HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_07.26.2012City of Georgetown, Texas
Historic and Architectural Review CoM.IXIIiSSion Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, July 26, 2012, at 6:00 p.m -
City Council and Municipal Court Building, Georgetown, TX 78627
101 E. 7.. Street, Georgetown, TX 78626
Members present: Dee Rapp, Chair; Sarah Blankenship; Jennifer Srovvrt, A.nria Eby, David
Paul, Tim Urban, and Raymond Wahrenbrock.
Commissioners in Training present: not applicable
Members absent: none
Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner; 'Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager;.
and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary_
Regular Session - To begin no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
The Historic and Architectural Review Commission, appointed by the Mayor and the City
Council, is responsible for hearing and taking final action on applications,by issuing
Certificates of Design Compliance based upon the City Council adopted Downtown Design
Guidelines and Unified Development Code.
(Commission may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene an Executive Session at
the request of the Chair, a Commissioner, the Director or legal counsel for any purpose
authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551.)
Rapp called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Consent At_erxda-
The Consent Agenda includes non -controversial and routine items that the Commission may
act on with one single vote. A Commissioner or any member of the public may request that any
item from the Consent Agenda be pulled in order that the Commission discuss and act upon it
individually as part of the Regular Agenda. The Historic and Architectural Review
Commission's approval of an item on the Consent Agenda will be consistent with the staff
recommendation described in the report unless otherwise noted.
1_ Review and possible .approval of the minutes from the June 28, 2012 Regular f-IARC meeting
and July 2, 2012 Special meeting.
Blankenship asked that extra notes regardingitem number 3 be added to clarify comments
by herself and Wahrenbrock. Rapp had several additions and corrections regarding item
number 5 and additions to the public comments-. Frost explained she would be able to make
the corrections for clarification as noted, but that the public comments are supposed to be
summarized,, not detailed items of who stated exactly what. The audio recording of the
meeting is kept for an exact record of the meeting should anyone have any questions.
Motion by Paul to approve the minutes of the June 28 meeting and the July 2 special
meeting as amended. Second by Urban. Approved 5 - O -2_ (Brown and Eby abstained as
they were not present for the July 2 meeting.)
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2. Discussion and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance request for new
business signage at City of Georgetown, Block 40, Lot 7 (nw/pt), also known as Georgetown
Winery, located at 715 S. Main Street. (CDC-2012-030)
3. Discussion and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance request for new
business signage at City of Georgetown, Block 2, Lots 1 — 8, also known as ai Monumento,
located at 205 VV. 2^. Street. (CDC-2012-031)
Urban reported that both items, 2 and 3, were discussed and action taken at the Sign
Subcommittee meeting at 5:30. Item number 2 was partially approved, and Item number 3
was completely approved as submitted_
Regular Agenda:
4. Discussion and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance request for the
construction of a playground pergola in Cold Towres Cutlot Division B, Block 10 (pt),_ also
known as Grace Episcopal Church, located at 1314 E. University Avenue. (CDC-2012-028)
Wyler presented the. staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance
approval from HARC to install a freestanding cedar pergola on site within an existing
playground area. The playground is located immediately to the east/southeast of the
church, just north of a parking area.
The agent has designed an 11' by 1 2' cedar pergola that will be used to provide shade for the
church's preschool and miscellaneous events. Atop the pergola will be art 8mm (1/2")
polyearbonate material .that will be screwed down_ This material is also known as polygal.
The polygal will act as another shade source as well as a protective barrier from the sun and
inclement weather.
Wyler stated the addition met Guideline 7.8 — Art addition shall be compatible in scale,
materials and character with the main building. The applicant hasdesigned the pergola
such that it blends in with the property and surrounding neighborhood. Many residential
properties in Cold Town have wooden pergolas_ The main buildingis not affected and the
size of the canopy remains relatively small compared to the church and playground area.
The pergola will have low visibility from University Avenue.
Wyler presented the applicant's agent, Mathew Channel of Southern Outdoor Appeal for
commissioners to ask questions.
Commissioners did .not have any questions and responded that they agreed with staff that
this met the Guidelines. Rapp :opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. The public hearing
was closed immediately with no :speakers coming forth.
