[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:03]
WE HAVE A QUORUM GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME
[4.C. Future Agenda Items]
TO THE AUSTIN HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION.UH, WE'LL BE HEARING CASES TONIGHT IN THE ORDER THEY APPEAR ON THE AGENDAS.
OH, CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER AND TAKE ROLL.
TERRY MYERS CHAIRMAN BEN-HAIM STAFF PRESENT ANISSA CASTEEL PRESIDENT WITH FEATHERS DONE.
PHYSICALLY PRESENT KEVIN KECK PRESENT.
CARLA ROCHE, ROSA KELLY, LITTLE I'M HERE VIRTUALLY.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE AT THE FIRST PART OF OUR AGENDA? UM, WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC
[PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL]
COMMUNICATION.ANYONE FROM THE FIRST 10 SPEAKERS WHO REGISTER TO SPEAK MAY DO SO IF THEY ARE SPEAKING ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT.
SO IF YOU HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S ON OUR AGENDA, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO SPEAK.
IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER, UM, ISSUE OR COMMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE, UH, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, HOPEFULLY ON PRESERVATION RELATED ISSUES.
DID WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? AMBER HAS JUST GONE OUT TO CHECK THAT.
WE HAVE A MS. SUSAN ARMSTRONG FISHER.
SHE WANTS TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
IS SHE HERE? OKAY, COME ON UP, GO UP TO THE PODIUM.
MAKE SURE IT'S THE SAME AS WHAT CAMFRIDGE IS SAID.
MY NAME'S SUSAN ARMSTRONG FISHER.
I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS THE CONCERN ABOUT THE PACKETS COMING OUT 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETINGS.
THE HISTORY CENTER, AS WE KNOW IS ONLY OPEN ON SATURDAYS FROM 10 TO SIX.
AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE OBLIGATIONS OR FAMILIES AND ARE NOT ABLE TO GET THERE DURING THOSE EIGHT HOURS, I, IT IS, WE HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE HISTORY AND THE INFORMATION OUT THERE TO UNDERSTAND THE DEMOLITIONS AS WELL.
AND SO I WOULD ASK THAT THE PACKETS BE RELEASED PRIOR OR EARLIER IN THE WEEK, SO THAT THERE IS THAT RESEARCH AND THAT RESOURCE AVAILABLE.
CAN STAFF ADDRESS THIS CONCERN? UH, WE GENERALLY POST THE AGENDA AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATIONS ON THURSDAY PRIOR TO THE MEETING, THE, UH, MEETING DATES AND DEADLINES ARE SET IN A WAY THAT THE, THE TIME BETWEEN THE APPLICATION DEADLINE AND THE POSTING IS SPENT WITH STAFF PREPARING, UH, THE BACKUP, THE BACKGROUND PRESENTATION, THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER.
UM, SO IT'S ALREADY A FAIRLY TIGHT TIMELINE FOR STAFF TO PREPARE FOR THE MEETINGS TO GET INFORMATION PRIOR TO THE STAFF THAT 72 HOURS FROM STAFF, WHETHER BY ASKING, CALLING THE NUMBER, OR CERTAINLY, CERTAINLY STAFF HAS HAPPY TO BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
WE DO POST A PREVIEW LIST WHEN THE AGENDA IS SET.
UH, THAT'S GENERALLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THE FULL AGENDA AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ARE AVAILABLE.
SO IF THERE'S SOMETHING ON THAT PREVIEW LIST THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, UH, YOU CAN CALL, UH, AMBER ALLEN, OR YOU CAN EMAIL PRESERVATION AT AUSTIN, TEXAS.GOV, AND, UH, AMBER WE'LL GET YOU CONNECTED WITH THE APPROPRIATE STAFF MEMBER.
MAY I ASK EVERYONE WHO IS NOT SPEAKING TO PLEASE TURN THEIR MICROPHONES OFF AT THE, AT THE DESK AT THE TABLES? YES.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AT AN ISSUE AND WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS OF, UH, ACCESS IN THE PAST.
I DO THINK THE STAFF HAS ALSO, UH, DONE A WONDERFUL JOB WITH, UH, WITH A PREVIEW LIST, WHICH HAS ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE.
SO YOU MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE BACKUP, BUT YOU AT LEAST HAVE A LISTING OF THE CASES, UH, SOMETIMES A WEEK OR SO MORE BEFORE THEY COME ON OUR AGENDA.
[00:05:01]
UH, ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT DEPENDING ON HOW THIS COMES OUT, WE'RE GOING TO BE SHIFTING OUR DAY TO A WEDNESDAY, AND THAT MAY ACTUALLY HELP US IN SOME OF THAT COMMUNICATION.IT'S BEEN ONE THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN HAVING TO DEAL WITH, AND WE CERTAINLY ALL WANT TO BE AS PREPARED AS WE CAN AS MUCH IN ADVANCE AS WE CAN, BUT I HAVE TO COMPLIMENT THE STAFF FOR DOING A LOT ALREADY TO HELP WITH THAT COMMUNICATION.
UM, WHEN YOU POST THE AGENDA ON THE THURSDAY OR FRIDAY BEFORE THE MEETING, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH SET AT THAT POINT, ISN'T IT? UNLESS SOME ADDITIONAL BACKUP COMES IN SO THAT, UM, THAT INFORMATION IS ONLINE.
YOU CAN GO TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION WEBSITE OR HOMEPAGE AND VIEW JUST AFTER THE FIRST LITTLE BLURB.
THERE'S A, UM, AN AREA WHERE YOU CAN VIEW AGENDAS.
AND IF YOU CLICK ON THAT, YOU'LL COME UP WITH, UM, WITH THE AGENDAS BY DATE AND YOU CAN SEE THE, UM, APPLICATIONS AND THE BACKUP, UH, THAT SUBMITTED AT THE TIME THAT THE AGENDA'S POSTED.
I KNOW THAT, UM, YOU MAY NOT GET A PERSONAL, LIKE A NOTICE OF, OF SOMETHING GOING ON WITHIN 500 FEET.
YOU, YOU MIGHT, IT MIGHT NOT BE THAT, BUT, UM, BUT YOU WILL HAVE THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE AND THAT'S WHEN WE GET THE INFORMATION AS WELL.
UM, UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE PREVIEW LIST, BUT WE, UH, WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS, UM, ON IT.
[2.A. Revised 2022 Meeting Schedule]
BRUMMETT, DID YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND, UH, TALK ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND THEN WE'LL GO OVER THE AGENDA.JUST WANTED TO GET THAT STRAIGHT BEFORE WE HAVE EVERYBODY COMING UP HERE.
THIS IS ELIZABETH BRUMMETT, UH, I'M THE MANAGER OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE.
AND, UM, OUR FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, WE HAVE TO TAKE UP BEFORE ANY OF THE CASES, BECAUSE IT WILL PERTAIN TO, UH, ANY POSTPONEMENTS FROM THIS MEETING TONIGHT.
UM, SO THERE WAS A, A MEMORANDUM FROM CITY LEADERSHIP THAT WENT TO THE CHAIR OF ALL LAND USE COMMISSIONS, A WAYS BACK INDICATING THAT THIS, UH, PERMITTING A DEVELOPMENT CENTER WOULD BE THE NEW HOME FOR LAND USE RELATED COMMISSIONS.
UH, THAT DECISION HAS SINCE BEEN REVERSED AND PLANNING, COMMISSION ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH ARE VERY CLOSELY RELATED TO THE WORK OF THE LANDMARK COMMISSION ARE REMAINING AT CITY HALL, UH, FOR THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION TO RETURN TO CITY HALL.
IT NECESSITATES A CHANGE IN MEETING DATE.
UM, SO ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR BACKUP IS A PLANNED SCHEDULE OF MEETING DATES AND ASSOCIATED APPLICATION DEADLINES.
WE WOULD BE MOVING FROM THE FOURTH MONDAY TO THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH.
SO THAT MEANS WE WOULD NOT HAVE AN APRIL MEETING.
UH, WE WILL, UH, JUST MOVE AHEAD A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, TWO WEDNESDAY, MAY FOUR.
UH, THE DATES AFTER THAT, OR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST, WEDNESDAY, JULY 6TH, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3RD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND.
AND THEN TO AVOID STAFF PREPARATION TIME OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, UH, THE DECEMBER MEETING WOULD BE ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH AND DO THOSE, UH, MEETING DATES ARE ALL RESERVED IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR US.
UM, SO WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR YOU TO DO TONIGHT IS ADOPT AN UPDATED MEETING SCHEDULE.
UH, I DO HOPE THAT THIS ISN'T A MAJOR IMPOSITION FOR ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO CHANGE DATES.
UH, BUT IT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO RETURN TO SITTING HOME.
SHOULD WE TAKE A VOTE ON THAT? DO I HEAR A MOTION TO ADOPT THE NEW SCHEDULE? MADAM CHAIR? I MAKE SUCH MOTION SECOND.
IT'S MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER HAIM SETS SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER LAROCHE.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? UH, I THINK AS BEST AS I CAN TELL THE LANDMARKS HAS BEEN ON MONDAY FOR SO LONG, I I'M I'M WONDER IF IT'S EVER BEEN MORE THAN JUST ONE OR TWO MEETINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD ON A MONDAY.
SO IT'S, IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO, OF COURSE, OF ALL COMMISSIONS, ONE HAVING TO DO WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
YOU THINK THAT OUR TRADITIONAL MONDAY WOULD HAVE BEEN RESERVED, BUT IF IT, IF IT TAKES WEDNESDAY TO GET US TO, UH, CITY HALL, SO BE IT I'M A CREATURE OF HABIT.
SO I MIGHT SHOW UP ON MONDAYS, UH, FOR AWHILE,
[00:10:01]
BUT, UH, YEAH, I PREFER, I THINK THAT THERE IS A, UM, I THINK THAT THERE'S A REAL, UH, KIND OF SYMBOLIC COMPONENT OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING AT CITY HALL, ALONG WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION.UM, THIS GIVES KIND OF EQUAL ACCESS TO CITIZENS RESIDENTS FROM ALL OF AUSTIN.
AND I THINK IT LENDS A CERTAIN LEVEL OF AUTHORITY TO THE LANDMARK COMMISSION, UM, TO BE HEARD IN CITY HALL, UM, RATHER THAN, UM, IN AN OFFICE BUILDING, UH, ELSEWHERE.
SO I, UM, I AM GLAD I, I'M SORRY TO LOSE MONDAY, BUT, UM, BUT I THINK THAT THIS IS, UH, WHAT WE NEED TO DO ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
UH, I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE STAFF TO, I'M ASSUMING YOU MIGHT GET INFORMATION OUT ON FRIDAY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN NICE TO HAVE THE WEEKEND TO PREPARE FOR THE MONDAY MEETINGS AND WITH THE 72 HOURS, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO END UP BEING IN A DAY FRIDAYS.
WE WILL NEED TO POST BY 3:00 PM ON FRIDAY, UH, TO ALLOW THAT 72 HOURS, UH, BETWEEN THE POSTING AND THE MEETING DATES SINCE POSTING STANDARD HER OVER THE WEEKEND.
AND THAT'LL HELP ADDRESS THE ISSUE BROUGHT UP EARLIER.
UM, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, WE'LL TAKE THE VOTE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING THE NEW SCHEDULE, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
UM, COMMISSIONER MCWHORTER HAS JOINED US.
SO PLEASE COUNT HIM AS ATTENDING THE MOTION PASSES.
WE'VE ADOPTED THE NEW SCHEDULE.
AND AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR THE, THE KIND OF ABRUPT NATURE OF THE CHANGE.
UH, THE REASON THAT WE WANTED TO TAKE IT UP AS THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS, UH, FOR ALL POSTPONEMENTS TONIGHT.
UM, I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR TO THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH AT 6:00 PM AT CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
SO WITH THAT ANNOUNCED AT THIS MEETING, THERE WILL NOT BE, UM, WE HAD TO DO NEW NOTIFICATIONS FOR THE CHANGE IN MEETING LOCATION TO COME HERE TONIGHT, SINCE THAT WASN'T ANNOUNCED AT OUR PRIOR MEETING.
UH, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE ROOM IS CLEAR THAT THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH, 6:00 PM AT COUNCIL CHAMBERS, UM, TO PROBABLY PUT THE ADDRESS OUT THERE AS WELL.
DOES SOMEONE HAVE THE, EXCUSE ME ONE DAY WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE, UH, THE ADDRESS OF CITY HALL? OH, IT IS 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET.
THAT WAS ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE, BUT I DIDN'T QUITE HAVE IT.
UM, SO THAT, THAT WILL APPLY FOR ALL, UH, CONSENT POSTPONEMENTS THAT THE COMMISSION PASSES.
AND THEN FOR CLARITY, UH, JUST WITH THE CHANGES, I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE COMMISSION WOULD ANNOUNCE, UM, WITH ANY CASES THAT ARE DISCUSSION CASE THAT'S THEN POSTPONED.
UM, IF YOU WOULD, AGAIN, REMIND TO THE FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE NEW MEDA MEETING DATE AND LOCATION.
I'LL GO AHEAD AND GO QUICKLY THROUGH THE AGENDA.
I WANT TO LET EVERYONE WHO'S IN THE AUDIENCE HERE, AND WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE TONIGHT.
IF YOUR ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT, YOU SHOULD STAY UNTIL THE VOTE IS TAKEN ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, WHICH WILL BE RIGHT AFTER WE READ THE, THE FULL AGENDA.
IF IT PASSES ON CONSENT, PLEASE LOOK AT THE STAFF AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT IN ESSENCE, YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED AND YOU MAY LEAVE THE MEETING.
IF HOWEVER, YOUR ITEM IS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, THAT MEANS IT WON'T BE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
AND WE WILL HEAR THOSE CASES IN THE ORDER.
WE HAVE SOME POSTPONEMENTS AS WELL.
UM, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ
[Consent Agenda]
THE, READ THE AGENDA.AND YOU MAY, YOU MAY STOP ME AT ANY TIME.
IF YOU WANT TO PULL AN ITEM, JUST, UH, RAISE YOUR HAND OR CALL OUT TO ME.
I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE ALL SIDES OF THE ROOM AND THE SCREEN AT THE SAME TIME, BUT THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES THAT'S OFFERED FOR CONSENT.
WE'VE ALREADY DONE THE, UH, TWO A THE REVISED 2022 MEETING.
WE WILL HAVE TO BE A BRIEFING ON ART AND PUBLIC PLACES.
THAT WILL BE THE FIRST ITEM THAT, UH, THAT WE'LL HAVE AFTER WE GO THROUGH THE AGENDA
[00:15:01]
UNDER PUBLIC HEARINGS.THESE ARE DISCUSSIONS AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPLICATIONS FOR HISTORIC ZONING DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIONS ON APPLICATIONS FOR HISTORIC DISTRICT ZONING AND REQUESTS TO CONSIDER INITIATION OF HISTORIC ZONING CASES.
ITEM A 1 16 17 NEW YORK AVENUE.
THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED A POSTPONEMENT, UH, ITEM EIGHT TO 1403 EAST CESAR CHAVEZ.
THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED A POSTPONEMENT UNDER B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS ITEM B 1 24 0 2 SAN GABRIEL STREET.
THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN.
UH, THIS IS FOR THE, UH, REVEREND JACOB FONTANE GOLD DOLLAR BUILDING.
SO AT LEAST FOR NOW THAT APPLICATION, UH, HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN.
UH, WE WILL NOT HAVE TO CONSIDER IT B2 39 0 8 AVENUE H THIS IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ITEM B3 42 10 AVENUE C IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ITEM BEFORE 3006 HEMPEL PARK.
I'D LIKE TO PULL THAT ITEM FOR DISCUSSION UNDER SEA DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICTS, C 1-804-RUTHERFORD PLACE AND TRAVEL SITES.
THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED A POSTPONEMENT.
WE HAVE TWO REGISTERED SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION, WHICH MEANS THIS WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT.
ITEM C 2, 5 12 IS MONROE STREET.
THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED A POSTPONEMENT.
WE ALSO HAVE REGISTERED SPEAKER, UH, IN OPPOSITION.
SO WE WILL HAVE TO PULL IT FROM CONSENT OF POSTPONEMENT TO DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT.
THIS IS, THIS IS A DISCUSSION ITEM.
AND I'M C4 1803 KENWOOD AVENUE.
WE HAVE A SPEAKER, UH, IN OPPOSITION.
SO WE WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.
13, 15 AND 1317 MOONING AVENUE.
THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED A POSTPONEMENT.
WE HAVE REGISTERED SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION, SO WE WILL PULL IT FROM CONSENT POSTPONEMENT TO DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT.
ITEM C 6 17 0 2 HARTFORD GRUB.
BEVERLY ROAD IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT.
4 0 6 EAST ANNIE STREET IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ITEMS. SEE 9, 12 0 5 ALTA VISTA AVENUE IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT.
WE HAVE SPEAKERS REGISTERED IN OPPOSITION, SO WE WILL BE PULLING THIS ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.
17 WAS 30TH STREET IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT.
11 16, 16 WEST 12TH STREET IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ITEM C 12 13 17 WESTOVER WESTOVER ROAD IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ITEM C 13 14, 13 KIRKWOOD ROAD IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT UNDER D DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPLICATIONS FOR DEMOLITION OR RELOCATION.
D 1 3 0 1 WEST SIXTH STREET WILL BE A DISCUSSION ITEM ITEM D 2 12 0 2 EAST SIXTH STREET IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ITEM D 3 22 0 6
[00:20:01]
EAST SIDE DRIVE IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT.WE HAVE A SPEAKER REGISTERED IN OPPOSITION.
WE WILL BE PULLING THIS ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.
I DON'T EAT DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT CASES, WE HAVE NO ITEMS UNDER ITEM F DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPLICATIONS FOR TAX ABATEMENT FOR REHABILITATION OF PROPERTY AND A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT F1 42 10 AVENUE C IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ITEM F TWO, 3006.
SIMPLE PARK IS OFFERED CONSENT, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
UM, WE HAVEN'T HEARD THAT CASE.
IT'S BEEN PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.
HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THE APPLICATION FOR TAX ABATEMENT? THE, UH, TAX ABATEMENT WOULD NEED TO MATCH THE APPROVED EXPENDITURES FOR, UM, WHAT'S APPROVED UNDER THEIR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS.
SO IF THERE ARE ANY ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED, STAFF WOULD ACCOMMODATE THAT.
THEN SHALL WE LEAVE IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? I THINK THAT WOULD BE FINE.
OR YOU COULD TAKE IT UP WITH, UM, IF YOU WANTED TO PASS A MOTION REGARDING BOTH THE, UH, SURETEC CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS AND THE, UH, TAX ABATEMENT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT COULD ALSO WORK.
I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TAKING UP THE TAX ABATEMENT ISSUE WITH THE, WITH THE ITEM? OKAY.
AND WE HAVE COMMISSION AND STAFF ITEMS, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON COMMITTEE REPORTS, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A DRAFT BUZZER BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. AGAIN, IF YOUR, IF YOUR ITEM, DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION MS. MARTINEZ, MS. MARTINEZ ASKED IF SHE COULD HAVE HER NAME REMOVED FROM A COUPLE OF THE ITEMS. WHENEVER I CALL YOUR NAME TO SPEAK, JUST, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET UP, IT'LL BE FINE.
THEN SHE, I THINK SHE'S, SHE IS CONSIDERING THIS SO THAT THE ITEMS THAT ARE UP FOR DISCUSSION TO DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT CAN PASS AS POSTPONEMENTS.
THERE'S MORE THAN ONE SPEAKER, AN OPPOSITION FOR THOSE ITEMS. SO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, ALL OF THE REGISTERED SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION OF THOSE ITEMS WOULD ALL COLLECTIVELY HAVE TO REMOVE THEIR NAMES FOR IT TO GO BACK TO CONSENT POSTPONEMENT.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, UH, 8 0 4 RUTHERFORD, THE TWO REGISTERED SPEAKERS WE HAVE ARE PAULA KAUFMANN AND MELODY MARTIN, MELANIE MARTINEZ.
WITH REMOVING YOUR NAMES AND PUTTING THOSE TWO ITEMS BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR CONSENT POSTPONEMENT SAID, YES.
THE NEXT ONE IS WHICH ITEM NUMBER IS 8 0 4 RUTHERFORD.
SO PLEASE MOVE IT BACK TO CONSENT POSTPONEMENT.
THE NEXT ITEM THAT WAS REMOVED AND PUT ONTO THE DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT AGENDA WAS ITEM C 2, 5 12 EAST MONROE STREET.
WE HAVE PAULA KAUFMANN, UH, AS AN OP SHE'S OKAY WITH TAKING HER NAME OFF AND RE PUTTING THAT, UM, ITEM NUMBER C 2, 5 12 EAST MONROE STREET, BACK ON THE CONSENT POSTPONEMENT AGENDA.
AND THEN WE HAVE ITEM C FIVE, WHICH IS 13, 15 AND 13, 17, AND ENDING AVENUE.
THE TWO, UH, OPPOSING SPEAKERS ARE PAULA KAUFMAN AND MELANIE MARTINEZ.
YOU ALL ARE OKAY WITH CONSENT POSTPONEMENT OF THESE ITEMS. ALL RIGHT.
SO PLEASE MOVE ITEMS, UH, C1, C2, AND C5 OFF OF DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT.
THERE WILL BE NO DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT CASES AND PUT THEM BACK ON THE CONSENT POSTPONEMENT.
WHAT ABOUT C4? C4 WAS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.
IT'S ALREADY PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.
I CAN GO OVER THE LIST OF CONSENT ITEMS, UM, AND, UH, POSTPONE, CANCEL POSTPONEMENTS AND THEN ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION.
SO THE ITEMS WE HAVE FOR, UH, CONSENT ARE THE FEBRUARY 28TH HLC MEETING MINUTES ITEM B2, B3, C SIX, C SEVEN, C EIGHT, C 10, C 11, C 12, C 13, D TWO, F1 AND F TWO.
[00:25:01]
YES.F TWO IS, WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH, UM, BEFORE.
WE HAVE ITEMS, A ONE, A TWO C1, C2, AND C5.
AND THE, THE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WILL BE BEFORE IN CONJECTURE WITH F TWO, UH, C3 C4, C NINE D ONE AND D THREE.
THERE ARE NO DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT ITEMS THAT WAS SCENE NINE.
AND WHAT WAS THE LAST ONE? UH, D ONE AND D THREE, MADAM CHAIR.
I MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, ANY DISCUSSION.
AND A SECOND ON THAT, UM, AGAIN, IF YOUR ITEM PASSES ON CONSENT, YOU MAY LEAVE THE MEETING AND YOU CAN GET TOGETHER WITH STAFF FOR ANY, UH, CONSIDERATIONS.
ONE OF THE THINGS, IF YOU HAD A DEMOLITION REQUEST, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO COMPLETE A CITY OF AUSTIN DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE, WHICH CONSISTS OF, UM, PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL FACADES ON PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER, EIGHT BY 10, AND A HISTORIC NARRATIVE TO BE ARCHIVED AT THE AUSTIN HISTORIC, UH, AT THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF PASSING THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND OR SAY I, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? OKAY.
THE CONSENT AGENDA PASSES UNANIMOUSLY ON THE NEXT ITEM CONSENT POSTPONEMENT.
WE HAVE A 1 16, 17 NEW YORK AVENUE, A TO 1403 EAST SCISSOR CHAVEZ.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT POSTPONEMENTS? SO MOOD A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ANY OPPOSED? THE POSTPONEMENT, THE CONSENT POSTPONEMENT AGENDA PASSES AND THE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION ARM BEFORE 3006 HEMPEL PARK C3, 1,505 KILOMETER DRIVE C4, 1803 KENWOOD AVENUE, SCENE 9, 12 0 5 ALTA VISTA AVENUE.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE? UH, WE DON'T REALLY NEED TO APPROVE THEM.
[2.B. Briefing on Art in Public Places]
FIRST.WE HAVE THE BRIEFING FROM, UH, MR. FRANK WIC.
UM, I BELIEVE HE IS JOINING US VIA W A WEBEX.
UM, I WILL PULL UP THE PRESENTATION FOR YOU, MR. WICK.
YEAH, I, UM, I APPRECIATE YOUR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT.
UH, MY NAME IS FRANK WAKE AND I APOLOGIZE FOR LOOKING AT A CHEVY AS I DO.
UH, IT'S BEEN A LONG COUPLE OF YEARS.
UH, SO AGAIN, MY NAME'S FRANK WICK I'M COLLECTION MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S R BURTON PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM FOR AIPP.
UH, AIPP IS NESTED WITHIN THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
UH, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT.
UH, I HAVEN'T MET WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION OR LANDMARKS IN PROBABLY ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE, SO I'M GOING TO KIND OF TRY TO KEEP THIS BRIEF TO 10 MINUTES.
UM, AND IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS, FEEL FREE TO SEND THOSE MY WAY EITHER NOW, OR I'LL HAVE MY EMAIL ADDRESS ON THE SLIDE.
UM, SO THE LAST TIME I ATTENDED HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO FOR AN ARTWORK DONATION PROPOSAL AT SIX IN CONGRESS, UH, WAS THE FIRST TIME I NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT INTO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH STEVE SEDOWSKY.
UM, TONIGHT I WANT TO SORT OF WALK YOU THROUGH IN THE SLIDES, THE ARTWORK DONATION AND LOAN PROCESS, UM, FOR ARTWORKS
[00:30:01]
TO BE CITED ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY.AND IF WE WANT TO GET INTO THE NOMENCLATURE LATER, WE CAN DO THAT, BUT ESSENTIALLY IT'S BUILDINGS GREEN SPACES RIGHT OF WAYS.
UM, AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ADDRESSING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THIS DISCUSSION.
IT'S, IT'S SIMPLY, UH, DONATIONS IN LOANS.
THAT'S SORT OF MY WHEELHOUSE AND I ALSO SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST RECONNECT SINCE WE HAVEN'T TALKED IN YEARS.
UM, SO STEVE WAS MY DIRECT CONNECTION TO, UH, ALL OF YOU.
AND IN THE PAST, I MIGHT'VE GOTTEN A CALL FROM STEVE JUST AS A HEADS UP SAYING THAT SOMETHING WAS COMING FORWARD, OR THERE SEEMED TO BE SOMETHING ARTISTIC HAPPENING WITHIN, LET'S SAY, HISTORIC CORRIDOR, UM, YOU KNOW, WITH HIS PASSING, WHICH BREAKS MY HEART.
UM, THERE WAS A BRIEF DISCONNECTION AND BETWEEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND AIPP SO AMBER AND I, AND ELIZABETH WE'VE WE'VE RECONNECTED.
AND WE'VE KIND OF SAID ABOUT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF CREATING A NEW BOND SO THAT I CAN STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOU.
UM, SO IN THE PRESENTATION, I'M GOING TO REFERENCE A TERM DONATION ARTWORK DONATION, AND THAT IT'S CONSIDERED PERMANENT.
UH, THERE ARE TWO FORMS OF TAKING ART IN IS LOANS AND DONATIONS, PROCEDURALLY.
THOSE ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME.
SO TO SAVE US A LITTLE SANITY, I'M JUST GOING TO SORT OF USE THE TERM DONATION TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE.
UH, AS AN FYI, A DONATION IS PERMANENT, AND I'M GOING TO USE AIR QUOTES HERE BECAUSE AS HISTORIC, YOU KNOW, AS FANS OF HISTORY AND HISTORIANS, PERMANENT ISN'T NECESSARILY A THING.
UM, BUT, UH, ALONE IS FOR FIVE YEARS AND IT CAN BE RENEWED FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.
SO IF YOU'D BE KIND ENOUGH TO MOVE ON TO THE SECOND SLIDE, UM, SO ONE THING THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK CAN BE A LITTLE MYSTERIOUS TO EVERYONE, AND I'M, I'M GLAD THERE ALSO IS AN AUDIENCE, YOU KNOW, UH, OUT THERE OUTSIDE OF YOU ALL THAT IS WILLING TO SORT OF LISTEN TO ME RAMBLE, BUT ESSENTIALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS IF THERE'S AN INTEREST IN PUTTING ARTWORK ON CITY PROPERTY, AN APPLICATION IS PUT THROUGH TO ME, UH, I WORK WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, DIFFERENT USER GROUPS, I A HELP NAVIGATE COMMUNITY INPUT AND PUBLIC OUTREACH MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS THAT THE CITY SET FORTH TO GET, TO GET FEEDBACK ON THOSE PROJECTS.
UM, AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, I ALSO WORK WITH CITY STAFF AND MY DEPARTMENT TO DEEM SOMETHING ARTWORK OR NOT ARTWORK.
UH, ONE THING THAT WE DO GET CALLS FOR, WE GET, UM, PROPOSALS FOR THINGS LIKE A MURAL THAT IS MESSAGING.
SO FOR INSTANCE, DURING COVID, UH, WE HAD A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, PROPOSALS FROM EUROS REGARDING HEALTH, UH, BECAUSE THOSE ARE MESSAGING AND SURE THEY'RE GRAPHIC AND THEY SORT OF APPEARED ARTISTIC AND THAT THEY ARE PAINTED.
THOSE DON'T NECESSARILY TRIGGER, UH, AN ARTWORK LOAN OR DONATION.
AND THE SAME THING GOES FOR PLACEMAKING.
SO AN ARCH OR, YOU KNOW, A PLAQUE OF SOME SORT, OR SOMETIMES DEMARCATIONS SIMPLY ARE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE SIGNIFICANT, BUT THEY DON'T, AGAIN, THEY DON'T TRIGGER THE ARTWORK, UH, DONATION OR LOAN PROCESS.
UM, SO IN THE PAST, WHEN I DID ENGAGE WITH YOU ALL, IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO WITH THE LESLIE COCHRAN, UH, DONATION ON SIXTH AND CONGRESS, UM, HISTORIC, UH, I'M SORRY, I COULDN'T GET ALL THE ACRONYMS STRAIGHT LANDMARKS, UH, WOULD BE VOTING FOR APPROPRIATENESS.
UM, YOU ARE ALL ARE BEING TASKED WITH DETERMINING IF AN ARTWORK SORT OF VISUALLY OR AESTHETICALLY MEETS SOME SORT OF CRITERIA.
WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE VOTING ON IS THE APPROPRIATENESS, UH, YOU KNOW, OF THAT, OF THAT OBJECT IN THE SPACE THAT IT'S BEING PROPOSED FOR THE, UH, RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU SHARE WILL THEN BE SHARED UP TO ARTS COMMISSION AND ARTS COMMISSION WILL VOTE AND WE'LL HAVE THE FINAL VOTE ON THE ACCEPTANCE OR REJECT OF THAT, OF THAT ARTWORK.
SO I JUST, YOU KNOW, I, I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT SORT OF BEING MORE CONNECTED TO YOU OVER THE YEARS, BUT AGAIN, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.
AND OFTENTIMES I THINK THESE THINGS THROUGH THE CRACKS, UM, SO THAT CRITICAL FEEDBACK THAT YOU GIVE IN YOUR, UH, VOTE ON APPROPRIATENESS IS SHARED TO ARTS COMMISSION.
