HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HARC_12.14.2023Minutes of the
Historic and Architectural Review Commission
City of Georgetown,, Texas
Thursday, December 14,. 2023
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The following Members were in attendance:
Present were: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Robert
Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim Kirpach
Public Wishing to Address the Board
On a su 'ect not os: t e receive yt eA sory Boar
prior to the day the agenda for this mee ng is posted. Each speaker will •• given three minutes to address the
Board or Commission members. No action can be taken.
1. Regular Session
1.A Nomination and Selection of Vice Chair for the 2023-2024 Session
Nomination and Selection of Vice Chair for the 2023-2024 Session -- Erica Metress,
Planning Specialist
Moved by Lawrence Romero; seconded by Alton Martin to to nominate Linda Burns as
Vice Chair.
Motion Approved: 7- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Robert
Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim Kirpach
Voting Against: None
1.13 Meeting Minutes
Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the November 9th,
2023 regular Historic and Architectural Review Commission meeting -- Erica Metresl
Moved by Linda C Burns; seconded by Lawrence Romero to Approve
Motion Approved- 7- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Robert
Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim Kirpach
Voting Against: None
1.0 2023-54-COA (703 E. 15th Street)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for the removal, stripping, concealing,
or destruction of a historic and architectural feature that is Integral to the historic
character of the building or structure or historic overlay district on a street -facing farad
the removal of a street -facing fai;ade, and the replacement of historic architectural
features on a Contributing Historic Structure (Medium Priority) at the property located a�
703 E. 15th Street bearing the legal description of 0.33 acres out of Block 96 (PT),
Dimmit Addition (2023-54-COA) -- Maddison OKelley, Preservation and Redevelopme
Manager
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O'Kelley stated that the report found that the request would have no impact on the
*verlay, the surrounding buildings, and the character of the home. OKelley noted that
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presented.
Moved by Lawrence Romero; seconded by Alton Martin to Approve
Motion Approved: 7- 0
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Robert
Blomquist, Stuart Garner, Jim Kirpach
Voting Against: None
1D 2022-23-COA (200 W� 6th Street)
Public Hearing and Possible Action on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness
(COA) for the following:
• New commercial infill building construction
• A 7'-8" building height increase from the required 40' maximum building height to
for the property located at 200 W. 6th Street, bearing the legal description of Lots 2A-
7A, Block 37, City of Georgetown, Amended (2022-23-COA) -- Maddison O'Kelley,
Preservation and Redevelopment Manager
Maddison O'Kelley presented the staff report.
Chair Walton requested O'Kelley to review approval criteria 2, 4, and 7 of UDC Section
3.13.030. O'Kelley reviewed the approval criteria requested and noted a correction from
partially comply to complies in the staff report regarding criteria 7.
Chair Walton inquired whether the views to and from the County Courthouse fell outside of
HARC's scope. O'Kelley confirmed that the authority and purview with the city council.
Brian Birdwell, Applicant and Property Owner, approached the podium to address the
Commission and commented that they have addressed the commission's concerns from
previous meetings such as the height of the building. Birdwell explained that the project is
proposed to be a mixed of retail and professional office space and continued to describe
the reason for the requested height. Birdwell further explained that the requested height
for the ceilings accommodate HVAC systems. Birdwell noted that Nori Winters assisted
his team in the design and review of the request to ensure the intent met the Downtown
Master Plan.
Chair Walton inquired about the existing parking lots.
Troy Hellmann, Property Owner, approached the podium to address the Commission and
clarified that the parking lot would remain as a parking lot until the area is developed.
Chair Walton asked for the meaning of a recessed entry. O'Kelley responded that the
Design Guidelines recommend recessing the entry at least 2-3 feet from the property line
Commissioner Romero requested an explanation of the proposed height. O'Kelley
established that the tallest point of the structure would be 47 feet and 8 inches.
Chair Walton opened the public hearing.
Larry Olson, 9th Street, approached the podium to address the Commission and
commented that he represented the Old Town Association. Olson noted that the upper
floor setback is to emphasize the lower floors which is seem throughout Area 1. Olson
referred to setback of the three public facing sides on the third floor in the conceptual
review in 2022. Olson believed that the third floor in this project should be set back and
noted that the setback of the upper floor of the City Parking Garage design. Olson
believed that the setback could avoid a canyon effect that he has seen with other
buildings on Austin Avenue. Olson noted the that the surrounding oak trees were on the
city right away and believed that they should be protected. Olson continued to comment
on the addition the trees will add to the design of the building.
