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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2000 - Regular Minutes - Historic Preservation Committee cPreseroalion Commi/lee clikrkshop Weeting Cil 91011 Training %owl 1101 Texas 9loenue cladnesday, 9rovemberya 2000 - 530 p.m MEMBERS PRESENT: Shawn Carlson, Chair; Margaret Griffith, Co-Chair; Bill Lancaster; Thomas Taylor; Myron Gantt; Robert McGee; Marsha Sanford; Monte Trenckmann; Graham Sheffy MEMBERS ABSENT: Deborah Jasek STAFF PRESENT: David Gerling, Special Facilities Superintendent; Glenn Brown, City Manager's Office; Jane Kee, Lee Battle, Molly Hitchcock, Deborah Grace, Development Services VISITORS PRESENT: Mike Luther 1. Call to Order: Shawn Carlson called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. 2. Consideration & A• 'royal of Member Requests for Absences: Deborah Jasek was the only member absent. Shawn asked if anyone would be absent from the December meeting. There were no requests. The January meeting would be held on the second Wednesday - January 10, 2001. 3. Update on Brison Park Bonfire Memorial: David stated that the dedication would be held on Saturday, November 18, 2000. A draft of the program was passed around. He stated that no programs would be mailed, but all handed out at the ceremony. He said the ceremony would start at 2:00 and should only last about 20 minutes at the most. 4. Historic Ordinance Preparation: Shawn said she hoped that Colleen Batchelor's description (at the last meeting) of Bryan's ordinance process hadn't distressed anyone. Twenty years ago there were not many historic preservation ordinances in place. Today, there are about 2,000 cities in the country with this type of ordinance, so there are a lot of examples and different models to follow. Shawn explained that the standard way to protect old structures and the areas around them is to designate a historic district, then initiate an ordinance that will allow protection of that district. (The boundaries of the three College Station historic areas, based on subdivision plat dates of 1950 and earlier, were defined in the spring of 1999.) The consultants hired to rewrite the City's ordinances will write the historic ordinance for the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC). Historic ordinances protect historic areas through a design review board made up of members with expertise in specific areas. The board regulates changes within a historic area, including demolition, changes or additions to a structure, and new buildings, and decides whether the proposed changes violate the established design standards for that area. The design standards can be part of the ordinance, or separate from it. Shawn stated the HPC needed to discuss what design standards it wanted. Bill Lancaster had concerns that the design standards might be too restrictive, making it difficult for improvements to be made. Historic Preservation Committee Workshop Minutes, November,2000 Page 2 The tape was stopped and a break was taken so that everyone could eat. When the meeting resumed, discussion took place regarding the types of things necessary to maintain and preserve the character of the neighborhoods, conservation districts, and the committee's responsibility towards the historic neighborhoods. Most members were in favor of less restrictive standards than Bryan's. Jane stated that most of the things discussed could be incorporated into a zoning ordinance. An overlay zone could be done with an added level of review or restriction. Some amendments could be specific to certain areas and some could be applied citywide. The ordinance needs to be done first and then applied to the defined area. Jane said she would see what the consultants' schedule was like so that they could spend some time with the HPC. Shawn stated that after 5:00 p.m. was preferrable for the members. Margaret made a motion that the members recommend to the consultant that the historic areas be established as Historic Conservation Districts. Marsha seconded. All members were in favor. Hearing no opposition the motion passed unanimously. All members were in favor of recommending the following concerns to the consultant: 1. Maintaining structural density (set backs) 2. Maintaining lot sizes as defined by character of neighborhood 3. Keeping residential areas, residential 4. Property setbacks 5. Parking Areas - turning entire front yards into driveways 6. Height of buildings 7. Required maintenance 8. Possible incentives for improvements that are made in keeping with the neighborhood 9. Preserve and protect the character of the neighborhood. Tom asked the members to think about whether a new board should be created to handle these districts. Jane stated that it would be helpful to talk to the consultant about review boards when he met with the HPC. 5. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.