HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda_HARC_02.24.2024 HARC_ DemoNotice of Meeting for the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission Demolition Subcommittee
of the City of Georgetown
February 24, 2014 at 4:45 PM
at 2nd Floor, 816 S. Main Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626
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Regular Session
(This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose
authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.)
A Discussion of application for demotion approval at 101 & 109 2nd Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626.
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING
I, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of
Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times,
on the ______ day of __________________, 2014, at __________, and remained so posted for at least 72
continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting.
____________________________________
Jessica Brettle, City Secretary
City of Georgetown, Texas
SUBJECT:
Discussion of application for demotion approval at 101 & 109 2nd Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626.
ITEM SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
SUBMITTED BY:
Jackson Daly
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
CDC-2014-001 Staff Report Backup Material
Georgetown Downtown and Community Services Department Staff Report
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
CDC-2014-001 718 S. Austin Avenue Page 1 of 4
Meeting Date: February 27, 2014 Agenda Item: A
File Number: CDC-2014-001
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
Public Hearing and possible action on a Certificate of Design Compliance request for exterior
alterations at City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 6-8 (PTS), .14 acres, located at 718 South
Austin Ave.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
Project Name: Books on Tap
Applicant: Preston and Sarah Stone
Project Address: 718 S. Austin Ave
Relative Location: Northwest corner of S Austin Ave and 8th Street
Legal Description: City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 6-8 (PTS), .14 acres
Historic Overlay: Downtown, Area 1
APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Applicant seeks a Certificate of Design Compliance for new business signage and exterior
lighting
HISTORIC CONTEXT
Date of construction: 1885
Historic Resources Survey Priority: 1984 - Low
2007 - Medium
National Register Designation: Contributing Structure in NR District
Texas Historical Commission Designation: No State Designation
STAFF ANALYSIS
The proposed project at 718 S. Austin Avenue includes a projecting sign, canopy mounted
signage and window and door signage. Additionally, the applicant seeks approval for a
playbill box on the south façade and new exterior lighting along the south façade. The
structure is identified in the 2007 Historic Resource Survey as a medium priority structure.
Georgetown Downtown and Community Services Department Staff Report
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
CDC-2014-001 718 S. Austin Avenue Page 2 of 4
However, the completed restoration project removed the slip cover and restored many of the
character defining features, leading to a High priority designation.
The proposed signage includes door mounted signage incorporated in to the new door
handles, canopy mounted aluminum letters, window signage, a hanging sign and a projecting
sign on the south façade.
Canopy Mounted Signage: The proposed aluminum letters for the canopy mounted
signage are 17 feet in length and 2 feet tall, creating a total
area of 34 square feet. The canopy width is 35 feet.
Window Signage: The proposed vinyl window decals will replicate the
diagonal components of the business logo.
Hanging Sign: Two hanging signs are proposed for the structure, located
under the canopy edge on S. Austin Ave and 8th Street. The
carved MDO signs will be highlighted with gold leaf,
creating the business logo. The signs measure 1 foot by 4
feet, creating a total square footage of 4 feet.
Projecting Sign: The proposed projecting sign measures 2 feet by 2.8 ft,
creating a total square footage of 5.6 feet. The sign
construction will be carved MDO with gold leaf and
mounted above the 8th Street entrance.
Door Signage: Applicant proposes the installation of two copper handles
on the primary entrance on S Austin Avenue, with a third
handle on the 8th Street entrance. The business name will be
carved in to the copper, creating additional signage.
The applicant also proposes the installation of a 4 foot by 3 foot poster box on the 8th Street
façade, along with additional lighting next to the two 8th Street entrances.
APPLICABLE DESIGN GUIDELINES
Guideline 9.1 – Consider the building front as part of an overall sign program.
• The proposed signage plan complements the architecture of the structure
and incorporates details from the aluminum storefront in to the design.
Georgetown Downtown and Community Services Department Staff Report
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
CDC-2014-001 718 S. Austin Avenue Page 3 of 4
Guideline 9.2 – A sign shall be subordinate to the overall building composition
• The proposed signage blends with the design of the structure and does not
obscure any character defining features.