Liz Weaver, 1221 South Main Street, approached the podium to address the Commission
and noted that 3 story buildings are not traditionally seen in Area 1 except the courthouse.
Weaver referred to the bank's 11-foot height of the 2nd and 3rd floor. Weaver believed
that the 40-foot rule is reasonable and provided quotes from council members from
previous meetings. Weaver urged the Commission to enforce the 40-foot rule.
Chair Walton closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Martin expressed apprehension regarding the necessity to disregard the
40-foot rule and the lack of a setback on the upper levels. Commissioner Martin believed
that the requested building would look out of place and agreed with Ms. Weaver.
Commissioner Burns shared that she is, also, concerned with the height and believed
that 40 feet should be sufficient.
Chair Walton inquired about the lack of trees represented in the drawings. Birdwell
established that majority of the trees present on the property are proposed to be
removed and the applicant has paid tree mitigation fees. Birdwell continued to clarify
that the trees represented in the rendering will remain.
Hellmann noted the reason for the removal of the trees is because the design guidelines
required the building must align with the property line.
Chair Walton inquired about the change of the rendering from the February 2023 meeting.
Birdwell acknowledged that the building height was lowered 2.5 feet from the February
2023 renderings.
Commissioner Romero inquired about the height of the parapet. O'Kelley noted that the
parapet is 3 feet and without it the overall height of the building would still exceed 40
feet.
Sofia Nelson, Planning Director, approached the podium to address the Commission and
noted that the comments and remarks from the city council members were part of a
general discussion from a prior meeting. Nelson emphasized that the policy direction
comes through the approved Downtown Master Plan.
Chair Walton expressed the Commission's interest in preserving the trees. Nelson
stated that the preservation of trees is not in the purview of the commission.
Moved by Alton Martin; seconded by Robert Blomquist to Continue and allow the
applicant to address the concerns of the height and lack of a setback.
Nelson announced that the applicant does not intend on making changes if the
decision is to postpone, so the applicant requests an approval or denial tonight.
As a result, Commissioner Martin withdrew his motion.
Motion Withdrawn: 0- 0
Voting For: None
Voting Against: None
Chair Walton opened the floor to a new motion.
Moved by Linda C Burns; seconded by Alton Martin to Deny as presented.
Commissioner Romero commented that he did not agree with the motion and the
Commission proceeded to discuss the disagreement.
Commissioner Kirpach asked for clarification on available motions.
O'Kelley articulated that if the applicant were denied, they would not be able to resubmit
for at least 180 days, whereas a postponement would allow for a revised plan. O'Kelley
continued to note that if the applicant were approved with conditions, they will not return to
commission. O'Kelley stated that the conditions with that motion may not be large enough
to change the scope of the project.
As a result, Commissioner Burns withdrew her motion.
Motion Withdrawn: 0- 0
Voting For: None
Voting Against: None
Commissioner Burns motioned to deny the request.
Moved by Linda C Burns; seconded by Robert Blomquist to Deny because of the
excessive height and lack of a setback on the upper floors.
Motion Failed: 3- 4
Voting For: Linda C Burns, Alton Martin, Robert Blomquist
Voting Against: Lawrence Romero, Michael J Walton, Stuart Garner, Jim Kirpach
Following the failed motion, Chair Walton presented the motion to postpone the request.
Moved by Michael J Walton; seconded by Alton Martin to Continue to the January 11th
HARC meeting to address the concerns heard in the discussion.
Motion Approved: 6- 1
Voting For: Lawrence Romero, Linda C Burns, Michael J Walton, Alton Martin, Robert
Blomquist, Jim Kirpach
Voting Against: Stuart Garner
1. E UDC Executive Text Amendment, Fence Height in Old Town
Staff update on a proposed Executive Text Amendment to amend Section 8.070.040
Residential Fences of the Unified Development Code (UDC) relating to the maximum
allowable height for fences located in a front yard side setback abutting a local or
collector -level street in the Old Town Overlay District -- Maddison OKelley, Preservation
and `-+► Manager
LF Unified Development Code Re -Write and Downtown Master Plan Update
Staff update on the ongoing AY. IF of the Unified Development Code (UDC) and th't
Downtown master Plan Update -- Sofia Nelson, Planning Director
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Commissioner Burns noted that at the previous HARC meeting, the Commission
discussed the re uirement m-Avlaftnit,
Commissioner Burns requested an expedited process for situations requiring change
when an applicant already holds a COA.
LIS Discussion Items
Updates, Commissioner questions, and comments -- Maddison O'Kelley, Preservation
Adjournment
were approved at the eeting of
These min t*wm
Chair Attest