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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_03.24.2016City of Georgetown, Texas Historic and Architectural Review Commission Minutes Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Council and Courts Building 101 E. 711, Street Georeetown, TX 78626 Members present: Lee Bain, Chair; Nancy Knight, Vice -Chair; Patty Eason; Shawn Hood; Richard Mee and Lawrence Romero. Commissioners in Training present: Jan Daum, Michael Friends and Lynn Williams Commissioners absent: Justin Bohls Staff present: Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner; Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary. Call to Order by Chair Bain at 6:03 p.m. with the reading of the order of business to be conducted. Regular Session A. Welcome and Meeting Procedures: • Staff Presentation • Applicant Presentation (Limited to ten minutes unless stated otherwise by the Commission.) • Questions from Commission to Staff and Applicant • Comments from Citizens • Applicant Response • Commission Deliberative Process • Commission Action * Those who speak must turn in a speaker form, located at the back of the room, to the recording secretary before the item they wish to address begins. Each speaker will be permitted to address the Commission one time only for a maximum of three minutes. Legislative Regular Agenda B. Welcome and Introduction of guests. Synatschk introduced City Manager, David Morgan. Mr. Morgan told a little about himself and wrapped up with the comment that "our future is as bright as our past". Synatschk introduced Assistant City Manager, Wayne Reed. Mr. Reed told a little about himself, how he supports preservation and thanked the commissioners for their service to the community. C. Review and possible approval of the minutes of the January 28, 2016 regular meeting and workshop. Motion by Mee to approve the minutes as submitted. Second by Eason. Approved 6 — 0. D. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for infill construction for the property located at 605 East University Avenue, bearing the legal description of Dimmit Addition, Block 84-85 (PT), 0.631 acres; Dimmit Addition, Block 84-85 (PT), 0.3939 acres; and Dimmit Addition, Block 84, SE Corner. Synatschk presented the project. The applicant is proposing an infill construction project which Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3 Meeting: March 24, 2016 includes two two-story buildings, with mixed retail and commercial use on the first floor and residential units on the upper floor. While the Downtown and Old Town Design Guidelines suggest a residential type setback, this project is located on the commercial edge of the Overlay District, adjacent to several multi -story commercial structures, religious institutions and educational facilities. The rear of the property will include parking and other surface amenities, providing a buffer for the residential district. In addition, the two story historic residential structure on the property will be rehabilitated and sold as a single family residence, creating additional buffering for the neighborhood. The proposed design maintains a human scale through the mixed materials and modulation of the facades, eliminating the single wall along any of the street facing fagade, complying with Guideline 14. The grade change and use of multiple buildings breaks the project into modules, as outlined by Guidelines 14.4, 14.5 and 14.6. The use of masonry materials, both brick and stone, along with the flat roof, is compatible with the overall characteristic of the district and complies with Guideline 14.8. The commercial storefronts, incorporating design elements representative of historic structures, create smaller modules on the first floor, while varying the design of the structure to add some architectural character. Additionally, the awnings incorporate design elements from historic buildings, creating a structure that represents current architectural design with compatible elements for the district. The proposed height is less than the 30 foot maximum height for the Old Town Overlay District, and utilizes a flat roof with a parapet wall to reduce the visual impact of the structure. The mechanical equipment will be placed on the roof and obscured by the parapet walls to reduce the visual impact of the structure and site design. Chair Bain asked the applicant, Lee McIntosh, about any variance in height and about signage. McIntosh said no other height changes and Synatschk explained that there would not be a Master Sign Plan so any signage would be reviewed administratively. Knight asked if he would be recycling the brick. McIntosh stated he would be reusing the brick from the 1925 structure and the 1962 structure at the building across the street, 701 University. Chair Bain opened the Public Hearing. Larry Olsen, of 300 91h Street, appreciated Mr. McIntosh sharing the plans with the neighbors and thanked him for redoing this project. He asked for "dark sky" lights in the parking area to keep the lights off the adjoin properties. He stated he also supports the 701 University project and the 3rd and Rock Street project that will be discussed later. Pam Mitchell, 1017 S. College, appreciated Mr. McIntosh working with the neighbors and supports the design of this project. Chair Bain closed the Public Hearing. Knight expressed frustration that there were only sketches to review and she wanted more material listings or samples to better show what was to be built. Motion by Mee to approve the project as submitted and asked the applicant to consider providing dark sky lights in the parking lot. Second by Eason. Approved 5 —1. (Knight opposed.) Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 2 of 3 Meeting: March 24, 2016 E. Discussion and possible direction regarding conceptual review for a proposed project at 3rd & Rock Streets - Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner Austin Pfiester introduced Stefanos Polyzoides, who designed the project. Mr. Polyzoides presented the proposals and explained that he was applying the multi -family type of project in the architectural form of Central Texas. There will be 12 residential units and a common room in the tower. Colored slides and designs were presented. The commissioners expressed appreciation for the design concepts. Some were concerned about the lack of direct parking for the residents. Pfiester explained that they felt there was enough parking in the area and that they were trying to make this area more pedestrian oriented. The applicants intend to bring the application back to HARC for review and action at the April meeting. The required Special Use Permit will be taken to the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 5'h and then to City Council later that month. F. Discussion and possible direction regarding conceptual review for a proposed project at 701 East University Avenue - Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner Lee McIntosh, owner and applicant, explained that the structure was the former home of the Georgetown Healthcare Clinic built in the late 1950's by Doctors Benold and Shephard. Originally he wanted to take the building down to its studs but looked at it and realized it is the only piece of 1950'2 architecture of its kind in the area. He has decided to raise the first floor 5 feet, since the center hall is only six and a half feet tall. The curved awning will be saved. The first floor will be for retail use and the second floor will be residential. Mr. McIntosh invited suggestions on any other designs for the project. Knight suggested echoing the arched awning somewhere else. McIntosh said he tried and it did not work. The horizontal, linear look was popular in that decade and there are further examples of this style in Hyde Park and Austin. Hood asked about balconies for the residents. McIntosh explained they were located on the back of the building. Commissioners expressed appreciation of the project. G. Questions and comments from Commissioners in Training. Mr. Williams expressed more concern about the parking situation for the 3rd and Rock Street project. H. Staff updates and reminder of upcoming meetings related to HARC. Synatschk reported that the Historic Resource Survey was ongoing and being done. There will be a walking tour to discuss the process on April 22nd. Everyone is invited to attend. There is an Open House on March 31 to talk about the Austin Avenue Bridges. The next HARC meeting is scheduled for April 281h. Motion by Knight, second by Romero to adjourn at 7:18 p.m. Aplioved 6 — 0. Approved, Lee Bain, Chair Attest, Rich d Mee Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 3 of 3 Meeting: March 24, 2016