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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_05.26.2016City of Georgetown, Texas Historic and Architectural Review Commission Minutes Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Council and Courts Building 101 E. Th Street Georgetown, TX 78626 Members present: Nancy Knight, Vice -Chair; Justin Bohls; Patty Eason; Richard Mee and Lawrence Romero. Commissioners in Training present: Jan Daum, Michael Friends and Lynn Williams Commissioners absent: Lee Bain, Chair; Shawn Hood; Staff present: Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner; Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary. Call to Order by Vice -Chair Knight at 6:00 p.m. with the reading of the meeting procedures. Regular Session A. Welcome and Meeting Procedures Legislative Regular Agenda B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2016 meeting. Motion by Eason to approve the minutes as submitted. Second by Bohls. Approved 5 - 0 - 2 (2 absent). C. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for exterior alterations and an addition for the property located at 207 South Church Street, bearing the legal description of Whittle Addition, Block 1, Lot 2, 0.33 acres. Synatschk presented the staff report. The applicant is proposing the construction of a 928 square foot addition to a 1,276 square foot house, exceeding the 25% threshold. The size of the addition requires additional design elements to reduce the impact on the historic structure, including setting back the addition from the primary street facing fagade, and utilization of compatible materials to design a complete structure, while differentiating the addition from the historic structure. The proposed design accomplishes both stated goals, with a six foot setback on the Church Street fagade and the utilization of composite siding. The proposed porch extension maintains the form and the roofline of the existing porch. However, the applicant proposes replacing the existing metal porch railing with a wooden railing, adversely impacting the historic character of the porch. The removal of historic features is incompatible with the Design Guidelines. The proposed fireplace and bay window will be clad in the same composite siding as the addition, creating a differentiation between the historic structure and the new components. Fireplaces are common to the architectural style, and the materials are appropriate for the structure. The design of the bay window is not consistent with the architectural style of the structure, Ranch style houses typically exhibit traditional windows and one or more picture windows, but bay windows are not a component of the style. Based on the findings, staff recommends: approval of the proposed addition, approval of the proposed fireplace, approval of Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 1 of 3 Meeting: May 26, 2016 the proposed porch extension, with the condition that the metal railings remain intact and denial of the proposed bay window. Carl Illig, representing the owner, spoke for the owners and explained that his drawings were a result of him learning a new software and that the 3D representation of the bay window was inaccurate. He also explained that aluminum railing could also be considered. He also stated that all windows of the house would be replaced with more energy efficient windows. Commissioners asked questions and expressed concern that the removal of the windows would take away from the character of the house. The Public Hearing was opened. Patricia Taylor spoke for the project. She and her husband just moved here from Wyoming and appreciate the volunteerism and look forward to being part of the community. The Public Hearing was closed with no additional speakers coming forth. Motion by Mee to approve the application as submitted but with staff recommendations. Second by Bohls. There was further discussion about the windows and replacements. Motion by Romero to amend the motion to approve the bay window per the applicant's request. Second by Eason. Motion failed 2 - 3 - 2 (Knight and Romero for, 3 opposed, 2 absent) Original motion failed 3 - 2 - 2 (Bohls, Eason, Mee for, 2 opposed, 2 absent) Motion by Knight to approve the application as recommended by staff but with the exception that the casement windows will match the divided light current windows or will have solid plate glass panes. Second by Mee. Motion approved 5 - 0 -2 (2 absent). D. Update on Administrative Certificates of Appropriateness issued during the previous month. Synatschk reported that only one COA had been approved administratively in the previous month and that was for signage for Nathanial's Hats on 7th Street. E. Comments or Questions by Commissioners -in -Training There were no comments by the Commissioners -in -Training F. Updates from staff on work being done for Historic Resource Survey. Synatschk reported that the field work was completed the week prior. There was a mobile workshop that was well attended. The consultants have now taken their work into the office to work on the statistic sheets for each structure and to work on the new GIS layer. He estimates the project will be completed with available data in 6 - 8 months. G. Updates on current projects and future meetings. Eason requested that staff provide a full report at the next meeting for the recent project on University and for all current major projects. Nelson spoke on the topic to clarify what the commissioners are expecting. She suggested a spreadsheet could be prepared that would identify Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 2 of 3 Meeting: May 26, 2016 rolling milestones. This will be rolled out at the next meeting and then possibly updated by email. Synatschk reported that the Austin Avenue Bridges consultants have been hired. They will be having a public process to discuss possible replacement of the bridges. May is Preservation Month and he gave a historical marker rehabilitation workshop. A proclamation was read at City Council and Commissioner's Court on May 101h. The next Main Street Advisory Board networking lunch is June 201h and the next HARC meeting will by Thursday, June 23rd. There will not be a demolition subcommittee meeting on June 131". Motion by Mee, second by Romero to adjourn at 6:53 p.m. Approved 5 — 0 — 2 (2 absent). Approved, cy Knight, Vic Chair Attest, Lawrence Romero Historic and Architectural Review Commission Page 3 of 3 Meeting: May 26, 2016