HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_08.23.2012City of Georgetown,. Texas
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, August 23, 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 Brown, Anna Eby, David
Paul, Tim Urban, and Raymond Wahrerabrock.
Commissioners in Traixning present: not applicable
Members absent: none
Staff present: Robbie Wyler, Historic District Planner;. Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager;
and Karen Prost, 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.
Public Wishing to Address the Commission:
Each speaker will be permitted to address the Commission one time only for a maximum of
three (3) minutes_
On a subject that is posted on this agenda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which can
be found on the table at the entrance to the Council Chamber. Clearly print your name and the
letter of the item on which you wish to speak and present it to the Recording Secretary on the.
dais, preferably prior to the start of the meeting_ You will be called forward to speak when the
Commission considers that item.
Ona subject not posted on the agenda: Person may add an item to a future City Council
agenda by contacting the 1-1A1ZC Liaison no later than noon on the Thursday prior to the
Thursday meeting, with the subject matter of the topic they would like to address and their
name_ The HARC Liaison can be reached at 512/930-3581.
Y. Dan Marek, Georgetown Winery, regarding a recently denied transom sign by the HARC
Sign Subcommittee_
Mr_ Marek decided not to speak and withdrew his request to address the commission.
Consent Agenda:
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
His tarical and Architectural Comrnission
Mir�utes
August 23, 2012
1
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_
2. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the July 26, 2012 Regular HARC meeting.
Motion by Paul to accept the minutes as. written. Second by Wahrenbrock. Approved 5 —
O.
Regular. Agenda:
3_ Conceptual review and discussion with the architect of a proposed project at 90� and Main
Streets, to be called the Georgetown Art Center. (No action will be taken.)
Rapp explained that this item was for discussion only and that no action would be taken by
the commissioners. Blankenship recused herself to the audience because she had worked on
this project and did not want to influence the commissioners discussion.
Wyler introduced Gary Wang, Wang Architects. Wyler explained that the presentation was
an overall concept, the focus was not to include the small details on the benches, water
features,. etc_ They would be looking at the overall building, doors, paint, windows, and
signage_
Gary Wang explained that when he and his wife came to the area and saw the Square and
the character of the town,. they chose to live here instead of Austin. He is excited about this
project and feels that it is at the heart of the vitalization of the downtown area. He met with
several community groups to determine what they envisioned for the Arts and Culture
Center and for the downtown area. He stated that Georgetown needs tobe the fullest
expression of what Georgetown can be. He has worked on defining the program.
Georgetown Artworks wants to have rotating art in the center, mixed media types,
performance arts, a studio component and hands-on art for children and adults. They
determined that it is not the time for just a children's museum.
Wang explained that the center needs to be historical, but at the same time new and playful
for families_ He went on to provide a history of the building up to its current use. The large
bell created in 1882 in Missouri, and the plinth that it rests on, moved several times, along
with the standpipe that was erected in. 1884 before the current building was built. Wang
presented several pictures of the structurethroughout history. The plan is to maintain the
outdoor iron staircases, and replace the aluminum and glass storefront windows and doors.
They plan to remove the internal walls, keeping the original plaster on the interior walls,
and keeping the existing circular. stairway. They want to emphasize the character of the
original building and open up the front of the building by replacing the storefront windows.
The wooden windows- are being restored, not replaced with modern windows_ Rapp
explained that when the applicant came back for HARC approval, all renderings must be
complete and accurate, including paint samples, exact window examples, materials, etc.
There was much discussion of the three proposals for the outdoor park area and front door
and windows. The commissioners discussed the different bell location- options,
understanding that they will not have final review authority on that_ Wahrenbrock
I-Iis tori cal and Ardii tec tural Comraaissiort
Mirk. tea
August 23, 2012
z
provided additional water feature ideas that Wang said he would consider. Wahrenbrock
also suggested canting the front glass from top to bottom, not just the north to south angled
orientation as in one of the proposals. Eby expressed that she preferred directional scheme
option number 2 but felt it clashes with the historic feel of the building. Rapp agreed and
chose directional scheme option number 1 with the splash pad. Paul appreciated the design
keeping the open space in this area.
'Brewer explained that the inspiration for the splash pad and the open area is from the
Round Rock museum in downtown Round Rock; it has an open, great feel that draws
people to that area.. They wanted to have that same type of area in Georgetown. She
thanked the Commissioners for their comments. They expect to bring back the final design
soon.
4. Updates: from staff and reminder about a possible September 1_2, 2012 HAl2C Sign
Subcommittee meeting at the Georgetown Municipal Complex and September 27, 2oaa
HARC/HARC Sign Subcommittee meetings at Council Chambers.
S. Adjournment
Rapp adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
App owed, I?eeikapp, Chair
�_c
Attest, David Paul; Secretary
1-Iistoricai aria Architectural Commissidra
Minu [es
August 23, 2012