Guideline 9.3 – A primary sign should identify the services or business offered within.
• The proposed primary signage includes the name of the business.
Guideline 9.4 – A secondary sign should identify the services or business offered within.
• The proposed secondary signage includes the name of the business.
Guideline 9.8 – A window sign may be considered.
• The proposed window decals are appropriate for the structure and accent
the aluminum storefront.
Guideline 9.9 – A hanging sign may be considered.
• The proposed hanging signs are appropriate for the structure and highlight
the entrances.
Guideline 9.10 – A projecting sign may be considered
• The proposed projecting signs are appropriate for the structure and
highlight the entrances.
Guideline 9.11 – Awning and canopy signs may be considered
• The proposed canopy sign accentuates the aluminum storefront and does
not obscure any character defining elements of the structure.
Guideline 9.17 – Sign materials should be compatible with that of the building façade.
• The aluminum letters mimic the design of the storefront and the wooden
signs accentuate the trim around the windows.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
As of the date of this report, no public comments have been received by the City.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the proposed signage and lighting project for 718 S. Austin
Avenue.
Georgetown Downtown and Community Services Department Staff Report
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
CDC-2014-001 718 S. Austin Avenue Page 4 of 4
ATTACHMENTS
The completed application packet is attached to this staff report.
SUBMITTED BY
Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner
January 2, 2013
Letter of intent for proposed construction
Project name: Books on Tap: Minor Improvements and Signage
Project Address: 718 S. Austin Ave.
Location: Southwest corner of the Square
Applicable Guidelines:
Each of our proposed alterations are in line with HARC’s design goals for Area 1 as laid out
on page 2 of the Downtown and Old Town Overlay Design Guidelines which ask store owners
“to design commercial buildings with storefront elements similar to those seen traditionally
(i.e., a commercial building should include: recessed entries, display windows, kick plates,
transom windows, midbelt cornices, cornices or pediments, and vertically-oriented
upper-story windows…”. In addition, in writing this proposal the authors were diligent in
adhering to one of HARC’s overall concerns, that “the integrity of an individual historic
structure is preserved” as can be found on page 7 of the Downtown and Old Town Overlay
Design Guidelines.
We are seeking approval:
-to replace the existing aluminum double doors with wooden double doors (stained with
Tudor Mahogany Finish) with high metal bronze kick plates and a custom handle based on
the business’s logo. -for a custom copper handle on the existing side entry door on 8th street
that will match the proposed double doors.
-to paint over the current aluminum framing on the storefront windows with bronze.
-for the addition of a single wooden door (stained with Tudor Mahogany Finish) with a
bronze kick plate to allow access to the future apartments on the second story.
-for signage to be placed on top of the front facing canopy and also above 1 of the side entry
doors.
-to hang wooden signs beneath the existing canopy, 1 above the front entry and 1 on the
southern side of the canopy facing 8th street.
-for lighting beneath the existing front canopy.
-for lighting flanking both sides of the existing side door and for lighting on the eastern side of
the proposed side door that is currently covered.
-for a free standing, wooden A-frame sign.
-for a display light box on the southern wall facing 8th street.
-to allow our logo to be printed onto the glass display windows and double doors facing Austin
Avenue as well as the existing 8th street door.
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-for signage on the single door on Austin Avenue leading to the top floor indicating the
address and apartment numbers.
Guidelines and Policies Supporting the Exterior Remodel:
4.8 Replace missing original details in kind.
-We propose to paint over the aluminum framing with a bronze color which more
accurately matches materials used during the time period.
-This aligns with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation which
states: “10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in
such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic
property and its environment would be unimpaired.”
-This is also meets HARC’s policy as stated on page 44 of the Guidelines: “Policy:
Architectural metals should be protected against corrosion.”
6.20 When window or door replacement is necessary, match the replacement to the original
design as closely as possible.
-The existing doors and casing are not reflective of the same Period of Significance that
the remainder of the property is (i.e, the 1920s; see Guidelines page 73).
-There is photographic evidence of the subject property supporting the proposed
change (included in your packet).
-We propose to replace the aluminum/glass double doors with wooden doors with high
kick plates that more accurately represent the time period in which the building was
remodeled.
