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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/2003 - Regular Minutes - Historic Preservation Committee MINUTES Historic Preservation Committee January 14, 2003 CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 5:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Marsha Sanford, David K. Chester, Sherlei Dannhaeuser, Robert McGee, & Alternate Randal Allison. Carol Conlee arrived late. MEMBERS ABSENT: Alexandra Davis, J.P. Grom, Carol Conlee& Bill Lancaster. STAFF PRESENT: Staff Assistant Deborah Grace, Staff Planners Katie Elrod & Molly Hitchcock, Senior Planner Lee Battle. VISITORS PRESENT: John A. Schwartz. Agenda Item No. 1: Call to order. Ms. Sanford called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM. Agenda Item No. 2: Consideration, discussion and possible action on absence requests. Absence requests were turned in for Mr. Grom and Mr. Lancaster. Mr. Allison moved to approve the requests. Ms. Dannhaeuser seconded the motion, which passed(5-0). No request was turned in for Ms. Davis or Ms. Conlee. The Committee did not vote on their absences. Agenda Item No. 3: Hear Visitors. John Schwartz introduced himself Mr. Schwartz told the Committee that he has been in College Station since July 2001. He works on campus for both the Dean of Faculties and the Division of Student Affairs. The job involves academic risk management. He has a legal background but has always had an interest in historic preservation. Mr. Schwartz told the Committee that he had done some work while he was in law school on some historic preservation issues. He is interested in getting involved with the community now that he is a homeowner. Ms. Sanford asked Ms. Elrod to give him some material about the background of the Committee and what they are trying to accomplish. Agenda Item No. 4: Consideration, discussion and possible action to approve meeting minutes from December 10, 2002. Mr. McGee made the motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Allison seconded the motion, which passed(5-0). HPC Minutes January 14, 2003 Page 1 of 6 Agenda Item No. 5: Consideration, discussion and possible action—Historic Home Plaque— 1028 Walton Drive—Bob & Mia Leland. The Committee reviewed the application. Mr. Chester asked what criteria the Committee uses to judge whether or not the application is sufficient. Ms. Hitchcock replied that it is explained in the application. There have been times that the Committee has requested additional information before granting a home plaque. The plaques most frequently requested are significant events, significant people who have lived in the home, intrinsic significance, architectural significance, and social significance. The Committee discussed the application. Ms. Dannhaeuser asked if they should drive by the house first before approving the application. Ms. Elrod reminded the Committee that a sub-committee has been charged with reviewing the historic plaque program for evaluation. Concerns that are raised at this meeting are for the sub-committee to further address. Ms. Sanford stated that in the past the Committee has also used the criteria that the home must be 50 years or older. This encourages people to take pride and recognize the area as historical. Ms. Hitchcock stated that program is in place for education as well. Mr. Chester made the motion to approve the home plaque application. Mr. Allison seconded the motion, which passed(5-0). Agenda Item No. 6: Consideration, discussion and possible action— Historic Home Plaque— 207 Suffolk—Carl & Peggy Shafer. The Committee reviewed the application. Mr. Chester made the motion to approve the application. Ms. Dannhaeuser seconded the motion, which passed(5-0). Ms. Elrod told the Committee that in the future home plaque applicants would be invited to attend HPC meetings. It will not be a requirement for them to attend, but this would give the Committee the opportunity to develop community relations. Ms. Elrod requested that the committee, upon receiving an HPC packet containing a plaque application, reads the application and drives by the site prior to attending the meeting. Ms. Dannhaeuser asked if the home plaque application asks why a home should be considered for a plaque. Ms. Elrod replied that the application asks whether it is a subject or a structure marker. Ms. Elrod stated that it would be an idea for the home plaque sub-committee to investigate. The sub- committee consists of J.P. Grom and David Chester. HPC Minutes January 14,2003 Page 2 of 6 Agenda Item No. 7: Consideration, discussion regarding the Committee's invitation by Shawn B. Carlson, Ph.D., Curator of Collections and Exhibits of the Star of Republic