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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_04.10.2025Minutes of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission The Georgetown Historic and Architectural Review Commission met on Thursday, April 10, 2025 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, Phil Rotheram, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Public Wishing to Address the Board 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 minutMAI, Vdw and be present at the meeting. 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 24, 2025, meeting of the Historic and Architectural Review Commission -- Erica Metress, Planning Specialist Moved by Lawrence Romero-, seconded by Robert Blomquist to Approve the minutes from Motion Approved- 5- 0 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Phil Rotheram, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Voting Against: None 1.13 1411 S College Street (2025-17-COA) Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for an addition that creates a new, or adds to an existing street facing fagade, and replacing a historic architectural feature with a non -historic architectural feature for the property located at 1411 S. College Street, bearing the legal description of 0.135 acres out of Block 97 (PT) Dimmit Addition, (2025-17-COA) -- Olivia Beams, Historic and Downtown Planner John Lawton, applicant, approached the podium to address the commission and shared that he removed the dormers to improve the roof line. Lawton explained that he expande a a r n e d d e the mid -section to continue the solid roof lines. Lawton explained that the biggest factor during the September 26, 2024, HARC meeting was that the second -floor roof lines woul be too long and that the commission wanted the dormers added to break up the definition of those lines. Lawton felt that the gables were too small and gave a different look. Lawtol felt that the gables were taking away the character of the home. Lawton concluded that h kept the material for the dormers in case they were required to be added back on the home. Commissioner Garner inquired about what would be included in the archival record. Beams explained that archival records would include photos of the interior and exterior of the original structure, floor plan, and a narrative of the deconstruction process. Commissioner Garner asked for more information of the meaning of a faux history. Beams shared that the Secretary of Interior Standards stated that there should not be misrepresentation of changes that have occurred over time and advised against conjectural features. Alternate Commissioner Rotheram asked for the sentiment of the three opposed comments that were submitted past the public comment deadline. Beams shared that the sentiment of the opposed comments were related to the construction of the second story addition which was not in HARC's purview that evening and opposition to the construction of something that was not initially approved by HARC. Alternate Commissioner Rotheram expressed difficulty in approving a request with which deviated from approved a previously approved plan. Chair Walton recalled discussion of the windows, stain glass, symmetry of windows, looming, and did not recall the concerns presented at this meeting in a negative way. Chair Walton recalled a more positive discussion regarding the design during the September 12, 2024, HARC meeting. Beams added that the change in the roofline was a concern brought by staff during the September 12, 2024, HARC meeting. Beams explained that the approved roofline was in response to HARCs feedback with the preservation of the original structure by differentiating the addition. Chair Walton referred to staff's findings for 3.A.3-4 of the report and shared that the challenge was the request to approve an alteration that was already construction which resulted in lost architectural significance. Sofia Nelson, Planning Director, approached the podium to address the commission and recognized that the situation was difficult. Nelson shared that the commentary was helpful for the audience, applicant, and staff. Nelson reminded the commission to return to the approval criteria when making findings. Nelson highlighted that the property owner was present and would like to speak. Commissioner Romero asked if there was a particular moment that caused the changed in design and highlighted the concern for the loss of historic designation. Alternate Commissioner Blomquist agreed with the previous commissioners' comments and requested more guidance from staff as the situation was conflicting. Dorothy Fallin, owner, approached the podium to address the commission and noted that the intent was meant to rebuild the roof as it was and then add the dormers from the original roof line. Fallin shared that they have preserved the materials. Fallin clarified that if the dormers were to be added, the design from the September 26, 2024, HARC meeting would not have been met. Lawton echoed that the historic significance would not have been maintained with the approved of the design approved at the September 26, 2024, HARC meeting. Chair Walton opened the public hearing. Judd Harris, 1403 South College Street, approached the podium to address the commission and recognized that there would be risk in trying to add the gable. Harris commented that the eyebrow on the structure did not look nice. Harris believed that there would be a way for the faux gables to be brought to edge of the roofline. Harris shared concern with the commission regarding precedent of not building what was approved. Liz Weaver, 1221 South Main Street, approached the podium to address the commission and shared that the house was built in 1926. Weaver added that the railings seen in the 2016 survey were added due to the falling of the homeowner at the time. Weaver shared photos of the structure with the gables and agreed that it did not look good. Weaver shared that the gable or dormer was a mistake and commented that a traditional gable would be better. Chair Walton closed the public hearing. Commissioner Romero asked if there was a particular moment that caused the changed in the design. Lawton explained that he needed to wait for floor joists and further explained that the second floor made the gable look smaller once it was added. Commissioner Romero acknowledged that the applicant did not continue once he realized that there was a change that needed to return to HARC for approval. Chair Walton reiterated the challenge of the situation. Commissioner Garner explained that the commission does not want to encourage applicants to deviate from approved requests and acknowledged that the applicant did well with defending what and why the deviation happened. Commissioner Garner expressed favor in approving the request per staff's recommendation. Alternate Commissioner Rotheram highlighted that the second story addition was built and questioned when the applicant realized the structure needed additional approval from HARC. At the conclusion of the discussion, Chair Walton asked for a motion from the dais. Moved by Stuart Garner; seconded by Robert Blomquist to Approve with staff's recommendation to create an archival record of the construction that has already taken place and to document the original form of the structure. Alternate Commissioner Blomquist asked if staff would be able to assist the homeowner in creating the archival record. Nelson acknowledged that staff could provide a list of what is needed for the archival record. Nelson clarified that HARC would be approving the front and side elevations that don't include the dormers. With no further discussion, the commission proceeded to vote on the motion. Motion Approved: 3- 2 Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Robert Blomquist, Stuart Garner Voting Against: Michael J Walton, Phil Rotheram LC Demolition Criteria and Definitions Presentation and discussion on criteria for demolitions within the Old Town and Downtown -- Sofia Nelson, Planning Director Wvfyr.. F "I 1 1, 71,11-171 T-STRIf ninari recorl Otis 77 Tne phasized v - 0 that the City Council wanted the financial hardship provision to remain but emphasized 5 that it should not be the sole level of approval. Nelson shared the progress of revision I made • the demolition criteria found in section 3.13.030 of the Unified Development Code. Commissioner Garner highlighted that proposed criteria G would negate all previous criteria due to compelling public interest and preferred that HARC be made aware of the replacement following the demolition of a structure. Nelson acknowledged that she would consider the discussion points carefully and respond at a later time. 1.13 Discussion Items General updates, and Commissioner questions and comments -- Sofia Nelson, Planning Director Kimberly Spencer, Assistant Planning Director, approached the podium to introduce the new Preservation and Redevelopment Manager, Allyson liams. Adjournment These minutes were approved at the meeting of po 'uv(s 1,14 f Chair Attest