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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_04.25.2024Minutes of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, April 25, 2024 The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, April 25, 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: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, 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 March 28, 2024 regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission -- Erica Metress, Planning Specialist Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Linda C Burns to Approve the March 28, 2024 Historic and Architectural Review Commission minutes. Motion Approved: 6- 0 Voting For: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Jennifer Powell, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Voting Against: None 1.B 2024-11-COA (806 University Ave) 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 for the property located at 806 University Avenue, bearing the legal description of Block 3 (CTR/PT), Snyder Addition (2024-11-COA) -- Olivia Beams, Historic and Downtown Planner Olivia Beams presented the staff report. Robert Crowson, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and clarified that they are requesting a six-foot privacy fence to hide the contents of the backyard. Commissioner Hein commented that the requested fence would emphasize the characterization of the street as an alley way and noted that there are homes with frontage on that road. Beams referred to the definition of an alley way from Chapter 16 of the Unified Development Code and acknowledged that most of the homes use that section of the road for access. Commissioner Burns questioned if just the block in question is considered an alley. Beams explained that the City of Georgetown's Transportation Department considers 13th Street as a local collector road. Beams included that based on the Planning Department staff's interpretation of the code, they felt that the portion of the street in question fit the characteristics of an alley way. Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager, approached the podium to address the Commission and further clarified that staff established context on how the roadway is being used by other properties in the area rather than true road classification. Chair Walton questioned if the fence meets the setback requirement as it currently sits. Beams explained that to keep the fence at its current location, it would need to be 4 feet in height and 50% transparent to meet the setback requirements. Chair Walton commented on the classification of an alley and did not consider it as such. Commissioner Powell also commented on the classification of an alley and suggested that the topic was revisited. Chair Walton opened the public hearing. Morris Keyte, 810 East University Avenue, approached the podium to address the Commission and shared that he was appalled that East 13th Street was considered an alley. Keyte explained that the 6-foot fence request and 8-foot fence blocks off views from neighbors. Keyte shared that he strongly opposed the request and propose to leave the fence as the code requires it. Allison French, 901 East 13th Street, approached the podium to address the Commission and shared that she disagreed that 13th street is an alley. French explained that a taller privacy fence on that section of East 13th Street would make it feel like an alley. French expressed her concern with the integrity of the street and the precedent that the request would set for other taller privacy fences in Old Town. French shared her hope that HARC would uphold the code as written so that the historic and friendly feel of every street is preserved. Chair Walton closed the public hearing. Crowson explained that they use the property facing East 13th Street as a backyard and felt that it did not have privacy. Crowson acknowledged that the fence does not meet the UDC requirements regarding setbacks and explained that the code allows rear setback properties allow to replace a 4-foot fence with a 6-foot fence. Crowson shared that there is an open culvert drainage area behind his property, making the area look like an alleyway. Commissioner Burns asked for clarification on whether the property is a two -front facing lot or not. Beams clarified that because the lot extends from University Avenue to East 13th Street, it is a double frontage lot which means it has two fronts. Beams explained that the code requires a review of what functions as the rear property with front setback requirements. Chair Walton asked for clarification on what is being requested that does not comply with guidelines. Beams explained that fences in the front yard in the Old Town overlay are required to be 50% transparent and 4-foot in height based on the Design Guidelines. Beams continued to explain that the code requires fence to, also, be 50% transparent and 4-foot in height if it is located along the property line and encroaches into a setback. Beams added that the code allows for a fence to be up to 6-feet in height and 0% transparent if it is out of the setback. Chair Walton questioned how far back the fence would need to be to meet the UDC requirement. Beams explained that the front setback in a Residential Single Family zoning district is 20 feet from the property line. O'Kelley clarified that for the applicant to comply with the UDC requirements, they would be able to construct a 6-foot tall, completely opaque privacy fence 10-feet beyond the property line. With that, Chair Walton summarized the discussion points and asked for a motion Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Robert Blomquist to Deny as presented because the request does not meet requirements for setback and opacity. Chair Walton asked for clarification in the scope of the request. Beams explained that the height, opacity, and setback requirements are considerations of the scope of the request. With that, the Commission proceeded to vote on the motion. Motion Approved: 4- 2 Voting For: Linda C Burns, Evan Hein, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Voting Against: Michael J Walton, Jennifer Powell 1.0 2024-6-COA (506 E. 14th Street) Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for replacing a historic architectural feature with a non -historic architectural feature for the property located at 506 E 14th Street bearing the legal description of Block 5 (SE/PT), Hughes Addition (2024-6-COA) -- Olivia Beams, Historic and Downtown Planner Olivia Beams presented the staff report. Bruce Denham, Applicant, approached the podium to address the Commission and shared that he was interested in getting the 6 non -compliant criteria compliant. Denham asked the Commission to state any conditions they may have for the request. Alternate Commissioner Blomquist asked for clarification of the look of the new windows. Denham explained that the windows would be the same as the current windows and noted that the overlays would be wood, not aluminum. Commissioner Powell thanked the applicant for providing additional information on restoration options for the windows. Commissioner Powell commented that the cost to replace and restore may be similar. Commissioner Powell explained that keeping the wood frame, but replacing the sash is confusing. Commissioner Powell commented that brand new wood -clad windows may better fit the design guidelines. Chair Walton thanked the applicant for providing additional information on restoration options for the windows and asked staff if there were compliant criteria. Beams explained that the request was compliant with windows comprising 30-45% of the front facade as well as the tint of the glass. Beams noted that the request was non -compliant with materials or form which is the structure of the window and how the grids would be applied. Commissioner Hein shared his appreciation for the pictures and estimate provided to the Commission. Commissioner Hein encouraged preservation of the original windows and recommended indow inserts to help with insulation. Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth. Chair Walton asked staff for the approved materials for windows. Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager, approached the podium to address the Commission and acknowledged that wood clad, or fiberglass clad wood are both approvable materials. Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Linda C Burns to Deny as presented because the materials were not compliant, and the request was a modification of the character defining facade of the home. Motion Approved: 6- 0 Voting For: Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, 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 Maddison O'Kelley approached the podium to address the Commission and announced that May is preservation month. O'Kelley explained that the theme is people saving places and extended an invitation to attend the May 14, 2024, City Council meeting. O'Kelley clarified that the mayor will conduct a proclamation in celebration of preservation month. O'Kelley shared that the Downtown Master Plan update will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a recommendation on May 7, 2024, and to the City Council meetings on May 14 and May 23, 2024, for final approval. O'Kelley highlighted that the next HARC meeting will include a training on residential infill standards. O'Kelley explained that the June 13, 2024, HARC meeting will have a discussion on the UDC rewrite to narrow down specific areas that HARC would like to provide staff guidance. Adjournment These min s were approved at the meeting of p5�o 9 /2aZ y Chair Attest