Museum to assist with inventory of the archeological collection of the 1850's Stagecoach Inn detached kitchen and by Alternate Committee Member Randal Allison to assist with the archeological excavation in January and February of the Old Black School in Bryan. Ms. Elrod told the Committee that she had spoken with Ms. Carlson, the Curator of Collections and Exhibits of the Star of the Republic Museum. Ms. Carlson reported that the artifacts from the kitchen of the Stagecoach Inn are collected and stored in metal cabinets. They have not been processed yet. Ms. Carlson is searching for 2-4 people from the surrounding communities to work together on the project. She asked for someone to come on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and work half days. Ms. Conlee and Ms. Dannhaeuser said they would contact Ms. Carlson to volunteer. Mr. Allison briefed the Committee on the archaeological project on the Old Black School grounds. He reported that Houston McGaugh and Ms. Carlson were contacted by Mell Pruitt of the Brazos County African American Heritage Society to do some preliminary work at the site at Houston and 20"Streets in Bryan. This will be the site for the African American Heritage Society Museum. It was suggested that members of this Committee observe the archaeological work occurring at the site on the afternoons of January 25 and 26 and on the mornings of February 1 and 2. Agenda Item No. 8: Committee staff report of pertinent upcoming community events pertaining to historical interests. Mr. McGee shared with the Committee information on the Texas Historical Commission(THC) free all- day preservation workshop to take place Friday, February 28 in Denton, Texas. Ms. Elrod told the Committee that there were funds available in the budget to send members to this event. Several members were interested but could not commit at this time. Ms. Elrod reviewed upcoming events listed in the Committee packet. Ms. Elrod reminded the Committee about the Development Services meeting for boards and committees to be held at 5:30 PM on January 30 at the George Bush Conference Center. Agenda Item No. 9: Report from Organizational Sub-Committee. No report given. Ms. Sanford stated that she was going to have to remove herself from the sub- committee due to her time limitations. She stated that she would like to remain on an advisory level. The sub-committee consists of Bill Lancaster, Sherlei Dannhaeuser, and Robert McGee. The sub-committee will meet at Chili's for lunch. HPC Minutes January 14,2003 Page 3 of 6 Agenda Item No. 10: Report from Historic Home Plaque Committee. Mr. Chester stated that there was no report, and he was unsure who was supposed to organize the meeting. Ms. Elrod stated that he and Mr. Grom are to establish a time to get together. Agenda Item No. 11: Report from staff on December 16, 2002 meeting with Senior Advisory Committee. Ms. Elrod stated that she attended the Senior Advisory Committee meeting and that the Committee was very enthusiastic about HPC's efforts. Ms. Elrod strongly suggested some members of}WC attend one of their meetings. Some ideas given by the Senior Advisory Committee: When collecting items, make note of items illustrating oral history so they can be placed on the website. Once pictures are collected they should be reproduced and hung in prominent places throughout the city for further PR for the program. Start finding grants. They were interested in a joint sub-committee. When the Committee starts collecting data, be cognizant of what would be applicable to a brochure depicting the establishment of the city. Ms. Elrod stated they had given her some connections to individuals in the African American community. Mr. McGee stated that the next Senior Advisory Committee meeting is listed in the city calendar and will be February 24 at 10:00 AM at the Exit Center. Ms. Elrod suggested someone from this committee attend the next meeting to establish a rapport between the two committees. Agenda item No. 12: Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding collecting and preserving historic documents. Mr. Grom who was not able to he in attendance sent an e-mail to Ms. Elrod to be read to the Committee. Chair Sanford read the following: As a member of the historic preservation committee I feel compelled to write this email as an advocate for the placement of documentation and artifacts related to the city of College Station in the Carnegie Center of Brazos Valley. It is a well known fact that the Carnegie Center of the Brazos Valley is a collection point for all cultural heritage of our region. As an Architect, the Carnegie Center of the Brazos Valley has proven useful on numerous occasions in my efforts to prepare