THEY TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY, UH, AS WELL AS THE USER DEPARTMENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED.
SO AGAIN, IF IT WAS PUBLIC WORKS, THEY WOULDN'T SEE THAT AS A VERY SERIOUS, YOU KNOW, BIT OF INFORMATION TO TAKE IN SO THEY COULD MAKE THEIR DECISION.
UM, AGAIN, ARTS COMMISSION WOULD ONLY BE VOTING ON ARTWORK, NOT PLACEMAKING OBJECTS.
[00:35:01]
SO, AND THIS IS ME TRYING TO KEEP THIS ALL SHORT AND I'LL, I'LL BOG YOU DOWN WITH INFORMATION MAYBE IN SIX MONTHS, WE CAN, WE CAN RECONNECT AND DO SOME MORE SHARING.UM, IN THE PAST, IN THE RECENT PAST, UH, DWG HAD REACHED OUT TO YOU WITH A TEXT-BASED OBJECT, AND WE HAVE DEEMED THAT PLACE-MAKING, UH, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND THE SORT OF HISTORY OF AUSTIN BEING WEIRD, THAT IN OUR MINDS WAS GOING TO BE ACTING AS A, AS A PLACEMAKING OBJECT.
THEY USE THE LANGUAGE OF ARTWORK IN PRESENTING TO YOU.
UH, AND SO WHAT THAT'S DONE IS THAT'S TRIGGERED, AIPP REQUIRING THEM TO GO TO ARTS COMMISSION.
SO AGAIN, IT MAY SEEM SORT OF CONFUSING, BUT BECAUSE NOW THEY'RE CALLING IT ARTWORK, THE INTENT IS, IS NOW ARE.
AND SO WE'VE GOT TO SORT OF RE RESHUFFLE THAT AND TAKE THAT TO ARTS COMMISSION AND HAVE THAT VOTED ON.
SO AGAIN, YOUR, YOUR, UH, YOUR VOTE OF APPROPRIATE APPROPRIATENESS HOLDS.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO SORT OF PUT THAT OUT THERE BECAUSE YOU KNOW, IT THINGS MAKE THE NEWS.
AND THIS IS, THIS IS SORT OF HOW I HEARD ABOUT, UH, YOU KNOW, STEVE'S PASSING SADLY, AND THEN DWG HAD REAPPLIED THE SECOND TIME FOR THE PLACEMENT AT ITS OWN CONGRESS.
UM, SO AGAIN, IN A, IN A HOPE TO KEEP THIS SHORT, UM, FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS OF ME NOW.
UH, I BELIEVE MY EMAIL IS AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE THIRD SLIDE.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE ON THE SECOND OR THIRD, SORRY.
UH, THIS INFORMATION I JUST COVERED, UH, TO SOME DEGREE.
SO I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE ALL PARTNERS IN THIS AND AIPP IS A REALLY HELPFUL ALLY IN NEGOTIATING AND, AND DEALING WITH THE ARTS DOWN IN HISTORIC CORRIDORS OR AREAS.
UM, FEEL FREE TO WRITE THAT EMAIL DOWN, OR JUST REACH OUT TO ELIZABETH OR AMBER, IF YOU EVER WANT TO CONNECT WITH ME DIRECTLY, IF YOU GUYS HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE SHARE THEM WITH ME RIGHT NOW.
I, I ACTUALLY HAVE TWO THINGS.
ONE, UM, THE APPEARANCE OF A PIECE OF ART OR SCULPTURE IS SOMETHING THAT DOES CONCERN US BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE KNOW IF, UH, IT'S APPROPRIATE AS FAR AS HAVING, UH, ITS DESIGN ITS MATERIALS AND HOW THAT FITS IN.
JUST, UM, JUST TO ADD THAT IN.
AND THE SECOND THING IS IN A FEW WORDS, WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE LESLIE COCHRAN STATUE? UH, GREAT QUESTION.
I DIDN'T WANT TO SORT OF STEP INTO IT WITHOUT BEING ASKED.
UM, SO THE LESLIE, UH, COCHRAN, UH, PROPOSAL, I HAD TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT.
IT WAS ACCEPTED BY ARTS COMMISSION.
UH, THE DONOR WASN'T ABLE TO CURE FUNDS, UM, FOR THIS PRETTY BIG ENDEAVOR.
AND SO AFTER SEVERAL YEARS, UH, I HAD TO SEND HIM A NOTE SAYING THAT IN FACT, WE HAD TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FINANCING BEHIND IT.
THERE WAS, THERE WAS MAYBE A THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A, YOU KNOW, $300,000 PROJECT.
AND AGAIN, THAT'S A BUDGET THAT THEY PUT FORWARD.
HE PUT FORWARD, UH, SPENCER NETTING AND ALSO HE MOVED OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
SO CONNECTIONS LITERALLY WERE LOST.
UH, I FEEL LIKE HE, YOU KNOW, JUST MOVED ON AND THIS IS BEHIND HIM.
I JUST WONDERED, UM, BECAUSE THAT WAS, THAT WAS, UH, KIND OF, UH, UH, A BIG, UH, CASE WHEN IT CAME TO US.
UM, AND COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER HAIM, SETH HAS, UH, SOMETHING TO SAY OR ASK, OF COURSE, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU MAKING THE GESTURE TO REACH OUT AND EXPLAIN MORE OF YOUR PROGRAM.
AND OF COURSE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF TIMES, BUT, UH, YOU MAY HAVE RECALLED, UH, STEVE SEDOWSKY ADVICE.
UH, FIRST OFF, HE WENT AND LOOKED TO JUST SEE WHAT KIND OF CRITERIA WE COULD BE USING IN MAKING OUR DETERMINATION.
AND, UH, WE WERE AT THE EARLY STAGES, UH, IN WORKING WITH HIM, UH, ON OTHER PROGRAMS THAT, THAT HAD, UH, SOME WAY OF MEASURING.
UH, SO IT DOESN'T BECOME A GUESSING GAME FOR COMMISSIONERS OR FROM THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT IS ART AND WHAT WILL BE APPROVED OR NOT APPROVED, UH, WHEN WE MAKE OUR REVIEW AND OUR RECOMMENDATION, UM, TO THAT EXTENT, IF THERE WERE A WAY THAT WE WOULD BE AT LEAST A, AND THIS MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE COULD WORK WITH YOU OFFLINE, UH, AND, AND HAVE SOME MORE TIME TO PREPARE, BUT AT LEAST HAVE SOME SUMMATION OF, UH, THE, YOUR, YOUR GROUPS, UH, THE AIP PIECE, UH, CRITERIA AND HOW YOU GO ABOUT EVALUATING, AND THEN EVEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOME
[00:40:01]
OF THE CRITERIA THAT WE WOULD RECOMMEND MIGHT BECOME PART OF THE AIPP PROCESS OF EVALUATION.IN, AND I MAY BE INCORRECT IN SORT OF IMAGINING HOW THIS COULD WORK VERY EFFECTIVELY IS THE, IF A HISTORIC PRESERVATION CAN REACH OUT TO ME WHEN THESE QUESTIONS ARE BROUGHT UP, THEN I CAN AID YOU DIRECTLY OR IDENTIFY WHETHER THOSE ARE ART OR PLACEMAKING OBJECTS.
SO AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A LITTLE BIT ON A HISTORIC PRESERVATION PART TO HELP NEGOTIATE THAT, THAT PATHWAY.
AND IT IS, I, IT'S A LOT TO ASK OF ALL OF US TO SORT OF WORK TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY.
UM, BUT AGAIN, OFFLINE, MAYBE WE CAN, WE CAN SET UP A TIME TO, TO HAVE A FEW OF US GET TOGETHER AND TALK THIS THROUGH.
THIS HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT ISSUE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHICH IS GOING TO COME UP AGAIN.
WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN, UH, UM, I CERTAINLY WANT TO WORK WITH, WITH YOU AND WITH STAFF AND SEE IF WE CAN WORK WITH, AIPP SURE SOMETIMES THESE THINGS CROP UP, UM, WITHOUT ANY APPROVAL OF ANYBODY.
SO LET'S TRY RETRO RETROACTIVE.
UH, WOULD ANYBODY, DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO, UM, SAY TO, OR ASK OF MR. WICK, UM, IS THAT MADAM CHAIR? I JUST WANTED TO OFFER AN APOLOGY TO THE COMMISSION.
UH, IT WAS AFTER THE VOTE ON THE SIXTH AND CONGRESS SCULPTURE, AND HERE I GO USING THE WORD SCULPTURE, UM, WHICH MR. WICK WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED TO BE PLACEMAKING BEFORE WE, UH, PUBLICLY STARTED CALLING IT SCULPTURE.
UM, I HAD GONE ON THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATION THAT THEY TALKED WITH ARE IN PUBLIC PLACES, AND THEY WEREN'T INTERESTED IN A LONG-TERM DONATION.
SO I HAD TAKEN THAT TO MEAN THAT THERE WASN'T A NEED FOR A DIALOGUE WITH ART IN PUBLIC PLACES.
SO NOW THAT, THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, AT THE STAFF LEVEL, WE'VE MADE THAT CONNECTION.
I'VE GOT A FAR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PROGRAM AND THEIR PROCESS AND HOW ART IN THE PUBLIC REALM IS CONSIDERED.
SO, UM, HAVING THAT OPEN COMMUNICATION AND ADVANCE OF CASES COMING TO YOU, I THINK, IS GOING TO BE REALLY CRITICALLY IMPORTANT GOING FORWARD.
AND AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR TIME AND ALL OF THESE PROJECTS HERE.
I APPLAUD YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.
[3.B.4. HR-2022-029477 – 3006 Hemphill Park – Consent Aldridge Place Local Historic District Council District 9]
ON TO PUBLIC HEARINGS, OUR FIRST CASES BEFORE 3006 SAMPLE PARK.AND I THINK WE HAVE, UM, THE APPLICANTS ARCHITECT HERE.
DO WE HAVE A PRESENTATION, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE COMMISSION FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN HERE LAST TIME.
I'M A SENIOR PLANNER WITH THE OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
SO AS THE CASE MANAGER FOR 3006 HEMPEL PARK.
SO THE PROPOSAL IS FOR A RECONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE.
IN ADDITION TO A CIRCUIT 1935 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE, UH, THE PROJECTS SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDED, UH, REPAIR AND REPLACE, UH, THE COMPOSITION SHINGLE ROOF AND REFRAME REFRAME THE REAR ROOF WITH HIP FORM.
UM, MATERIALS WOULD BE NEW COMPOSITION ROOFING, UH, TO REMOVE AND RECONSTRUCT THE REAR ADDITION TO MATCH THE REMAINDER OF THE HOUSE WITH WOOD SIDING, A MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR A FOUNDATION AND CHIMNEY WITH IN KIND MATERIALS, A FRONT PORCH ADDITION, UM, TO REPLACE FRONT STEPS WITH A NEW PORCH ADDITION WITH COLUMNS AND BRICK STEPS ON THE PRIMARY OR SOUTH ELEVATION, THE MATERIALS WOULD BE WOOD AND BRICK, EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE.
SO THE EXTERIOR WOOD TRIM IS DAMAGED OR DETERIORATED AND NEEDS REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT.
IN SOME AREAS, THE REPAIR WILL ADDRESS THE RAW IN WOOD SIDING AND REPLACE IN KIND A WINDOW REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT.
SO REPAIR, HISTORIC, DOUBLE HUNG WOOD WINDOWS AND ON THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE, EXCEPT FOR ONE WINDOW THAT WOULD WINDOW WOULD THAT ONE WINDOW WOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE THREE OVER TWO, WHICH IS NUMBER 12 ON THE PLANS ON THE SOUTH ELEVATION WITH MARVIN CASEMENT WINDOW, ALL ADDITIONAL, ALL ADDITION WINDOWS WILL BE NEW MARVIN CASEMENT, MULTI LIGHT WINDOWS TO MATCH THE LOOK AND MATERIAL OF THE ORIGINAL WINDOWS.
[00:45:01]
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN PULLED DUE TO CONCERNS ON THE FRONT PORCH ADDITION.SO I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON THE FRONT PORCH ADDITION SECTION.
UH, THE PROPOSED FULL HEIGHT PORCH HAS TWO INSET BENCHES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ENTRANCE AND A HIPPED ROOF WITH SIMPLE BOX PALLISTER SUPPORTS THE PROPO PROPOSED NEW FRONT PORCH IS RESTRAINED IN SIZE AND STYLE AND COMPATIBLE WITH THE HOUSES ARCHITECTURE, THE NEW DESIGN CALLS FOR A NEW FRONT STOOP TO BE REBUILT FROM BRICK.
WITH BRICK EDGING TO THE WALKWAY STAFF FEELS IT IS A REASONABLE ADDITION TO THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO PROVIDE COVERAGE TO THE FRONT DOOR, APPEARING SYMPATHETIC, BUT NOT PROVIDING A FALSE SENSE OF HISTORY.
THE ALDRIDGE PLACE DESIGN STANDARDS STATE EDITION SHOULD HAVE PORCHES EIGHT FEET IN DEPTH, BUT CHANGING THE CURRENT DESIGN DEPTH PROPORTION FROM SIX FEET, FIVE INCHES COULD AFFECT THE ABILITY OF THE PORCH TO REMAIN SYMPATHETIC TO THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE.
THEREFORE, UPDATING THE PORCH DEPTH MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE AS THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO MEET DESIGN STANDARD 5.3 0.1 TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SIZE SCALE AND MASSING FOR ANY EXTERIOR MODIFICATION IN SUMMARY STAFF FEELS THE PROJECT MEETS THE APPLICABLE STANDARDS AND THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION.
UM, COULD YOU, AMBER, COULD YOU SHOW THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW? AND I THINK THIS IS THE SOUTH FACADE, I THINK, OR SOUTH ELEVATION.
COULD YOU SHOW THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CURRENT HOUSE AND ENLARGE THE AREA SO THAT WE CAN CLEARLY SEE THE INFERENCE? THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.
THAT IS THE EAST ELEVATION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH.
AND CAN YOU ENLARGE THAT A LITTLE BIT? OKAY.
I JUST, I WANTED THE COMMISSIONERS TO SEE THAT THIS IS, UM, I, I FULLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE ORIGINAL ENTRANCE AND IT IS, IT DIDN'T HAVE A HOOD, UH, AND IT KIND OF PORCH ROOF LID ON IT.
AND IT MAY BE THAT THIS IS, WELL, WE CAN DISCUSS THIS WHEN, WHEN IT COMES UP.
I KNOW WE HAVE A, WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER, BUT I WANTED, I WANTED THIS.
UM, I WANTED YOU TO HAVE THIS IN MIND BECAUSE THIS IS THE AREA THAT, UH, THE ISSUE THAT I PULLED IT FOR.
UM, TERRY O'CONNELL MS. O'CONNELL.
IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO SHARE ANYTHING, I CAN PULL UP DRAWINGS OR ANYTHING.
UM, YEAH, WE, UH, IF YOU COULD ZOOM INTO THE SITE PLAN AND SHOW THE STOOP IN PLAN, UM, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS TERRY O'CONNELL WITH CARDINAL ARCHITECTURE.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING 3000 HEMP HILL TONIGHT.
THE OWNER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE MEETING.
UM, THIS IS A CONTRIBUTING, UH, HOUSE IN THE ALDRIDGE PLACE, LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT.
IT SITS RIGHT ON THE BOUNDARY OF THE DISTRICT, UH, DIRECTLY TO THE SOUTH OF IT IS A PARKING LOT FOR AN EMPTY RESTAURANT.
UM, IT'S BEEN A SITE OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, UH, PRIOR TO MY CLIENT'S PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY.
SO SHE IS GETTING READY TO RENOVATE IT.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PORCH STOOP THAT HAS SOME SHELTER OVER THE FRONT ENTRY.
THE HOUSE SITS 24 AND A HALF FEET BACK FROM THE PROPERTY LINE, BUT THEN THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL 35 FEET OF CITY RIGHT OF WAY IN FRONT OF HER.
SO THIS HOUSE SITS VERY FAR BACK FROM THE STREET.
UM, IT IS, UH, IT'S UM, THE EXISTING PORCH STOOP IS A HALF MOON.
YOU CAN SEE IN THE PLAN THAT'S MIGHT BE THE NEW PLAN.
UM, SORRY, MAYBE WE, YOU DON'T HAVE IT.
YOU CAN GO TO THE PHOTOGRAPH BACK TO, UH, COMMISSIONER MYERS.
UM, YEAH, SO WHAT IT HAS RIGHT NOW IS A HALF MOON LANDING THAT IS VERY SHALLOW AND DOESN'T MEET LIFE SAFETY CODE REQUIREMENTS.
IT'S CLAD IN A SAND STONE THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE IS ORIGINAL TO THE PROPERTY BECAUSE THAT SAND STONE ISN'T USED ANYWHERE ELSE.
SO IT'S NOT ONLY TOO SHALLOW TO MEET LIFE SAFETY CODE, BUT IT'S UNEVEN IN CHARACTER WITH THE SANDSTONE.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SAND STONE COVERS OVER A CONCRETE SUBSTRATE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINAL.
IT WOULD BE EVEN LESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH CODE AND EVEN MORE SHALLOW.
[00:50:01]
WE HAVEN'T DONE ANY SELECTIVE DEMO TO FIGURE THAT OUT.WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS BUILD A VERY SHALLOW, SIMPLE, MODEST, UH, PORCH TO PROVIDE COVERING AT THE FRONT DOOR, TO BE IN CHARACTER WITH THE HOUSE TO NOT DISTURB OR DESTROY ANY HISTORIC FEATURES.
THE FRONT DOOR, THE TR THE TRANSOM, EVERYTHING WOULD BE PRESERVED.
AND, UM, AND IT WOULD NOT, IT WOULD NOT MASK ANY, UH, HISTORIC FEATURES.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGN, WE HAVE PROPOSED AS RESPECTFUL OF THE HISTORIC BUILDING AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION.
WE DID, UM, TALK WITH STEVEN TOMLINSON, WHO IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD REPRESENTATIVE, UM, AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO OUR PROPOSAL.
ANY QUESTIONS OF MS. O'CONNELL AT THIS? UH, ONE QUICK QUESTION AT THIS POINT, THE OWNER IS NOT CONSIDERING AT SOME FUTURE DATE, UH, APPLYING FOR LANDMARK STATUS.
THIS IS STRICTLY A CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE, IS THAT CORRECT? BECAUSE IT'S A CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE AND A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT.
IT WOULD HAVE TO MEET TWO OTHER CRITERIA OTHER THAN ARCHITECTURE.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT THIS PROPERTY WOULD BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT.
I, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S, I DON'T, I'M LOOKING TO STAFF, UM, AS TO I HAVE SOME THINGS THAT I WANT TO BRING UP ABOUT THIS.
I HAVE, I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE FLOORING.
I THINK THIS PROBABLY IS THE PORCH FLOOR.
IT IS A REPLACEMENT AND IT MAY WELL HAVE BEEN, UH, UH, UH, A CONCRETE FLOOR, A SMALL FLOOR THERE.
IT'S THE, IT'S THE ADDITION OF THE, OF THE PORCH ITSELF, THE COLUMNS AND THE, AND THE, UM, PORCH LIT.
SHOULD I BRING THESE BECAUSE I HAVE, I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND I HAVE A, UM, SOMETHING TO DISPLAY ON THIS PARTICULAR, UM, DESIGN.
SHOULD WE HAVE A MOTION? WE SHOULD HAVE A MOTION FIRST BEFORE DISCUSSION.
OKAY, THEN WE'LL THEN WE'LL WAIT, ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM, UH, MS. O'CONNELL AND, AND WILL YOU BE AVAILABLE IN OUR DISCUSSION ON THIS? I CAN JUST SIT RIGHT HERE.
UM, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS APPLICATION? IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? OKAY.
MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MOTION TO APPROVE WHAT MOTION.
I'M SORRY TO APPROVE THE HOUSE RECOMMENDATION.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
UH, MAY I CLARIFY, AND TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AS WELL? CORRECT.
THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION AND TO, UH, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE, UM, WE HAVE THE MOTION AND A SECOND.
UM, IS THERE ANYONE BESIDES ME WHO WANTS TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM? OKAY.
I I'M LOOKING, UH, COMMISSIONER LAROCHE.
THIS IS A CONTRIBUTING BUILDING IN A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT.
SO IT COMES UNDER GUIDELINES THAT WERE DEVELOPED BY THE, UM, BY THAT HISTORIC DISTRICT THAT, THAT WE ARE, UM, BOUND TO ABIDE BY.
AND I'M USING THE MOST HIGH-TECH THING I'VE EVER DONE ON MY PHONE BEFORE IT SAYS FRONT PORCHES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CHARACTER OF HOMES AND ALDRIDGE PLACE CONSIDER THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF THE HOUSE.
IF MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT CHANGES TO THE FRONT PORCH, THAT'S KIND OF THE BASE OF IT.
UM, BUT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PORCH TYPE THAT WOULD BE THAT YOU COULD FIND AMONG COLONIAL REVIVAL, STYLE HOUSES, AND EVEN CAPE COD VARIANTS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY RECOGNIZED, UM, AS A VARIATION OF THE CAPE COD STYLE, ACCORDING TO VIRGINIA, UM, MCALLISTER.
AND I TOOK A PICTURE OUT OF, I COPIED A PHOTOGRAPH OUT OF MCALLISTER, WHICH IS, UM, THE, THE GUIDEBOOK THAT WE ALL USE.
UM, AND IN THE SECOND PHOTOGRAPH, YOU SEE THERE, THE HOUSE WITH THE CENTERED ENTRANCE,
[00:55:01]
THE FLANKING OF FRONT GABLED, DORMERS, THE FLANKING WINDOWS, THIS IS THE SAME KIND OF PORCH ON THE SAME KIND OF HOUSE.THIS IS AN ORIGINAL, THIS IS THE ORIGINAL APPEARANCE OF THIS HOUSE.
AND I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE ENTRANCE IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THIS HOUSE.
THIS IS THE PRIMARY FACADE AND CHANGING IT, UM, TO A, UH, A PEDIMENT MINTED PORTICO CHANGES THE CHARACTER OF THE HISTORIC HOUSE.
AND I THINK THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE ALDRIDGE PLACE, DESIGN GUIDELINES THAT BEAR OUT THAT ORIGINAL FEATURES SHOULD BE MAINTAINED ON THE FRONT AND THAT THEY, THEY ASKED THAT WE AVOID FALSE HISTORICISM.
THIS ISN'T FALSE HISTORICISM IN THAT IT'S FROM A DIFFERENT ERA, BUT IT IS FALSE TO THE ARCHITECTURAL, UM, DESIGN TYPE THAT THE HOUSE IS.
AND I THINK IF I DID THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE ALDRIDGE PLAYS LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT AND HAD THIS PORCH PORCH BEEN ON THE HOUSE, UM, AS A, AS A MODIFICATION, I WOULD HAVE COUNTED THIS AS A NON-CONTRIBUTING HOUSE IN THE DISTRICT.
THERE ARE SO FEW DESIGN ELEMENTS ON THE HOUSE THAT THE ONES THAT DO EXIST REALLY STAND OUT AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
AND I THINK THAT THE PORT THAT THE ENTRANCE DESIGN IS ONE OF THOSE YOU CAN EVEN SEE IN THE, IN THE EXAMPLE THAT I PUT UP THAT I ASKED TO HAVE PUT UP, IT HAS THE LITTLE TRANSOM WINDOWS OVER THE DOOR.
IT'S THE SAME IN THE HOUSE, UH, ON HIM, OLD PARK.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S MY ARGUMENT ON THIS.
AND YOU MAY DISAGREE AS I IMAGINE YOU DO SINCE YOU'VE MADE THE MOTION.
UM, BUT I, I WOULD LIKE SOME, UH, DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM.
SO I SECONDED THE MOTION IN ORDER TO, SO WE CAN START THE DISCUSSION AND MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
I'M CURIOUS, I MEAN, MAYBE IMMATERIAL MATERIAL TO THE, UH, CONTRIBUTING NATURE OF THE HOUSE, BUT ARE WE, IS THE, IS THE OWNER LOSING A ACTIVE BACKDOOR? AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO MAKE THE FRONT DOOR MORE USEFUL.
I, I SEE THERE IS GOING TO BE THE, THE ONLY OTHER EXTERIOR DOOR ON THE HOUSE WILL BE INTO THE MASTER BEDROOM.
SO I WAS JUST CURIOUS, IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT THE USE OF THE FRONT DOOR THAT'S CHANGING AS PART OF THE OVERALL REMODEL AND THAT'S A DRIVING FACTOR TO ADDING OF THE FRONT PORCH? NO, THERE ARE ACTUALLY TWO DOORS THAT ARE GOING TO BE GOING INTO THE BACKYARD.
ONE IS FROM THE MASTER BEDROOM, BUT ONE IS FROM A HALLWAY MUD ROOM SITUATION.
THEY JUST WANT SOME SHELTER OVER THE, OVER THE FRONT DOOR.
AND, AND IF YOU ALL DECIDE THAT WHAT WE HAVE, UH, PRESENTED IS INAPPROPRIATE, I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS OTHER OPTIONS.
I'D BE INTERESTED TO SEE THE, THE CONDITION OF THE DOOR AS IT IS.
IF WE FEEL THAT THAT FRONT DOOR IS TRULY ORIGINAL, IT'S PROBABLY HELD UP PRETTY WELL WITHOUT A ROOF OVER IT.
TERRY PROBABLY KNOWS THAT WHATEVER, IF IT'S ORIGINAL OR NOT, IT'S IN GOOD CONDITION.
IT DOESN'T REALLY LOOK ORIGINAL TO ME.
UM, BUT WE WEREN'T PLANNING ON REPLACING IT.
WE WERE JUST GOING TO PRESERVE IT.
IT'S A, IT'S A MULTI-PANEL DOOR AND IT DOESN'T FIT WITH, UM, MACAU HAS, OR THAT I'VE FOUND, UM, THAT, BUT, BUT IT'S IN GOOD SHAPE.
AND, UM, WE WERE GOING TO REPAIR IT.
SO I'LL GIVE YOU ONE OF THESE.
I, THERE ARE, I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER HOUSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
ONE IS A DUPLEX AND THEN ONE IS ON 33RD THAT ARE SIMILAR THAT JUST HAVE THE KIND OF FLAT.
THIS IS SOMETHING I, I LIVED IN NORTH CAROLINA FOR SOME TIME AND WILLIAMSBURG HOUSES WERE THE BIG THING.
AND I SAID THEY WERE FLAT FACED HOUSES, AND THAT'S KIND OF, UM, HOW THEY ARE.
THEY DON'T HAVE THAT, UM, THAT GABLED, A LOT OF THEM DON'T HAVE THE GABLED PORCH, UM, UH, PORCH STOOP.
BUT, UM, AND WE HAVE ONE THAT'S A CONTRIBUTING, UH, REPRESENTATIVE PROPERTY IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS.
THAT'S LIKE THAT, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT A REAL COMMON STYLE, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT, UM, THAT MCALLISTER DID INCLUDE IN, IN HER, IN HER NEW VERSION OF HER BOOK.
[01:00:01]
SURE.UM, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTOOD.
AND, UM, THAT, THAT THE FRONT PORCH ROOF IS NOT PEDIMENTO, IT'S, IT'S A HIPPED ROOF.
IT'S THE PORCH, THE PORCH, THE PROPOSED PORCH ROOF HAS HIPPED, JUST SO YOU KNOW, SORRY, I I'M SORRY.
I LOOKED AT IT WRONG, BUT I STILL FEEL LIKE THE, THAT ADDITION, THIS, THIS HOUSE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS HOUSE, IT HAS THESE FEATURES, IT HAS ITS SIDE GABLED.
IT HAS A CENTRAL ENTRANCE WITH A FLAT, UM, SURMOUNT AND FLANKING WINDOWS THAT CENTRAL ENTRANCE WILL NOT READ, WILL NOT APPEAR AS, AS IT HAS FOR ALL THE YEARS, THE 85, 90 YEARS THAT IT'S BEEN, UM, IT'S BEEN IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT'S MY CONCERN.
AND BECAUSE IT'S ON THE PRIMARY FACADE, IT'S HIGHLY VISIBLE.
UM, I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD SET A BAD PRECEDENT FOR THE DESIGN TEAM IN, IN, UM, IN ALDRIDGE PLACE AND PERHAPS ELSEWHERE AS TO WHAT YOU CAN DO TO THE PRIMARY FACADE OF THE HOUSE.
AND I HATE THIS, UM, JERRY AND I HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD FRIENDS FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
AND I'M SORRY TO BRING THIS UP, BUT I, UM, I HAVE TWO JEREMIAH'S LET'S HAVE THE MAKE OR THE MOTION.
SO MADAM CHAIR, I ABSOLUTELY DEFER TO YOUR EXPERTISE IN THESE ARCHITECTURAL MATTERS.
MY, UH, MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION COMES FROM A MORE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE WHERE, YOU KNOW, I SIT ON THIS DIOCESE MONTH, A MONTH, AND I WITNESS WHAT I PERCEIVED TO BE PRETTY EGREGIOUS, UH, IMPACTS ON HISTORICAL PRESERVATION.
AND WHEN MS O'CONNELL COMES FORWARD WITH THE CARING AND PRESERVATION IN MIND ON A PROJECT LIKE THIS, IT I'M TORN TO SAY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO PICK THAT FIGHT WITH THAT MINUTIAE WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE THAT THAT'S MY POSITION, NOT, I'M NOT QUESTIONING YOUR EXPERTISE AT ALL.
THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTIES THAT COME BEFORE US ARE BUILDINGS IN CON IN NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICTS, FOR WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL OR AUTHORITY, OR, UM, EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS COMMENT ON AND RELEASE THE PLANS.
AND PEOPLE WENT TO A WHOLE LOT OF TROUBLE AND EFFORT AND MONEY TO GET THEIR LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS.
AND, AND THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE DORMERS, THESE ARE THE MAIN DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS, THE ENTRANCES, THE MAIN DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HOUSE.
UH, I ACTUALLY, I, I APPLAUD, UH, THE APPLICANT FOR COMING FORWARD WITH THIS.
I ALSO, UH, YOU KNOW, GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK HERE, CHAIR MYERS.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS, THIS IS A GOOD CONVERSATION TO HAVE, UH, YES.
I THINK I I'VE BEEN CALLING IT CARNAGE.
IT'S BEEN WITNESSING A LOT OF CARNAGE.
I LIKE THE FACT THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS QUESTION, BECAUSE IN FACT, WHAT CHAIR MYERS YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED CORRECTLY IS THAT THE NATURE OF THIS ARCHITECTURALLY CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY WITH THIS VERY SMALL GESTURE, A VERY FLAT FACED AS YOU USE THE TERM TUTOR HOUSE, UH, SITTING MODESTLY ON ITS SITE, UH, BY ADDING EVEN A VERY SUBTLE AND VERY TASTEFULLY AND WELL PROPORTIONED ADDITION, IT BECOMES A DIFFERENT HOUSE.
