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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 08/24/2023MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING LANDMARK COMMISSION CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CITY HALL 6T" FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM - 4:30 pm 1201 LEOPARD STREET THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 COMMISSIONERS: Armando Mendez -Chairman Wade Williams -Vice Chairman Matthew Forrester Gordon Landreth Cheryl McLaughlin STAFF - Nina Nixon -Mendez, Assistant Director Robert Kurtz, Historic Preservation Officer Ruth Bocchino, Agenda Coordinator Buck Brice, Assistant City Attorney 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: 4:37 pm. COMMISSIONERS: Albert Montez Jeff Mumme Dr. James Pruitt Elizabeth Riggle Michelle Wanzer Veronica Wilson The meeting was called to order and a quorum was established with Commissioners Forrester and Riggle absent. n. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. in. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 22, 2023. A motion was made by Commissioner Wilson to amend the minutes as presented by staff and to correct the street name from Longview to Lawnview, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Pruitt to approve the amended minutes. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: 6/22/23: Commissioner Wilson. A motion was made by Commissioner Williams to approve the absence, seconded by Commissioner Wanzer. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. v. BRIEFING: HARBOR BRIDGE PARKS MITIGATION PROJECT: Mai Bernal, Engineer IV, Engineering Service presented a brief presentation about the project scope, the park development plan and the hike and bike trails for the Harbor Bridge Mitigation Project. In December 2015 the City entered into a four -party agreement to implement the mitigation requirements of TxDOT and the Federal HighwayAdministration (FHWA) in the HilcrestArea, which includes the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Corpus Christi Housing Authority. The project remained on hold for several years due to the Harbor Bridge Buyout Program occurring in the area. In September 2021, Professional Services Agreement was awarded to HalffAssociates to design the plans for the Washington Coles Park, TC Ayers Park, Ben Garza Park, and the Dr. H.J. Williams Park. The project cost for the total construction is 15.98 million dollars. They are receiving $2.5 million from FHWA and $3.5 million from the 2014 City Bond, those funds have been allocated for the project. City Council approved the remaining funds needed. Ms. Bernal showed the connectivity map showing the hike and bike trail from Dr. H.J. Williams Park to the TC Ayers Park and around the curvature to the Washington Coles Park. The are from Washington Park to North Beach has already been constructed by Flatiron Development. Vice Chairman Williams asked what part of this is the $5.98 million, she answered this area is a small portion of the project, they expect everything to be done by December 2025. Ms. Bernal went on to show the design of the Washington Coles Park. There will be a parking area to accommodate the events that will be held there, overhead shade structures, as well as restrooms, a food truck court and they also plan to have a stage as well. Next, Ms. Bernal went on to talk about T.C. Ayers Park, for this park they did visit with the community and get input on what the community wanted, including putting a softball field back and a splash pad. Around the park they added historical interpretive signs to create the Freedom Walk, to be able to identify the important people in the community. Continuing to Ben Garza Park they are adding a playground, extending the parking area, and adding a community garden with a trail so people can walk around the park. Last for the Dr. H.J. Williams Park, the community asked for the color basketball court, and there is an existing basketball court on the Peabody and Linton side that the are going to revamp and make more useful for all. Community gardens and playgrounds have been added as well meeting the needs of some children who are mobility challenged. They are also adding a memorial for Dr. H.J. Williams per the request of the community. After the presentation Vice Chairman Williams asked what is the mitigation for? Ms. Bernal answered the mitigation is a record of decision requirement for TxDOT, since the bridge went through a community that is low income and challenged; they are required to improve the four parks. Commissioner Willson asked how the people were selected to be on the Historical Freedom Walk, Ms. Bernal said TxDOT has done a lot of the historical research and selected different people from the community. She will provide staff with a list to email it to the Commissioners. Commissioner McLaughlin about the plans for maintaining the four parks once they have been constructed. Ms. Bernal answered the Parks and Recreation Department will oversee the maintenance of the parks, there will also be security as well. This is a big investment, and they want the community to be able to use the parks, so that is why they took the time to get community input. Discussion concluded on the briefing. vi. PUBLIC HEARING -DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Robert Kurtz, Historic Preservation Officer, presented the following case: A. Case No. COAD 0723-01, The 600 Building, LLC.: Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition to allow for the demolition and replacement of exterior elements of a building on a tract of land addressed as 600 Leopard St. and described as LTS 1 & 2 BK 4, Bluff Subdivision, located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Leopard Street and North Upper Broadway Street, north of Leopard Street and south of Antelope Street. Mr. Kurtz gave the following presentation: COAD Items to be Demolished and Replaced Case No. COAD 0723-01 (600 Leopard St.) Municipal Code §13-4008. - Demolition review. A. The owner of a vacant downtown building may apply for a demolition permit from the Development Services Department. B. Demolition permits shall not be granted for any vacant downtown building constructed more than fifty (50) years prior to the date of the application unless a certificate of appropriateness for demolition is issued in accordance with section 3.16 of the Unified Development Code. For purposes of this section, the vacant downtown building that is more than fifty (50) years old will be treated as though it is a designated landmark or contributing structure located within a historic overlay zoning district. §3.16.1. Applicability