design documentation, verify building uses and supplement modern records. It is the HPC Minutes January 14, 2003 Page 4 of 6 Center's regional role as a collection point that makes it so attractive for the deposit of records and artifacts from the City of College Station. The history of College Station is not isolated from that of the neighboring communities, and especially not Bryan. To presume that the collection of historical records from College station in a building in Bryan is not in keeping with the objective of gathering "College Station History" in incorrect. Through the placement of these materials in the Carnegie Center of the Brazos Valley their significance is better understood because of the cultural context available to the researcher. The history of our city deserves the special care and thoughtful presentation available at the Carnegie Center of the Brazos valley. The decision of this committee to place our collections into the hands of the staff of our neighbors in Bryan is sure to enhance the cultural impact we all hope that the history of College Station will have on all that seek it. Mr. McGee asked if Mr. Grom had been in contact with the Carnegie staff to see if they have room and the staff to take the historic documents and that he would not have anything against the material going to the Carnegie that it was a great place. Mr. Chester stated that he got the impression on the tour that they do not have room for artifacts. Ms. Elrod replied that that was correct, but they did have room for documents and that Carnegie staff indicated that they would process, preserve and catalog the material the committee donated to the Carnegie Center. Ms. Elrod suggested that the committee may want to make a display of any artifacts collected in the display case at the College Station Conference Center. Mr. Allison stated that it would make sense to utilize their services rather than duplicate the same thing in College Station. Mr. Chester voiced his agreement. He pointed out that the placement of College Station's items in the Carnegie would not have to be on a permanent basis that once College Station created an appropriate museum facility with curation services to handle historic documents the items then could be moved back. Mr. Allison continued that the set up at the Carnegie Center was perfect for letters and photos that the committee would collect and the services of the Carnegie Center were ---- needed. Ms. Dannhauser voiced her support. Ms. Sanford stated that the Committee in the past disagreed and had discussed it for several years because they wanted to keep the focus in College Station because the Carnegie Center for Brazos Valley History is located in Bryan. Ms. Sanford stated that the committee should have as one of its goals a facility and that the committee should go in the future to City Council and ask for that to be one of the Committee's goals, but that now the committee should utilize the Carnegie Center facility. Ms. Sandford asked how much space was available at the City of College Station Office of Technology and Information Support (OTIS). Ms. Elrod replied OTIS had only one-three drawer filing cabinet allocate to the project in which to store historic materials. Mr. Allison made the motion that the College Station HPC move forward with utilizing the archival services at the Carnegie Center for Brazos Valley History given the need for storing materials, with an eye at some point in the future for having the materials housed in an appropriate facility in College Station. Mr. McGee seconded the motion, which passed(6-0). Ms. Elrod reported to the Committee that Assistant City Manager Glenn Brown recommended that the committee make a report to City Council if they decided to recommend the housing of historical material at the Carnegie Center for Brazos Valley History. Mr. Allison made the motion to proceed with acquiring City Council approval at their workshop meeting on February 13. Mr. McGee seconded the motion, which passed(6-0). HPC Minutes January 14, 2003 Page 5 of h Agenda Item No. 13: Consideration, discussion and possible action in the selection of future agenda items. Report from Organizational Sub-Committee. Report from Historic Home Plaque Committee. Action regarding collecting and preserving historic documents. Report from Stagecoach Inn archeological collection and Old Black School archeological excavation. City's participation in the Texas Historical Commission workshop on February 28 in Denton. Agenda Item No. 14: Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 PM. APP l VED: 41 • '/ *W4. S Marsha Sanford, Chai ST: — • AIL qb• • Deborah Grace, ' aff Assistant HPC Minutes January 14, 2003 Page 6 of 6