- The HARC Guidelines specify “wood is preferred as a replacement material.” (62)
-The proposed change would additionally enhance the overall integrity of the building
and provide a better representation of the building's Period of Significance. From page 33 of
the Guidelines:
Concept of “Integrity”
In addition to being historically significant, a property must also have integrity
-- a significant percentage of the structure must date from the period of
significance. The majority of the building's structural system and its materials
should date from that time and its key character-defining features also should
remain intact.
-Further support for the change is found on page 52:
Windows & Doors
Windows and doors are some of the most important character-defining
features of historic structures. They give scale to buildings and provide visual
interest to the composition of individual facades.
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-Also, when viewed in the totality of its environment, the proposed alteration would
assist the Commission in meeting it’s objective to create a cohesive and aesthetically
consistent pedestrian streetscape. We have included photographs of other storefronts on the
Square dating from the same period, most of which are located on the same block as our
building.
Commercial Facades
Commercial buildings should, for the most part, all relate to the street and to
pedestrians in the same manner: with a clearly defined primary entrance and
large windows that display goods and services offered inside. The repetition
of these standard elements creates a visual unity on the street that
should be preserved. (Emphasis added, Guidelines page 52.)
-Finally, the change speaks directly to the The Basic Presentation Principles for
Georgetown found on page 34 of the Guidelines:
1. Respect the historic design character of the building.
Do not try to change a building’s style or make it look older than it really is.
Confusing the character by mixing elements of different styles is not
appropriate.
***
4. Preserve key, character-defining features of the property.
Key features are those that help convey the character of the resource as it
appeared during its period of historical significance. These may include the
basic structural system and building materials, as well as windows, doors,
porches, and ornamentation. Typically, those items that are on the front
of the building or that are highly visible from a public way will be
most important.
(emphases added)
9.2 A sign shall be subordinate to the overall building composition.
-Mount a sign to fit within existing architectural features. Use the shape of the sign to
help reinforce the horizontal lines of moldings and transoms seen along the street.
9.3 A primary sign should identify the services or business offered within.
-The primary sign should be easily viewable from a vehicle with as little visual clutter
as possible
9.8 A window sign may be considered.
-A window sign may be considered in addition to the primary building sign to convey
specific information regarding contact in formation (i.e. telephone number, email, or web
address of a business), other business locations, or list more than one (1) specific product or
service.
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9.9 A hanging sign may be considered.
9.10 A projecting sign may be considered
9.12 A directory sign for multi-tenant buildings must be considered.
9.13 A portable sign may be considered, in the Downtown Overlay District.
-Portable signs are intended for pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk and can convey
specific information regarding contact information.
-An A-frame or sandwich board sign should be limited to 12 square feet of surface per
side and should in no case exceed four feet in height and three feet in width
9.15 A sign should not in any way obscure or compete with architectural details of an historic
building facade.
-A sign should be designed to integrate with the architectural features of a building not
distract attention from them.
9.16 Signs that are out of character with those seen historically and that would alter the
historic character of the street are inappropriate.
-Any sign that visually overpowers the building or obscures significant architectural
features is inappropriate.
9.17 Sign materials should be compatible with that of the building facade.
-A simple, easy-to-read sign design is preferred.
-Typefaces that are in keeping with those seen in the area traditionally are encouraged.
-Painted wood and metal are appropriate materials for signs. Their use is encouraged.
Unfinished materials, including untreated wood, are discouraged because they are out of
character with the context of the Overlay Districts.
-Highly reflective materials that will be difficult to read are inappropriate.
11.1 Develop a color scheme for the entire building that coordinates all the facade elements.
-We propose changing the aluminum framing to bronze in order to match the
proposed wooden doors and tie the elements of the building together for a more cohesive view.
-The second story of the building has already received permission from HARC to keep
with the brown color.
11.2 Paint colors should enhance individual building elements while creating a unified,
coordinated appearance for the entire structure.
-The proposed wooden doors and painted bronze framing on the front display windows
will keep a more unified front than the current aluminum framing that is not color
coordinated with the current HARC approved second story windows.
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