NOW, THE FIRST THING I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS I ALSO WOULD AGREE THAT AS DISTINCTIVE AS THOSE, UH, HALF-MOON STEPS ARE, AND, UH, YOU SHOW THEM QUITE WELL BY THE WAY IN THE DEMOLITION PLAN.
SO WHERE THEY BELONG IN THE PHOTOGRAPH, EVEN THOUGH IT'S FLAT ON, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT THOSE ARE, THOSE ARE TREACHEROUS AND MOST LIKELY NOT ORIGINAL.
I DOUBT THEY KEPT THE CONCRETE STOOP THAT MAYBE IT WAS THERE ORIGINALLY, BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WASN'T MUCH OF A CONCERN.
YOU CAN GET A COUPLE OF STEPS OF CONCRETE AT THE HARDWARE STORE AND PLUNK IT IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE.
AND THAT'S THE WAY MOST OF THESE MODEST HOUSES WERE ACCESSED.
UM, BUT SO I DOUBT IT'S IN THE MIDDLE.
I'M SURE IT WAS REMOVED WHEN THEY PUT THE, THE, THE LIMESTONE STAIRS ON AND IT'D BE HAPPY TO GET RID OF THEM.
[01:05:01]
I THINK BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT CHANGING THE DOOR AND BECAUSE THE NATURE OF THE ORIGINAL HOUSE IS STILL CLEAR IN MANY WAYS.UM, AND AGAIN, WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS RESPECTFUL, BUT IT'S A BIG CHANGE.
YOU'RE, YOU'RE SAYING ARCHITECTURALLY, IT WENT FROM ONE TYPE OF BUILDING HISTORICALLY TO ANOTHER TYPE OF BUILDING, WHICH IT COULD HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY THOUGH, FACTUALLY IT WAS NOT, UH, I KIND OF THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE OF INTEREST.
AND I THINK THAT BY, BY MAKING IT REMOVABLE AND BY MAKING IT, UH, DISTINCTIVE ENOUGH THAT A DISCERNING, I COULD KNOW THAT THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDING.
YOU COULD IMAGINE WHAT THAT BUILDING WOULD LOOK LIKE WITHOUT THE PORCH AND UNDERSTAND IT DIFFERENTLY.
UH, IT DOESN'T CONCERN ME AS MUCH AS IT DOES CHAIR MEYERS.
UH, I ALSO THINK THAT AS MUCH AS WE LIKE TO FOLLOW SOME OF THESE NATIONAL STANDARDS AND THE MORE PRISTINE EXAMPLES FROM WILLIAMSBURG'S, I DO HAVE TO SAY BY THE TIME SOME OF THESE, THESE STYLISTIC DIRECTIONS TRICKLED DOWN TO AUSTIN, WE WERE A LOT FREER.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE KIND OF GOT WEIRD WITH IT AND EVEN THIS HOUSE, UH, WHEN YOU STAND IT UP AGAINST THE PRISTINE MODEL IN ALL OF THE GUIDEBOOKS, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT IT'S NOT SYMMETRICAL.
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THE DOOR IS OFF CENTERED, WHICH IS NOT STANDARD FOR THE TUTOR AT ALL.
AND THEY COULD HAVE GROUPED, EVEN IN AN, IN A NON-SYMMETRICAL WAY, THEY COULD HAVE GROUPED THOSE TWO WINDOWS TOGETHER.
SO YOU HAD AT LEAST DOUBLE WINDOWS FLANKING, BUT THEY CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT EITHER.
SO YOU GOT THE, THE MOLD WINDOWS OVER ON ONE SIDE, AND THEN YOU DECIDED TO SPREAD THEM OUT ON THE OTHER, WHICH FRANKLY LOOKS BETTER AND IS BETTER PROPORTIONAL, BUT IT'S NOT A PURIST SYMMETRICAL TYPE OF STYLE.
SO BECAUSE THEY ALREADY WERE FREE WITH THE STYLE, I KIND OF FEEL LIKE LET'S GO AHEAD AND LET THEM HAVE THE PORCH.
YOU KNOW, IT'S SORT OF IN KEEPING WITH THE WAY THEY ALREADY WERE WORKING WITH THIS COLONIAL.
UH, BUT, BUT IT'S A GOOD CONVERSATION TO HAVE.
AND I THINK IT, YOU KNOW, IT IS THE KIND OF ONE I WISH WE HAD MANY MORE TIMES, UH, WHERE WE REALLY BROUGHT UPON THE EXPERTISE OF HOW TO DO SOMETHING BEST, NOT JUST HOW TO PREVENT THE CARNAGE, ANYONE ELSE.
UM, I STRUGGLED A BIT WITH THIS MYSELF BECAUSE IT'S AN ADDITION TO THE FRONT OF A CONTRIBUTING BUILDING.
AND I WAS VERY MUCH ON THE FENCE.
AND I ALWAYS GO BACK TO THE WORD OF THE GUIDELINES AND THE STANDARDS THEMSELVES SPECIFICALLY TALK ABOUT CONSIDERING CHANGES TO THE FRONT PORCH.
AND IT SAYS TO PRESERVE EXISTING ORIGINAL IN FRONT AND STREET SIDE PORCHES, NOT TO ENCLOSE THEM, BUT IT DOESN'T SAY NOT TO ADD THEM.
I THINK THE INTENT IS TO PRESERVE THEM.
AND EVEN GOING DOWN TO ROOFS SAYS THE REFORM AND PITCH ARE AMONG THE MOST DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
AND IT SAID, UM, RETAIN THE ORIGINAL ROOF PITCHES AND PROFILES ON THE BUILDINGS BY ADDING THIS PORTRAIT TO IT.
YOU'RE, YOU'RE ADDING SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT THERE HISTORICALLY.
AND I, I JUST, YOU KNOW, IS THERE SOME WAY THAT WE CAN, YOU KNOW, WE, WE DID NOT ALLOW THE PEOPLE IN HYDE PARK THAT HAD THAT BUNGALOW WITH THE PARTIAL, UM, INSET.
THEY WANTED TO HAVE A FULL FACADE, UM, FRONT PORCH, AND THEY ONLY HAD A HALF A PORCH.
WE WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT.
WHICH PROPERTY WAS, IT WAS, UH, IT WAS ON AVENUE H I THINK, UM, IT WAS ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT.
WE, WE W WE APPROVED IT WITH CHANGES.
AND ONE OF THE CHANGES WAS THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CRAFTSMAN STYLE.
THEY WANTED THEIR HOUSE TO LOOK MORE CRAFTSMAN.
THIS HOUSE IS GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT THAN ITS ORIGINAL STYLE THAN ITS ORIGINAL BUILDER DESIGNED IT TO BE.
UM, AND I'M GONNA, I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT.
I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T CONSIDER IT A MAJOR POINT, BUT I, I THINK IT IS, I THINK IT GOES TO THE HEART OF, OF INTEGRITY, UM, INTEGRITY OF DESIGN MATERIALS, UM, FEELING ASSOCIATION.
SO, UM, THERE'S NO POINT IN, YOU KNOW, TALKING ABOUT IT FURTHER, WE'LL JUST TAKE A VOTE, THE COMMISSIONER, I HATE TO BE ANY PART OF SOMETHING THAT GOES TO THE HEART OF INTEGRITY AND, UH, IN A NEGATIVE WAY.
UM, IS THERE SOMETHING WE COULD DO TO MODIFY THIS, THAT, UM, THAT WOULD FEEL ACCEPTABLE TO YOU? LIKE, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO ENLARGE THE LANDING, THE ENTRY LANDING, AN HAVE
[01:10:01]
A PROPER RECTANGULAR CODE COMPLIANT, SOMETHING, SOMETHING THAT WE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YEAH.SOMETHING THAT WE APPROVED ON THIS SAME BUNGALOW WAS THAT THEY EXTEND THEIR PORCH FLOOR OUT, UM, ACROSS THE FRONT, THE REST OF THE FRONT FACADE THAT WASN'T BENEATH THE PORCH, UM, YOU KNOW, TO, TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE PORCH FLOOR, UH, IS, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I'M, I'M OBJECTING TO.
IT'S THE COLUMNS AND THE, AND THE ROOF.
AND HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT AN AWNING OVER THE DOOR? LIKE A FABRIC ON, I ACTUALLY WAS GOING TO SUGGEST THAT, UM, WE APPROVED A TUTOR REVIVAL HOUSE.
I THINK IT'S ALSO AN AVENUE H CLOSER TO 43RD STREET.
WE APPROVED A, UH, AN ARCHED AWNING ON THAT HOUSE.
SO YEAH, I DO APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.
UM, WE, I THINK WE'D LIKE TO STICK WITH THE PLAN AS WE PROPOSED, BUT IF THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, A BRICK LANDING WITH A FABRIC AWNING COVERING SHELTERING THE DOOR, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT.
UM, PERHAPS THE, THE, THE ONLINE, UH, COMMISSIONERS, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE ALL BEEN, YEAH, I I'M SORRY.
ONLINE COMMISSIONERS, VIRTUAL COMMISSIONERS.
AND I, I DIDN'T, I DON'T HAVE A COMPUTER.
SO DO YOU HAVE ANY BETH FELONS? SUELA, YOU'RE A VOICE OF REASON.
I ACTUALLY DID HAVE MY HAND, UH UP THERE, BUT I, I, UM, WAS JUST GOING TO ADD FROM THE ULTRA RICH PLACE DESIGN STANDARDS, THERE IS A PARAGRAPH IN THERE ABOUT AVOIDING FALSE HISTORICISM.
AND IT DOES SAY WHEN DEVELOPING PLANS FOR ADDITIONS OR CHANGES IN OTHER EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS SLIP TO OTHER HOUSES OF SIMILAR VINTAGE TO SEE HOW THESE CHANGES WERE MADE HISTORICALLY, AND THEN USE THAT INFORMATION AS A GUIDE INTO DEVELOPING AN APPROPRIATE SIZE SCALE AND MASSING FOR YOUR PROPOSED EXTERIOR CHAIN.
SO I WOULD JUST OFFER THAT TO MS. O'CONNELL AND LOOKING AT, UM, MODIFICATIONS THAT, THAT DON'T INCLUDE THAT STOOP, THE CUPBOARD STEVE.
WELL, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
SHALL WE TAKE A VOTE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION AS SUBMITTED, PLEASE SAY AYE, AND RAISE YOUR HAND.
I CAN'T SEE THE VIRTUAL PEOPLE.
SO WE HAVE 1, 2, 3 IN FAVOR, ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
IT'S BLAKE MCWHORTER, CAROLINE KELLY, UM, KEVIN COMMISSIONER COOK COMMISSIONER, UM, FEATHERSTON COMMISSIONER VALANZUELA.
ARE YOU VOTING? I'M VOTING OPPOSED? OKAY.
SO IS THAT NINE OPPOSED? THREE TO EIGHT, THREE TO EIGHT, FOUR TO SEVEN.
I BELIEVE WITH COMMISSIONER VALANZUELA INCLUDED VOTED AT BELTS POSITION.
THE MOTION DID SO THE MOTION DOESN'T MOTION FAILED.
CAN WE, CAN WE CRAFT A SUBSTITUTE MOTION OR WOULD IT BE AMENABLE TO YOU? UM, MS.
UH, MY CLIENT WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT AND THE NEXT HEARING IS IN MAY.
YOU DON'T, YOU WOULDN'T RESPECTFULLY.
I WOULD REALLY RATHER, I, UH, I PROPOSE A RECTANGULAR CODE COMPLIANT, BRICK CLAD LANDING WITH A FABRIC AWNING, JUST COVERING THE DOOR AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
IF YOU'D RATHER POSTPONE, OF COURSE, I DEFER TO YOU.
I WOULDN'T RATHER POSTPONE NECESSARILY, BUT I'D LIKE TO COME UP WITH LET'S COMPROMISE THAT WE CAN LIVE WITH.
LET ME SUGGEST THAT WE A NEW MOTION AND THAT THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE.
[01:15:01]
THE APPLICANT'S ARCHITECT HAS DESCRIBED AN ALTERNATE, UH, MODIFICATION THAT WOULD APPROVE A, UH, LARGER, UH, PORCH EXTENSION THAT WOULD BE MADE OF MASONRY AND THAT A, UH, AWNING COVER OVER THE DOOR, UH, WOULD BE, UH, ALSO ACCEPTABLE AND THAT THE PROJECT DOCUMENTATION BE, UH, REVIEWED BY THE, UH, UH, ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE AT THEIR NEXT MEETING AND THAT UPON THEIR AGREEMENT, THAT, THAT THEY WOULD MEET THOSE CRITERIA AND WE WOULD BE RELEASING, UH, OUR RECOMMENDATION.ARE YOU SAYING THAT TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION WITH THE, WITH THE REQUEST, WITH THE REQUEST TO GO TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE? YEAH.
I DON'T THINK WE CAN MAKE IT A CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL, BUT I WOULD TAKE OUT A REQUEST, AN INVITATION.
THE NEXT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING IS APRIL 11TH.
IS THAT YOUR MOTION? THAT'S MY MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS MOTION? SECOND, IS THAT COMMISSIONER COOK? MCWHORTER.
YOU LOOK VERY MUCH LIKE CAROLINE, RIGHT? AND BETH FELONS, WHELAN KELLY, LITTLE AND BLAKE TILL UP TO ME RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RE WELL THERE'S ALSO THE TAX ABATEMENT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE YET.
THEN ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND OF THIS MOTION.
YOU'RE OPPOSED? UH, NO I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOTION.
IT'S WAS, UM, I'M HAVING A BAD INTERNET NIGHT.
THE PASSED THE MOTION CARRIES.
WE HAVE THE OPTION OF PICKING UP F TO THE TAX ABATEMENT AT THE SAME TIME NOW, UH,
[3.F.2. 3006 Hemphill Park – Consent Aldridge Place Local Historic District Council District 9]
THAT WOULD HOWEVER, BRINGING IN AN OUT OF ORDER, OR WE COULD WAIT UNTIL WE GOT THERE AT THE END OF OUR AGENDA.WE EARLIER SAID THAT WE WOULD TAKE THAT TAX ABATEMENT AT THIS TIME.
UM, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TAX ABATEMENT, UM, DEPENDENT ON THE DESIGN THAT, UM, THAT IS AGREED UPON, UM, UH, CHAIR MYERS.
I THINK WE NEED A MOTION THEN TO TAKE A F TWO OUT OF ORDER.
AND THEN IF THAT'S APPROVED THAT I DO BELIEVE WE, IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOU TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THAT.
WE TAKE, UH, ITEM F TO, UH, 3 0, 0 6 TEMPLE PARK ALLBRIDGE PLACE, UH, LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT TAX ABATEMENT APPLICATION OUT OF ORDER TO BE HEARD AT THIS TIME.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, IT'S UNANIMOUS.
AND THEN DO WE NEED A PRESENTATION FROM STAFF OR IS ANYTHING THAT WE JUST DID IMPACTING THAT APPLICATION? UH, NO, WE WILL NEED TO GET SOME UPDATES FROM THE ARCHITECT, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN HANDLE, UM, WITH THE REVISED DESIGN.
SO IF WE DON'T NEED A PRESENTATION, THEN I'LL MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM F TWO ON THE AGENDA.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE TAX ABATEMENT.
SO WILL BRING US MORE INTERESTING ONES MAYBE NEXT TIME.
[3.C.3. HR-2022-006510 – 1505 Alameda Dr. – Discussion (postponed February 28, 2022) Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District Council District 9]
FOR DISCUSSION IS C3 1505 ELEVATED DRIVE.WE ARE GOING TO A LOT OF THE ITEMS THAT ARE COMING UP NOW, UH, OUR PROPERTIES UP FOR DEMOLITION IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS.
AND, UM, THIS, SINCE IN THE PAST YEAR, THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS COME UNDER, UH, A LOT OF, UH, DEMOLITION, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT NOW.
SO THAT'S WHY THERE'S CONCERN.
IF THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WONDER WHY THERE'S SO MUCH, UH, CONCERN ABOUT THESE, UH, DEMOLITIONS MS. BRUMMETT GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS AGAIN, ELIZABETH BRUMMETT WITH THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE.
THIS IS A CASE THAT WE HEARD LAST MONTH TO DEMOLISH A CIRCUIT 1947 CONTRIBUTING HOUSE TO THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT, AND TO CONSTRUCT A NEW SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH A POOL I'D LIKE TO START BY ADDRESSING THE, UH, THE DEMOLITION
[01:20:01]
REQUEST AND THE SPECIFIC HOUSE, UH, IN RESPONSE TO THE DISCUSSION AT LAST MONTH'S.UH, I DID SOME ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON THIS CASE.
UH, UNFORTUNATELY THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER DOES NOT HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL PERMIT INFORMATION BEYOND, UH, WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE LAST TIME.
BUT I DID INCLUDE, UM, BASICALLY A PRINTOUT OF THE INFORMATION WITHIN OUR PERMIT SYSTEM.
UH, AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY, THERE WAS A, I HAD MENTIONED A 1982 PERMIT TO ADD A SECOND STORY TO THIS HOUSE.
UH, IT TURNS OUT THAT PERMIT EXPIRED AND WE DO SEE A 1985 PERMIT THAT PASSED FINAL BUILDING INSPECTION ON JULY 24TH, 1985.
AGAIN, TO ADD A, AN ADDITION TO RESIDENTS TO CREATE A TWO-STORY RESIDENCE, UH, THERE ARE SOME OTHER, UM, PIECES OF INFORMATION THAT CORROBORATE THAT THIS WAS HISTORICALLY A ONE STORY HOUSE WITH A SECOND STORY ADDITION.
UH, ONE OF THOSE IS THE SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAP THAT, UM, I MENTIONED TO YOU LAST TIME, UH, I ALSO DID SOME ADDITIONAL RESEARCH AND, UM, AND THE AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN ARCHIVES LOOKING AT CLASSIFIED ADS, UH, THIS HOUSE WAS A RENTAL PROPERTY FOR MUCH OF THE HISTORIC PERIOD.
AND SO THERE WAS A GREAT WEALTH OF ADS.
UM, I INCLUDED, I THINK ABOUT TWO AND A HALF PAGES WORTH OF CLASSIFIED AD CLIPPINGS AND THE BACKUP THAT WAS BY FAR NOT ALL OF THE CLASSIFIED ADS THAT SHOWED UP.
THERE'S SOME VARIATION OVER THE YEARS IN TERMS OF HOW THIS PROPERTY IS DESCRIBED FOR RENTAL IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF ROOMS. UM, SOMETIMES THE ROOMS ARE SPECIFICALLY ITEMIZED.
SOMETIMES THERE'S A MENTION OF IT BEING A ONE BEDROOM, ONE BATHROOM HOUSE THROUGH 1972.
IT'S CONSISTENTLY DESCRIBED THOUGH AS A SMALL COTTAGE OR A SMALL HOUSE, A SMALL HOUSE FOR A COUPLE, WITH ONLY ONE VETERAN THE HOUSE AS IT PRESENTLY EXISTS IN THIS TWO-STORY CONFIGURATION HAS TWO BEDROOMS AND ONE AND A HALF BATHROOMS. SO IT IS, UH, AGAIN STAFF'S OPINION THAT THIS IS A 1947 HOUSE WITH A 1985 EDITION WHILE THE ADDITION IS VERY COMPATIBLE WITH THE HOUSE, EVEN GOING TO THE LINKS OF INCLUDING A STEELCASE MEANT WINDOWS THAT MAKE IT APPEAR AS IF IT'S PART OF THE ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION, THAT REALLY WOULD UNDERMINE A CASE FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION AS AN INDIVIDUAL RESOURCE FOR THIS HOUSE, GIVEN THAT SOME MODIFICATION OUTSIDE OF THE HISTORIC PERIOD, IN TERMS OF HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS, IT WAS BUILT AROUND 1947 FOR MARION STORM.
AND THE STORM WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS SOCIAL AND LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE.
UH, SHE UNFORTUNATELY DIED IN A CAR CRASH IN 1950.
SO WHILE SHE CERTAINLY SEEMED LIKE SOMEONE, I WOULD WANT TO LOOK INTO MORE AND GET A, A MUCH GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THIS, UM, YOU KNOW, EMPOWERED SINGLE WOMAN, WHO'S BUILDING A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE HERSELF.
IT CERTAINLY SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WE WOULD WANT TO COMMEMORATE WITH LANDMARK STATUS, BUT GIVEN THAT VERY SHORT ASSOCIATION WITH THE HOUSE, UH, THAT ALSO WOULD MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A CASE FOR LANDMARK STATUS.
SO REGARDING THE DEMOLITION PERMIT, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO RELEASE THE PERMIT UPON COMPLETION OF A CITY OF AUSTIN DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE.
IN TERMS OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION, THE PLANS REMAINED THE SAME AS THEY WERE LAST MONTH.
IT'S A CONTEMPORARY, SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE WITH AN ATTACHED REAR CARPORT.
IT'S A FULL TWO STORIES PLUS A PENTHOUSE AND A ROOFTOP DECK.
THE HOUSE HAS A FLAT ROOF WITH OVERHANGING EAVES, VARIOUS SIDING MATERIALS, INCLUDING VERTICAL WOODS STUCCO AND METAL PANELS AND LARGE FIXED WINDOWS WITH CASEMENT AND HOPPER SASHES.
THE CARPORT OPENS ONTO THE ALLEY, UH, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT COMPORTS WITH THE PATTERNS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, BUT BEYOND THAT, UM, THE HOUSE IN LARGE PART DOES NOT MEET THE, UH, APPLICABLE DESIGN STANDARDS.
THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR THAT ASPECT IS TO COMMENT ON AND TO RELEASE THE PLANS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
I DO WANT TO THANK STAFF FOR THAT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, AND IT'S RATHER INNOVATIVE WAY OF, UH, OBVIOUSLY WE W WE HAD LITTLE TO GO WITH, BUT I THINK THAT, UH, THOSE, UH, ADVERTISEMENT RECORDS OR THE CORROBORATION WE'D NEEDED.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PROVIDING THOSE.
ABSOLUTELY IS THE APPLICANT HERE.
WE HAVE A MATCH SWAB, UM, REGISTERED TO SPEAK, AND I DO HAVE YOUR PRES YES, I DO HAVE THE PRESENTATION COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
[01:25:01]
I'M THE OWNER OF 1505 ALAMEDA.UM, SO FIRST OFF, I'LL JUST SAY THAT THE FIRST HOUSE THAT I EVER BOUGHT WAS ACTUALLY A HISTORIC HOUSE.
IT WAS BUILT IN 1910 IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AND I WORKED PRETTY CLOSELY WITH THE HISTORIC COMMISSION IN THAT DISTRICT TO, UM, BOTH MAKE SURE WE WERE FOLLOWING ALL OF THE HISTORIC GUIDELINES.
SO I'M FAMILIAR WITH, WITH A LOT OF THE PROCESS THAT YOU GO THROUGH AND I AM TYPICALLY SUPPORTIVE OF HISTORICAL HOUSE PRESERVATION.
SO, UM, AFTER THE STORK, MEANING LAST MONTH, THE COMMISSION HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SCOPE OF WORK TO THE HOUSE IN THE 19, IN THE EARLY 1980S.
UM, SO I SUBMITTED A PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND I WANTED TO USE MY TIME THIS EVENING TO SHARE SOME OF MY FINDINGS WITH THE HISTORIC COMMISSION.
UM, THE PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST TEAM PROVIDED TWO DOCUMENTS.
I CAN GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE SECOND SLIDE, AMBER, UH, CAN'T SEE THIS VERY WELL, BUT THIS KIND OF CORROBORATES WHAT ELIZABETH WAS SAYING IN TERMS OF THE ORIGINAL PERMIT FROM 1947, THEY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FROM APRIL 2ND, 1947.
UM, JUST KIND OF, JUST FOR THE REFERENCE OF THE COMMISSION.
I THOUGHT IT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING.
UM, GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, AMBER, PLEASE.
SO THESE IS, UH, SO THEY PROVIDED 28 PAGES OF PERMIT RECORDS ISSUED BETWEEN JANUARY OF 1982 AND APRIL, 1985.
THIS WAS THE FIRST ONE THAT I BELIEVE EXPIRED.
UM, AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY KIND OF SEE AMBER, IF YOU GO KIND OF, IF YOU WANT TO, UM, ZOOM IN TO THE YEAH, RIGHT THERE.
SO IF YOU GO IN A LITTLE BIT MORE THERE TOO, ON THE COMMENTS, THIS IS WHAT ELIZABETH WAS REFERENCING EARLIER, WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT THE ADDITION TO THE RESIDENTS TO CREATE A SECOND STORY, WHEREAS IN REMODEL.
SO I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO SHARE THAT AND YOU SEE THIS THROUGHOUT SOME OF THE PERMIT DOCUMENTS, UM, THROUGH THOSE 28 PAGES.
UM, I INCLUDED A FEW MORE OF THEM TOO, IF YOU WANT TO KIND OF SHOW THOSE AMBER, UM, THIS WAS THE FIRST ONE, AND THEN I HAVE THREE MORE COPIES OF THE FINAL BUILDING PERMIT THAT I BELIEVE WAS APPROVED IN 1985.
ALSO REFERENCING THE FACT THAT THERE WAS THAT SECOND STORY, UH, CREATED AND THE REMODEL THAT WENT ALONG WITH THAT.
SO, UM, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S HELPFUL.
SO I THINK WE'LL KIND OF MAYBE JUST STOP ON THIS, ON THIS LAST PICTURE OF THE PROPERTY, AMBER.
UM, SO I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE THE COMMISSION AWARE OF A SMALL CHANGE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING TO THE BACK OF THE BUILDING, UH, THAT WILL NOT ALTER OR AFFECT THE STREET VIEW.
UM, YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT FROM THIS PICTURE, BUT THERE'S A HERITAGE TREE ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE LOT.
UM, IT'S, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE IT.
IF YOU LOOK ON THE, KIND OF THE FAR BACK OF IT.
I ACTUALLY HAVE A, IF YOU GO TO THE SECOND PICTURE, AMBER, IT'S A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.
UM, WHEN YOU COME ON THE PROPERTY, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE ON THE FAR BACK THERE, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT VISIBLE FROM THE STREET.
UM, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING A KIND OF A SMALL REVISION TO THE BACK OF THE HOUSE THAT AGAIN, WILL NOT, UH, MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE STREET VIEW OF THE HOUSE FOR THE PLANS THAT WE SUBMITTED.
ANY QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS APPLICATION? IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN FAVOR, WE HAVE TWO REGISTERED SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION.
THE FIRST IS JAMES KLEIN BOMB, AND I HAVE YOUR PRESENTATION AND I'LL GET IT READY.
UH, MY NAME IS JAMES CLINEBELL.
UM, GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS.
UH, I'M THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY NEXT DOOR, 1503 ALAMEDA.
UH, I SPOKE AT THE LAST HEARING, UH, AGAINST THE, UM, UH, ACTUALLY FOR LANDMARK AND THE PROPERTY BASED ON, UM, THE INFORMATION THAT WAS IN THE SURVEY THAT PRESENTED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER, WHICH SAID THAT THE ONLY ADDITION WAS A, UM, THE ROOF DECK.
UM, AND THEN AT THE MEETING, I LEARNED THAT PERHAPS THERE WAS A SECOND STORY.
AND IN FACT, THE MORNING AFTER THE HEARING, THERE WERE SORT OF TWO OLD TIMERS WALKING BY AND I TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
THEY SAID, OH YEAH, WE KNOW THAT WE, THAT WOMAN WHO ADDED THAT SECOND STORY IN 1982, THEY KNEW THE MATERIAL.
I IMMEDIATELY EMAILED STAFF AND TOLD THEM THAT IN FACT, THE ADDITION WAS MADE IN 1982 AND IT WAS EARNED THAT SPO HOUSE, NOT ACTUALLY BOATHOUSE.
UM, SO IF I COULD GET ON WITH MY ACTUAL PRESENTATION TONIGHT, UM, WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT TREES AND I, I'M NOT LOST.
I KNOW I'M NOT AT THE CITY ARBORIST.
UM, USUALLY I'M LOST, BUT NOT TONIGHT.
I'M GOING TO SHOWING WHAT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR THE DEMO PERMIT, IF YOU WILL.
IT'S HARD TO SEE, BUT ON THE RIGHT TOP END SIDE, YOU'LL SEE A TREE THAT'S RIGHT ON THE PROPERTY LINE.
IT'S ACTUALLY ON MY PROPERTY LINE AND THEIR PROPERTY LINE.
IT SHOWS THAT THE TREE SHOWS TO BE ON TOTALLY ON THEIR PROPERTY LINE.
AND IT, IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE BUILDING HAS ANY IMPACT ON THE
[01:30:01]
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE FAR FROM IT.UM, THE, UH, APPLICANT WAS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT PHOTOS OF EACH ELEVATION, UM, TO THE FLYING DEPARTMENT TO GET THE DEMO PERMIT.
IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO SEE, BUT THE TOP RIGHT-HAND CORNER IS THE PHOTO OF THE REAR ELEVATION.
AND THERE IS, YOU CAN BARELY SEE THAT THERE'S ANY TREE THERE AT ALL.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE PHOTO OF THE FRONT ELEVATION, IT'S FOR, YOU KNOW, TAKING FROM FAR AWAY, YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE FACADE.
THIS I THINK IS A BETTER PHOTO OF THE REAR ELEVATION.
I THINK WE CAN SEE THIS A HUGE TREE THERE.
HERITAGE TREE, THIS TREE BASICALLY TOUCHES THE EXISTING STRUCTURE.
THE PLAN STRUCTURE IS MUCH LARGER, TALLER LONGER, AND IT ALWAYS, UH, I ALWAYS QUESTION, HOW COULD THEY BUILD THAT STRUCTURE WITHOUT DESTROYING HIS TREE AND YOU KNOW, MY VIEW, AND IT'S BEEN CORROBORATED IF YOU NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
IF THEY WERE TO BUILD THE STRUCTURE AS THEY PLAN, THIS IS WHAT THE TREE WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE WHEN THEY WERE DONE.
AND HOW WAS THE PLAY? MRS. LINCOLN? THE CRITICAL ZONE WAS FINE, BUT THE TREE WAS AMPUTATED AT ITS KNEES.
THIS WOULD NOT BE EVIDENT IF YOU SOLELY LOOKED AT THE MATERIALS, PRESENTED TO THE CLIENT DEPARTMENT AND DIDN'T VISIT THE SITE.
I REACHED OUT TO THE ARBORIST, OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL, AND THE ARBORIST CAME OUT TO THE PROPERTY.
IT TURNS OUT AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF DIGGING, UM, THIS PROPERTY, THIS TREE IS ALSO ON MY PROPERTY TO SHARE TREE, UH, THAT THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE TREE ON MY PROPERTY.
IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A COMANCHE MARKER TREAT BECAUSE IT BASICALLY FACES TOWARDS THE WATER AND IT'S SHAPED LIKE A LOT OF CONVENTIONAL MARKET TREES.