A certificate of appropriateness for demolition is required prior to the demolition or removal of a designated landmark or contributing structure within a Historic Overlay zoning district or permanent landscaping of the landmark or structure. §3.16.2. Review Process A. Staff Review The Assistant City Manager of Development Services shall review the application and, considering the review criteria in Subsection 3.16.4, make a recommendation to the Landmark Commission. B. Landmark Commission Final Action 1. Following notice in accordance with Subsection 3.1.7, the Landmark Commission shall hold a public hearing and approve, approve with conditions, or deny the certificate of appropriateness for demolition. Any action taken by the Landmark Commission to demolish, change the exterior of or remove property on the preservation plan shall require a favorable vote of at least a majority of the Landmark Commission members. (Ordinance 029125, 07/12/11) 2. The Landmark Commission shall hold a public hearing on a certificate of appropriateness for demolition within 60 days from the date the application is deemed complete. §3.16.3. Stay of Demolition A. The Building Official shall automatically impose a 60 -day stay of demolition or removal at the time a permit is requested unless public health, safety and welfare are threatened. B. If the Landmark Commission denies the certificate of appropriateness for demolition, a maximum of 365 -day stay of demolition from the initial date of the application may be imposed by the Landmark Commission and any interested parties may explore alternatives to demolition. During the stay of demolition period, no demolition or removal permit shall be granted (Ordinance 032357, 02/23/2021). §3.16.4. Review Criteria In determining whether to approve, approve with conditions or deny a certificate of appropriateness for demolition, the applicable review bodies shall consider the following criteria. A. The uniqueness of the landmark or structure as a representative type of style of architecture, historic association, or other element of the original designation criteria applicable to such landmark or structure. B. The condition of the landmark or structure from the standpoint of structural integrity, landscaping, and the extent of work necessary to stabilize the structure. C. The economically viable alternatives available to the demolition applicant, including: 1. Donation of a part of the value of the landmark or structure to a public or nonprofit agency, including the conveyance of development rights and facade easement, 2. The possibility of sale of a part of all of the landmark or structure to a prospective purchaser capable of preserving the landmark or structure; 3. The potential of such structure for renovation and its potential for continuing use, 4. The potential of the site of the structure for rezoning in an effort to render the property more compatible with the physical potential of the structure; and 5. The ability of the landmark or structure to produce a reasonable economic return on investment for its owner, provided however, that it is specifically intended that this factor shall not have exclusive control and effect, but shall be considered along with all other criteria contained in the Section. D. Status of the structure under Chapter 13, Code Enforcement, of the Municipal Code. Items to be Demolished and Replaced 1. Complete replacement of curtain walls on the ground and the 21St floors. 2. Complete replacement of all windows on remaining floors. 3. Complete replacement of missing and damaged concrete fins on floors 2-6 (parking garage). All work is being done according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Staff Analysis and Recommendation: Staff recommends approval. The demolition of outdated material is required for the purposes of reuse. The builder is following the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation by updating materials to code while allowing minimal change to defining characteristics. Ralph Bradshaw, Lead Architect with Wisznia Architecture spoke about the buildings design what will be changed out, and replaced, he said all current windows do not comply with windstorm code or the energy code so they will have to be updated so they can comply, moisture has gotten into cracks and caused the concrete to deteriorate. The concrete hoods are historic and will remain the same. They will just be repaired. Chairman Mendez opened the Public Hearing. There being none the Public Hearing was closed. There being no further discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Wilson to approve the COAD and was seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. Vii. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER REPORT: Robert Kurtz. • Upper Westside Historic Resources Survey • Ritz Theater Tour • Littles-Martin home included in HUD funding application for FY23/FY24 CDBG allocation. • New Landmark Commission member Mr. Kurtz discussed the Upper Westside Historic Resources Survey contract was awarded to Preservation Central. Terri Myers, principal, will be in town the second week of September to do a recon of the area and some initial research prior to the team arriving. On August 8t", a few of the commissioners went on a tour of the Ritz Theatre. He also spoke about the Littles-Martin home located in Heritage Park, the home of Hattie Moore Littles, believed to be one of the first black natives of Corpus Christi, and her daughter, Mary Belle Littles-Martin, who taught piano in the home until her death in 1983. The home was in the family for over 60 years and in 2021 the home suffered water damage after a pipe burst during the freeze. The home is included in a HUD application that included a request for a Community Development Block Grant that would repair damages to the home. Mr. Kurtz welcomed Cheryl McLaughlin as the new Landmark Commissioner member; she is a Corpus Christi native fourth generation businessowner and fifth generation landowner. Commissioner McLaughlin stated she is excited to be here. After a commissioner comment on the local landmark at 821 Oak Park Avenue being listed for sale, Mr. Kurz replied he has been working with realtors and prospective buyers interested in the property to clarify the requirements of the Certificate of Appropriateness. viii. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Landmark recognition of Apollo Space Program sites (Building at Bill Witte Park demolished by city that housed satellite dish for first live broadcast), what will happen to Harbor Bridge fragments after demolition ix. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:38 pm.