HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_08.22.2024Minutes of the
Aistoric and Architectural Review Commission
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, August 22.. 2024
The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at
6:00 PM at Council and Court Building, 510 W 9th Street.
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,
Stuart Garner
Public Wishing to Address the Board
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minutes tor a speaKer may De granted. I he reques r g"Taning time to another speaKer must also sulamit a Torm
and be present at the meeting.
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prior to the daV the agenda for this mpe ng is poste& 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 July 25, 2024,
regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission -- Erica Metress,
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Commission.
Motion Approved: 5- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, Stuart
Garner
Voting Against: None
1.B Meeting Minutes
Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the August 8, 2024,
regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission -- Erica Metress,
Planning Specialist
Moved by Lawrence Romero-, seconded by Evan Hein to Approve the minutes from the
August 8, 2024, regular meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission.
Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer
Powell, Stuart Garner
Voting Against: None
At the chair's discretion, the agenda items were reordered as follows: 1.D, 1.E, 1.C, and
1.F.
1.0 2024-33-COA (817 S. Austin Ave)
Public Hearing and action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for an
alteration of street -facing fagade (elevation facing S. Austin Avenue) on a Low Priority
Structure located at the property addressed at 817 S. Austin Avenue, bearing the legal
description of Lots 6-8 (PTS), Block 51, City of Georgetown (2024-33-COA) -- Maddison
O'Kelley, Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Adam Starr, applicant, approached the podium to address the commission and explain
that he lived in Georgetown for 36 years. Starr shared that he felt that his building
represents the spirit of Georgetown with a lot of history behind it. Starr shared that the
design of the building was influenced by the desire to represent the history of the buildin
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and the historic components. Starr highlighted that the Commission would note the timb
trusses, interior brick wall, and interior floors.
Commissioner Romero shared that he enjoyed the visibility of the rafters and asked if
interior lights would be left on at night to illuminate the interior of the building. Starr
9rchitects provided insight on the proposed Low-E windows to provide a barrier for the
heat. Starr acknowledged that the plan is to have concealed interior lighting that would
light up the space at night.
Commissioner Romero asked about the process in which the brick was chosen. OKelley
explained that the design guidelines provide guidance on brick dimensions and added that
there is a general recommendation that stone, or brick laid should took human scale.
Commissioner Romero commented that the rendering of the request makes it
look more modern and questioned if there was a way to change the brick color to keep
the aesthetic. Starr acknowledged that the color of the brick was considered and
discussed. Starr explained that the proposed bricks were chosen to match the existing
brick wall.
Commissioner Hein asked about the plan for the AC ducts intended for the 2nd floor and
its visibility from the proposed window. Starr explained that the HVAC units would be
placed further back in the building and would not have much visibility from the street.
Commissioner Hein acknowledged that the ground floor changes are positive but
shared that he believed the 2nd floor window does not appear to be in keeping with
surrounding buildings.
Chair Walton shared that the canopies and kick plates are good changes.
Commissioner Powell referred to the staff report that stated lighting specifications have
not been provided yet. Commissioner Powell asked staff if there was guidance on the
impact of the illumination at this scale. O'Kelley explained that the guidelines note
shielding for light fixtures as well as warmth of the light. O'Kelley added that there are
UDC criteria, including interior lighting.
Commissioner Martin asked staff if there are requirements for windows on a commercial
building. O'Kelley acknowledged that there are no ratio requirements, but there is
guidance on the upper floor windows being more opaque.
Commissioner Martin shared that he struggled with the amount of glass above the first
floor.
Commissioner Romero inquired about the insulation for the roof. Starr explained that
there currently is a tin roof, 6 inches of ISO foam board, and TPO rubber membrane
roof.
Chair Walton opened the public hearing.
Liz Weaver, 1221 South Main Street, approached the podium to address the
Commission and acknowledged that she liked some of the changes. However, Weaver
highlighted that the applicant did not change the design in the 2nd story window and roof
line. Weaver considered the proposition as a rehabilitation of the structure and noted
that some Secretary of Interior Standards refer to minimal changes to the features.
Weaver disagreed that the proposition is creating minimal changes and referred to the
changes as a statement. Weaver highlighted that the Secretary of Interior Standards
also note that the new features should match the old features in design, color, texture,
and materials. Weaver shared that this was not apparent in the proposal. Weaver
shared that she disagreed with staff's findings for the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th criteria.
Weaver asked that the Commission think about whether the
proposition preserves the character of the historic overlay and concluded with
request that the Commission ask the applicant to change the design of request.
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Starr clarified that the glass does not have a film but is created out of a higher,
professional grade.
Chair Walton asked if there was consideration to increase the level of opacity to the 2nd.,
floor window. Starr shared that it was considered to increase the level of opacity of the
2nd floor window but shared that it would make large difference in the way it is visible in
the evening versus the day.
Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Alton Martin to Deny as presented because Design
Guideline A.3.b does not comply in that the upper floors should be perceived as being
more opaque than the lower floor, and that the overall character of the historic district
is not protected. .
Motion Approved: 4- 2
Voting For: Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer Powell, Stuart Garner
Voting Against: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton
I.D 2024-34--COA (1002 S. Elm Street)
Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness
(COA) for a new fence, railing or wall that is inconsistent with the overlay district' s
characteristics and applicable guidelines for the property located at 1002 Elm Street,
bearing the legal description of all of Lot 1 and part of Lot 2, Block 20, Glasscock
Addition (2024-34-COA) -- Olivia Beams, Historic and Downtown Planner
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Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth and
asked for a motion from the dais.
Moved by Evan Hein; seconded by Jennifer Powell to Approve as presented.
Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer
Powell, Stuart Garner
Voting Against: one
1. E 2024-23-COA (911 Walnut Street)
•! Hearing and possible action • a request for a Certcate of Appropriateness
(COA) for an addition to a street -facing facade, a 7' setback encroachment into the
required 10' rear setback, and • 3' setback encroachment into the • side setback for the
property located at 911 Walnut, bearing the legal description of 0.37 acres out of Block
92 (SW/COR) Dimmit Addition, (2024-23-COA) -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation and
Redevelopment Manager
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Commissioner Hein asked if any second story windows were planned to face the
neighbors' yards. Lawton acknowledged that 1 set of windows would face the neighbors
on the west.
After receiving clarification on design guideline C.3.a, Chair Walton questioned staff's
analysis for it. OKelley »♦ on staffs behalf for the error in not updating the
slide to reflect that design guideline C.3.a was compliant.
Chair Walton opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers coming forth and
asked for a motion from the dais.
Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by Lawrence Romero to Approve as presented.
Motion Approved: 6- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Evan Hein, Alton Martin, Jennifer
Powell, Stuart Garner
1.F Discussion Items
Updates on Upcoming Training for HARC Commissioners, Downtown Master Plan, UDC
Rewrite, and Commissioner questions and comments -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation
Sofia Nelson, Planning Director, noted that there Will be a dedicated workshop sessi
just to for Unified Development Code discussion in September. I
Adjournment
These minutes were approved at the meeting of
Chair
Attest