IT HASN'T GONE THROUGH THE W WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ACTUALLY QUALIFY IT AS SUCH, BUT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT IT IS THE, UM, CITY ARBOR'S CONCURRED WITH ME AND, UM, COMMUNICATED TO THE DEVELOPER THAT THERE THERE'S NO WAY THEY COULD BUILD THE HOUSE THEY WANTED TO, WITHOUT DESTROYING THIS TREE AND THE OWNER AFTER BEING HEARD FROM THE CITY ARBORIST AND AFTER HAVING HIS ARCHITECT COME OUT AND SORT OF UNDERSTAND, OH, THERE'S A TREE.
THERE HAS AGREED TO REDO THE PLANS.
NOW WHAT I'M ASKING, UH, THE COMMISSION IS THE LANDMARK SHE WAS OVER, BUT I THINK THAT IS PART OF YOUR PROCESS.
THE BUILDER NEEDS TO SUBMIT THE PLANS FOR THE BUILDING AND THE PLANS THAT EXIST NOW HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BUILDING.
THAT'S GOING TO BE RESUBMITTED.
THAT TREE, THAT TREE GOES RIGHT THROUGH THERE, THE HOUSE THEY DESIGN.
SO WHAT I'M ASKING IS FOR A POSTPONEMENT, SO THEY CAN RESUBMIT THEIR PLANS SO THAT THE COMMUNITY, AND YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE REVISED BUILDING THIS BUILDER HAS.
CAN YOU WRAP UP YOUR TIME IS UP.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE SPEAKER? WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER AND OPPOSITION, UH, REGISTERED, UH, MS. PAULA KOFMAN HI, I'M PAULA KAUFMANN.
AND FIRST I WANTED TO CLARIFY, SO THERE HAS BEEN AN ADDITION TO THE HOUSE.
HOWEVER, IT WAS HARD TO TELL IT IN ADDITION IT HAD BEEN DONE.
SO LET'S SAY AT THE TIME THAT THE OWNER MAY BE EDITION AND APPLIED TO MAKE THE ADDITION IN A STYLE THAT WAS SO SIMILAR, WE COULDN'T REALLY TELL THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE CHANGED.
WOULD THAT NECESSARILY MAKE THAT HOME NO LONGER ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT.
AND THEN SECOND OF ALL, IT'S FUNNY THING.
UM, SO THE STAFF, WE REALIZED THE STAFF JUST DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO RESEARCH ANYTHING.
SO I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT, UM, MARIANNE STRONG STORM WHO LIVED THERE.
IT SOUND LIKE SHE WAS A PROTEGE OF MANY FISHER CUNNINGHAM WHO WROTE A SUFFRAGE IT'S LIFE AND POLITICS.
AND SO IT WAS REALLY COOL THAT THIS WOMAN WHO LIVED THERE WAS VERY PROGRESSIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE TIMES.
UM, AND SO SHE WORKED IN DIFFERENT KIND OF, OR, UM, THE PEOPLE'S LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE THAT HAD A LOT OF WOMEN LEADERS, WHICH WAS UNUSUAL FOR THE TIMES.
THEY ALSO LIKED TO MAKE SURE THAT BLACKS AND HISPANICS WERE INCLUDED, ELIMINATE THE POLL TAX TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POOR AND NOT JUST PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE KEPT OUT OF POLITICS AND, UM, EXPOSED CORPORATE INFLUENCE ON POLITICS.
SO, UM, EVEN THOUGH SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN A SUPER
[01:35:01]
DUPER, YOU KNOW, BIG NAME, SHE DIED VERY YOUNG, YOU KNOW, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN A BIG NAME AND, AND I THINK WHAT SHE DID KIND OF EMBRACES THAT SPIRIT OF TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW PARK, AND WE REALLY EMBRACE THE DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE THERE.AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE HER WERE OF MODEST MEANS.
AND SO IT DID NOT NECESSARILY HAVE SUCH A BIG HOUSE.
AND, UM, THAT MIGHT BE, YOU KNOW, SO MAYBE THE, THE BAR FOR GETTING THE LANDMARK HISTORIC DESIGNATION IS REALLY HIGH FOR SOME OF THESE MODEST NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND THEN I ALSO WANTED TO THANK, UM, A COMMITTEE MEMBER, UH, THAT REALLY WORKED ON THE TREES.
SO I THINK THIS, THIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND TREE PRESERVATION ARE GOING TO GO HAND IN HAND BECAUSE IT'S THESE OLD NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE THESE REALLY BIG TREES.
AND SO I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED A DEVELOPER WHO HAS, WHO HAS FALSIFIED MEASUREMENT OF A TREE THAT STRADDLED MY PROPERTY.
THAT WAS ACTUALLY 40 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
AND THEY GOT AN ARBORIST, THEIR OWN ARBORIST, A PRIVATE ARBORIST TO SAY THAT THE, THE TREE WAS DISEASED.
THEY, UM, FELT THAT TREE WITHOUT ASKING MY PERMISSION AND THEY KNEW I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO DO IT.
AND IT WAS STRADDLING MY PROPERTY LINE AND THEIR PUNISHMENT WAS TO PLANT 10, 4, 10 FOOT TREES.
SO I'M SAYING THAT NEIGHBORS, WE REALLY HAVE TO BE VIGILANT TO HELP THE CITY TO YOUR TIME.
YOUR TIME IS FINISHED TO MAKE, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MEASUREMENTS ARE CORRECT.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION FOR THIS ITEM? ALL RIGHT.
UH, MR. SCHWAB, YOU HAVE, UH, SOME TIME TO REBUT IF YOU'D LIKE.
I JUST, UH, I APPRECIATE THAT THE COMMISSION HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN CONSERVING THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT WE'VE SHOWN THROUGH HISTORICAL RECORDS THAT THE HOUSE WENT THROUGH A MAJOR REVISION ADDING THE SECOND STORY AND THE ROOF DECK OF THE 1980S, WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED, UH, THE HOUSE.
UM, YOU KNOW, ONE THING I'LL SAY ABOUT THE TREES IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THOSE TREES ARE PROBABLY MY FAVORITE ATTRIBUTE OF THE LOT.
WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF SAVING THOSE TREES.
UH, NOTHING'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THOSE TREES.
UM, WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST THREE MONTHS NOW TO HAVE THE DEMO PERMIT APPROVED.
UM, AND AS I SAID, YOU GUYS HAVE A JOB TO DO, BUT, YOU KNOW, IN THAT TIME, YOU KNOW, WE INCUR HOLDING COSTS, THE BUILDING MATERIALS CONTINUE TO RISE, UM, AND THE DELIVERY TIMES HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT FURTHER.
SO I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COMMISSION TO RELEASE THE DEMO PERMIT SO WE CAN BEGIN WORKING WITH THE OTHER DIVISIONS OF THE CITY, INCLUDING THE ARBORIST TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PLANS GO THROUGH.
OKAY, SIR, IS, IS THIS, UH, THE FACT THAT, UM, YOU WILL BE MAKING REVISED PLANS? SO THE TREES ON THE, ON, ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE LOT, SO THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SMALL, IT'S MORE ABOUT THE PLACEMENT OF THE BUILDING ON THE LOT, BUT NOTHING FROM THE STREET FACING VIEW IS GOING TO BE ALTERED AT ALL.
WE WILL NEED TO HAVE THOSE RE REVISED PLANS.
UM, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT? OKAY.
IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS, I'D LIKE TO, UM, I HEAR A MOTION ON THE CASE MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THERE'S A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE, RAISE YOUR HAND.
IS THERE A MOTION ON THE CASE? WELL, JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
IF THE, IF THE APPLICANT HAS TO COME BACK WITH A REVISED SET OF PLANS, OR ARE WE REALLY IN A POSITION TO MOTION TO APPROVE WITH, WITHOUT THAT WE CAN, WE CAN APPROVE, UH, THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING HOUSE.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK WITH THE PLANS OR COULD STAFF, UH, REVIEW THOSE AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES THAT NEEDED TO COME TO THE COMMISSION.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE IN THIS INSTANCE, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE OWNER IS INDICATING THAT THE DESIGN WILL NOT CHANGE APPRECIABLY FROM THE STREET FACING VIEW, WHICH IS THE COMMISSION'S PRIMARY CONCERN IN THIS CASE IS THAT STAFF WOULD REVIEW THOSE PLANS AND DETERMINE IF THE CHANGES ARE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT THEY WOULD REQUIRE FURTHER COMMISSION TO REVIEW.
UM, I THINK EMOTION TOO, UM, EMOTION TO GO WITH STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION COULD ALSO
[01:40:01]
INCLUDE, UM, STAFF'S REVIEW OF THE REVISED PLANS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY NEED TO COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION.SO MOVED, IS THERE A SECOND, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COOK? UM, THIS IS NOW OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.
I WILL SAY THAT I DID, I DID THIS SURVEY OF TRAVIS HEIGHTS, UM, BACK IN THE DAY WHEN WE FIRST, WHEN WE FIRST CONDUCTED, UH, WHEN WE FIRST STARTED ON THE TRAVEL SITES PROJECT IN 2005 SIX, AND WE DID BELIEVE THIS WAS A CONTRIBUTING HOUSE.
UM, I THINK MOST PEOPLE DID THINK THAT THIS WAS PART AND PARCEL OF THE SAME HOUSE.
WE HAD METAL KISMET WINDOWS ON BOTH FLOORS, AND WE THOUGHT IT LOOKED VERY MUCH LIKE, UM, THE HOUSE OF THE CORNER OF RED RIVER AND 38 AND SOME OTHER, A FEW, A HANDFUL OF OTHER HOUSES THAT ARE SOMETIMES CALLED INTERNATIONAL SOMETIMES CALLED STREAMLINED.
UM, BUT THAT, THIS WAS AN EXAMPLE IN THIS CASE, STAFF I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND STAFF HAS DONE SOME RESEARCH THAT INDICATES BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT THE SECOND FLOOR WAS, UH, AN ADDITION MADE IN THE 1980S.
SO, UM, I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IS MY MISTAKE IN MAKING THOSE A CONTRIBUTING PROPERTY TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE THAT, UH, THAT SECOND FLOOR ADDITION WAS MADE AFTER THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE ESTABLISHED FOR THE, UH, DISTRICT FURTHER DISCUSSION ANYONE.
UM, YEAH, I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR US SINCE I, I MADE A, UH, A VERY BIG F UH, DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS INTERNATIONAL STYLE AND THAT THIS WOULD BE A VERY RARE EXAMPLE, UH, AND JUST REINFORCING, UH, JEREMIAH IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT THOSE WINDOWS.
UH, IT WAS NOT ONLY WELL DONE IN THE EIGHTIES, BUT IT WAS ALSO REUSING HISTORIC MATERIALS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN SAID, OUR PURVIEW IS, DOES THIS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF A, UH, CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE, WHICH AS YOU POINTED OUT, IT DOES NOT, UH, AS MUCH AS WE MIGHT ENCOURAGE THIS OWNER TO KEEP THIS, BUT IT REALLY FALLS OUT OF OUR PURVIEW.
IT'S A HIGHLY VISIBLE, THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND IT.
THIS IS NOT A SMALL MODIFICATION TO THIS HOUSE IN ANY WAY.
WHERE WERE THEY TO HAVE COME IN FRONT OF US IN THE EIGHTIES? WE MIGHT'VE HAVE HAD THAT INTERESTING DISCUSSION ABOUT BECAUSE IT CHANGED THE HOUSE CONSIDERABLY, BUT, UH, THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, I MADE A POINT OF MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, IF THIS, IF THIS DIDN'T, IF, IF THIS WASN'T ORIGINAL BUILDING, IT'S SIGNIFICANCE REALLY NEEDED TO BE RESEARCHED.
AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT STAFF HAS MADE AND YOURS AS WELL TO, UH, GIVE US THE CONFIDENCE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY AND, OKAY, SORRY, THIS IS A, THIS IS A COMMUNITY FAVORITE.
THEY PEOPLE REALLY LIKED THE HOUSE.
AND, UM, BUT, BUT IT REALLY IS, UH, IN TERMS OF THERE IS A HISTORIC PART OF THE HOUSE, BUT ACTUALLY IS MINIMIZED, I THINK BY THE SECOND FLOOR BY THE MORE MODERN EDITION.
AND SO I WOULD, UM, ASK FOR THE VOTE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, UM, TO GO WITH STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND ALSO ALLOW STAFF TO REVIEW AND, UM, DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT IT NEEDS THE REVISED PLANS NEED TO COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR REVIEW ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND ANY OPPOSED? OKAY.
[3.C.4. HR-2022-016431 – 1803 Kenwood Ave. – Consent (postponed February 28, 2022) Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District Council District 9 (Part 1 of 2)]
IS C4 1803 KENWOOD AVENUE.UH, THE PROPOSAL IS TO DEMOLISH A CIRCUIT IN 1937, SINGLE STORY RESIDENCE, AND REPLACE IT WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION, A NEW CONSTRUCTION, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.
THE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDE TOTAL DEMOLITION OF EXISTING CONTRIBUTING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTS BUILT IN 1937 CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH IN-GROUND POOL AND REAR AND CARPORT.
THE PROPOSED PRIMARY BUILDING IS A TWO-STORY MINIMALIST STYLE.
IT FEATURED A COMPOUND ROOFLINE FIXED PANE IN CASEMENT, FULL LIGHT FENESTRATION,
[01:45:01]
AND IRREGULAR PATTERN, DARK GRAY BRICK ON THE FIRST STORY AND LIGHT COLORED EXTERIOR STUCCO CLOUDING ON THE SLIGHTLY OVERHANGING SECOND STORY, THE REAR CENTER IMAGE OF IT.THE REAR SECOND STORY ELEVATION HAS A SMALL REAR BALCONY WITH A HORIZONTAL METAL RAILING OVERLOOKING THE POOL.
ORIGINAL DESIGNS INDICATED A SIDE ENTRY GARAGE AND DIRECT NEIGHBORING CARPORT LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE OR HORIZONTAL WOOD FENCE SITUATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CARPORT, WHICH SEAL SHIELDS THE CAR PORT AND GARAGE FROM DIRECT VIEW FROM THE STREET.
THE ROOF LINE WAS CHANGED TO A FRONT GABLED FORM AFTER MEETING WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE ON MARCH 18TH, 2022, THE WINDOWS WERE CHANGED TO A REGULAR FENESTRATION PATTERN ON THE FRONT FACADE, A SMALL COVERED FRONT PORCH AND ADDITIONAL BRICK WERE ADDED TO THE PRIMARY FACADE AND THE WOOD FENCE AND GARAGE WERE REMOVED.
THE CARPORT WAS TURNED TO FACE THE STREET DIRECTLY 1803.
KENWOOD IS A WOOD-FRAME SINGLE-STORY RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ON PIER AND BEAM FOUNDATION.
THE STRUCTURE IS THAT THE MINIMAL TRADITIONAL STYLE WITH A SIDE GABLE AND FRONT FACING CROSS CABLE DESIGN.
IT IS, IT IS TYPICAL OF MINIMAL TRADITIONAL DESIGN WITH DESIGN WITH HORIZONTAL WOOD SIDING, TWO SETS OF SYMMETRICAL MULTI PANE, SIX OVER SIX WOOD WINDOWS FLANKED BY SLIM SIMPLE SHUTTERS.
THERE WAS A SMALL ROUND GABLE VENT AND THE FRONT-FACING GABLE FACADE.
THE SINGLE DOOR ENTRY HAS A CONCRETE LANDING AND IS COVERED WITH A WOODEN AWNING SUPPORTED BY DECORATIVE WOODEN BRACKETS.
THE AWNING IS A CONTINUATION OF THE ASPHALT ROOF, AND THERE'S A THIN, SLIGHTLY TURNED METAL BALUSTRADE IN RAILING ON THE FRONT CONCRETE STEPS IN LANDING 1803 KENWOOD AVENUE WAS LIKELY BUILT BY THE PROMINENT DENTIST AND CIVIC ACTIVISTS.
SHREW HALL AND HIS WIFE, LILLIAN PARMA HAD MOVED TO 1805 KENWOOD BY 1942, ACCORDING TO CITY DIRECTORIES IN 1941, EACH NEW THREE KENWOOD WAS OWNED BY RAYMOND JR.
AND HIS WIFE, MARJORIE RAMSEY.
RAYMOND WAS EMPLOYED AT THE RNR SERVICE STATION AND THEY LIVED IN THE HOME UNTIL AT LEAST 1944.
ACCORDING TO CITY DIRECTORY RECORDS, THE HOUSE CONTINUED TO BE OCCUPIED SHORT TERM UNTIL IT WAS PURCHASED BY DONALD AND LC ESL WHO LIVED IN THE HOME UNTIL MR.
ELSIE IS L WAS ALSO A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.
THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE RECEIVED A PRESENTATION ON THE PROJECT ON APRIL 18TH.
MARCH 18TH, 2022 COMMITTEE MEMBERS DID NOT FIND THE DESIGN COMPATIBLE WITH THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT DISCUSSION INCLUDED THE LOT WOULD ACCOMMODATE KEEPING THE HOUSE AND ADDING AN ADDITION ONTO THE BACK.
THE PROPOSED DESIGN WAS A BARRIER TO ITS SURROUNDINGS AND STARK, AND THE DESIGN SHOULD BE MORE APPROACHABLE AND MAINTAIN.
CURRENT SETBACKS MEMBERS RECOMMENDED BRINGING A ONE-STORY PRESENCE OUT IN FRONT AND MOVING PARKING TO THE SIDE OR REAR REDUCING THE SIZABLE.
SECOND STORY WINDOW SIZE AND OVERALL MAKING THE DESIGN MORE COMPATIBLE BECAUSE IT SIGNIFICANTLY DIVERGES FROM THE HISTORIC STREETSCAPE IN SUMMARY, ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN MODIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN, THE PROJECT STILL DOES NOT MEET THE APPLICABLE STANDARDS PRIMARILY DUE TO THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTIONS MASS SCALE ORIENTATION AND MATERIAL CHOICE.
STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO COMMENT ON THE PLANS THAT ENCOURAGE REHABILITATION AND ADAPTIVE REUSE THAN RELOCATION OVER DEMOLITION, BUT RELEASE THE PERMIT UPON COMPLETION OF A CITY OF AUSTIN DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? OKAY.
IS THE APPLICANT HERE TO SPEAK? WE HAVE MR. BEN GOWDY HERE.
UH, AS YOU MAY RECALL, I MET WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
UH, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER.
UH, AS YOU MAY RECALL, I MET WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE, UH, JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
UM, WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THE PLANS, UH, FOR THE HOME WE'RE PROPOSING.
AND GIVEN THAT IT'S BEEN STAFF'S FINDINGS THAT THE CRITERIA ARE NOT MET FOR THIS PROPERTY TO BE A HISTORIC LANDMARK.
UH, THE OWNER IS ASKING THAT THE DEMO PERMIT BE APPROVED AT THIS TIME.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR? WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ELSE REGISTERED.
[01:50:01]
ATTENDEES WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS PROJECT? NOW WE HAVE SEVERAL, UH, PEOPLE REGISTERED TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION ON THIS, UH, PROJECT.THE FIRST OF WHICH IS A MR. CLIFTON LAD.
MY NAME IS CLIFTON LAB AND GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS.
I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND THE GOOD WORK OF YOU AND THE CITY STAFF WHO BEEN VERY HELPFUL WHENEVER I'VE REACHED OUT TO ASK QUESTIONS BY PHONE OR EMAIL, AND THEY'RE VERY QUICK TO REPLY.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO ASK YOU TO DENY DEMOLITION FOR THIS HOME, WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1937, THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE, WHEN THEY REVIEWED THE CONSTRUCTION, THEIR MEETING.
I THINK THAT WAS ON MARCH 14TH.
THIS YEAR FOUND A DESIGN TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW PARK, HISTORIC NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT.
AND THAT WOULD BE A START BARRIER TO THE SURROUNDINGS AND THE DESIGN SHOULD BE MORE APPROACHABLE AND MAINTAIN CURRENT SETBACKS.
NOW, AS FAR AS THE DESIGNATION CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK, THIS HOME IS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OLD.
IT DOES RETAIN A HIGH STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.
AND IN MY OPINION, IT DOES MEET THE OTHER TWO CRITERIA FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND THAT THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE EXISTING HOME HAS SUFFICIENT ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE TO QUALIFY AS A CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT.
AND IT IS UNIQUE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SECONDLY, THE PROPERTY DOES POSSESS UNIQUE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHARACTER IMAGE AND CULTURAL IDENTITY OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THAT'S WHY THERE'S LIKE HALF A DOZEN PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT THAT ARE HERE.
THIS IS A UNIQUE HOME TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY VALUE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO I ASKED YOU TO PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THIS DEMOLITION PERMIT.
AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IN OPPOSITION IS A MISS PAULA KOFMAN.
IF THERE ARE OTHER SPEAKERS TO FOLLOW, PLEASE, UH, GET READY TO JUMP UP AND GO TO THE PODIUM.
UM, MR. GOWDY, I JUST, NOW I'M GETTING YOUR NAME TODAY.
UH, YOU MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE THAT WE HAVE THIS NEW TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT.
SO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE REALLY HIGH BAR OF A HOUSE BEING A LANDMARK HOUSE, BUT WE HAVE THIS GROUP OF HOUSES THAT COLLECTIVELY HAVE BEEN, HAVE GONE THROUGH A VERY RIGOROUS APPLICATION TO GET THE HISTORIC STATUS.
AND WHEN WE LOSE HOUSES THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT STATUS, THAT AFFECTS THE INTEGRITY OF THAT DISTRICT.
SO PART OF THE VALUE OF LIVING IN THAT DISTRICT IS WHEN WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF HOMOGENEITY, UM, OF THE VINTAGE HOUSES THERE.
AND WHEN WE HAVE HOUSES THAT ARE VERY STARKLY, UM, OUT OF SCALE, OUT OF NEXT TO THE HOUSES THAT REALLY AFFECTS ALL OF OUR VALUES.
SO PART OF THE, SO PART OF THE WAY THAT, UM, WE LIKE TO TRY TO WORK WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE NEW DEVELOPMENT, TO REUSE AND TO ADAPT WHAT'S ALREADY THERE IS BECAUSE, BECAUSE THAT HELPS KEEP THE DISTRICT INTACT.
AND FOR EXAMPLE, I LIVE IN A 2,800 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE THAT STARTED OFF AS AN 850 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE.
MANY OF OUR HOUSES ARE THAT WAY.
THERE ARE WAYS TO ADD ON TO THE HOUSES THAT FROM THIS STREET DOESN'T LOOK, LOOK ANY DIFFERENT, BUT, UM, HAS MORE MODERN, UM, CONVENIENCES, MORE BATHROOMS. AND, UM, ANOTHER, UH, ADDITION IN THE ATTIC THAT HELPS TO KEEP THAT HOUSE CONTRIBUTING.
ALSO, WE'VE ALSO TALKED TO DEVELOPERS WHO, WHO FOUND THAT THEY REALLY MADE A LOT MORE PROFIT WHEN THEY REUSED A HOUSE THAT WAS ALREADY THERE AND ADDED ONTO IT, AS OPPOSED TO DEMOLISHING IT, STARTING OVER, FILLING UP A LANDFILL.
SO THE THING WE JUST WANT THE DEVELOPERS TO REALIZE THAT THIS HISTORIC DESIGNATION IS THERE SO THAT THEY HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH US.
AND WE DO APPLAUD THE FACT THAT THEY TALKED TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY FOLLOWING ALL THE, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS,
[01:55:01]
ANY QUESTIONS.NEXT SPEAKER IN OPPOSITION IS A MS. SUSAN MINOR.
I DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH DAD FROM WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID BY THE SPEAKERS BEFORE ME.
THIS IS A FANTASTIC LITTLE HOUSE.
IT'S VERY CONGRUOUS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, A COMPLETELY NEW BUILDING.
YOU CAN LOOK AT, I LIVE ON GILLESPIE PLACE.
I DON'T LIVE ON KENWOOD, BUT THERE'S NO TWO-STORY HOUSES ON THAT BLOCK.
IT WOULD STAND OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB, A NEW BUILD, AND IT'S NOT MEETING THE ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
YOU SAID IT YOURSELF, JEREMIAH.
THERE'S SO MUCH BUILDING GOING ON.
AND TRAVIS REIGNING THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE DEVELOPERS ARE INTERESTED IN MONEY.
THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IN OPPOSITION IS, UH, MS. SUSAN ARMSTRONG FISHER.
MY NAME IS SUSAN ARMSTRONG FISHER.
I LIVE HALF A MILE FROM THIS HOUSE IN THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS FAIRVIEW DISTRICT.
I DRIVE BY IT ALMOST EVERY DAY.
AND THE REASON WE MOVED INTO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WAS THE HISTORIC CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS WE HEARD TONIGHT, ONE BY ONE, OUR HOUSES ARE BEING DEMOLISHED AND, UM, TO SEE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT THIS HOUSE COULD BE ADDED ONTO THE LOT IS LARGE.
FOR ADDITION, I WOULD ALSO ARGUE THAT THERE IS HISTORY IN THE RESIDENT WHO LIVED THERE.
HE WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AUSTIN CIVIC CLUB, MASTER OF CEREMONIES ON THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE STILL STANDING SAINT NAUGHTIEST PARISH SCHOOL ON OLD TOUR, MA A MEMBER OF THE CITY PLANNING BOARD, VERY ACTIVE IN UT FOOTBALL AND POLITICS IN GENERAL, WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN, UM, WITH IT BEING IN CONFLICT WITH DESIGN STANDARDS, FOR SCALE MASSING AND HEIGHT, IT WILL ABSOLUTELY CHANGE THE ENTIRE CHARACTER OF THE STREET AS WELL AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD DIMINISHING THE SENSE OF PLACE AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I AM IN OPPOSITION OF THIS DEMOLITION, ASKED THAT IT BE, UM, UH, ADDED TO, AND THAT THE HOUSE MAY REMAIN.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? OUR NEXT SPEAKER IN OPPOSITION IS A MISS MISMATCH, MELANIE MARTINEZ.
AND I'M ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO STARTED THE HISTORIC DISTRICT EFFORT EVEN BEFORE THERE WAS A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT ORDINANCE WE WERE TRYING, BUT, UM, JUST TO ADD ON TO THE OTHER SPEAKERS, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, JUST SAY SOMETHING.
UM, SOMEONE FROM THE TEXAS HISTORIC COMMISSION, HISTORICAL COMMISSION TOLD ME ONE TIME THAT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IS A STORY LIKE A STORYBOOK, AND YOU START LOOKING AT THE HOUSES, THEY'RE CHAPTERS WITHIN THE STORY, AND THEN YOU START RIPPING OUT THE PAGES AND YOU DON'T HAVE A STORY ANYMORE.
AND I FEEL LIKE THESE HOUSES ON KENWOOD 8 0 1 803 AND 8 0 5, HAVE A STORY THAT GOES TOGETHER RELATED TO MR. STREW HALL HALL.
MY LIGHTS WENT LOW, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ADD ABOUT HIS MEMBERSHIP IN THE AUSTIN CIVIC CLUB IN, UM, HE WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS AND THIS GROUP AT THE TIME SOUTH AUSTIN WASN'T NECESSARILY PART OF AUSTIN.
SO SOME OF THESE BUSINESSMEN THAT WERE PART OF THE CLUB GOT A LOT OF THINGS ACCOMPLISHED IN SOUTH AUSTIN THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.
NOW, SUCH AS, UH, THE BRIDGES SOUTH LAMAR, WE DIDN'T HAVE SOUTH FIRST STREET.
THEY, UM, GOT THE POST OFFICE IN SOUTH AUSTIN.
THEY STARTED A THEATER AND AS WAS MENTIONED, THE ST.
AND THEN, UM, I JUST WAS LIMITED BY TIME ON RESEARCH AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY CENTER HOURS.
SO I FEEL LIKE TAKING OUT THE HOUSE THAT'S IN THE MIDDLE WOULD DAMAGE THE HISTORY AND INTEGRITY OF THE OTHER TWO HOUSES.
AND THEN LOOKING AT JUST WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THAT DO I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE TO LEARN AND I WOULD APPRECIATE, UH, KEEPING THE FACADE AT THE VERY LEAST AND ADDING ON SO WE CAN KEEP THIS STORY.
THANK YOU, MS. MARTINEZ, ANY QUESTIONS FOR HER?
[02:00:02]
ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION FOR THIS PROJECT? ALL RIGHT, MR. GALVIN.OH, THE APPLICANT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REBUT ANY TESTIMONY.
UH, AGAIN, MY NAME IS BEN GOUDY.
UH, I REPRESENT THE OWNER AND I APPRECIATE HIM RESPECT THE, UH, VIEWPOINTS THAT WERE EXPRESSED HERE.
AND I THINK THAT, UH, BE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU GUYS FOLLOWING TONIGHT AND IN THE FUTURE, UH, GIVE YOU BUSINESS CARDS.
UM, AND YOU CAN GIVE ME A CALL ANYTIME, BUT, UH, THE OWNER HAS ASKED ME TO THAT WE PROCEED AND THAT WE GO AHEAD AND GET THE DEMOLITION PERMIT.
SO THAT IS WHAT I AM HERE TO DO.
ANY QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT? THANK YOU.
SO YOU'VE MADE SOME MODIFICATIONS AFTER YOUR MEETING WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
UM, BUT YOUR OWNER IS NOT AN OWNER.
OCCUPANT, WAS THIS, UH, HAVING TO DO WITH THEIR FAMILY, UH, OR IS THIS, THIS IS JUST A, AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY.
IT IS A SPECULATIVE NEAR CONSTRUCTION, SO POTENTIALLY MODIFICATIONS COULD BE DONE.
BUT AT THIS POINT, THIS IS WHAT THE OWNER HAS CHOSEN.
UM, IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY.
MOVED AND SECONDED BY LAROCHE AND COOK ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UM, IS THERE A MOTION ON THE CASE, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ANY CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT AS THIS ONE IS WE CAN POSTPONE FOR 180 DAYS, AND THAT IS AN OPTION FOR US.
I'LL MOVE TO POSTPONE THE CASE TO OUR MAY 4TH MEETING.
IS THERE A SECOND, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LITTLE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS YOUR MOTION? YEAH, I DO APPRECIATE THE APPLICANT COMING TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING AND THERE WERE SOME CHANGES MADE TO THE DESIGN.
AND SO WE DO ALWAYS APPRECIATE THAT MOVEMENT TOWARD A BETTER RESOLUTION, BUT, UM, I'M, I'M COMPELLED BY THE TESTIMONY HERE AND BY THE INTEGRITY OF THE STREET AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR EXPANDING ON THAT PROPERTY AND MAINTAINING THE EXISTING PROPERTY, UH, THAT THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT CAN'T BE ADDED ON TO SIGNIFICANTLY AND STILL REMAIN A CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE.
SO I WANT TO GIVE THE, UH, THE OWNER A LITTLE MORE TIME TO RECONSIDER THIS LITTLE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK? YEAH.
I'LL ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER COOK SAID THAT THIS IS A CONTRIBUTING PROPERTY IN A NATIONAL REGISTER.
HISTORIC DISTRICT IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER IS A REGISTRY OF PLACES IN OUR COUNTRY THAT ARE WORTHY OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
AND THIS, THIS PROPERTY IS WORTHY OF THAT.
