HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 03/28/2024 MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
LANDMARK COMMISSION
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
CITY HALL 6T" FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM -4:30 pm
1201 LEOPARD STREET
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024
COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS:
Armando Mendez-Chairman Albert Montez
Melissa Espinoza Jeff Mumme
Matthew Forrester Dr. James Pruitt-Vice Chair
Gordon Landreth Elizabeth Riggle
Cheryl McLaughlin Michelle Wanzer
Veronica Wilson
STAFF:
Robert Kurtz, Historic Preservation Officer
Ruth Bocchino, Agenda Coordinator
Buck Brice, Assistant City Attorney (absent)
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL.
Chairman Mendez called the meeting to order at 4:40 pm and a quorum was established with
Commissioners Montez and Mumme absent.
��. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 22, 2024.
A motion was made by Commissioner McLaughlin to approve the minutes as presented by staff
and seconded by Commissioner Landreth. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
iv. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: February 22, 2024: Commissioners Montez and Wanzer.
A motion was made by Commissioner Forrester to approve the absence of Commissioner
Wanzer, seconded by Commissioner Wilson. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Commissioner Forrester to disapprove the absence of Commissioner
Montez, seconded by Commissioner Riggle. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
v. PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Robert Kurtz, Historic
Preservation Officer
1) Case No. COA 0328-01, Brennan Wells Properties: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow
for the repair and restoration of a building on a tract of land addressed as 821 Oak Park,
described as Lots 1 through 4 & Lots 21 & 22, Block 2, Oak Park Subdivision, located at the
north corner of the intersection of Up River Road and Oak Park Ave., northeast of Up River
road, and northwest of Oak Park Ave.
Mr. Kurtz presented a PowerPoint describing the property at 821 Oak Park in detail; along
with the plans for the property by the owners.
SUMMARY: COA UDC:
3.15.1. Applicability
A. A certificate of appropriateness shall be required in the following circumstances before the
commencement of development within or work upon any designated landmark or contributing
structure located within a Historic Overlay:
1. Whenever such work includes the erection, moving, demolition, reconstruction, or
alteration of the exterior of any landmark or structure.
B. Ordinary repair or maintenance of any exterior architectural feature as defined in Article 1
shall not be restricted by this Section unless it involves a change in design, material, color,
or other appearance.
C. This provision shall also apply to the City and its boards, commissions, agencies, utilities,
and those companies or individuals furnishing telephone services, cable television, or other
utilities to the public.
3.15.2. Review Process
A. Staff Review
The Assistant City Manager of Development Services shall review the application and,
considering the review criteria in Subsection 3.15.3, make a recommendation to the
Landmark Commission.
B. Landmark Commission Final Action
1. The Landmark Commission shall hold a public meeting and approve, approve with
conditions, or deny the certificate of appropriateness. Any action taken by the Landmark
Commission shall be approved by a majority vote but in any event by not less than 5
members.
2. In the event the Landmark Commission shall fail to act within 30 days, the certificate of
appropriateness shall be deemed approved by the Landmark Commission.
C. Negotiation After Denial
1. If the Landmark Commission denies the application, it shall advise the applicant in writing
within 30 days of the denial, and the Landmark Commission shall attempt to preserve the
landmark as follows:
a. A 90-day waiting period can be imposed and enforced from the date of its notice of
denial, during which period negotiations shall be conducted with applicant in an
effort to preserve landmark or structure.
b. The Landmark Commission, the applicant, and the Assistant City Manager of
Development Services shall work together during the period to find a mutually
agreeable method of completing the proposed change.
c. Discussions will continue during the waiting period to find a solution to preserving
the landmark or structure, including recommendations to the City Council
2. If a means of preserving the structure or landmark is not agreed to by the Landmark
Commission and applicant within the waiting period, Landmark Commission, upon the
expiration of such waiting period, shall issue a certificate of appropriateness with respect to
the proposed change.
3.15.3 Review Criteria
A. The proposed change will not adversely affect any significant historical or aesthetic feature
of the landmark or structure and is appropriate and consistent with the spirit and purposes
for preserving the improvement as a landmark or structure.
B. Work proposed in the application is in compliance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings and following criteria as they relate to
surrounding improvements:
1. Site and setting;
2. Building Height;
3. Proportion of openings;
4. Rhythm of solids to voids of principle facades;
5. Rhythm of spacing and buildings or structures on the street;
6. Relationship of entrance porch and other projections;
7. Roof shapes;
8. Continuity of walls;
9. Scale of buildings;
10. Signage;
11. Design;
12. Views and vistas.
3.15.4 Compliance Inspections
A. It shall be the responsibility of the Assistant City Manager of Development Services to
issue the actual certificate of appropriateness following approval by the Landmark
Commission, with any designated conditions, and to maintain a copy of the certificate,
together with the proposed plans.
