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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_02.22.2024Minutes of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, February 22, 2024 The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Council and Court Building, 510 W 9th Street. The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 808 Martin Luther King, Jr Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. The following Members were in attendance: Present were: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Public Wishing to Address the Board 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 meeting room. Clearly print your name and the letter of the item on which you wish to speak and present it to the Board Liaison prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called forward to speak when the Board considers that item. Only persons who have delivered the speaker form prior to the meeting being called to order may speak. Speakers will be allowed up to three minutes to speak. If you wish to speak for six minutes, it is permissible to use another requestor's granted time to speak. No more than six minutes for a speaker may be granted. The requestor granting time to another speaker must also submit a form and be present at the meeting. On a subject not posted on the agenda: A request must be received by the Advisory Board or Commission Liaison prior to the day the agenda for this mee ng is posted. Each speaker will be given three minutes to address the Board or Commission members. No action can be taken. 1. Regular Session 1.A Meeting Minutes Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2024 regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission -- Erica Metress, Planning Specialist Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Alton Martin to Approve the February 8, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Voting Against: None 1.B 2024-1-COA (1605 E. 17th Street) Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for a new fence that is inconsistent with the overlay district's characteristics and applicable guidelines at the property located at 1605 E. 17th Street, bearing the legal description of 0.49 acres out of Block 9, Lots 6-8, Nolen Addition (2024-1-COA) -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report. Alternate Commissioner Blomquist asked for a reason in raising the fence height from four feet to six feet. Clayton Miles, owner, approached the podium to address the Commission and explained that the fence will be raised because it provides more security. Miles proceeded to provide a few examples of concerning incidents in the area. Commissioner Romero asked if the opacity of the six-foot wooden fence is acceptable. Miles explained that the six-foot fence will be placed for privacy for the neighbor directly behind the property. O'Kelley clarified that HARC does not have purview over the wooden section. Chair Walton opened the public hearing. Paula Thomas, 500 San Gabriel Overlook, approached the podium to address the Commission and explained that she is present for the owner of the property behind the requested property. Thomas read the public comment from the neighbor who thought the wooden fence would be along Hutto Road and was concerned of the visibility of the road from her driveway. Thomas explained that the neighbor is in favor of the request if the material remains as wrought iron and allows for visibility to back out of their driveway. Chair Walton closed the public hearing. Commissioner Hein asked if the portion of the fence that exceeds the setback will be wood. O'Kelley clarified that it will only be a wrought iron fence. Ken Burris, applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and clarified that the entire rear fence is 130 feet and that the wooden portion of the fence is 60 feet and centrally located. Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Robert Blomquist to Approve as presented. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Voting Against: None 1.0 2023-52-COA (906 S. Elm Street) Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for an addition that creates a new or adds to a street -facing fagade 906 S Elm St., bearing the legal description of Lot 2, Block 19, Glasscock Addition (2023-52-COA) -- Olivia Beams, Historic and Downtown Planner Olivia Beams presented the staff report. Commissioner Romero questioned the moving process of the garage. Matt Rafter, owner, approached the podium to address the Commission and clarified that the garage has no foundation and is more like a shed with a lack of space to park a car in it. Rafter continued to explain that the garage is currently non -compliant due to the setback and clarified that they will attach the garage to the rear of the home. Rafter highlighted that the garage is a non-contributing structure on the lot. Commissioner Romero asked which sections of the house will be removed. Rafter explained that the foundation will be replaced due to rotted conditions. Rafter highlighted that the interior walls will be inspected and reevaluated for what can be saved and noted that the front porch gable is the defining element of the home. Rafter explained that the front right corner of the home extends into the setback by about a foot and will be part of the salvaged portions of the home. Commissioner Powell asked staff why this project was not presented as a demolition request. Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager, approached the podium to address the Commission and explained that staff did not receive a plan that was indictive of a demolition that would result in a reduction or loss of square footage of the footprint. Commissioner Powell questioned how the project can be completed without pulling out the walls. Chance Leigh, applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and highlighted that the right corner, front, and the right side of the home would remain. Leigh acknowledged that a large part of the home will be removed but explained that they will try to reuse materials if possible. Chair Walton commented that there are a few projects where only the first item is marked as compliant and questioned why this is not a demolition and infill request. Leigh highlighted that they have received 35 letters in support of the request in which some letters questioned the reason to save the current home. Chair Walton asked for a reason in why a demolition has not been explored for this project. Rafter provided that during their first meeting with staff a possibility of a demolition was discussed, but the consensus was that the home was worth trying to salvage. Chair Walton expressed his appreciation in the effort in trying to save parts of the house and highlighted that there will be concern of an unapproved demolition. Chair Walton suggested in exploring the demolition option and shared his belief that the project may find more compliance when it is presented as a demolition request. Commissioner Hein shared his thought in that the scope of work is more indicative of a demolition rather than what is being request. Commissioner Hein asked staff how HARC can explore the retention of some of the existing material if the applicant chooses to request a demolition approval. O'Kelley highlighted that HARC has the authority to request existing material to be salvaged. Alternate Commissioner Blomquist inquired about the distance in feet from the back of the property to where the carport is located. Rafter established that the distance is roughly 15 feet from the backline of the property and noted that it is within current UDC guidelines. Chair Walton opened the public hearing. Brennan Eggers, 304 19'/z Street, approached the podium to address the Commission and noted that the design of the home is not out of style with the area excluding some materials discussed with the design guidelines. Eggers highlighted that this home is not the most attractive home on the street and shared his belief that the need for improvement is necessary. Scott Mikel, 903 South Elm Street, approached the podium to address the Commission and spoke in favor of the request. Mikel shared his belief that the building is an eye sore and neglected. Mikel expressed his appreciation in that the owners want to salvage what they can and improve the home. Ryan McMahon, 901 South Elm Street, approached the podium to address the Commission and expressed his support of the project. James Smith, 1011 South College Street, approached the podium to address the Commission and shared that he and his wife have been through a similar process with their own home. Smith spoke in favor of the request whether it is a demolition or renovation. Smith shared his appreciation in that the owners want to save what they can. Smith highlighted that this request is not just about the house, but about the community as well. Smith shared that the biggest concern is that the bar of entry to improve the neighborhood is too strict and believed that many residents are intimidated to start a project because of the process. Smith ended that he would like to see this improvement to the neighborhood. Liz Weaver, 1221 South Main Street, approached the podium to address the Commission and shared her belief that this house needs a new life. Weaver provided a presentation with pictures of previous projects approved by HARC. Weaver noted that she does not see a lot of preservation of the current home in the renderings and shared her belief that there will not be a historic house if this request is approved. Weaver suggested that the Commission postpone the item to allow the applicant to convert the request to demolish the house with infill construction. Weaver further elaborated that a demolition subcommittee may provide insight on the condition of the property. Chair Walton closed the public hearing. Chair Walton clarified that his comments were not about the design, but about what HARC is requested to review. Chair Walton further elaborated that HARC is reviewing a renovation and shared his belief that the owner and applicant can achieve their goal as an infill project. Commissioner Powell asked staff if they can guide the Commission in the process of a postponement. O'Kelley explained that in the event of postponement, HARC can postpone the item to allow the applicant to consider the discussion and a different course of action. O'Kelley clarified that the applicability and needs for different review is a staff function in which they will determine what is necessary. O'Kelley assured the Commission that staff will work with the applicant to discuss next steps on a demolition should they choose to move in that direction. Chair Walton sought clarification from staff to confirm that there would be no delay with a new request if the item was denied. O'Kelley confirmed that a new scope of work would not be limited to resubmitting under that different scope. Commissioner Romero and Commissioner Alton shared that they appreciated the design of the home but would recommend another review of the requested project. Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by to Approve as presented. Motion Lack of Second: 0- 0 Voting For: None Voting Against: None Due to the lack of a second, the motion failed, and a new motion was proposed. Moved by Jennifer Powell; seconded by Lawrence Romero to Deny as presented. Motion Approved: 7- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Voting Against: None 1.D Discussion Items Updates on Upcoming Training for HARC Commissioners, Downtown Master Plan, UDC Rewrite, and Commissioner questions and comments -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager O'Kelley requested that the Commissioners respond to an email regarding availability for upcoming HARC training. O'Kelley announced that the consultants of the Downtown Masterplan will be in discussion at the Tuesday, February 27, 2024, City Council workshop. There is a scheduled UDC steering committee meeting on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Commissioner Powell asked for an update on the Main Street property. O'Kelley explained that staff is working with the applicant and permitting team to ensure the stability of the structure. Adjournment These minu s were approved at the meeting of Q 29_ Chair test