EVEN IT MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY MEET OUR CRITERIA FOR INITIATING HISTORIC ZONING ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, BUT I GIVEN THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR, FOR PRESERVING AND THE FACT THAT THIS IS A NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT.
I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE THE COMMUNITY EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO TRY AND SEE THIS BUILDING PRESERVED.
AND WE COULD INVITE THEM BACK TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE OR TRY TO FACILITATE A MEETING BETWEEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE, AND THE OWNER.
UM, MR. OTHERS DONE COMMISSIONER.
I, I FEEL LIKE I'M SORT OF BECOMING AN OLD MAN SHAKING MY FIST AT THE WEATHER ABOUT THIS STUFF.
AND, UH, I, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S SOMEWHAT BEYOND THE PURVIEW OF THIS COMMISSION.
I MAKE IT A POINT TO BRING UP ANY TIME THAT, UH, THE REDEVELOPMENT OF A PROPERTY IS GOING TO RESULT IN A NET LOSS OF HOUSING UNITS, WHETHER OR NOT IT RELATES TO THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE PROPERTY OR NOT.
AND I BROUGHT IT UP LAST TIME, UH, ABOUT A HOUSE IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS.
AND YOU SAID, YOU ASKED ME, WELL, HOW DO WE SAVE TRAVIS HEIGHTS? I WAS KIND OF TAKEN ABACK.
I WAS LIKE, WELL, THAT'S, I JUST WANTED TO SAY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY AND YOU TO GET TOO FAR BEYOND THE PURVIEW OF THE COMMISSION IS THEN WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE A BEER AFTERWARDS.
UM, BUT HERE, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE, UH, CASES IN A ROW NOW WHERE WE'RE NOT NET LOSING HOUSING UNITS, BUT I SEE THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT OF A, OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE IS GOING TO BE A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE PLUS A POOL.
AND SOMEONE MADE THE COMMENT, OBVIOUSLY THAT, YOU KNOW, THESE PEOPLE
[02:05:01]
ARE, THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY.THAT'S HOW THEY'RE MAKING THEIR MONEY.
UM, I WONDER IF THERE'D BE SOME COMMON GROUND HERE THAT, I MEAN, IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN TONIGHT, BUT IN A BETTER FUNCTIONING LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, COULD WE NOT HAVE A FOURPLEX RATHER THAN ANOTHER SINGLE FAMILY HOME WITH A POOL? I MEAN, WHAT KIND OF NEIGHBORS DO YOU WANT? UH, I WILL SPEAK VERY PERSONALLY FOR MYSELF THAT I WOULD TAKE THE FOURPLEX.
I WOULD TAKE THOSE FOUR ADDITIONAL STORIES THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE QUALITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OVER ANOTHER POOL, THAT THERE IS CAPACITY ON THIS LOT, AS FAR AS IMPERVIOUS COVER TO ALLOW A POOL, BUT NOT ADDITIONAL HOUSING IS RIDICULOUS.
AND THAT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE TRADITIONS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE INTEGRITY OF THE STREET, I DON'T THINK THERE'S A PROUD HISTORY OF PERSONAL POOLS IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS THAT NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED.
UM, THERE'S THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER FUTURE WHERE WE CAN HAVE MORE NEIGHBORS RATHER THAN MORE POOLS.
LET ME, LET ME CHIME IN ON THAT ONE THEN.
UH, I THINK COMMISSIONER FATHER-SON, YOU'RE, YOU'RE OPENING UP AN INTERESTING TANGENT, BUT I THINK IT'S CONNECTED.
AND SO LET ME, LET ME SEE IF I CAN ADDRESS THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THIS MAY IN FACT BE A PERFECT ILLUSTRATION OF EVEN WITHIN ITS LIMITS.
SOME OF THE FEW THINGS OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE IS GETTING RIGHT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION AND WE'RE THIS OWNER TO TAKE A SOMEWHAT MORE CREATIVE VIEW.
AND I CAN SPEAK FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE SINCE I OWN A PROPERTY WITH AN ADU THAT THIS LOT MAYBE WOULD BE WORTH CONSIDERING DOING THE RESTORATION OR PRESERVATION OF THE FRONT HOUSE, EVEN WITH AN ADDITION AND AN ADU ON THAT LOT WITH TWO UNITS, NOT ONE, MAYBE NOT QUITE THE SAME SIZE, BUT I DO THINK THAT IT WOULD BE WORTH SOME ECONOMIC ANALYSIS.
THE NUMBERS MAY ACTUALLY TURN OUT FAVORABLE, AND THAT MAY BE, UH, A LIFELINE HERE, UM, UH, ADDRESSING THE NEIGHBOR'S RESEARCH CONCERNS.
I APPLAUD YOU FOR FINDING OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESIDENTS ON THESE HOUSES.
WE ALSO WILL BE HAVING TO LOOK AT THE ARCHITECTURE, NOT JUST FOR ITS INTEGRITY.
AND THERE'S NO QUESTION VERY CLEARLY THIS HAS HIGH INTEGRITY FOR ITS ORIGINAL, UH, ITS ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURAL LOCATION.
UH, BUT ITS VALUE REALLY IS AS PART OF THE BLOCK.
I THINK, UH, I, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE NEIGHBORS HAVE FALSE HOPES AND THE OTHER TOOL THAT WE HAVE BY THE WAY, AND THE REASON WE DIDN'T USE IT IS THAT I THINK IMPLICIT IN OUR MOTION, IF IT PASSES IS THAT THIS MOST LIKELY IS NOT GOING TO RISE TO THE ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED FOR A LANDMARK STATUS, BUT IT'S ALREADY COVERED IT ALREADY HAS A VALUE.
AND I THINK ONCE AGAIN, USING THE TIME, MAYBE TRYING TO CHANGE SOME MINDS AND TRYING SOME OTHER AVENUES AND YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS OWNER WILL FIND A WAY TO EVEN RUN THE NUMBERS AND FIND THE NUMBERS COME OUT BETTER.
UH, SO THAT EVERYONE WE, WE, UH, UH, HAVING AN INTEREST WE'LL HAVE THOSE INTERESTS MET.
SO LET'S HOPE THAT MAY BE, UH, AN AVENUE.
I JUST, I WANT TO, UM, ECHO THAT IN A WAY OF THE 1700 AND THE 1800 BLOCKS OF KENWOOD AVENUE ARE AMONG THE MOST INTACT BLOCKS IN THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS, UH, FAIRVIEW PARK, HISTORIC DISTRICTS, AND YES, THIS, THIS NEW CONSTRUCTION WILL INTERRUPT THAT TRADITIONAL PATTERN AND RHYTHM AND, AND SENSE, UM, OF HISTORY THAT IS NOW CURRENTLY CONVEYED, UM, ON THE STREETSCAPE.
BUT THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT MOST OF THE HOUSES VIRTUALLY ALL THE HOUSES ON IN THESE 1700 AND 1800 BLOCKS ARE WHAT IN AUSTIN IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE PROPERTY MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR HISTORIC ASSOCIATIONS IS BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS WORKED, UM, YOU KNOW, THE ELITE, THEY WEREN'T LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS.
UH, BUT THAT IS WHAT MAKES THESE HOUSES MORE AFFORDABLE THAN THE HOUSES THAT WILL OR MAY, UM, REPLACE THEM ON THE LOTS.
AND THIS IS, THIS IS A CONCERN THAT THE CITY HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE, UM, AND, AND SHOULD ADDRESS AND THINKING ABOUT, DO WE REALLY WANT THESE AFFORDABLE HOUSES TO BE, UM, LOST FROM OUR DISTRICTS MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER
[02:10:01]
MONTH? LIKE THIS, UM, ANY VIRTUAL COMMENTS? UM, IF THERE'S, IF THERE ARE NO, UM, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION IS TO POSTPONE, UH, TO THE MAY 4TH MEETING AND, UM, INVITE THE APPLICANT TO RETURN TO THE ARC, UM, POSSIBLY MEET WITH THE R WITH THE NEIGHBORS.UM, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I RAISED YOUR HAND AND POST.
[3.C.9. HR-2022-200516 – 1205 Alta Vista Ave. – Consent Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District Council District 9]
ALTA VISTA.UM, CAN TREK, DID HE STAFF ITEM THEANINE IS A PROPOSAL TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING TWO STORY DUPLEX AND A SECONDARY BUILDING, UH, AND TO CONSTRUCT A NEW THREE STORY SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE AT 1205 ALTAVISTA AVENUE.
UM, THE PROJECT INCLUDES DEMOLISHING A, UH, EXISTING DUPLEX, UM, MS. MELISSA REAR GARAGE APARTMENT AND CONSTRUCTING A THREE-STORY HOUSE.
UM, THE PROPOSED BUILDING IS FLAT ROOFS AND CLOUDED STUCCO BOARDING, BATTEN TION GROUP SIDING, AND CEDAR SLEPT FENESTRATION INCLUDES FIXED UNDIVIDED WINDOWS AND CASEMENT WINDOWS WITH THE REGULAR SPACING PROPORTIONS AND ORIENTATION THROUGHOUT THE FRONT FACING GARAGE AND SLIDING GLASS DOORS.
THE PRIMARY BUILDING AT 1205 ALTAVISTA AVENUE IS CURRENTLY A TWO-STORY CROSS GABLE DUPLEXES, HORIZONTAL SIDING, SIX OVER SIX WOOD WINDOWS, ARCH SIX, SLIGHT ACCENT WINDOWS AND A COMPOSITION SHINGLE ROOF.
UH, THE DUPLEX WAS CONSTRUCTED AROUND 1939 FOR MARY G. SANDERS, UM, ALONG WITH A REAR GARAGE, UM, AND A REAR DWELLING UNIT WAS ALSO CONSTRUCTED LATER.
UM, THE BUILDING APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED AS A DUPLEX AND MOSTLY HOUSE TWO FAMILIES IN THE MAIN BUILDING.
AND ONE IN THE REAR UNIT RENTERS WERE LARGELY SHORT-TERM AND INCLUDED A CATTLE BUYER, A MEAT INSPECTOR, BOOKKEEPER STUDENTS, AND OIL COMPANY EMPLOYEES THAT HAS EVALUATED THE NEW CONSTRUCTION AGAINST THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S HISTORIC DESIGN STANDARDS AND DETERMINED THAT THE PROJECT DOES NOT MEET MOST OF THE APPLICABLE STANDARDS.
THE EXISTING PROPERTY CONTRIBUTES TO THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW PARK NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT, UM, THAT DOES NOT MEET TWO CRITERIA FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION.
SO TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE THE DEMOLITION APPLICATION UPON COMPLETION OF A CITY OF AUSTIN DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE AND TO COMMENT ON AND RELEASE THE PLANS.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? OKAY.
UM, DO WE HAVE, UH, THE APPLICANT HERE, THE APPLICANT IS NOT HERE TO REPRESENT THE APPLICANT NOW.
UM, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS IN FAVOR? ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE TWO, UM, REGISTERED SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS CLIFTON LAB AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND THANK YOU TO THE CITY STAFF.
CAN YOU PUT THAT PICTURE BACK UP IN THAT HOUSE IT'S PROPOSED, UM, THIS WOULD THIS HOUSE IMAGE BACK THE PROPOSED THIS, THIS HOUSE WOULD REPLACE THAT'S THE EXISTING, BUT THE PROPOSED HOUSE WOULD REPLACE IN 1939 CONTRIBUTING HOUSE.
AND I WANTED TO SAY THAT THIS EXISTING HOUSE DOES MEET THE CRITERIA FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION.
IT RETAINS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, AND IT DOES MEET TO THE OTHER CRITERIA FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE HOUSE HAS SUFFICIENT ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE TO QUALIFY AS A CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS UNIQUE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT THESE HOUSES BECAUSE OF THAT.
UM, IT DOES HAVE COMMUNITY VALUE.
THE EXISTING HOME HAS UNIQUE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE CHARACTER IMAGE AND CULTURAL IDENTITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TONIGHT.
I WOULD JUST ASKING YOU PLEASE,
[02:15:01]
TO NOT APPROVE THIS PERMIT, WE AT THE VERY LEAST HAVE TO FIND SOME WAY OF MAINE, YOU KNOW, KEEPING THE HOUSE.IT IS NOT JUST THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT'S THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE WOULD DO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. LAN, THE NEXT SPEAKER IN OPPOSITION? WE HAVE A MISS PAULA KOFMAN.
I AM POLICA THE COMMISSIONER FEATHERSTONE.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR QUESTION WAS ANSWERED.
THIS STRUCTURE HOUSES THREE HOUSEHOLDS.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE CALLING MARKET AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEANS WE DON'T HAVE TO SUBSIDIZE IT.
THESE LANDLORDS PROBABLY HAVE ZERO DEBT, BUT THEIR PROPERTY TAXES WENT UP $3,000 FROM 2020 TO 2021 LANDLORDS JUST SAYING, OKAY, I'M NOT THERE.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, I'VE GOT AN EXTRA $3,000 BILL IT'S TIME TO SELL.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT IS TO, TO GET THE CITY, TO GIVE THE LANDLORD SOME KIND OF INCENTIVE TO KEEPING SOME OF THESE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS BY REBATING THE TAX, INSTEAD OF DISPLACING THESE PEOPLE, WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE? WE HAD AN EVICTION MORATORIUM FOR WHAT, 18 MONTHS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING EVICTED.
THIS IS PART OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT RUTHERFORD PLACES.
WELL, TWO, TWO HOUSEHOLD HOLDS WERE EVICTED.
AND THEN FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS, THE DEVELOPER IS SITTING ON THIS PROPERTY AND WHY COULDN'T, WHY COULD THOSE PEOPLE NOT HAVE STAYED THERE? SO REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE RESIDENTS NOW, MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT DISPLACED.
AND THEN, UM, THIS, THE STRUCTURE THAT, THAT JOSEPH BROTHERS IS PROPOSING IS WILDLY OUT OF SCALE FOR WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT, UM, THE AREA I ALSO ON A PROPERTY BOLDEN, JOSEPH BROTHERS HAS LOTS AND LOTS OF THESE KINDS OF HOUSES IN BOLDEN WHERE, UM, REPLACING THE SMALL BUNGALOWS WITH THESE VERY LARGE STRUCTURES AND THEY CREATE SHADOW ON THE, UM, BUNGALOWS IS NEXT DOOR.
BUT GUESS WHAT? THE DIFFERENCE IS TRAVIS HEIGHTS WENT THROUGH THE WORK TO GET THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW PARK, NATIONAL REGISTER, HISTORIC DISTRICT BOLDEN DOESN'T HAVE THAT.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, DEVELOPERS COME AND SEE WHAT THE DESIGNS ARE GOING TO BE, MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE COMPATIBLE.
AND ALSO IN THIS, UM, THE STRUCTURE THAT WE SAW, WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT TREES ON THAT PROPERTY.
SO I DO RECOMMEND PLEASE TO DO THE 180 DAY POSTPONEMENT DEVELOPERS.
IF YOU'RE HEARING THIS 180 DAYS IS VERY EXPENSIVE.
YOU FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO BUILD YOUR BIG HOUSES, NOT IN OUR DISTRICT.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION? ALL RIGHT.
SINCE THERE WERE NO SPEAKERS IN FAVOR, UH, TO SPEAK, UH, THAT WAS THE END OF OUR SPEAKERS.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO, WAS A PUBLIC HEARING? UH, SECOND, SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING, PLEASE SAY, I RAISE YOUR HAND.
IS THERE A MOTION ON THE CASE? I MOVED TO POSTPONE THIS, UH, AGENDA ITEM TO NEXT MONTH'S MEETING AND WE HAVE A MOTION TO POSTPONE IT TO NEXT MONTH'S MEETING.
I SHOULD CLARIFY TO OUR NEXT MEETING TO OUR NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS MAY 4TH.
COMMISSIONER AT SECONDED COMMISSIONERS, WHO DOES THAT INCLUDE A REQUEST TO REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? YES.
BOTH OF THE, THE MAKER AND THE SECONDER SAY YES.
OH, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION I'LL JUST ADD, THIS IS AN UNUSUAL PROPERTY IN TRAVEL SITES.
AND, AND AS THE SPEAKER SAID, WE'RE LOSING, WE'RE LOSING
[02:20:01]
THREE AFFORDABLE UNITS.AND IN FACT, I THINK THE, THE FRONT HOUSE, THE DUPLEX IS ACTUALLY THREE UNITS AND THEN THERE'S THE GARAGE APARTMENT.
SO THERE MAY BE FOUR UNITS HERE, UM, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE DISTRICT.
UM, I MEAN, I'M INTERESTED IN, WHEN WE SPEAK AGAIN ABOUT THIS AGENDA ITEM AT OUR NEXT MEETING, UM, THOSE UNITS, I WOULD VERY MUCH CONSIDER COMMUNITY VALUE AS ONE OF THE CRITERIA TOWARDS HISTORIC ZONING.
SO I THINK WE NEED ONE MORE BECAUSE I'M THERE ON THAT ONE.
I THINK THAT THIS, I HAVE TWO ISSUES.
ONE OF THEM IS OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE BUILDING ITSELF, BUT IT'S UNDOUBTEDLY CONTRIBUTING AND IT'S LOST WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT ALONG THAT BLOCK.
I'M EQUALLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING REPLACING IT, UH, BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE ADJACENT AREA.
AND I LOVE THE ANALOGY THAT YOU SHARED AND ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SHARED EARLIER, UM, THIS IS A STORYBOOK AND WE'RE STARTING TO NOT JUST RIP PAGES OUT, BUT SHOVE A BUNCH OF NEW PAGES IN THAT DON'T BELONG.
AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS, UH, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ONLY, YOU CAN ONLY SUFFER A FEW.
AND AT SOME POINT THERE'S A TIPPING POINT AND I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE, UH, CERTAINLY IF, IF WHAT WE'RE SEEING PROPOSED REPLACES, WHAT IS THERE, THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND, UH, THE IMPACT WOULD BE VERY SEVERE ON THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND WE REALLY NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO PROTECT ITS INTEGRITY.
AND I ACKNOWLEDGED THE LIMITATIONS OF, UM, DESCRIBING THE LAND USE AS A COMMUNITY VALUE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PRESERVE WITHIN GIVING A HISTORIC ZONING.
UM, THEY COULD STILL EFFECTIVELY GOT THE INTERIOR AND MAKE IT A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.
UM, BUT AGAIN, THAT THAT'S REAL COMMUNITY VALUE.
WE, WE HAVE TO HANG OUR HAT ON THAT.
AT THIS TIME IN THE HISTORY OF TRAVIS TIGHTS, THIS WAS, THIS AREA WAS AFFORDABLE.
IT WAS WORKING CLASS AND MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES WHO COULD, WHO COULDN'T BE RENTERS OR OWN THEIR SMALL HOUSES.
IT WAS VERY, VERY, UM, MUCH OF A FAMILY ORIENTED KIND OF NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, AND I THINK THE, THE KINDS OF NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT ARE GOING UP IN PLACE OF THE BUNGALOWS AND THE DUPLEXES AND THINGS ARE, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE FRONT PORCHES, THEY DON'T HAVE FRONT DOORS.
THEY, THEY, THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE A, UM, A NEIGHBORLY OR FRIENDLY SORT OF OUTLOOK.
AND THAT'S JUST MY, UH, MY OPINION.
UM, BUT I THINK THERE, THERE, THERE WAS A COMMUNITY HERE THAT THAT MAY WELL BE LOST.
AND WHEN WE LOOKED AT A CRAFTSMAN HOUSE THAT WAS UP FOR DEMOLITION, THAT WE HAD IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH PRIORITY INDIVIDUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONAL REGISTER LISTING IN THE OLD WEST AUSTIN OR, UH, THE WESTLINE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS SAID, UM, WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S OUT OF CHARACTER WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOK AROUND ON THE STREET, WE HAVE FOUR, FIVE NEW HOUSES.
SO I WOULD SAY THAT THE CHARACTER IN THIS PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS NO LONGER HISTORIC AND HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH.
UM, WE CAN LOSE, UH, OUR HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND, UM, AND THIS IS KIND OF A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.
SO YEAH, I WAS SUPPORT THE MOTION.
AND WITH THAT, UM, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF POSTPONING TO THE MAY 4TH AGENDA, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING, AYE, RAISING YOUR HAND.
[3.C.4. HR-2022-016431 – 1803 Kenwood Ave. – Consent (postponed February 28, 2022) Travis Heights – Fairview Park National Register District Council District 9 (Part 2 of 2)]
SO THE RECORD IS STRAIGHT.I DO RECALL, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PREVIOUS, THE PRIOR THAT A MOTION ON ITEM C4, WE ALSO OPEN REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING WITH THAT MOTION AS WELL.
IS THAT CORRECT? NOW? I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU DID.
I'M ACTUALLY TALKING WITH OUR CONTACTED THE LAW DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THAT.
UM, IT WOULD BE CLEANER IF THE, UH, PUBLIC HEARING IS REOPENED FOR THAT CASE.
SO I BELIEVE THAT WOULD TAKE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE ON ITEM C4 AND THEN ANOTHER MOTION THAT IS TO POSTPONE AND TO REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[02:25:01]
I VOTED ON THE PREVAILING SIDE, SO I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE FOR ITEMS C4 AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE CHANGE, UH, NOTED.A MOTION TO MAKER'S COMMISSIONER HAIM.
SETH'S SECOND COMMISSIONER FEATHERSTON, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE, RAISE YOUR HAND.
JEREMIAH'S, I'D SUGGEST THAT YOU CALL UPON THE ORIGINAL MAKER OF THE MOTION.
WILL YOU, WILL YOU MAKE THE NEW MOTION TO INCLUDE, UM, TO, TO REOPEN, UH, TO RECONSIDER THE CASE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REOPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING? SO YOUR, YOUR MOTION WOULD BE TO, UH, POSTPONE AND OPEN THE PUBLIC AND POSTPONED TO MAY 4TH MEETING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND WHO WAS THE SECONDARY COMMISSIONER? A LITTLE I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING, AYE.
SO JEREMIAH'S THANK YOU FOR THE HOUSEKEEPING.
YEAH, I DON'T, I OFTEN DON'T WANT TO REVISIT THE PUBLIC HEARING AGAIN, BUT, BUT I, I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S IMPORTANT.
WE'RE GOING ON NOW TO D 1 3 0 1
[3.D.1. DA-2022-007262 – 301 W. 6th St. – Discussion (postponed February 28, 2022) Council District 9]
WAS SIXTH STREET BEFORE WE GO ONTO THAT.I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE SINCE MANY FOLKS ARE GOING TO LEAVING THE AUDIENCE AGAIN, I WANTED TO REITERATE THE NEXT MEETING TO WHICH OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED IS MAY 4TH, UH, CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, AND AMBER, THE ADDRESS 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET.
I'M JUST GOING TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE KNOW.
ALSO ALL APPLICANTS OF POSTPONED CASES WILL GET AN EMAIL FROM STAFF TOMORROW, UH, WITH THE POSTPONED, UH, POSTPONEMENT, UH, CONFIRMING DATA AND LOCATION.
IS THERE A STAFF PRESENTATION FOR 300, ONE WAS SIX THAT'S MR. THIS IS KEEPING ME AT M D TWO A IS A PROPOSAL TO DEMOLISH A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 3 0 1 WEST SIXTH STREET.
UH, THIS ITEM WAS POSTPONED FROM OUR LAST HEARING.
UM, AND, UM, THEY SINGLE STORY BRICK WAREHOUSE WITH RHYTHMIC FENESTRATION, UH, CORNER ENTRANCE AND ART DECO CORNICE DETAILING.
IT WAS CONSTRUCTED AROUND 1919.
THERE'S A LOT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN IN USED AS A COMMERCIAL IN DWELLING SPACE SINCE AT LEAST THE 1890S PER SANBORN, FIRE MAPS AND OCCUPANCY HISTORIES ON A RADO DEL CORTO SOLD THE CORNER LOT AT SIXTH AND LAVACA TO THE SAN ANTONIO BASED REGULAR ICE CREAM COMPANY.
IN 1919, IT BECAME A MANUFACTURING AND SALES CENTER WITH PLATE GLASS WINDOWS TO DISPLAY THE STATE OF THE ART FACILITY.
AND ENAMELED INTERIOR TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC BY THE 1920S, THE AUSTIN ICE CREAM COMPANY HAD PURCHASED THE BUILDING AS THEIR LOCAL HEADQUARTERS, MANUFACTURING, VIOLET CROWN ICE CREAM PRODUCTS.
IN 1926, A GROUP OF TEMPLE INVESTORS WITH THE BELL ICE CREAM COMPANY HAD PURCHASED THE VIOLET CROWN ICE CREAM COMPANY.
UH, THOUGH THE BUILDING KEPT ITS VIOLET CROWN NAMES BY 1931, THE EXPANDING BELL COMPANY PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A NEW FACTORY AT TECH SQUEAK STREET AND GUADALUPE.
AND THE ROY RATHER REFRIGERATION COMPANY PURCHASED 3 0 1 WEST SIXTH STREET AND MOVED IN DURING THE 1930S AFTER BRIEF STINT AT 2 0 1 WEST SIXTH MORRISON, CURTIS MUST SELL OR MOVED THEIR SEED BUSINESS INTO THIS FORMER FACTORY DURING THE LATE 1930S AND EARLY FORTIES, THEIR ADVERTISING FOCUSED ON THE WARTIME VICTORY GARDEN EFFORT AND MORRIS MAZZELLA DISPENSE REGULAR PLANTING ADVICE AS PART OF HIS ROLE AS GARDEN COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THROUGHOUT THE HISTORIC PERIOD, THE SECONDARY BUILDING SHARING A PARTY WALL WITH 3 0 1 WEST SIXTH, UH, KNOWN THROUGH THE YEARS AS 5 0 2, 5 0 4 AND 5 0 6, LAVACA SERVED A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANTS.
MOST NOTABLY THE LINDY AUTO LINDSEY AUTO ELECTRIC COMPANY, LINDSEY AUTO ELECTRIC REMAINED AT THE LAVACA STREET ADDRESS FOR AT LEAST 20 YEARS.
BUILDING IS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OLD, RETAINS, MODERATE TO HIGH INTEGRITY.
UH, NOT HISTORIC AWNINGS MAY HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND THE BRICK PAINTING MAY HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE HISTORIC PERIOD OR THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ALTERED ORIGINAL OPENINGS IN REPLACING THOSE.
UM, STAFF HAS DETERMINED THAT THE BUILDING MAY MEET TWO CRITERIA FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND STAFF RECOMMENDATION, THEREFORE IS TO INITIATE HISTORIC ZONING, UH, SHOULD THE COMMISSION DECIDE AGAINST INITIATION? UM, STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO ENCOURAGE ADAPTIVE REUSE, BUT RELEASED A DEMOLITION PERMIT UPON COMPLETION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE.
[02:30:01]
STAFF? OKAY.DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS? UH, I KNOW YOU YOU'VE PROVIDED US SOME INFORMATION IN THE BACKUP, BUT, UM, S SOME LEVEL OF, OF JUST HAVING SOME CERTAINTY ABOUT THE EXTENT OF CHANGES.
I KNOW THERE WAS SOME MATERIAL PRESENTED LAST TIME.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE FOUND ANYTHING NEW SINCE THEN, FORTUNATELY.
UM, I WENT TO THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER THINKING THAT THERE WERE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS AND REALIZED I HAD LOOKED AT THE SAME ADDRESS, THE EQUIVALENT ADDRESS ON EAST SIXTH WHEN I WAS CHECKING THE CARD CATALOG, I HAD THEM DOUBLE-CHECK AND THEY DO NOT HAVE, UM, PHOTOS BY ADDRESS AND THEIR FILES FOR THIS PROPERTY.
UH, WE HAVE A STEVE DRAENOR, MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M STEVE DRAENOR WITH THE DRAENOR GROUP.
UM, ON BEHALF OF THE I, UM, I WOULD, I WOULD POINT OUT SEVERAL THINGS AND LET'S START WITH THE, UH, WITH THE PRESENTATION, IF YOU COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
I THINK WE KNOW WHERE, WHERE ARE WE ARE NEXT BUSINESS PLACE? SO THAT'S THE VIEW OF THE BUILDING FROM LAVACA, UH, AS WAS JUST POINTED OUT.
WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ORIGINAL BUILDING IN 1919 LOOKED LIKE.
UH, WE DO KNOW SEVERAL THINGS.
ONE IS THAT, FOR INSTANCE, THAT ROLL-UP DOOR THAT YOU SEE WASN'T WAS ADDED, UH, THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, WE DO KNOW THAT THE BUILDING WAS PAINTED, UH, THAT'S AUSTIN COMMON, AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO AWAY WITH.
WE DO KNOW THAT THE WINDOWS WERE, WERE REPLACED.
WE DO KNOW THAT THE DOORWAY OPENING AND, UH, ENTRY INTO THE COURTYARD, NEXT SLIDE PLEASE, UH, HAS CHANGED.
SO ARCHITECTURALLY, UH, I THINK IT'S A VERY TENUOUS RELATIONSHIP TOOK WHAT WAS THERE IN THE PAST.
HOWEVER, WHAT'S EVEN MORE TENUOUS IS, UH, JUST TO SUGGEST THAT THIS HISTORY SATISFIES THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS CRITERIA, LIKE ANY BUILDING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS.
IT HAS HAD LOTS OF OCCUPANTS, NONE OF THEM, UH, ALL THAT NOTEWORTHY, THE ICE CREAM SHOP WAS THERE FOR NINE YEARS.
THAT'S IT? THE ICE CREAM SHOP WAS NOTABLE BECAUSE OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY BROUGHT IN, NOTHING HAVING TO DO WITH THE BUILDING ITSELF.
SO I THINK THAT, UH, TRYING TO MAKE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE CODE AND THE FACTS HERE, UM, IS, UH, IS, IS STRAINING, UH, TO A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE.
I WOULD TELL YOU THAT, UM, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT ARE NOTABLE ABOUT THE BUILDING, AND, UH, THIS CAME UP, I THINK AT THE LAST MEETING, WE HAVE A GREAT TENANT.
UH, THIS TENANT HAS, UH, UH, BEEN IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON LAVACA IN THE PAST.
THEY SIGNED A LEASE HERE IN 1999.
UH, THE LEASE THAT THEY SIGNED HAD A MAXIMUM OF SEVEN YEARS, BUT THERE WAS A BUYOUT PROVISION, UH, AFTER A YEAR.
AND THAT'S, WHAT'S BEING TRIGGERED NOW.
SO THIS TENANT NEVER THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A LONG-TERM HOME HOME.
SO WHILE WE APPLAUD THE, UH, THE TENANT AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHERE THEY MAY, UH, EXIST NEXT, AND WE HOPE THAT THEY WILL USE THAT BUYOUT TO HELP THEM ALONG THEIR WAY.
THAT'S A LONG WAY FROM ESTABLISHING ANYTHING, HAVING TO DO WITH THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE PROPERTY.
THE, UM, THE OTHER THINGS THAT I THINK THAT I WOULD MENTION, IF YOU COULD HIT THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, ONE MORE, ONE MORE.
