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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_03.01.2006Minutes of the Meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission City of Georgetown, Texas Wednesday, March 1, 2006 The Historic and Architectural Review Commission of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Wednesday , March 1, 2006. Members Present: Mike Sparks, Chair; Karalei Nunn, Vice Chair; John Chapman; Chris Damon; Clare Easley; Beebe Gray; Jim Keys; Linda McCalla, alternate; and John Truehardt. Members Absent: Rick O'Donnell, secretary Members Present but not participating: Nancy Knight, alternate was present but did not serve. Staff Present: Rebecca Rowe, Historic Review Planner; Karen Frost, Recording Secretary Minutes Regular Meeting Meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. The Historic and Architectural Review Commission is responsible for hearing and taking final action on applications, by issuing Certificates of Design Compliance based upon the City Council adopted Downtown Design Guidelines. This is a regular rescheduled meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission, for consideration and possible action on the following: 1.Chairman may appoint alternate(s) to serve at this meeting. Linda McCalla was asked to serve in Rick O’Donnell’s absence. 2.Review and possible approval of the minutes from the December 15, 2005 meeting. Chair Sparks noted an amendment that needed to be made under item number seven. The last sentenced read “Commissioners discussed the project with Mr. Choi and were generally agreeable to his ideas.” The words “to the addition at the rear, including an additional story on the back portion of the building, taking the curved rooftop off and adding another story for a total of three stories.” were added to the end of the sentence. And they were only agreeable to the addition of the building, not the site plan. Motion by Chapman, Second by Truehardt to accept the minutes as amended. Motion passed, 8 – 0, with abstention by Gray. 3.Report on the meeting of the January 26, 2006 subcommittee. Rowe gave the report of the subcommittee meeting of January 26. She stated they issued a 6 month temporary real estate sign for a home occupation on Church Street . This item will come back to the Commission for permanent approval after that time. Regular Agenda: 4.Certificate of Design Compliance for a new ATM location and surround at Lost Addition, Block 14, a 0.373 acre portion located at 1111 South Austin Avenue. Rowe gave a summary of the item. The applicant is proposing to relocate an ATM that is currently existing in a drive-through lane to the rear, east facade of the structure. The ATM would be located in a limestone surround with a metal canopy cover. She stated that there are no specific guidelines addressing materials for ATM structures. The metal roof canopy is an acceptable material per the Design Guidelines. The applicant, Lee Alexander, was available to answer questions. He stated the structure was specifically designed to meet the City’s requirements. Commissioner Nunn questioned the use of limestone when the building that it was matching is painted brick. The applicant stated the structure was designed to blend, at the request of the Commission. Motion by Truehardt for approval of the Certificate of Design Compliance per the staff recommendation “for the new ATM location, proposed surround, including materials, and the painted red metal roof.” Second by Damon. Certificate of Design Compliance is approved, 5 – 4. (Gray, Easley, Nunn and McCalla opposed.) 5.Certificate of Design Compliance for front and rear façade changes at City of Georgetown, Block 41, Lot 5 (pts), 0.06 acres located at 714 South Austin Avenue. Rowe summarized the application. the applicant is proposing to repaint the windows and various trim on the front facade, to reopen windows on the rear facade and to turn a window into a door on the rear facade to allow for a fire stair according to the building code. Staff recommends approval. Commissioners stated they needed to see paint colors to make a final decision. The approval process and options of dividing the application were discussed. Motion by Truehardt to approve the application subject to a subcommittee review of paint colors where being painted . Second by Nunn. Approved 9 – 0. 6.Certificate of Design Compliance for façade changes at City of Georgetown, Block 27, Lots 1-8 located at 501 South Austin Avenue. Rowe reports the applicant is proposing the change in location of the electric transformer from the parking lot to the northwest side of the building of Phase 2 or 3, depending on the phasing schedule, and that the transformer would be screened with a fence and a gate. The approval is requested for the location of the transformer, not the screening materials at this time. She clarified that this action would be based on the drawings dated February 26, 2006. Rowe also stated that the applicant is proposing to amend the previously approved Certificate of Design Compliance to eliminate the curved roof on the eastern two-thirds of the building and to continue the approved design on the remainder of the building . There is also an increase in balconies on the north and south elevations, and recessing portions of the building by 3 feet in depth to meet the Design guidelines for articulation. Rowe stated the recessed portions must be 5 feet in depth to be in compliance and the applicant has agreed to that amount and that is reflected in the recommended motion. Staff recommends approval of the amendment to supersede previous approvals on these elements. Rowe reminded the Commission that the City Attorney states normally subsequent approvals control, and that by granting subsequent approvals, termination or revocation of any prior approvals are made and must be included in the action so that approvals are clear. The items covered in this application are the curved roof, the balconies and allowing the second and third floors materials to continue in this pattern . Mr. Choi, the applicant answered questions of the Commission. There was deliberation of several elements of the building. Choi asked for a decision of the Commission so he may move forward. Motion by Nunn to approve the amended Certificate of Design Compliance for changes to the massing of the north and south facades, the simplification of the Austin Avenue facade, the added terraces and with the condition that the recessed portions of the north and south elevations be changed from 3 feet deep to 5 feet deep that is only at the first level, and that the copper roofs be removed from the octagonal protrusions at the Austin Avenue facade. And this motion will supersede the previously approved Certificate of Design Compliance as related to these specific elements. Second by McCalla. Motion approved 9 -0. 7.Presentation and discussion on allowing a building height of forty-seven feet (47’) for a proposed building at City of Georgetown, Block 27, Lots 1-8 located at 501 South Austin Avenue. This item was discussed by the Commission with Mr. Choi, the applicant. Mr. Choi stated that with an allowed penthouse level, the area of the building will be 35,000 square feet. Without the penthouse, the area of the building would be 30,000 square feet, making the penthouse more marketable and desirable for the owner. There was a discussion of “extraordinary” and whether adding the penthouse, extra height, would make this an extraordinary building, and whether the Commission would approve the extraordinary extra height of the building considering the other buildings in the area.. Mr. Bode, the applicants’ architect discussed his justification for requesting the extra height for this building. Mr. Choi thanked the commission for the discussion. 8.Comments, questions and general discussion from Commission and/or staff. A.Reminder of the next meeting of the Board on Thursday, March 23, 2006. Rowe stated the March 23rd meeting only had two applications for signs and a request for a decrease in the amount of benches approved in a CDC. She requested that the regular meeting be rescheduled as a subcommittee meeting to discuss these items. The Commission concurred with that request. Rowe will send an e-mail to Commissioners with a proposed date of the Subcommittee meeting to approve the color samples for 714 S. Austin Ave. Chair Sparks adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.