HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/2003 - Regular Minutes - Historic Preservation Committee
M I N U T E S
Historic Preservation Committee
September 9, 2003
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Sanford, David K. Chester, Bill Lancaster, Robert McGee, Carl
Shafer, Sherlei Dannhaeuser, J.P. Grom, Thomas Taylor & Randal
Allison.
MEMBERS ABSENT
: None
STAFF PRESENT:
Staff Assistant Stacey Ann Smith, Staff Planner Kate Elrod, Senior
Planner Lee Battle, Staff Planner Molly Hitchcock & Planning Intern
Lauren Harrell.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1:Call to Order.
Chairman Sanford called the meeting to order at 5:40 PM.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2:Introductions of Committee Members.
The Board & Staff introduced themselves.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3:Consideration, discussion and possible action on absence requests
for Sherlei Dannhauser.
There were no absences.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Hear visitors.
No visitors spoke.
AGENDA ITEM NO.5: Consideration, discussion and possible action to approve meeting
minutes from July 8, 2003.
Bill Lancaster made the motion to approve the minutes. Robert McGee seconded the motion, which
passed (9-0).
AGENDA ITEM NO.6: Consideration, discussion and possible action to approve meeting
minutes from August 12, 2003.
There was one correction made by Thomas Taylor. Committee member Lancaster made the motion to
approve the minutes. David Chester seconded the motion, which passed (9-0).
HPC Minutes July 8, 2003 Page 1 of 4
AGENDA ITEM NO 7: Consideration and possible action regarding a presentation by
Dennis Rother of Rother’s Bookstore and Suanne Pledger of Loupot’s Bookstore regarding their
plans for a parking lot behind the commercial structure at George Bush and Montclair.
Molly Hitchcock reviewed information from the preapplication meeting with Robert Payne concerning
this project. Committee Member Taylor asked about the history of the current parking lot behind the
building. Ms. Hitchcock stated that the parking lot was issued a conditional use permit, but a CUP can
no longer be acquired for a parking lot in a residential area. She continued that the lot must be rezoned
to accommodate this parking lot. Committee Member McGee said there are two questions that need to
be considered: (1) Should the homes be saved? (2) If not, then does the parking lot fit in with the
context of the Southside Historic area? Dennis Rother discussed the historical significance of the
shopping center. Chairman Sanford next wanted to discuss the historic significance of the homes that
would be demolished for the new parking lot. The commission continued to discuss the pros and cons
of the commercial encroachment into the historic neighborhood.
Mr. Lancaster made the motion to support the request and formulate a statement. J.P. Grom seconded
the motion, which passed (9-0).
The commission went on to discuss forming a statement. The statement created was: The Historic
Preservation Committee supports the construction of the parking lot at 200 and 202 Montclair. The
HPC reviewed the site and found the Southside Commercial Center to be more historically significant
than the two historic homes, which are deemed to be in disrepair and proposed for removal. The HPC
finds that the Southside Commercial Center is historically significant because:
1)It was constructed in the early 1940’s;
2)It was the first commercial center in the Southside area;
3)It housed some of the first city offices;
4)And, it housed the world-renowned architecture firm CRS.
Mr. Lancaster made the motion to accept this statement of support and forward it to City Council. Mr.
Taylor seconded the motion, which passed (9-0).
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Committee and staff report of pertinent past and upcoming events
pertaining to historical interests.
Kate Elrod gave the committee members a handout with the following pertinent dates.
September 13, 2003, Masonic Library Open House.
September 30, 2003, David Woodcock, Director of the Historic Imaging Lab at Texas A&M,
invited staff to give a presentation to his class on local and state historic preservation efforts.
October 2, 2003, Meet with the students at City Hall to discuss Project HOLD and the Marker
Project assignments and to meet with HPC members.
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October 9, 2003, City Council will have the proclamation for the City’s 65 Birthday.
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October 19, 2003, City’s 65 Birthday Celebration.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding the vacant
HPC alternate position and the number of HPC members.
The commission discussed the open alternate HPC position. The commission went on to discuss the
number of HPC members.
HPC Minutes July 8, 2003 Page 2 of4
Chairman Sanford made a motion that HPC pursue getting 2 alternates. Randal Allison
seconded the motion, which passed (9-0).
AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Report, consideration and possible action regarding the Historic
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Preservation Committee’s participation in the City of College Station’s 65 birthday celebration.
Ms. Elrod stated she went to the planning meeting today and showed the post card advertising the
Exploring College Station History series and newspaper ad. They said they were pleased with these.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: Report, consideration, and possible action regarding the Historic
Marker Initiative and the identification of eligible buildings and subjects.
There was some talk of the grass roots efforts within the College Hills neighborhood to create a historic
district.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 12: Report, consideration, and possible action regarding the Project
HOLD: Historic Online Library Database.
The organizational committee met for the first time. Mr. Lancaster gave an update on that first meeting
and stated that they need volunteers.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 13: Review function of Organizational and Historic Marker Sub-
Committees and appoint new members as appropriate.
Was skipped due to error.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 14: Set dates for Organizational and Historic Marker Sub-Committee
meetings.
The Organizational Committee will continue with their individual projects and meet on their own time.
The Historic Marker Sub-Committee will meet September 22, 2003 at 11:30A.M.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 15: Consideration, discussion and possible action in the selection of
future agenda items.
Consideration and discussion of a plan for the Southside area.
Give a brief explanation of a historic district.
Repeat Lauren Harrell’s presentation on reviewing historic plaque applications.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 16: Adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15P.M.
HPC Minutes July 8, 2003 Page 3 of 4
APPROVED:
______________________
Marsha Sanford, Chairman
ATTEST:
__________________________
Stacey Ann Smith, Staff Assistant
HPC Minutes July 8, 2003 Page 4 of 4