SO THIS IS JUST REPEATING WHAT THE, WHAT THE STAFF REPORT IS IDENTIFYING AS THE REASONS FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
[02:35:06]
AND I GUESS THE OTHER THING I WOULD TELL YOU IS THINK OF THIS AREA.THIS IS NO LONGER A WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
UH, DOESN'T IS NOT A COMPONENT OF A DISTRICT OR A WAREHOUSE LOOK THAT, UH, EXISTS ANYMORE IF IT EVER DID, BUT IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT EXIST NOW.
SO, UH, LET ME CLOSE AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, BUT, UH, BUT IN MY BOOK, UM, THIS IS A, THIS FALLS WELL SHORT OF THE FINDINGS THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IN ORDER TO, UH, INSTITUTE HISTORIC ZONING.
ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. GANNON? I HAVE A QUESTION.
WOULD THERE BE ANY CONSIDERATION IN RETAINING THE STRUCTURE, AS I'M ASSUMING THERE'S GOING TO BE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY? UM, I DON'T THINK THAT IT WOULD WORK AND I'VE BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD.
UM, PROBABLY, UH, THE FIRST TIME WAS THE OLD BUTTER CROSS BAKERY AT, UH, AT THIRD AND CONGRESS AND SO FORTH.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT, UH, STRUCTURALLY, UH, PARTICULARLY WITH THAT CORNER ENTRY, THAT IT WOULD WORK, BUT ANY OF THE QUESTIONS.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN THE FAVOR OF DEMOLITION OF THIS PROPERTY? ALL RIGHT.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION, WE DO HAVE ONE REGISTERED SPEAKER AND OPPOSITION JOINING US VIA PHONE.
UH, MARSHALL GUYER, MR. GUYER, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? I BELIEVE OUR CTRS CTM STAFF IS TRYING TO UNMUTE THEM.
HEY, CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME NOW? YES.
UH, SO MY NAME IS MARSHALL GEIER AND I OPPOSED THE MOTION TO GRANT 3 0 1 WEST SIXTH STREET WITH HISTORICAL MARKING.
UM, I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR 16 YEARS NOW, AND I'M A HOMEOWNER DOWNTOWN.
UM, AND AS I'VE GROWN UP IN THE CITY FROM DAVIS ELEMENTARY, ALL THE WAY THROUGH GRADUATING FROM UT AND THEN GOING ON TO BECOME A PART OF OUR CITY'S WORKFORCE, UM, I'VE GROWN INCREASINGLY INTIMATE WITH AUSTIN URBAN CORE AND THE DIVERSE BUILDINGS THAT COMPRISE OUR DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, I THINK MOST OF US CAN AGREE THAT CR AND BEAR IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF DOWNTOWN, REGARDLESS OF WHAT BUILDING IT IS OR TO DOWNTOWN BUILDING.
UM, IN THIS CASE, THE WAREHOUSE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IN, DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIRED CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK.
UM, GIVEN THE PROPOSED PROJECT FOR THE SITE THAT WOULD BRING ABOUT 330 SORELY NEEDED RESIDENTIAL UNITS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ALONG WITH GROUND-LEVEL RETAIL AND SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
UM, I WOULD ARGUE THAT OUR CITY IS IN NO POSITION TO TURN DOWN THESE OFFERINGS.
AND, UM, AS A DOWNTOWN RESIDENT, I THINK IT WOULD BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY MOST TO DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING AND WELCOME HUNDREDS OF NEW RESIDENTS TO THE SITES, PROVIDING SOME RELIEF DURING OUR HOUSE HOUSING CRISIS.
UM, SO I THINK THERE'S VALUE IN RESERVING THE LANDMARKING TOOL FOR BUILDINGS THAT TRULY MEET THE OFFICIAL CRITERIA, UM, WHICH I DON'T THINK THIS BUILDING DOES.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. GUY? NO QUESTION, UH, REMAINING SPEAKERS AND OPPOSITION.
WE WILL START WITH A S
I WAS HERE EARLIER IN THE MONTH BECAUSE I ASKED FOR POSTPONEMENT TO RELEASE A PERMITTED DEMOLITION FOR THE IRON BEAR.
UM, I REASONED THAT THE LGBT COMMUNITY WASN'T AWARE OF THIS MATTER OR THE IMPACT THAT THE DEMOLITION WOULD HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, ALSO AS COMMISSIONER COOK SAID, WE ARE AT THE TIPPING POINT OF LOSING OUR WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, AND IT WAS OUR COMMUNITY THAT KEPT, UM, THE DISTRICT ALIVE DURING, UH, COVID, UH, THE HARDEST PARTS OF COVID.
UM, OVER THE COURSE OF THE MONTH, I SCOURED THE CITY LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE THAT WOULD SUPPORT OUR CAUSE.
UM, I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE, UM, LGBT AFFILIATED GROUPS, SUCH AS ACC
[02:40:01]
AND UT.UM, THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY.
I ALSO SPOKE TO, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT BARS ON FOURTH STREET OIL CAN HARRY'S RAINED ARE ALSO, YOU KNOW, GAY BARS AS WELL AS SAFE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK SPEAKING TO IRON BEAR STAFF AND OWNERSHIP.
UM, IT WAS A REALLY BUSY MONTH SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET.
UM, AND WHAT I LEARNED IS VERY SIGNIFICANT 30 DAYS IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO BUILD AN AWARENESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO PROPERLY EDUCATE AND INSPIRE COMMUNITY TO ACT.
UM, WHAT I ALSO LEARNED IS THAT SIMPLY BEING A PATRON OF THE IRON BEAR OR OF AN LGBT SPACE IS NOT ENOUGH TO GET THESE COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE BAR, WHICH IS FAIR.
YOU KNOW, I KEPT ASKING MYSELF WHY, WHY ISN'T IT ENOUGH? AND IT CAME DOWN TO IT IS THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE IRON BEAR.
THEY WANT TO, UM, THEY WANT THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO ASK FOR HELP.
UM, AND THEY ULTIMATELY WANT, UM, THE IRON BEAR TO, UM, BASICALLY SET A LEADERSHIP FOR THE FOUNDATION OF THIS MOVEMENT.
WHAT I LEARNED IN SPEAKING WITH THE HISTORICAL, UM, EXCUSE ME, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE IS THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO OR RECOGNIZE FROM THIS SPACE IS THAT IT DOES HAVE COMMUNITY VALUE.
UM, MR. DRAINER MENTIONED THAT, UM, THE ICE CREAM SHOP WAS PROBABLY ONLY THERE NINE YEARS, UM, WHICH I AGREE NINE YEARS ISN'T THAT LONG, BUT I WOULD ARGUE THAT, UM, LGBT COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN OCCUPYING BARS, UM, FOR MANY YEARS AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY.
THIS CAN CONTINUE BEING A COMMUNITY SPACE, A COMMUNITY VALUE.
UM, SO THAT BEING SAID, UM, I AM ASKING FOR AN EXTENSION, UM, AN EXTENSION TO PROPOSE, UH, POSTPONE THE DEMOLITION AGAIN, UM, BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY IS READY TO STAND TOGETHER, PROVIDED THAT THEY HAVE THE LEADERSHIP.
I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MANY PATRONS, AS WELL AS STAFF MEMBERS OF THE IRON BEAR, OUR PRESENCE HERE TONIGHT OVER HERE.
UM, AND I AM ASKING, UH, FOR A FORMAL REPRESENTATIVE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE BAR TO REQUEST AND, UH, TO POSTPONE THE PERMIT RELEASE OF THE DEMOLITION.
UM, I'M ASKING FOR THE COMMISSIONERS TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT WE'RE ALL ASKING HERE TODAY.
I'M ASKING YOU ALL TO SEE THE VALUE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT OCCUPIES THIS BAR, UM, BECAUSE IT'S CAN DEFINITELY SET A PRECEDENCE FOR HOW THE COUNTRY SEES OUR BLUE CITY IN A RED STATE.
UM, WE HAVE SINCE HAD SOME, UH, NEWS ARTICLES WRITTEN IN K VIEW, AS WELL AS THE AUSTIN MONITOR, UM, ABOUT THE BAR.
SO MANY PEOPLE ARE USING OUTLETS FOR THEIR INFORMATION SOURCES.
AND IF THOSE SOURCES ARE SAYING THAT THOSE BARS ARE SIGNIFICANT, I THINK THAT THAT DOES ADD TO IRON BEARS COMMUNITY VALUE FOR THAT HISTORICAL SPACE.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT I'M IMAGINING I WAS WONDERING, UM, I DON'T KNOW WHY I WAS WONDERING WHO ARE THESE FOLKS WERE SITTING THROUGH THIS WHOLE, UH, THIS WHOLE MEETING, VERY PATIENTLY, UM, AS WE WENT THROUGH OUR AGENDA TONIGHT AND, AND FINALLY IT DAWNED ON ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND WE HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
AND I'M IMAGINING THAT YOU'RE OPPOSED TO THE, UM, THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THAT, UM, FIRST OF ALL, TO SORT OF ORGANIZE YOURSELVES, IF YOU HAVE A SPEAKER FROM, UM, THE BUSINESS ITSELF, THE BUSINESS OWNER OR A STAFF, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THAT PERSON IN PARTICULAR, BUT AS, AS YOU, UM, CONSIDER YOUR REMARKS, PLEASE CONSIDER OUR TIME AND DON'T REPEAT INFORMATION.
ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN ADD TO THE DISCUSSION IS WELCOMED HERE.
AND I WOULD JUST LIKE, UH, AT THIS POINT BEFORE WE GO ON TO HEAR FROM THE BUSINESS, UH, ITSELF, AND THEN GO ON THROUGH THE, UM, SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION WITH THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE APPLICATION TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING, PLEASE RISE.
[02:45:09]
THANK YOU.I JUST WANTED TO, UM, DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS IS A MATTER OF SOME, UH, COMMUNITY CONCERN OF, AND IN SOME WAYS NOT UNLIKE THE, UM, APPLICATION THAT WE HAD TO DEMOLISH THE, UM, THE SKATEBOARD SHOP IN WHICH WE HAD 75, MOSTLY YOUNG PEOPLE, UM, WHO WERE SKATEBOARDERS COME OUT TO SPEAK ON, ON AN ISSUE, UM, THAT WAS OF CONCERN TO THEM.
AND WE WELCOME, UM, WE WELCOME, UH, NEW PEOPLE WHO MAY BE, UM, INTERESTED IN PRESERVATION AND, AND THE PROCESS, UM, THAT WE GO THROUGH HERE, WHICH IS SOMETIMES NOT IN OUR FAVOR, BUT, UH, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
AND THE NEXT SPEAKER, UM, COME ON DOWN, ORGANIZE YOURSELVES IN A WAY SO THAT WHEN ONE SPEAKER LEAVES, THE OTHER IS READY TO TAKE THEIR PLACE, JUST TO SAVE A LITTLE TIME, I WILL SAY WE ONLY HAVE FOUR PEOPLE WRITTEN DOWN, BUT I ASSUME THAT THERE WILL BE MORE SO JUST MAKE SURE YOU STATE YOUR NAME WHENEVER YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM.
LET'S TAKE THE SPEAKER THAT WE HAVE AT THE PODIUM.
NOW, THEN LET'S GO THROUGH THE FOUR WHO ARE, WHO ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND THEN OPEN IT TO ANYONE ELSE.
WHO'S, WHO'S HERE, UM, TO SPEAK ON IT.
OKAY, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, SIR.
I'M A RESEARCH THERAPIST AT FORT HOOD STUDYING PTSD, TRAUMA AND SUICIDE.
UH, I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE US MILITARY PROUD MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND A PATRON OF THE BAR.
I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE SO MANY MEMBERS, STAFF MEMBERS, PATRONS THAT ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THIS AND TO GET OUR VOICE HEARD ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.
I'M AGAINST THE APPLICATION FOR DEMOLITION AT 3 0 1 EAST WEST SIXTH STREET.
UM, BECAUSE I THINK FUNDAMENTALLY IT DISPLACES A COMMUNITY, UM, THAT IS, UH, HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED AND DISPLACED FUNDAMENTALLY PER THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
THIS BUILDING IS CONSIDERED HISTORIC.
IT WAS BUILT IN 19, 19 AS HAS BEEN STATED, HAS A UNIQUE DESIGN.
UM, AND IT'S A WAREHOUSE STYLE.
MR. JENNER SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO LONGER A WAREHOUSE, UH, UH, DISTRICT TO SORT OF PRESERVE THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S BEEN DEMOED, SIR, THIS BUILDING IS VERSATILE.
WHEN WE MET WITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THEY, THEY HELPED US UNDERSTAND THAT WAREHOUSES OVER THE YEARS HAVE BEEN UTILIZED IN DIFFERENT WAYS FOR DIFFERENT BUSINESSES.
AND IT IS A PLACE OF GATHERING.
AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR, FOR THAT SORT OF HUMAN CONNECTION, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF A PRETTY DARK PANDEMIC.
THIS BUILDING HAS ENDURED MANY SIGNIFICANT, UH, EVENTS, INCLUDING A WORLD WAR, UH, GREAT DEPRESSION, ECONOMIC COLLAPSE OF 2008, AND THIS BUILDING WILL CONTINUE TO PRESERVE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT IS AS A MILITARY BRAT AND IN MY EDUCATION.
UM, AND IN MY OWN MILITARY TIME, I WAS ABLE TO SORT OF VISIT AND LIVE IN OTHER CITIES AROUND THE NATION, UM, THAT HAD BENEFITED FROM PRESERVATION, INCLUDING SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, THE OLDEST CAPITOL CITY, UH, IN THE COUNTRY, UM, WHICH BENEFITS GREATLY FROM PRESERVATION, UH, EFFORTS IN THAT LOCAL COMMUNITY.
ADDITIONALLY LIVED IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, THE SECOND OLDEST CAPITAL CITY IN THE COUNTRY, UM, WHICH HAS ALSO BENEFITED FROM PRESERVATION EFFORTS.
THE POINT THERE THOUGH, IS THAT LIVING IN BOSTON, ANECDOTALLY, I WAS ABLE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THIS PUSHING OUT OF SMALL BUSINESSES, WAREHOUSES, UM, WAS DOING TO THE SORT OF DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY AND NIGHTLIFE, UH, EVENT SPACES AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.
UM, DURING THAT TIME, THERE'S ONE QUEER SPACE LEFT IN BOSTON, ONE QUEER BAR, UM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT AND PUSHED AWAY THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DISPLACED OVER THE NUMBER OF YEARS.
I THINK THAT THIS MOVE TO DEMO THIS BUILDING, UH, AS PART OF A DISTURBING TREND THAT IS DRIVING OUT DISPLACED AND MARGINALIZED FOLKS, UM, IN THE INTEREST OF CORPORATE GREED OR MONEY, OR SORT OF THESE OTHER INTERESTS THAT DON'T SERVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AND I, I THINK FOR ME PERSONALLY, AS A QUEER MEMBER, AS A VETERAN, UM, TO HEAR MR. JENNER SAY THAT THERE'S NOTHING NOTABLE, THERE'S NO NOTABLE OCCUPANTS THERE.
THE IRON BEAR IS ONE OF THE FIRST BARS THAT I FELT COMPLETELY SAFE TO BE MYSELF, TO BE OUT AND OPEN IN MY COMMUNITY AND TO JUST FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
I NOW HAVE A ROOMMATE AND A PARTNER DUE TO THE IRON BEAR.
AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT IS JUST TO SORT OF IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE COMMUNITY TO HEAR THAT STATEMENT.
[02:50:03]
SO THE CALL TO ACTION IS HERE, AND I KNOW I'M SHORT ON TIME.UM, THE CALL TO ACTION IS HERE.
IT'S GOING TO LIGHT AND IGNITE A COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE CITY IS MOVING TOWARDS FOURTH STREET.
NEXT, IF THEY CAN DISPLACE ONE QUEER BAR, THEY'RE GOING TO DISPLACE ANOTHER AND ANOTHER AND ANOTHER, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PUSHED OUT.
LIKE WE HAVE BEEN FOR GENERATIONS FOR YEARS.
WE HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF POLICY OVER THE YEARS, WHETHER IT BE THE QUEER LIBERATION IN THE SIXTIES, WHETHER IT BE THE AIDS EPIDEMIC IN THE EIGHTIES AND NINETIES, OUR COMMUNITY IS CONSTANTLY BEING PUSHED AROUND.
WHEN WE WENT TO TALK TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ACE AND I TO UNDERSTAND THE SORT OF BOOTS ON THE GROUND RESPONSE, THERE WAS A LEVEL OF APATHY THAT WAS DISCOURAGING TO US.
PEOPLE WERE CONSTANTLY USED TO BEING PUSHED AROUND, USED TO BEING, NOT BEING HEARD BY THEIR POLITICIANS AND EXPECTING CORPORATE ENTITIES, LARGE NAMES, BIG BUSINESSES TO COME IN AND PUSH OUR QUEER SPACES OUT.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU DO NOT SUPPORT THE PERMIT FOR DEMOLITION.
THE NEXT REGISTERED SPEAKER IS EVAN REQ.
UM, THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR TIME.
I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO ADD BEYOND WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SAID, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THE IRON BEAR IS A UNIQUE SPACE, EVEN WITHIN THE QUEER COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN.
AND IS IT WHILE THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT IS BEING REMOVED? IT'S NOT THAT FAR FROM OTHER BARS, JUST DOWN WEST SIXTH STREET, UM, THAT ARE ALREADY BEING TORN DOWN AS WELL.
OUR NEXT STRATEGY IS JUST REGISTERED SPEAKERS, AIDEN, UH, BURRITO.
MY NAME IS AIDEN BREGA AND I AM AN EMPLOYEE OF THE IRON BEAR.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF AND OF ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS HERE TONIGHT.
UM, I AM OPPOSED TO THE DEMOLITION OF OUR SITE THROUGH A ONE WEST SIXTH STREET.
WE ARE MUCH MORE THAN A SIMPLE COCKTAIL LOUNGE.
WE ARE, AUSTIN'S ONLY LGBTQ OWNED AND OPERATED BAR AND GRILL.
WE PROVIDE AN INVALUABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A CONGREGATION PLACE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE A SAFE SPACE FOR EXPRESSION OF ALL MANNERS OF LGBTQ IDENTITY, GAYS, LESBIANS, NONBINARY PEOPLE, TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, DRAG QUEENS, LEATHER MEN, AND WOMEN, ET CETERA, AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT DO NOT HAVE A SAFE SPACE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AND THEIR LIFESTYLES THEY CAN DO SO HERE IN AN ENVIRONMENT, NOT ONLY FREE FROM JUDGMENT, BUT RADICALLY UPSET, ACCEPTING OF ALL REGARDLESS OF CREED COLOR AFFILIATION, OR ANY OTHER POTENTIALLY DIVIDING FACTORS FACE IN THE WORLD.
MY PARENTS MET HERE IN AUSTIN OUT OF PLACE.
MANY LONGTIME AUSTINITES MIGHT KNOW DANCE ACROSS TEXAS, A LONG TIME MEETING PLACE WHERE LEVERS OF COUNTRY MUSIC, THIS BUILDING TOO IN A DISTURBING TREND WAS FORCED TO CLOSE ITS STORES IN 2018.
THIS EXPERIENCE IS NOT UNIQUE WHATSOEVER.
ANYONE WHO'S LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR LONGER THAN A DECADE WILL BE ABLE TO LAMENT THE RAPID URBANIZATION AND LOSS OF UNIQUELY AUSTIN GATHERING PLACES IN FAVOR OF THESE TOWERS THAT ARE CHOKING OUR CITY TO DEATH.
AS WE LOSE THESE SPACES WHERE SEEING THE COMING DEATH OF AUSTIN'S CULTURAL HEART PLACES THAT MAKE AUSTIN UNIQUE ARE BEING DESTROYED BY BIG BUSINESS INTERESTS, WITH THEIR ENDLESS DOLLARS FOR LOBBYING AND BUYING OUT SMALL BUSINESSES TO PUT UP MONOLITHIC TOWERS THAT ARE AS CULTURALLY ANTITHETICAL TO THE SPIRIT OF AUSTIN, AS THEY ARE TALL AS THESE DEMOLITIONS APPROACH TO THE HEART OF THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT ON FOURTH STREET, WHICH IS ALSO A STRIP OF SAFE HAVENS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
I ASKED WHERE DOES THE DESTRUCTION OF AUSTIN'S HEART STOP? I DO NOT GIVE MYSELF TO HYPERBOLE OR EXAGGERATION WHEN I SAY PLACES SUCH AS THESE TRULY SAVE LIVES.
WHEN DISENFRANCHISE INDIVIDUALS SEEK PLACES TO FIND COMMUNITY, THEY TURN TO PLACES SUCH AS THE IRON BEAR AND OTHERS DOWNTOWN LIKE RAIN OIL CAN HARRY'S AND HIGHLAND.
WHILE AUSTIN MAY BE A BLUE CITY AND A VERY OPEN ONE AT THAT AREAS ON OUR PERIPHERY DO NOT ENJOY THE SAME DEGREE OF SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE AND PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO CONGREGATE AND SUPPORT ONE.
THE SUICIDE RATE AMONGST LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS HAS BEEN CITED AS FIVE TIMES HIGHER THAN THE RATE AMONGST HETEROSEXUAL PEERS, PLACES SUCH AS OURS ARE PARAMOUNT TO FINDING THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
AND I WOULD GO AS FAR TO SAY THAT PURPOSEFUL DESTRUCTION OF OUR SPACE WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WE PROVIDE TO OUR COMMUNITY IS TANTAMOUNT TO A HATE CRIME AGAINST OUR COMMUNITY.
BEFORE I CONCLUDE MY COMMENTS HERE TONIGHT, UH, I WILL ONCE AGAIN, ASK EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE HERE TONIGHT WHO HAS EVER FOUND A UNIQUE SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING AT THE ON BEAR TO PLEASE STAND WHILE I DELIVER MY FINISHING STATEMENTS.
SAY THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR SPACE IS ALLOWED TO PASS.
WHERE ARE WE TO GO? IS THERE ANOTHER SPACE SUITABLE FOR OUR RELOCATION IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE? WE'LL RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE OR FUNDS FROM THOSE THAT WOULD SEE US IN OUR COMMUNITY.
[02:55:01]
ARE WE TO SIMPLY FEND FOR OURSELVES AFTER WE'VE ALREADY SPENT VALUABLE TIME AND RESOURCES RELOCATING TO OUR CURRENT LOCATION JUST TWO SHORT YEARS AGO, RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC UTTERLY DECIMATED OUR LINE OF WORK AFTER WE'RE CAST OUT, WHERE WILL A COMMUNITY FIND SOLACE WHILE SUCH MATTERS OF COMMUNITY MAY BE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THIS COMMITTEE.I URGE YOU ALL TO CONSIDER THE DAMAGE.
THIS MOTION WILL DO TO ALL OF US IN AUSTIN.
THIS DANGEROUS PRECEDENT OF DESTRUCTION OF CULTURE IN FAVOR OF PURELY FINANCIAL INCENTIVES IS TIME AND TIME.
PLEASE HELP US SAVE OUR COMMUNITY, HELP US SAVE OUR CULTURE, HELP US TO SAVE THE IRON BEAR.
ANY QUESTIONS OF THE SPEAKER? OKAY.
THAT WAS OUR LAST, UH, REGISTERED SPEAKER.
IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS AND OPPOSITIONS THAT WISH TO SPEAK, UH, YOU MAY APPROACH THE PODIUM.
IF THERE ARE BIG AFTER THIS INDIVIDUAL, PLEASE GET READY TO MOVE DOWN AND, AND TAKE, TAKE THAT PLACE.
UM, WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED JEREMIAH COMMISSIONAIRES, THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT THOUGH.
I'M NOT SPEAKING IN MY OFFICIAL CAPACITY TODAY AND IT SURPRISES ME THAT I STILL GET NERVOUS, EVEN THOUGH I'VE SAT UP IN THE DIOCESE CITY HALL FOR THREE YEARS, ANYTIME I HAVE TO SPEAK TO ANOTHER COMMISSION, THAT'S A LAND USE SPORT, BY THE WAY, I WANTED TO GO ON RECORD REAL QUICK.
I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BE BACK AT CITY HALL NEXT WEEK.
SO I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS TONIGHT.
I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO SEE IF I CAN MAYBE SWAY ALL, UH, INTO A POSTPONEMENT SO I CAN DIG INTO IT A LITTLE DEEPER.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LGBTQ LGBTQ, UH, SPIN ON ALL THIS IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT LOOKING AT IT FROM A LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE PERSPECTIVE, IT'S, IT'S A STRETCH.
IT'S A STRETCH TRYING TO MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS TO INITIATE HISTORIC LANDMARK FINDING.
I'D LIKE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO WORK ON IT.
YOU GIVE ME 30 DAYS AND I PROMISE YOU I CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING MORE, NO OFFENSE TO STAFF WHO HAS GOT AN AMAZING JOB.
BUT I SAW A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I NOTICED RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT I THINK NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED.
THE FIRST ONE WAS 1937 HOME TO THE LOCAL 4 33 AUSTIN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS.
I'M SURE THEY WOULD LOVE TO JUMP IN.
THEY WERE THERE FOR LIKE SEVEN YEARS, RIGHT? AND THE OTHER THING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE IS THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE THE ONLY INTACT PURPOSE-BUILT STRUCTURE REMAINING OF THIS TYPE IN OR WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN WAREHOUSE DISTRICT STRETCH.
IT'S A STRETCH, BUT MAYBE I CAN FIND MORE.
SO THIS IS AN IMPORTANT VENUE.
UM, BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE VENUE ITSELF.
IT'S ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO BE LEFT OF DOWNTOWN.
NO, IT'S NOT THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT AT ONCE WAS, BUT LITTLE SPACES LIKE THIS, LIKE THIS, THAT SHOW US HOW OUR CITY USED TO LOOK.
IF WE KNOCK THEM ALL DOWN, ALL WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LEFT IS HIGH RISES AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO SEE.
I LIKE LOOKING AT MY OLD AUSTIN.
I LIKE SEEING THESE LITTLE BITS AND PIECES THAT HELP MAKE THE CITY WHAT IT IS TODAY AND WHY I LOVE IT SO MUCH.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER IF YOU WOULD 30 DAY POSTPONEMENT.
I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, UM, WHAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING IS A DIFFICULTY AND A CHALLENGE THAT WE ON THE COMMISSION HAVE BEEN AWARE OF FOR AT LEAST AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN YELLING ABOUT IT.
THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS WHERE THE ECONOMICS ARE RISING IS ECONOMIC WAVE HAS RISEN SO HIGH THAT EVEN VERY WELL SUPPORTED AND VERY LOVED.
AND YOU WOULD THINK OFF, UH, OFF THE TABLE, INSTITUTIONS ARE FEELING THE EXACT SAME PRESSURE.
UH, WE ARE SEEING THIS WAY, SWEEP AWAY ONE STRUCTURE AFTER THE OTHER OR OWNERS COMING IN WITH COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, UH, HODGEPODGE SOLUTIONS, TRYING TO WRAP LITTLE, UH, BREAKFAST SODS AROUND 20 AND 30 STORY BUILDINGS.
NONE OF THAT'S PRESERVING OUR DOWNTOWN.
NONE OF THAT IS PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE.
I CAN ONLY THINK THAT UNLESS WE, ALL OF US THINK OF THIS AS A COMMUNITY-WIDE ISSUE, OTHERWISE WE'RE FIGHTING THESE INDIVIDUAL FIGHTS SEPARATELY.
SO I APPLAUD YOU ALL FOR BROADENING THIS, THIS, THIS COALITION, BUT DON'T LIMIT IT JUST TO THE SUPPORTERS OF THIS ONE PARTICULAR ADDRESS, ANY OF THE HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE ENTIRE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, UNLESS IT'S OWNED BY A PUBLIC INSTITUTION.
AND EVEN THOSE, I WOULD SAY WE SHOULD ARGUE ARE COMPLETELY UNDER THREAT BECAUSE WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY SOMEBODY WILL WAVE IN
[03:00:01]
FRONT OF A DECISION MAKER.AND IT FINALLY, IT WILL BE TOO MUCH AND THOSE PROPERTIES WILL BE THREATENED.
SO WELCOME TO THE FIGHT WE'VE NEEDED YOU FOR A LONG TIME.
I CAN'T HELP, BUT QUOTE SOMEONE THAT MAYBE DOESN'T SEEM APPROPRIATE HERE, BUT YES, UH, THIS IS GONNA BE A TOUGH FIGHT AND WE'VE GOT TO BE TOGETHER.
UH, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SUPPOSEDLY SAID, AS HE WAS SIGNING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, GENTLEMEN, IF WE DON'T HANG TOGETHER, THEY WILL HANG US SEPARATELY.
SO YES, EACH ONE OF OUR BUILDINGS IS GOING TO GO BY THE WAYSIDE.
IF WE DON'T START FIGURING OUT HOW TO HAVE IT TOGETHER.
THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN AND LADIES FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT AND ATTENTION WE'VE NEEDED.
YOU DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS WHO WISH TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE APPLICATION TO DEMOLISH? I'M ASSUMING THAT THOSE, THAT CLAPPING YOUR HANDS ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE OPPOSITION.
MR. DENNER YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REBUT.
I GUESS THE, UM, I THINK AS AUSTIN EVOLVES AND I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 76, THAT, UH, WE ALL HAVE SEEN, UH, ICONIC PLACES THAT WE LOVE TO GO GO AWAY.
CERTAINLY ME I'M 68 YEARS OLD.
THE REALITY IS THIS IS THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION.
THIS IS ABOUT, DOES THE STRUCTURE ITSELF MEET THE CRITERIA IN THE CODE? AND I WOULD SUGGEST TO YOU TWO THINGS.
AND SECONDLY, A BELOVED TENANT DOES NOT MAKE A HISTORIC STRUCTURE.
I THINK I MISSPOKE WHEN I WAS HERE A FEW MINUTES AGO, THE LEASE WAS SIGNED IN DECEMBER OF 2019.
I, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT BEARS ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT IT IS A HISTORIC STRUCTURE.
THE, I ALSO THINK THAT IF THIS GROUP INITIATE HISTORIC ZONING AND IT IS APPROVED AT SOME LEVEL, THAT'S A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.
WHAT WILL THE NEXT PLAN OWNER THINK IF GEE, I GET A POPULAR TENANT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I'VE GIVEN AWAY MY DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR A SEVEN YEAR OLD LEAKS, THAT MAKES NO SENSE.
SO I WOULD JUST BRING US BACK TO THE ISSUES THAT THE CODE REFLECTS, WHICH ARE, DOES IT HAVE THE ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY? AND THEN SECONDLY, DOES IT HAVE THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION? AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT GIVEN PARTICULARLY, UH, THE FACT THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE IN THE BEGINNING, BUT WE KNOW IT HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED.
AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT LIKE ANY BUILDING, BUT, UH, IS A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
IT'S HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THAT SPACE, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THE HISTORICAL OCCUPANTS OF THAT SPACE RISE TO THE LEVEL THAT THE CODE REQUIRES IN ORDER TO MEET THAT TEST.
SO I THINK, UH, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A LOT OF EMOTION ABOUT THE CURRENT TENANT, THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT BECAUSE THIS IS THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION.