Motion by Urban to approve the CDC as presented. Second by Paul. Approved 7 - O.
5. Discussion and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance request for the
relocation of an historic accessory structure in Old Town's Snyder Addition, Block 9 (pt),
located at 11_02 E_ University Avenue. (CDC-2012-029)
Wyler presented the staff report. The applicant seeks Certificate of Design Compliance
(CDC) approval from HARC to move an accessory structure to the south portion of his lot to
make way for a circular driveway in the side/rear yard. The 12.25' wide by 20.20' long
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historic wooden frame shed/garage will be moved approximately 50 feet from its current
location near Olive Street to the back yard as shown on the provided survey. Ist its place, a
circular driveway will be constructed to allow on -site parking_ At the new location, the
structure will be used as a shed but will maintain a garage appearance.
Wyler cited Guideline 7.13 — Only as a last resort should an historic structure be considered
for demolition_ Rather than demolishing the structure to make way for the driveway, the
applicant wishes to relocate and continue using. it. All required permits will be obtained
prior to the relocation. Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance -
as proposed_ The historic accessory structure is being saved, just moved elsewhere on the
property to make way for a driveway.
Suzanne Grove was introduced as the applicant and available for questions. Ms. Grove
explained that the reason for moving the structure was for safety reasons. In its present
location the homeowners have to back out of their driveway into the busy street and close to
a busy intersection_
Rapp explained that this property is across the street from her residence and fully supports
this application, stating the neighbors had worked very hard to preserve and save the
original structure_ Blankenship asked about a driveway to the proposed location of the
structure. Ms. Grove explained that the structure would be moved off their current
driveway to the back of a vacant lot which they own, behind their lot. 'Then their driveway
will beextended onto the second lot to create a circular driveway, elianinatitg the need to
back onto Olive Street and providing access to the structure.
Urban questioned the foundation plan for the structure. Ms. Grove explained that the
structurewas originally on a concrete slab_ It was elevated onto runners to allow moving.
She said she and her husband would put the runners onto whatever surface the commission
recommends. Wyler explained that the city will inspect the foundation for the building and
it will be built to code_
Motion by Blankenship to approve the CDC as presented with the condition that the
foundation of the structure be appropriate for the protection of the building. Second by
Urban_ Approved 7 - O.
6. Election of a third Sign Subcommittee member to join Blankenship and Urban.
Rapp welcomed Eby to the commission, explaining Susan Firth had resigned and therefore
we needed a third member on the Sign Subcommittee. Wahreanbrock volunteered.
Rapp nominates Wahrenbrocic for the Sign Subcommittee. Second by Urban. Approved 6 -
O -1_ (Wahrernbrock abstained_)
7. Election of a third Demolition Subcommittee member to join Paul and Wahrerlbrock_
Rapp nominates Eby for Demolition Subcommittee. Second by Paul. Approved 6 - O - 1
(Eby abstained.)
8. Updates from staff and reminder about a possible August 8, 2012 HARC Sign Subcommittee
meeting at the Georgetown Municipal Complex and August 23, 2012 1-1ARC/I3A1@C Sign
Subcommittee meetings at Council Chambers.
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Wyler reported that there will not be an August 8 Sign Subcommittee meeting, but probably
an August 23. meeting. He also reported the proposed, amended Design Guidelines were
approved at First Reading by City Council on July 24. The Second Reading will be August
14", _
Wyler reported that None Winter, author of the Downtown Master Plan and Design
Guidelines, will be making a presentation on the downtown "pedestrian friendly" area on
August 15, 2012. All I -ARC Commissioners are invited. More information will be sent as to
exact time and location.
Waltrenbrock questioned the recent action by City Council inregards to the new absentee
policy for boards and co+-•+*n+ssicats. Brewer explained that the recent changes will be sent
via email by the city secretary's office_ That will be Forwarded to the commissioners.
9. Adjournment
Rapp adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m-
Appro ed, Dee Rapp, Chair
Attest, David Paul, Secretary
Historical and Architectural Commission
Mirnu tea
July 26, 2012