B. Work performed pursuant to the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness shall conform
to the requirements of the certificate. In the event that work is not in compliance, the Building
Official shall issue a stop work order or citation as prescribed by ordinance.
PROPERTY OVERVIEW:
Built circa 1930. Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival, Mediterranean. Two story
stucco and brick residence with 3 west facing bays and a red ceramic tile hip roof. Mission-
influenced arched gateways and parapets. Designed by local architect, N.W. Hardy.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark (1999). Title: Grossman-Graham House. Ed and Sadie
Grossman (1931): Entrepreneurs in Clothing, shopping centers, real estate. President of
Temple Beth EI, and founder of several Jewish women's organizations. Tom and Virginia
Graham (1935): Minister and oil tycoon.
Purchased by Julia Prokhorova and Brennan Wells in August 2023. Future Plans: "Our intent
for the property is to restore the home to as close to its original grandeur as possible." "The
reason my wife and I purchased this home is our love of history and love of community. We
would like to ultimately transform the property into a beautiful reminder of a forgotten era that
shaped much of Corpus Christi. As a residence, the magic of this home and time will be
hidden from future generations, but as an event facility, we envision beautiful weddings,
birthdays, corporate parties, and much more."
The Secretary of Interior's Standard for Rehabilitation (Abridged):
1. New uses allowed with minimal change to defining characteristics.
2. Preserve historic fabric and character.
3. No false sense of historical development.
4. Maintain changes that have acquired historic significance.
5. Preserve distinctive features, finishes, techniques, craftsmanship.
6. Repair historic features rather than replace.
Repair or Replace: Glass: Both. Sash: Both. Hardware: Both. Jamb/Frame: Repair. Whole
window: Repair. If you rebuild an entirely new window using the same methods and materials,
the window is required to meet current wind codes.
GARAGE /APARTMENTS:
This building was most likely constructed at a later date. However, it still falls under the
Historic Overlay and requires, albeit minimal, attention.
Two main points of interest:
1. Roof remains the same as the main house.
2. Windows match the house.
Overall, the building should match or compliment the main house.
STAFF ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDATION:
All work is being done according to the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of
Historic Properties
Following approval by Landmark Commission, all work will be inspected, recorded, and
approved by the Assistant City Manager of Development Services.
If materials are no longer available, like materials will be used in their place to match existing
styles.
Staff recommends approval of Certificate of Appropriateness.
Mr. Brennan Wells, 821 Oak Park Road, spoke to the commissioners and detailed his plans
to keep the structure as original as possible. Mr. Wells has contacted vendors for
repair/replacement of the structure.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilson to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with
the following conditions: owners choose the wall height; remove bars as necessary; remove
windows; all at their discretion; seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin. The Roll Call Vote: Aye:
Chairman Mendez, Vice Chairman Pruitt, Commissioners Espinoza, Forrester, Landreth,
McLaughlin, Riggle, Wanzer, and Wilson. Absent: Commissioners Montez and Mumme. The
motion passed.
2) Discuss and select award nominees (vote at the end of April)
No vote necessary; will vote the end of April Mr. Kurtz presented possible nominees;
architects and history book nominees.
CATEGORIES:
Buildings/Properties nominated must be 50 years or older and show the use of the Secretary of
the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties: Carl Slaughter, 314 Clifford
Street; Dallas Hotel
Architects/Organizations nominated must demonstrate innovation in preservation mechanisms
or be working towards a lasting impact regarding preservation projects within the city:
Whataburger Field, cotton warehouses; Richard Stewart Colley; Jim Rome.
History Books nominated must be a historical monograph (past or present) that communicates
the history of Corpus Christi; Mary Jo O'Rear; Dr. Norman C. Delaney.
Education Award recipients may be individuals or organizations that promote educating the
public on the history of Corpus Christi, the preservation of community resources, or the need
for historic preservation in general; Jillian Becquet; Kathy Weimer.
V1. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER REPORT: Robert Kurtz, Historic Preservation Officer.
1) Preservation Month: Art Contest, Events. Mr. Kurtz discussed the Annual Historic
Preservation Art Contest and possible judges.
vii. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: No report.
vin. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Update on C.O.A. Email nominees to Mr. Kurtz. Sunrise Cemetery
update. 821 Oak Park updates.
ix. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at
6:04 pm.
Chairman