THERE MAY BE A NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT, UH, WERE ELOQUENTLY DISCUSSED TONIGHT.
I WOULD AGREE, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE PLACE, ANY QUESTIONS OF THE SPEAKER.
I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO POSTPONE, UH, OUR DECISION DUE TO THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR THE, FOR THE BUSINESS AND THE REQUEST OF THE FIRST SPEAKER AND, UM, THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND MAYBE, UM, WE CAN ALSO, UH, DIRECT STAFF TO CONTINUE RESEARCH, UH, ON HISTORIC ASSOCIATIONS OR COMMUNITY VALUE FOR THIS PROPERTY.
CAN I, CAN I, MADAM CHAIR COULD ASK FOR CLARIFICATION ON THE CLOCKS.
ARE WE ABLE TO POSTPONE FOR ANOTHER MONTH TONIGHT OR DO WE HAVE TO INITIATE? I BELIEVE THE COMMISSION CAN INITIATE AND RECOMMEND HISTORIC ZONING IN A SINGLE MEETING.
SO IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO POSTPONE
[03:05:02]
THE CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER TO INITIATE TO THE NEXT MEETING AND WOULD NOT INITIATING BE A HINDRANCE AT ALL, IF YOU'RE DOING THE RESEARCH, BECAUSE I KNOW TYPICALLY WE INITIATE BASICALLY TO RELEASE STAFF TO BEGIN DOING MORE IN DEPTH RESEARCH.AND SO I BELIEVE STAFF COULD TAKE THAT INSTRUCTION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE? YEAH, I'D LIKE TO, UM, SINCE WE WOULD HAVE TO INITIATE AND RECOMMENDING THE SAME MEETING, I WOULD PREFER TO MOVE TO INITIATE A HISTORIC ZONING ON THIS PROPERTY ON THE BASIS OF ARCHITECTURE, HISTORIC ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMUNITY VALUE.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? THERE'S A SECOND FROM, IS THAT COMMISSIONER VALANZUELA? YES.
AND COMMISSIONER COOK THAT IS TO INITIATE AND TO REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVEN'T CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THE MOTION IS TO INITIATE HISTORIC ZONING AND LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN.
WE HAVE A SECOND ON THE MOTION.
UM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS YOUR MOTION? I WILL NOT HAVE A LOT WRITTEN AND I'LL TRY TO SKIP THROUGH A LOT OF IT.
CAUSE A LOT OF IT, UH, HAS BEEN COVERED, UM, THAT WAREHOUSES HAS BEEN DROPPING LIKE FLIES DOWNTOWN, UM, BECAUSE MO MORE THAN OFTEN THAN NOT, THEY INDIVIDUALLY DO NOT HAVE STRONG ENOUGH HISTORIC ASSOCIATIONS TO WARRANT LANDMARK STATUS.
AND I WANT TO BRING UP 3, 1, 3 0 1 SAN JACINTO THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAD FOLLOWED THROUGH, UH, BUT DID NOT GET APPROVAL EITHER AT PLANNING COMMISSION OR CITY COUNCIL AND THE POINTS THERE, UH, IN DISCUSSION THAT CAME UP IS THAT IT'S NOT REALLY PART OF THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
AND, UH, WE'LL GET A BIGGER CHECK FROM A TOWER THAN WE WILL FROM SAVING THE WAREHOUSE.
AND 3 0 1 SAN JACINTO IN MY ESTIMATION WAS THE SINGLE MOST QUALIFIED WAREHOUSE LEFT IN DOWNTOWN.
SO IF WE CAN'T LANDMARK THAT WAREHOUSE ON ITS MERITS, THEN WE KIND OF HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
UM, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT HIGHEST AND BEST ECONOMIC USE AND ALL THESE DISCUSSIONS, BUT IT'S REALLY HARD TO VALUE IN A CULTURAL HISTORIC VALUE AND THOSE NUMBERS.
UM, I LOOKED AT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL MAY, 2011 AND WAS REALLY SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE FIRST ITEM AND HAS LISTED IMPORTANCE IS, OR FIRST LISTED WAS HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
AND THE FIRST AREA IT HAD LISTED IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE TO SAVE IS THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
UH, IT ALSO HAD RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEIGHT SETBACKS AND ON THE SIXTH STREET, UH, NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT AND THE CONGRESS NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT, BOTH OF WHICH WERE ENFORCED.
BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO, UH, PRESERVE THE FOURTH STREET WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
UM, WE BASICALLY BEEN NIPPING AWAY ON THE EDGES OF THIS IDENTIFIED AS TO WORK RESOURCE LIST AS A PRIORITY IN THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN BIT BY BIT.
AND WE FINALLY STRUCK A NERVE AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING THE COMMUNITY VALUE IN, UH, IT'S BEING EVIDENCED HERE.
AND THIS IS A LARGE PART OF HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY REALLY SPEAKS TO COMMUNITY VALUE.
THERE'S A LOT OF FACETS TO THIS ISSUE.
A LOT OF HAVE TO IN MY PERSONAL ESTIMATION, HAVE TO DO WITH URBAN DESIGN AND THAT THESE HISTORIC BUILDINGS ARE WHERE PEOPLE GO AND GATHER.
AND THIS IS WHAT REALLY ADDS VALUE TO OUR DOWNTOWN.
AND IT'S WHITE PEOPLE WANTING TO COME DOWNTOWN.
THAT'S WHY THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN LISTED THESE HISTORIC ASSETS AS VITAL TO HAVING A VITAL DOWNTOWN AND TO EVENTUALLY DESTROY ALL OF THEM FOR GIANT HIGH RISES FULL OF PEOPLE LIVING LIKE THE BORG WITH NO PLACE TO GO.
THAT IS A HUMAN SCALE AND HUMAN INTEREST IS NOT WHERE WE WANT TO TAKE DOWNTOWN.
AND IT WAS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS SUCH IN THE DOWNTOWN PLAN, BUT THIS IS NOT ABOUT URBAN DESIGN.
IS THIS ABOUT HISTORIC ASSOCIATIONS? UM, SO, UH, WE HAVE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS HAVE NOTED THAT THEY'RE GENERALLY TENUOUS.
THEY'RE REALLY HARD TO PROVE ON THESE WAREHOUSES.
THEY WERE GRITTY WORKING AREAS.
UM, THEY HAD A LOT OF OCCUPANTS, UH, BUT THEY DID SERVE A PRIME FUNCTION IN THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY.
AND I THINK ARGUMENT COULD BE MADE FOR ANY OF THEM THAT THEY DO HAVE A STORE ASSOCIATIONS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE CITY, BUT I ADD A COMMUNITY VALUE INTO THE LISTING BECAUSE, UM, OF THE, THE FOURTH STREET WAREHOUSE DISTRICT SHOULD COME TO US AS A DISTRICT.
BUT THE ONLY WAY LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS CAN COME TO US ARE FROM OWNERS GATHERING TOGETHER, SIGNING A PETITION AND PRESENTING A CASE TO US ALL BY THEMSELVES.
AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN HERE.
UH, I WILL NOTE THAT SIXTH STREET IS NOT A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT AND CONGRESS AVENUE IS NOT A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT.
THEY ARE BOTH DENSE CONGREGATIONS OF LANDMARKS IN OUR ONLY TWO TRUE PROTECTIONS OF THOSE TWO CORRIDORS, OTHER THAN THE HEIGHT OVERLAY IS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE DENSE CONGREGATIONS OF LANDMARKS THERE THAT WERE LARGELY LANDMARK IN THE SEVENTIES AND EIGHTIES DURING, DURING THAT MOVE.
AND SO I'M INTRODUCING COMMUNITY
[03:10:01]
VALUE AND THEN PREPARE IT TO INTRODUCE COMMUNITY VALUE FOR ANY WAREHOUSE ADJACENT TO THE AREA IDENTIFIED IN THAT DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN AS THE CORE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, UH, FOR BEING A, UH, HISTORICALLY SAFE PLACE FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS.BECAUSE, UM, ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE IN THE CHRONICLE, I THINK THE FIRST BAR THERE WERE BARS ON RED RIVER, WHICH IS ANOTHER AREA THAT I THINK SHOULD BE INCLUDED THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER CONVERSATION FOR ANOTHER TIME.
BUT THE FIRST BAR IS IN THE MID SEVENTIES AND THAT'S NEARLY 50 YEARS.
SO WE HAD NEARLY 50 YEAR, CONTINUOUS YEARS OF LGBTQ PRESENCE IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
AND THAT'S DEPENDENT ON THESE WAREHOUSES BEING THERE.
SO I AM INTRODUCING COMMUNITY VALUE AS A UNIQUE LOCATION THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE CHARACTER IMAGE OR CULTURE IDENTITY OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD.
A PARTICULAR GROUP IN THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION IS A WAREHOUSE IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
IT MAY BE A LITTLE ODD TO SAY, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'VE COME TO TO TRY TO PRESERVE THESE PLACES BECAUSE WE CAN'T PRESERVE THEM.
OTHERWISE WE HAVE A WAREHOUSE AND THERE IS A WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, FOUR STREET, BOTH BLOCKS ARE INTACT.
YOU HAVE THE OLD ANTONE'S LOCATION.
AND THEN JUST TO JUMP OVER, YOU HAVE THIS BUILDING WHERE THE IRON BEAR IS NOW.
SO WE STILL HAVE A STRING, A WALKABLE STRING OF EXPERIENCE OF WHAT USED TO BE THERE IDENTIFIED AS A RESOURCE IN THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN.
I HAD MANY PAGES MORE TO SAY, BUT I THINK I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT.
BUT, UM, I DO REALIZE IT IS IT IS GOING TO BE TENUOUS.
UM, IT IS GOING TO BE A DIFF DIFFICULT ARGUMENT TO MAKE, BUT LIKE I SAID, WE'VE STRUCK A NERVE WE'VE GOTTEN TOO CLOSE.
AND I THINK IT'S TIME NOW TO HAVE THE DIFFICULT CONVERSATION ABOUT ACTUALLY PRESERVING ONE OF THE DISTRICTS AT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN SAID WE SHOULD PRESERVE.
AND ONE OF THE REASONS IT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE IT'S A HISTORICALLY SAFE SPACE FOR LGBT PEOPLE.
AND IF WE ERASE THAT, THEN WE'RE LOSING PART OF OUR SOUL AND WE'RE SELLING THAT OUT FOR MONEY.
SO I HAD A LOT MORE TO SAY, BUT I THINK I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT.
WELL, I'M GOING TO ADD JUST ONE THING.
I THINK THAT IT, IT, IT DOES COME TO THE CORE.
IT COMES TO THE CORE OF WHAT AUSTIN IS, WHAT, WHAT AUSTIN HAS BEEN, AND, AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH AUSTIN.
I JUST EXPLAINED TO MY TWO, UM, GRADUATE STUDENTS FROM INDIA, WHY AUSTIN WAS CALLED THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF AUSTIN.
AND, AND WHEN IN EXPLAINING IT, I SAID, I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT'S TRUE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE THINGS THAT BROUGHT MANY OF US TO AUSTIN, THE THINGS THAT MANY OF US LOVED HERE, BECAUSE IT, AUSTIN BECAME A POPULAR PLACE.
AND AS MORE PEOPLE CAME HERE, THERE WAS MORE INCENTIVE TO TEAR DOWN THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE TO EXPERIENCE AND TO ENJOY.
AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE KILLING THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG, WHERE WE'RE LOSING THE THINGS THAT, THAT MADE AUSTIN OR MAKE MAYBE STILL MAKES AUSTIN THE PLACE THAT WE WANT TO LIVE IN.
SOME, I, I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE ONE LAST NOTE THAT I DO WANT TO TEMPER EXPECTATIONS BECAUSE THIS IS ONE MEETING.
WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER MEETING IN THE MONTH TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO RECOMMEND IF WE DO RECOMMEND, THEN IT GOES TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
AND IF IT PASSED IS THERE, IF WE, IF IT PASSES HERE BY A SUPER MAJORITY AND GOES TO, BUT TO THE, OR TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND PASSES THERE BY SUPER MAJORITY, THEN IT GOES TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FOUR READINGS.
AND SO THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A MARATHON FOR ONE BUILDING.
THAT'S PART OF A LARGER DISTRICT.
THAT'S FULL OF A LOT OF OTHER BUILDINGS.
SO, UM, AND I DIDN'T WANT TO NOTE THAT THE POINT WAS MADE THAT WE CANNOT CONSIDER CURRENT BUSINESSES IN THESE PLACES, BUT I THINK WE CAN CONSIDER THE NATURE OF THESE BUSINESSES AND THE NATURE OF THE HISTORIC USE OF THAT SPACE.
AND THAT'S WHAT TIES IT INTO A HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION AND A COMMUNITY VALUE, BUT WE CAN'T SAY A BUSINESS, BUT WE CAN SAVE A PLACE WHERE BUSINESSES LIKE IT CAN, CAN SURVIVE AND THRIVE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG ROAD.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE NO ONE THINKS THAT THIS MEETING IS JIA.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP OF A LONG ROAD.
AND BY, UM, BY FIRST SUGGESTING THAT WE POSTPONE, I WANTED TO GIVE, UM, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HERE, A CHANCE ANOTHER MONTH TO,
[03:15:01]
UH, CONTINUE THEIR, UM, THEIR EFFORTS.BUT BY INITIATING HISTORIC ZONING, WE REALLY SORT OF PUT OUR STAMP OF APPROVAL ON, ON THIS EFFORT.
AND, AND, AND YOU STILL HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL MONTH BEFORE IT COMES BACK TO THE COMMISSION, UH, ON MAY 4TH.
UM, SO ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? YES.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I THINK AS A COMMISSION, WE DON'T, YOU KNOW, STRUCTURALLY WE DON'T HANDLE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WELL, UM, AND I'M NOT SURE THERE'S A WAY THAT, LIKE, HOW DO WE OVERCOME THAT? UH, MR. JENNER SPOKE TO THE BUYOUT CLAUSE THAT WAS IN THE, THE LEASE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OWNER AND THE TENANT, UM, THAT IT JUST DOESN'T, IT DOESN'T SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE THAT WE SPEAK HERE ON THE COMMISSION.
UM, I THINK THAT THE, THE, THE NO COMPLY SKATE SHOP IS STILL STANDING AND I MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF INTEREST IN WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE AS WELL THIS YEAR.
I THINK THAT IT'S VERY SIMILAR CASES, UM, THAT, UH, THE UW ONE, TH THE SPEAKERS ALL DID AN AMAZING JOB AS A COMMISSIONER.
YOU WAS SUPPOSED TO APPEAR AND TAKE IT ALL IN AND BE SOMEWHAT OF JEFF DID.
IT'S HARD NOT TO LIKE S LIKE WANT TO DO THIS AFTER MANY OF THE SPEAKERS.
UM, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT TENANT, BOTH HERE AND AT NO COMPLY THAT WE GET THOSE PASSIONATE SPEAKERS TO MAKE SUCH A STRONG CASE.
AND THEN THE MERITS OF THE BUILDING SORT OF HAVE TO STAND ON THEIR OWN AS COMMISSIONER COOK SAID, IT'S, IT'S PART OF A MARATHON.
UM, YEAH, WE JUST, WE JUST DON'T DO WELL.
I THINK SOMETIMES WE GET PEOPLE WHO SAY, WELL, IT'S NOT REALLY THE PLACE THAT MATTERS.
WELL, THE PLACE IS A PLACE WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAN, UM, CAN THRIVE AND GROW AND, UM, AND NURTURE.
UM, AND THAT LOSS, UH, WHEN IT'S GONE, IT'S GONE FOREVER.
I, FOR 22 YEARS, I GOT TOGETHER WITH MY FRIENDS AT THE DOG AND DUCK PUB, UH, WHICH WAS RIGHT NEXT TO NEAR THE, THE CAPITAL ON PINT NIGHT, ON TUESDAY NIGHTS.
AND WHEN THE OWNERS DEMOLISHED THE DOG AND DUCK, AND WE WERE ALL PRESERVATIONISTS WHO WERE MEETING THERE, UM, IN ARCHEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE HISTORY, AND IT WAS BEING DEMOLISHED FOR SURFACE PARKING, AND THEY OPENED A NEW DOG AND DUCK WAY OUT EAST, UH, OF AUSTIN.
AND WE WENT OUT THERE AND IT WAS NOT THE SAME PLACE.
AND, UM, THE, THE BUSINESS DIDN'T THRIVE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS WE WENT THERE FOR 22 YEARS, UH, IN THIS HISTORIC HOUSE.
AND, UM, THE BUSINESS CLOSED WITHIN A YEAR AND OUR GROUP DISINTEGRATED.
WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN BACK TOGETHER AGAIN SINCE THEN.
AND SO I THINK THAT A PLACE ITS LOCATION, IT'S ASSOCIATIONS, UH, THE FRIENDSHIPS, EVEN THE FIGHTS, THE, YOU KNOW, THE COMRADERY THAT IS, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T ALL ALWAYS TRANSLATE TO ANOTHER LOCATION.
SO, UM, SHALL WE TAKE A VOTE? I HAVE ONE MORE COMMENT.
I ALLUDED TO NEEDING HELP BECAUSE THIS IS A MUCH BROADER ISSUE.
LET ME BE MORE SPECIFIC AND ADDRESS IT FROM AN OWNER'S VANTAGE POINT, BECAUSE I THINK WE DON'T OFFER, AND WE DON'T HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL, NEARLY THE TOOLS WE NEED AND SOME OF THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE NEED TO BE WORKING WITH OUR ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPS.
AND IF THERE WERE WAYS THAT THE CITY, UH, I THINK A COMMENT THAT I HAVE TO RESPOND TO FROM THE PRESENTATION WAS THE CITY IS CAUSING ALL OF THIS DOWNTOWN MAYHEM TO HAPPEN.
CHAIRMAN MYERS HAS SAID, IT'S THE GOLDEN EGG.
WE HAVE AN INTEREST IN DOWNTOWN.
MANY OF US IN THIS ROOM HAVE FOUGHT FOR AND HAVE PUSHED VERY HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO START REALLY TAKING DOWNTOWN SERIOUSLY.
AND GUESS WHAT? NOW WE HAVE ECONOMICS, WHICH IS CAUSING THE THREAT AND ANYBODY WHO'S AN OWNER WHO HAS A MAYBE VERY VALID
[03:20:01]
REASON FOR WANTING TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP AND PRESERVE WHAT'S HERE.AND PART OF THE FABRIC THAT WE ALL LOVE WHEN YOUR NEIGHBOR IS MAKING OUT WITH 20 OR 30 OR 40 OR 50 TIMES, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU ARE PIECING TOGETHER, EVEN IN A, UH, YOU KNOW, FOR SOMETHING THAT'S, THAT'S WORKING, YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE NOTICE.
AND I DON'T THINK THE CITY IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO OFFER AN OWNER, THE REPLACEMENT FOR A 20 STORY OFFICE BUILDING.
BUT I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME WAY, AND THAT MIGHT BE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS.
THAT MIGHT BE SOME OTHER WAYS OF INVESTING, UH, IN THESE HISTORIC PROPERTIES, UH, AND HAVING THAT AS A PUBLIC INTEREST, UH, THERE ALSO ARE POSSIBLY SOME CREATIVE WAYS THAT THE CITY COULD EVEN INITIATE WAYS THAT THOSE TIMES WHERE WE COULD PUT MULTIPLE STORIES AND PRESERVE THE EXISTING FABRIC TOGETHER, THAT WE COULD DO SOME STANDARDS AND WE COULD SHOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE APPROVED AS WELL AS SHOW WHERE OUR LIMITS ARE, BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE PROPOSALS HAVE COME TO US AND WE HAVE NOT APPROVED THEM.
SO I THINK THAT'S THE MISSING PIECES, AND THIS IS ANOTHER PART OF WHAT YOU ALL HOPEFULLY WILL BE ABLE TO HELP AS WE, SO THIS, THIS, THIS TOGETHER INTO SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM.
UH, LIKE I SAID, IF WE DON'T HONORS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME PRESSURES, UH, ALL UP AND DOWN THESE BLOCKS AND COMMUNITIES ALL UP AND DOWN DOWNTOWN ARE SLOWLY GOING TO SEE THEIR, THEIR RESOURCES GONE.
AND THEN ULTIMATELY WE AS A COMMUNITY, AS I THINK IT WAS POINTED OUT, UH, WE'LL LIVE IN NOTHING BUT 20, 30 AND 40 STORY TOWERS WITH NO RELIEF.
SO I REALLY DO, UH, APPLAUD THIS EFFORT, BUT I W I, I REALLY THINK WE HAVE TO BE UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE AS TRYING TO CONNECT OTHER PIECES TO MAKE, UH, THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME THAT WE'RE ALL FIGHTING FOR.
ANY VOICES FROM THE VIRTUAL COMMISSION? OKAY.
SHALL WE TAKE A VOTE ON THE MOTION? THE MOTION IS TO INITIATE HISTORIC ZONING AND LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND SAYING, AYE, UH, IT'S UNANIMOUS PASSES.
COULD I OFFER, UH, SOME, SOME MINOR CLARIFICATIONS ABOUT NEXT STEPS, JUST FOR THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING? UH, THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE IN STATE LAW, AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROCESS GOING FORWARD IS CLEAR.
UH, SO THIS, THIS VOTE TO INITIATE HISTORIC ZONING IS NOT THE FINAL STEP THAT BLAME OUR COMMISSION NEEDS TO TAKE.
IT WILL COME BACK NEXT MONTH, MAY 4TH AT CITY HALL FOR A CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER OR NOT TO RECOMMEND HISTORIC ZONING, THAT WILL REQUIRE A SUPER MAJORITY OF NINE OUT OF 11 COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THAT RECOMMENDATION FOR HISTORIC ZONING, FOR IT TO BECOME A ZONING CASE.
THAT THEN GOES ON TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
IF WE DON'T GET NINE VOTES, IF THERE'S ANYTHING SHY OF NINE VOTES AT THAT HEARING, THAT'S GOING TO BE THE FINAL HEARING.
IT WON'T ADVANCE THE PLANNING COMMISSION AT PLANNING COMMISSION.
UH, THEIR RECOMMENDATION, UH, IS CONSIDERED AND TAKEN FORWARD TO COUNCIL, BUT THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF HISTORIC ZONING.
UH, THE CASE ADVANCES BASED ON THE LANDMARK COMMISSION'S VOTE, UH, WE'VE WE'VE RECENTLY HAD TWO DIFFERENT, UH, CASES MAKE IT TO COUNCIL, UH, BASED ON THE LANDMARK COMMISSIONS, UH, RECOMMENDATION BY SUPER MAJORITY OVER THE OWNER'S OBJECTION.
UH, ONE OF THOSE RECEIVED TWO DIFFERENT HEARINGS, UM, AND DIED AT THE SECOND HEARING.
AND THE OTHER ONE, UH, THE COUNCIL DID NOT EVEN TAKE UP WHETHER OR NOT TO CONSIDER THAT ITEM.
UH, THERE ARE SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE JUST REALLY NOT WILLING TO GO OVER AND OWNER'S OBJECTION, UH, TO LANDMARK, UH, PROPERTY.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO EVERYONE HERE THAT THIS IS A VERY, A VERY STEEP HILL.
UM, WE HAVE ONE LAST PUBLIC HEARING, UM, ITEM G 3 22 0 6
[3.D.3. PR-2022-025430 – 2206 East Side Dr. – Consent Council District 9]
EAST SIDE DRIVE.THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HEARD YOUR, UM, YOUR APPLICATION, YOU MAY LEAVE AND WE'LL TAKE UP THIS LAST, UM, PUBLIC HEARING CASE.
KAREN MYERS AT MP3, AN APPLICATION TO RELOCATE A CIRCUIT 1915 TO 1920 HOUSE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.
UM, AND THIS IS A ONE-STORY CRAFTSMAN BUNGALOW WITH A PARTIAL WIDTH COVERED PORCH SUPPORTED BY TAPER COLUMNS, THE TOP BRICK PIERS ONE OVER ONE SCREENED WOOD WINDOWS EXPOSED RAFTER TAILS AT EASE
[03:25:01]
AND TRIANGULAR BRACKETS AT THE GABLE END.BUT IF YOU ARE SIX EAST SIDE DRIVE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS 22, 10 EAST SIDE DRIVE, AND 2210 GOODALL STREET WAS BUILT BY THE WRIGHT FAMILY IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, AS PART OF THEIR DAIRY FARM CITY DIRECTORIES DO NOT INCLUDE THE RECORDS PRIOR TO THE 1930S FOR THIS ADDRESS OF THE FARMS LOCATED OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS.
THE WRIGHT FAMILY HAD OPERATED A DAIRY FARM IN SOUTH AUSTIN SINCE AT LEAST 1899 WHILE AT W WRIGHT SENIOR AND HIS WIFE ETHEL BOWLING, RIGHT, INHERITED THE BUSINESS FROM WILLIAM WRIGHT WHO MIGRATED TO TEXAS FROM MISSISSIPPI AFTER SERVING IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY AS A TEENAGER PLOD, RIGHT, KNOWN AS CAP ALSO SERVED AS A CITY FIREMAN AFTER HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN 1946.
AND THAT WAS TO BE HELD FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AFTER THE WRIGHT FAMILY SOLD THE DAIRY FARM.
THE HOUSE BECAME A RENTAL PROPERTY FOR SEVERAL FAMILIES RENTERS DURING THE 1940S AND 1950S INCLUDED CLERKS, BUTCHERS SALES WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEES.
THE BUILDING IS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OLD AND APPEARS TO RETAIN HIGH INTEGRITY.
HOWEVER, ITS INTEGRITY OF SETTING HAS BEEN COMPROMISED AS IT NO LONGER RETAINS THE WORLD THROUGH ROUNDINGS APPROPRIATE FOR AN AGRICULTURAL COMPLEX.
UM, AND SEVERAL OF THE, UH, ASSOCIATED OUTBUILDINGS PRESENT IN HISTORIC AERIAL PHOTOS HAVE BEEN LOST.
UM, IT IS A CRAFTSMAN BUNGALOW AND, UM, APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RIGHT DAIRY FARM PRIOR TO THE WIDESPREAD URBANIZATION OF SOUTH AUSTIN.
UM, BUT BECAUSE OF THE INTEGRITY CONCERNS, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE THE RELOCATION, UH, UPON COMPLETION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE.
UM, IS THERE IS THE APPLICANT HERE? SO BOTH THE APPLICANT AND THE PROPERTY OWNER ARE JOINING US BY PHONE.
I'M THE FIRST TO SPEAK AS GAIL BORST.
IF CTM COULD UNMUTE THEIR MIC, PLEASE.
I BELIEVE I EMAILED YOU THE CALLER LIST, BUT I'D ALSO HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME.
UH, GAIL BURSTS NUMBER IS STARTS WITH A 3, 5 0.
OH, I WAS, I WAS GOING TO ASK IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO LET MEGAN SPENCER THE CURRENT OWNER GO FIRST.
WILL YOU PLEASE UNMUTE THE OTHERS? YES, PLEASE.
I'M THE OWNER OF 2206 EAST SIDE DRIVE.
UH, AND I SUPPORT THE RELOCATION OF, OF MY HOME, UH, OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF AUSTIN.
I'VE LIVED IN THE HOME FOR 40 YEARS.
I CONTINUED TO PURSUE MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE AND MOVE TO ANOTHER STATE.
SO MY HOME IS, UH, MEANS A LOT TO ME.
I'M A FOURTH GENERATION AUSTINITE, FIFTH GENERATION TEXAN.
I HAVE FAMILY BURIED AT OAKWOOD CEMETERY AND I HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH ST.
GAUSTON CEMETERIES FOR MANY YEARS.
I'M THE CAPTAIN OF MY CRIME WATCH FOR MY STRETCH OF EAST SIDE, FROM LIVE OAK TO OLD TURF.
AND I'VE ALSO SERVED AS AN OFFICER ON THE SOUTH RIVER CITY CITIZENS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
I AM VERY INVESTED IN, IN AUSTIN AND ITS HISTORY, AND I AM LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID VERY SAD TO SEE THE LOSS OF THINGS THAT HAVE MEANT SO MUCH TO ALL OF US.
UH, SO WHY, WHY AM I LEAVING? UH, I'VE JUST TURNED 70 AND I'M NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER.
AND THE, PROBABLY THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE LIVED IN A REALLY OLD HOUSE KNOW THAT IT'S, IT REQUIRES SOME WORK.
AND, UM, I HAVE, UM, BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET SOME, UH, PROPERTY OVER SOME VACANT PROPERTY IN EAST AUSTIN.
AND I AM GOING TO BUILD A HOME THERE FOR MYSELF THAT WILL ALLOW A LITTLE BIT MORE SPACE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO MAYBE COME IN AND LIVE WITH ME.
AS I AGE, I'LL HAVE SOMEONE THERE WITH ME TO HELP ME OUT.
IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION TO LEAVE.
I LOVE MY COMMUNITY, BUT, UM, THINGS, THINGS CHANGE.
AND WHEN YOU GET OLDER, YOU NEED TO MAKE A PLAN FOR LIFE.
UM, I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH FOR THIS HOME TO BE RELOCATED.
UH, GAIL, UH, PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH HER CLIENT WHO HAS BEEN LOOKING
[03:30:01]
FOR A HOME LIKE MINE TO PUT ON SOME BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY THAT SHE HAS OUTSIDE OF WIMBERLEY.THE HOUSE WOULD BE SURROUNDED BY TREES AND BLUE SKY, AND IT WILL BE MAINTAINED AND LOVE FOR, FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME.
UM, IT'S NOT AN EASY DECISION TO LEAVE IT, BUT I, I, IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GO, BUT I DO NOT WANT MY HOUSE TO BE TORN DOWN.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NUMEROUS REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS, MORE THAN AT LEAST ONE OR TWO WHO SAY THAT MY HOME IS A TEAR DOWN.
UM, AND I'M SURROUNDED BY NOW BY HOMES THAT ARE OVER MILLION DOLLARS.
UH, PEOPLE ARE BUILDING MODERN HOMES, UH, OR THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY PEOPLE, THEIR DEVELOPERS COME IN AND THEY HAVE VERY DEEP POCKETS AND THEY, UM, SELL THE HOMES.
THE DEVELOPERS BUILD A MODERN HOME AND THEN SELL IT.
MOST OF THESE HOMES HAVE SWIMMING POOLS BEHIND THEM, AND THAT BREAKS MY HEART BECAUSE THEY'RE STEPS AWAY FROM STACEY POOL, OPEN YEAR ROUND, AND OPEN TO ALL.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE HISTORY THAT THE PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT SENT TO ME ABOUT THE WRIGHT FAMILY.
THAT WAS MY, MY TRIP TO THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER.
UH, I LEARNED ABOUT THE CW RIGHT THEORY.
UM, BUT I DO KNOW THAT MY HOUSE HAS NO SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION WITH AUSTIN.
UH, IT WAS WAY OUT OF TOWN AT ONE AT ONE POINT.
