. Snapka's Drive Inn Opened in 1953 on Leopard Street by Method Snapka and was rebuilt after Hurricane Celia in 1970. This location currently has a landmark issued by the Texas Historical Commission and continues as a family-owned business. There is also a Snapka's location at 4434 Weber Road which opened in 1956. The building for Frank's Spaghetti House was built in 1921 and opened in 1947 by Frank and Nellie Toerros; Frank was a native of Sicily and grew up in Chicago; after his discharge from the Navy, he opened the restaurant, and ran it for 25 years. Mike Moody and wife, Elma took over in 1993. The Moody family continues operation, and all original recipes are still in use. After Staff's presentation the floor was opened for Commissioner comments/questions. The Commission requested that each restaurant owner be contacted to see if they would be interested in initiating a designation. VIII. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER'S REPORT — Nina Nixon -Mendez • Historic Preservation Plan Update: City Council Workshop to be held on April 1, 2022 (time to be determined). • National Preservation Month — May 2022: A proclamation request has been submitted to the Mayor's office to be tentatively scheduled at the City Council meeting on May 10, 2022. A press release for the photo contest will be sent in April. Submissions can be sent through Facebook and Instagram; the contest will end on May 1, 2022. Public voting will be held through the first week of May; The winning photo will be posted on the City's social media platforms. • Annual Preservation Awards — Deadline extended to April 4, 2022: The Commission has submitted two nominations. Nomination considerations will be added to the agenda for the meeting on April 28, 2022. • American World War II Heritage City — Deadline May 1, 2022; joint submission with Nueces County for designation of a region (The Coastal Bend area). Nueces County will host a public town hall meeting on April 8, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Del Mar Center for Economic Development, Room 106, 3209 South Staples Street. More information can be found through Nueces County Veterans Services. IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Establish a subcommittee/nominate members. • For the Preservation Awards, Commissioner Pruitt formerly requested increasing the number of awards. To promote the history of the Coastal Bend, he suggested adding awards for books and education (e.g., Instagram accounts) which communicate preservation. • Littles-Martin House and Mae Watson House (reach out to the Director of Parks and Recreation). X. ADJOURNMENT the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.