AND, UH, FORTUNATELY IT STILL STANDS AND I FEEL LIKE THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD THAT I GOT TO LIVE THERE, I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH FOR YOU TO ALLOW ME TO LET THIS HOME BE RELOCATED.
IF I CANNOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF IT BEING TORN DOWN AND PUT INTO A LANDFILL.
IT'S, UH, IT'S JUST A GOOD LITTLE WOODEN HOUSE THAT, THAT THAT'S GOOD FOR A SINGLE LADY OR MAYBE A VERY, VERY SMALL COUPLE, THIS SMALL, UH, FAMILY.
SO I APPRECIATE THE, UH, MY HISTORY AND THE EFFORTS THAT YOU'VE MADE, UM, TO SAY THE HISTORICAL HOMES.
I KNOW THAT AS, AS A PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, HOW DIFFICULT IT IS AND, AND, AND THE STRUGGLE THAT WE GO THROUGH TO SAY THE HOMES, MY HOME HAS NO HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OTHER THAN THE CW, RIGHT.
AND MY HOME IS NOT LOCATED IN THE TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW PARK, HISTORICAL DISTRICT.
SO I WOULD APPRECIATE BRIGHTLY YOUR PERMISSION TO MOVE MY HOME AND SHAVE IT BY MOVING IT TO, TO A COUNTRY LOCATION AND WHERE IT WILL BE MAINTAINED AND LOVED AND CHERISHED AND ENJOY FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
UM, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT OWNER? OKAY.
UM, GALE, UH, YOU CAN, UH, HAVE YOUR SPEAKING TIME NOW.
UH, THIS IS GAIL BORST AND I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING THE RELOCATIONS OF MEGAN'S WONDERFUL LITTLE HOUSE.
UH, I KNEW SHE COULD TELL THE STORY FROM, FROM HER AND WAY BETTER THAN I COULD.
SO I W I WILL, UH, ALSO ADD THE GOOD STORY THAT I THINK CAN HAPPEN WHEN THIS HOUSE IS MOVED.
AND THAT IS THE FACT THAT MY CLIENT LOVES OLD OLDER HOMES, AND SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH MEGAN'S THE MINUTE WE WALKED IN THE FRONT DOOR, THIS HOUSE WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF AND CHERISHED.
NOW I REALIZED THAT WE'RE REMOVING IT FROM ITS CONTEXT, BUT LIKE THE STAFF EVEN POINTED OUT IS THAT THE, THE, THE CONTEXT IS PRETTY MUCH BEEN DESTROYED.
AND I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T USE THOSE WORDS, BUT IT'S NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE.
OH, THIS CUTE LITTLE BUNGALOW IS SURROUNDED MOSTLY BY MODERN HOMES AND MAYBE SOME SEVENTIES HOUSES, UH, JUST IN A COUPLE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE TWO OTHER BUNGALOWS ON THE STREETS.
SO WE ALL THINK IT'S GOING TO LOOK JUST WONDERFUL OUT, OUT IN THE WIMBERLEY COUNTRYSIDE, AND IT WILL BE APPRECIATED.
AND, AND I ADMIRE YOU ALL FOR DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS HERE TONIGHT IN FAVOR? IF NOT, WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER REGISTERED IN OPPOSITION, SUSAN ARMSTRONG FISHER.
MY NAME'S SUSAN ARMSTRONG FISHER, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING THE LAST THING BETWEEN Y'ALL AND GOING HOME.
[03:35:01]
UH, I, I AM VERY PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THE OWNER IS INTERESTED IN RELOCATING THE HOUSE, WHICH IS MUCH BETTER THAN DEMOLITION FAR AND ABOVE.UM, I LIVE HALF A MILE FROM THIS HOUSE.
AND, UM, AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, IT'S THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO AN UNEDUCATED CITIZEN WHILE THIS HOUSE IS NOT IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS, FAIRVIEW HISTORIC DISTRICT, IT'S FOUR, MAYBE FIVE HOUSES OUTSIDE OF IT.
IT IS DIRECTLY OUTSIDE OF LIVE OAK OFF OF EAST SIDE.
UM, IF YOU LOOK AT THE AERIAL PHOTO BACK WHEN THE FARM ACTUALLY, I GUESS IT WAS 1940, SO MAYBE THE FARM, I'M NOT SURE IF THE FARM WAS STILL THERE OR NOT, BUT, BUT CLEARLY IT WAS THE ONLY HOUSE IN THAT SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE AERIAL PHOTO SHOWING IT OBVIOUSLY TO BE ONE OF THE OLDER HOMES IN THAT AREA BEFORE LIVE OAK, EVEN CONNECTED WITH SOUTH CONGRESS.
SO, SO WHILE THE FARM CONTEXT NO LONGER EXISTS THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, AND AGAIN, THOUGH, IT'S NOT IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, IT IS TECHNICALLY PART OF THE GREATER COMPILATION OF HOMES.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THE HISTORIC DISTRICT ENDS AT LIVE OAK.
UM, THERE ARE STILL MANY BUNGALOWS THAT EXTEND ALL THE WAY TO OLD WHARF AND LOSING THIS HOUSE AS PART OF THAT IS AGAIN, ERODING AT THAT, THAT FABRIC.
UM, FOR THAT REASON, I AM OPPOSED TO THE RELOCATION NOW WITH THAT SAID, IF IT IS LIKELY THAT THE HOME WOULD BE DEMOLISHED INSTEAD OF RELOCATION, I ABSOLUTELY WOULDN'T SUPPORT THAT INSTEAD.
ANY QUESTIONS? UM, ARE THERE OTHER SPEAKERS IN OPPOSITION? ALL RIGHT.
UH, PROPERTY OWNER, UM, LET'S SEE, MEGAN, SPENCER, YOU CAN REBUT THE OP THE OPPOSING SPEAKER.
UH, YOU WILL HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK AGAIN.
UM, WELL, I APPRECIATE THE, UH, INTEREST IN PRESERVING MY HOME.
UM, I'M SURE THAT, UH, MS. ARMSTRONG FISHER HAS NOTICED THAT THE HOMES AROUND ME ARE NOW THAT, THAT MY HOUSE IS THE ODDBALL AND THE HOMES THAT ARE SOUTH OF 2210, WHICH IS THE HOUSE, THE MODERN HOUSE NEXT DOOR.
TO ME, WE'RE ALL, UH, HOMES BUILT DURING THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES BY BERTRAM RETIREES.
SO MY, MY HOME DOESN'T REALLY SIT THERE ANYMORE.
UH, THE WHOLE STREET BETWEEN EAST SIDE DRIVE BETWEEN LIVE OAK AND OLD TOUR ARE MAINLY ONE STORY RANCH HOUSES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HOMES AT MY END OF THE STREET, WHICH ARE MULTI, MULTI MILLION DOLLAR, UM, ONE AND TWO STORY HOMES.
IT'S ALSO HAPPENING ON REBEL BEHIND ME.
I'M SURROUNDED BY HOMES LIKE THAT.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK PERMISSION AGAIN, TO RELOCATE MY HOME AND TO SAY THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT HOUSE WILL BE SAVED IS TO GET IT OFF THAT LOT.
UM, DO I HEAR A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? DO I HEAR IT SECOND? OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING, AYE.
IS THERE A MOTION ON THE CASE I MOVED TO, UM, TAKE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND APPROVE THE RELOCATION OF THE HOUSE SECOND.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR MOTION? I THINK THE, I, I SENSED A GREAT DEAL OF HUMILITY AND THE CURRENT OWNERS, UM, TALKING ABOUT HER, HER OWN HOME FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS.
AND, UM, I MEAN, I THINK I'M GOING ON THREE, THREE AND A HALF YEARS ON THE COMMISSION.
I HAVE NOT YET HEARD OF A SUCCESSFUL RELOCATION OR NOT EVEN SUCCESSFUL, NOT THE RIGHT WORD.
WE RECOMMEND IT ALL THE TIME AND NOTHING'S EVER COME TO US AND BEEN LIKE, WE CAN DO THIS.
SO IT'S JUST, IT'S GOOD TO HEAR IT.
IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S NOT ONLY COMES FROM A LOVING PLACE, BUT IT'S GOING TO A LOVING PLACE.
SO YOU CAN'T ASK FOR MORE THAN THAT.
I'VE BEEN ON THIS COMMISSION FOR 14 YEARS AND I HAD NEVER SEEN, UH, AN ACTUAL RELOCATION, UH, OCCUR.
[03:40:01]
CONFIDENT THAT THE OWNER APPLICANT, UM, IS, IS TAKING STEPS TO PRESERVE THE HOUSE RATHER THAN IF IT WAS SOLD TO SOMEONE ELSE.THERE WOULD BE NO GUARANTEE WHATSOEVER, UH, THAT IT WOULD BE SAVED.
AND I THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE HAS A, UH, AN OPPORTUNITY.
SO I HATE TO LOSE A HOUSE FROM THAT AREA.
IT IS NOT TECHNICALLY IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, BUT I APPRECIATE, UM, I APPRECIATE THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S CONCERNS THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACTUALLY DOES CONTINUE ON.
WE JUST HAD TO STOP SOMEPLACE, UM, WITH, UH, WITH THE NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT.
AND, UM, BUT I, I, I FEEL THAT THIS IS, UH, A SOLUTION THAT SERVES AN ACTUAL, AS SHE SAID, THEY'RE NOT PEOPLE THEY'RE DEVELOPERS.
THIS IS AN ACTUAL PERSON, UM, WHO IS REQUESTING THIS FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE, OF THE HISTORIC PROPERTY.
SO I WOULD SUPPORT THE MOTION, UH, HAVING THE, UH, MAYBE THE ONE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO MOVING HOUSES.
UH, UH, IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE WE DID ONE IN AUSTIN, BUT, UH, IT'S NOT EASY.
AND THE FARTHER YOU GO, THE MORE EXPENSIVE IT IS.
SO IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THAT, BUT IT REALLY DOES TAKE SOMEBODY WHO SEE IT AS, UM, SAY SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL IN THE STRUCTURE, THE ECONOMICS ALONE DON'T JUSTIFY IT, OR WE'D SEE A LOT MORE OF THEM.
UH, SHOULD IT BE DONE IN THIS CASE? UH, MY OWN PREFERENCE WOULD BE THAT THIS ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE A CONTINUING HISTORY IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS.
UH, IT WOULD SERVE TO REINFORCE THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS NEARBY, BUT I DO HAVE TO AGREE THAT THE BLOCK ITSELF, UH, THIS, THIS THOUGH IT WILL BE A LOSS, UH, IS NOT BEING REMOVED FROM, UH, A BLOCK THAT HAS A LOT OF OTHER PROPERTIES THAT WOULD RELATE TO IT.
SO THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, WE STILL WISH THE OWNER THE BEST, UH, RECOGNIZE COMMISSIONERS THAT, UH, A PROMISE, A LOVING COMMITMENT TO MOVE DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THE HOUSE WILL ACTUALLY MAKE IT.
BUT, UH, I THINK IT'S A, IT'S A GOOD ATTEMPT, BUT WE ARE APPROVING FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.
WE'RE LOSING A HOUSE AND, YOU KNOW, AUSTIN.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THIS IS, THIS IS THE ONE TIME THAT I FEEL THIS IS A, UM, THIS IS A CONSCIENTIOUS, UH, PROMISE.
SO SEND US PICTURES WHEN IT'S ALL DONE SO WE CAN APPLAUD.
HEY, I'M INTERESTED IN DOING THE SAME THING.
UM, SO I THINK THE HOUSE, LIKE GET ITS OWN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT SO WE CAN FOLLOW IT.
ANY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT AND ANY, ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO ALLOW THE MOVE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I COULD TURN AROUND AND SEE PEOPLE ON HERE.
I SHOULD HAVE BEEN FACING THE OTHER DIRECTION.
AND SO OUR LAST CASE, WE HAVE 12 MINUTES.
THAT WAS OUR LAST PUBLIC HEARING CASE.
UM, WE JUST HAVE COMMISSIONED STAFF ITEMS. UH, WE'LL SAY THERE ARE 12 MINUTES LEFT.
UH, SHOULD WE EXTEND, WHAT DO YOU THINK, ELIZABETH? I THINK WE ARE GOOD.
WE HAVE A VERY QUICK DISCUSSION FOR ITEM FOUR, B A, WHICH IS IF THE COMMISSION, WHICH IS TO PUT FORWARD A BUDGET REC RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL TO CONSIDER, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO, BUT I REALIZED I DID JUMP UP AND ADVANCE OF THE COMMITTEE REPORTS.
WAIT, DO WE NOT STILL HAVE, UM, DISCUSSION ON THE APPLICATION FOR TAX ABATEMENT FOR F1? WE TOOK IT OUT OF ORDER EARLIER.
SO WE'VE HAD TO HAVE TWO ON CONSENT.
I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION THOUGH, ON THE PREVIOUS AGENDA, MY APOLOGIES, MS. ROMAIN, UM, THERE WAS, I WAS SUPPOSED TO VISIT A PROPERTY AND THAT HASN'T OCCURRED AND WE POST PHONE THAT I BELIEVE, AND I BELIEVE, YES, THAT IS 8 0 4 RUTHERFORD PLACE,
[03:45:04]
BUT I HAVE YET TO VISIT THE PROPERTY AND I WANTED TO BE PREPARED TO REPORT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.AND SO I, I WANT TO KNOW FROM STAFF, HOW IS THE ONUS ON ME TO CONTACT THE OWNER? IS THAT THE ONUS ON THE OWNER? OR WHERE DOES IT SAY WE GAVE THE OWNER YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND I CAN ALSO FORWARD YOU HIS, IF HE YET TO CONTACT ME.
SO YEAH, I'LL MAKE THAT CONNECTION.
ANOTHER, JUST SEPARATE ORDER OF BUSINESS.
DO WE HAVE ANY UPDATE ON WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE FRESCO? MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE LAST MEETING WAS WE WERE GOING TO POSTPONE THAT SO THAT WE COULD THEN DISCUSS IT AT THIS MEETING AGAIN, WHERE LIKE WE WERE GOING TO, IT WAS, IT WAS GOING TO BE PRESENTED TO US AS DOE IT HAD NOT YET BEEN TORN DOWN.
THE COMMISSION OPTED TO TAKE NO ACTION ON THE FRISCO.
SO IT'S NOT GOING TO REAPPEAR ON YOUR AGENDA, BUT THE DEMOLITION PERMIT WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL 75 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE LAST MEETING, UH, WHEN THE COMMISSION VOTE ITS TECHNICAL OPTIONS.
SINCE THAT WAS THE FIRST MEETING AGENDA THAT APPEARED ON, UM, WHICH ON MY CALENDAR IS MAY 13TH IS THE 75 DAY MARK, RIGHT.
UH, STAFF AND, UH, THE OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE HAS ALSO TALKED WITH THE, UH, CODE DEPARTMENT REGARDING NEXT STEPS FOR COMPLIANCE.
I DO NOT YET KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO COME OF THAT.
UH, ONCE I HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT'S OCCURRED WITH THAT PROPERTY, I'LL PUT IT ON FOR A BRIEFING, UH, TO UPDATE YOU ALL.
AND LIKEWISE, IF WE COULD HEAR ABOUT THE GOLD DOLLAR A PROPERTY, I KNOW IT WAS REMOVED FROM OUR AGENDA, BUT IF THERE'S MORE INFORMATION, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP EXTRA TIME, BUT PERHAPS JUST TO REPORT.
YEAH, I COULD DO THAT BRIEFLY, UH, CURRENTLY, BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH TO SAY THE, THE, UM, THE APPLICANTS, THE OWNER OF THE COFFEE SHOP, UH, HAS DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH THE REST OF THEIR PROJECT, WHICH IS PRIMARILY INTERIOR WORK TO THAT BUILDING, UH, TO GET IT READY TO OPEN AND IS NO LONGER PURSUING THAT PROJECT AT THIS TIME.
UM, THE EXTERIOR SCOPE THAT WAS UNDER THE COMMISSION'S REVIEW AND I'VE, I'VE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH HIM.
AND, UM, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL BACKSTORY THERE.
UM, BUT IT'S, IT'S SIMPLY NOT, I GUESS IT'S NOT CRITICAL PATH TO OPENING THE COFFEE SHOP.
AND SO IT'S NOT BEING PURSUED AT THIS TIME.
I THINK WE NEED TO, UH, EXTEND OUR MEETING FOR 15 MINUTES.
WE'VE ONLY GOT EIGHT MINUTES LEFT, SOME OF THE SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND WHERE EXTENDED.
UH, DO YOU ALL WANT TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE REPORTS BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE, UH, THE BUDGET REQUEST? YES.
[4.A. Discussion and Possible Action on Committee Reports]
DO YOU REPORT ON THAT PLACE? YES.I KNOW WE DID SEE THE OWNER OF 8 0 4 WEATHERFORD AND IT SOUNDS LIKE HE'S PLANNING.
UM, IT LOOKS LIKE THE MASONRY DID HAVE A BOND BEAM FOUNDATION, SO IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S PLANNING ON TRYING TO SAVE THAT AND BUILD ONTO THE BACK.
UM, WE SAW FAM FAMILY THAT HAD FIVE, FOUR HOMES ON FIVE LOTS IN TRAVIS AND HIGH PARK.
UH, AND WE SET THEM IN THE DIRECTION OF USING THE TAX ABATEMENT REHABILITATION PROGRAM TO ADDRESS WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SUDDENLY INHERIT FOUR HOUSES ON FIVE LOTS IN HIGH PARK, UH, WITH A TENTATIVE APPROVAL OF RELOCATING ONE TO GET A FIFTH, A FIFTH HOUSE RELOCATING ONE, A FEW FEET TO THE ORIGINAL LAUNCH, CREATE A LEGAL LOT ANYWAY, TO KEEP THE SAME RHYTHM OF SPACING OF HOUSES ALONG THE STREET.
AND WE ALSO GOT TO SEE THE PLANS FOR WOODLAWN, WHICH WE CAN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING ABOUT, OR YOU MAY GET BROKEN THUMBS NOW IT'S, EVERYTHING'S VERY HUSH HUSH, BUT WE SAW THE PLANS AND THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION IS ENFORCING THE STATE, UM, UM, EASEMENT ON THAT.
AND, UH, IT WAS GENERALLY WELL-RECEIVED ONE MORE THING CONCERNING THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
I KNOW THERE IS A SHIFT IN, UH, MEETING DATES.
UH, WE ARE KEEPING THE APRIL 11TH DATE AND TIME AND LOCATION FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
UM, AT THAT MEETING, WE WILL REVIEW OVER MAYBE A REVISED IRC SCHEDULE OR IF THE EXISTING SCHEDULE KEEP, UH, IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR, UH, THE REVIEW, THE REVISED HLC MEETING SCHEDULE.
AND, UM, OPERATIONS AND GRANTS COMMITTEES HAVE NOT MET, BUT, UM, COMMISSIONER VILLAINS SUELA, COULD YOU REPORT ON THE PRESERVATION PLAN COMMITTEE? UH, CERTAINLY WE MET AS A COMMITTEE, I BELIEVE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE MONTH.
UH, WE'RE GIVEN A BRIEF ON, UH, WHAT WAS NEXT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE PRESERVATION PLAN, UH, WORKING GROUP.
UH, WE LOOKED OVER THE, UH, BRIEFING MATERIAL THAT
[03:50:01]
WAS GIVEN TO THE WORKING GROUP, UM, RELATED TO INCENTIVES, UM, AND PROCESSES AND FEES.AND WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE SOME INPUT ON THOSE.
UH, WE HEARD MORE ABOUT WHAT THE PHASE TWO PLANS WERE FOR THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT OF THE PRES PRESERVATION PLAN.
AND I KNOW AT THAT MEETING, WE INTRODUCED THE IDEA, UM, AGAIN FOR THE BUDGET RESOLUTION AND I KNOW, UM, CHAIR MEYERS AND, UH, I'M SETH.
I KNOW I WAS NOT ABLE TO MEET ON FRIDAY, BUT, UH, Y'ALL DISCUSSED IN FURTHER DETAIL, THE BUDGET RESOLUTION THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO REVIEW, UM, AND HOPEFULLY GIVE, UH, PERMISSION, UH, TO MOVE THAT ALONG TO CITY COUNCIL.
AND THAT'S, UH, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER TO ADD COMMISSIONER SETH FROM OUR MEETING? WELL, THAT'S A GOOD SEGUE INTO
[4.B. Discussion and possible action on a draft budget recommendation for FY 2023]
ITEM B DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A DRAFT BUDGET RECOMMENDATION.YES, THAT'S A PERFECT INTRODUCTION.
SO YOU MAY RECALL THAT A PRIOR MEETING OF THE LANDMARK COMMISSION, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO GIVE THE PRESERVATION PLAN COMMITTEE, UH, AUTHORITY TO CRAFT A BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL COMMISSION.
SO THAT'S, UH, THE ITEM UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT.
UM, AT THE DIRECTION OF THAT COMMITTEE STAFF PUT TOGETHER A COST ESTIMATE FOR PHASE TWO OF THE PRESERVATION PLAN DEVELOPMENT.
SO I'M GOING TO WALK THROUGH A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE OVERALL PRESERVATION PLAN PROCESS, UH, WHAT PHASE TWO IS ANTICIPATED TO ENTAIL, AND THEN WHAT THE BUDGET ASK IS FOR THAT.
UM, SO WE ARE WELL INTO PHASE ONE OF THE WORKING GROUP PROCESS AT THE JUNCTURE, AND THIS IS SO TINY.
UM, IT'S REALLY NOT POSSIBLE TO READ, UM, BUT WE ARE, OUR, OUR MEETINGS WILL CONCLUDE WITH TWO FINAL MEETINGS IN JUNE TO GO OVER ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO LOOK AT THEM TOGETHER, UH, MAKE SURE THAT THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER AND, UM, YOU KNOW, MAKE ANY REVISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE THAT, UH, COMES BACK TO THE LANDMARK COMMISSION FOR PRESENTATION AS A DRAFT PLAN.
AND THAT'S, UH, THE BEGINNING OF OUR SEGUE INTO PHASE TWO OF THE PLAN, WHICH IS REALLY FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, UM, GETTING COMMUNITY BUY-IN FOR THE PLAN AND MAKING CHANGES TO THE PLAN IN RESPONSE TO BROADER COMMUNITY ENTRUST AND GETTING SOMETHING THAT'S READY FOR ADOPTION.
UH, SO THIS IS THE OVERALL CALENDAR AND, UM, IT KIND OF WHERE THERE, UM, WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS AND ALSO WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADER COMMUNITY INPUT.
UH, SO MOST OF THIS, UH, PHASE ONE HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON A 26 MEMBER WORKING GROUP THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPOINTED.
WE'VE HAD SOME ATTRITION, BUT WE HAVE 26, VERY DEDICATED FOLKS WHO ARE STILL WITH US.
UM, WE HAVE, UH, JUST RECENTLY HAD A MEETING ABOUT, UH, PROCESSES AND FEES.
OUR NEXT TOPICS ARE OUTREACH, PROTECT OUTREACH ENFORCEMENT AND PROTECTION AND OUTREACH EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT BEFORE THERE'S TWO FINAL, UM, WRAP-UP MEETINGS, UM, IN TERMS OF KIND OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADER COMMUNITY INPUT, THERE WAS A COMMUNITY HERITAGE SURVEY THAT, UH, FED INTO THE VISION FOR THE PLAN, UH, AS WELL AS WE'VE HAD FOCUS GROUPS, UH, THAT HAVE BEEN MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS, CULTURAL AND HERITAGE ORGANIZATIONS AND LEGACY BUSINESSES THAT HAVE PROVIDED TARGETED OUTREACH, UH, AROUND SPECIFIC, UH, KEY TOPICS AND THE PLAN NEXT SLIDE.
UH, BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR MUCH, MUCH BROADER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BEFORE WE REALLY HAVE A FINAL PLAN.
UH, THE REASON THIS HAS BEEN BROKEN OUT INTO TWO PHASES IS REALLY A QUESTION OF CAPACITY SINCE THIS IS A PROJECT THAT'S LARGELY TAKEN ON BY STAFF.
UH, WE DIDN'T FEEL THAT WE WERE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, REALLY GATHER THE FEEDBACK FROM THAT WORKING GROUP AND, UM, YOU KNOW, HELP CRAFT THAT INTO A FRAMEWORK OF A PLAN AND CONSIDER FEEDBACK FROM THE BROADER COMMUNITY AT THE SAME TIME.
SO, UH, PHASE TWO IS, UM, YOU KNOW, AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, REALLY BUILD ENERGY AND INTEREST AROUND HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN GENERAL, UH, TO REFINE AND PRIORITIZE THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMING OUT OF THE WORKING GROUP.
UM, IDENTIFY ANY GAPS THAT THERE MAY BE AND THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.
AND, UM, IT JUST REALLY HEAR FROM FOLKS ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF PRESERVATION IN AUSTIN.
IT WILL ALSO HAVE, UH, COMPONENTS OF PHASE TWO WILL HELP GROUND THE PLAN AND WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO IMPLEMENT, INCLUDING A COST ESTIMATES FOR PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THEN ULTIMATELY, UH, PRESENTATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT ARE BEYOND THE BRIEFINGS THAT WE'RE DOING CURRENTLY THAT ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT PROCESS, BUT TO BRING OTHER
[03:55:01]
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, UH, UP TO SPEED ON WHAT THE PLANT'S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AND HOW THEY INTERSECT WITH OUR WORK.SO A FINAL SLIDE HERE IS JUST A REMINDER OF WHERE THE WEBSITE IS FOR THE PRESERVATION PLAN.
UM, THIS IS A CASE SENSITIVE LINK.
I FIND IT EASIER TO JUST GOOGLE A PRESERVATION PLAN, SPEAK UP AUSTIN, AND IT WILL BE THE FIRST RESULT THAT YOU GET A C EQUITY-BASED HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN IS THE PAGE WITHIN SPEAK-UP BOSTON.
UH, SO WITH THAT, UM, IN TERMS OF WHAT STAFF WOULD FORESEE, UH, AS THE NEEDS FOR PHASE TWO, WE REACHED OUT TO, UH, SOME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANTS TO TALK WITH THEM ABOUT, UM, KIND OF A ROUGH ORDER OF MAGNITUDE.
WHAT, WHAT A SCOPE THAT WE WERE THINKING ABOUT, UM, THAT WOULD SUPPORT THIS WORK WOULD ENTAIL.
UM, WE ALSO ENVISION HAVING, UM, FOLLOWING A MODEL FROM THE COMMUNITY CLIMATE PLAN, WHERE THERE WERE FOLKS WHO, UH, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY WAS THEIR JOB TO GO OUT AND TO ENGAGE WITH, UM, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN, UM, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND GATHER FEEDBACK AND BRING IT BACK, UM, AS WELL AS CONTINUING THE WORK OF THE WORKING GROUP, INCLUDING THOSE MEMBERS WHO WERE OPTING INTO COMPENSATION SO THAT THE WORKING GROUP CAN CONTINUE TO MEET AND CONSIDER THE, THE BROADER COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AS IT COMES FORWARD.
UH, SO THAT, UH, A MOUNTAIN TOTAL IS $160,000.
UH, THEN THE OTHER PIECE IS A STAFF MEMBER TO MANAGE PHASE TWO OF THE PRESERVATION PLAN TO HANDLE THE, UM, UH, KIND OF THE PRESERVATION COMPONENTS OF THAT.
SO THE, UH, THE CONSULTANT WE WOULD BE BRINGING ON WOULD REALLY BE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PURPOSES RATHER THAN NEEDING TO FIND SOMEONE WHO HAD FAMILIARITY BOTH WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND TURN OVER SOME OF THE STAFF OVERSIGHT THAT WE'VE HAD FOR THE PLAN SO FAR.
WE THOUGHT TO HAVE A STAFF MEMBER WHO WOULD, UM, HANDLE THAT PIECE, UH, AND THEN GOING FORWARD THAT STAFF MEMBER WOULD COORDINATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLANS RECOMMENDATIONS.
UH, SO THAT'S ESTIMATED AT $140,000 ANNUALLY TO INCLUDE SALARY AND BENEFITS.
UH, SO IN THE BACKUP, THERE IS A, UM, A DRAFT RECOMMENDATION THAT, UH, INCLUDES, UH, YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE WHEREAS CLAUSES THAT MAKE THE CASE FOR THIS PROJECT AND WHY THIS PROJECT IS IMPORTANT.
UM, AND THEN ULTIMATELY ENDS IN THE, UH, THE BUDGET ASK.
SO WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR TO HAVE, UH, MEMBERS OF THAT, UH, THE PRESERVATION PLAN COMMITTEE, IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT YOU ALL WANT TO ADD.
I THINK COMMISSIONERS, IF YOU DO GET A CHANCE TO READ ALL THE WAREHOUSES OF THEY MAKE A WONDERFUL, VERY STRONG CASE FOR, UH, NOT ONLY EXPLAINING THE PROCESS, BUT ALSO HOW, HOW IMPORTANT THE IMPLEMENTATION STAGES WILL BE.
SO MY COMPLIMENTS TO PUTTING THAT, THAT INTO RESOLUTION LANGUAGE, IT'S A NICE SALES PITCH AS WELL.
IS IT APPROPRIATE TO TAKE, IS IT APPROPRIATE TO TAKE A VOTE ON THAT? YES.
IF, IF, IF THE COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT AND TO FORMALLY MAKE THAT BUDGET RECOMMENDATION, IT WILL TAKE A VOTE.
I WOULD ENTERTAIN THAT SUCH EMOTION THERE, HERE A SECOND.
UM, THIS IS TO RECOMMEND THE BUDGET, UM, FOR THE PROGRAM, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND SIGNIFY BY SAYING, AYE.
AND ARE THERE ANY FEATURE AGENDA ITEMS THAT ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP AT THIS TIME WHILE WE STILL HAVE A FEW MINUTES, THEN I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN SECOND.
MOVED IN SECOND ADVICE, COMMISSIONERS, COOK AND FEATHERSTON.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HANDS.
THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING COMMISSION MEETING TONIGHT, AND I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR POSTED GERMAN.
IT'S UNLIKELY THAT I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND ON MAY 4TH.
UM, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S LIKE A, IF AS A COMMISSIONER I WOULD DIAL IN, IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF THAT IF THE PROPERTY THAT'S UP FOR, UH, RECOMMENDING HISTORIC ZONING, DOESN'T GET A FAIR SHAKE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COMMISSIONERS.
I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE TO THE GROUP THAT, UM, THE
[04:00:01]
CLOCK WILL BE UP AT THAT POINT.UM, YOU COULD, UH, YOU WOULD NEED TO BE VISIBLE ON CAMERA, BUT YOU COULD DO THE WEBEX MEETING IF THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.
JUST JOINED THAT FOR LIKE THE FIRST 45 MINUTES OF THE MEETING.
AND THEN ONCE THAT VOTE IS OVER, YOU CAN LEAVE THE DIOCESE WE'LL BE IN TOUCH.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT MY, YEAH, MY WORK TRUCK.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LIMITATION IS.
NO, I'D SAY IT'S A BIG CHANGE FOR YOU ALL.
AND I APPRECIATE, I HAD HONESTLY BEEN A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.
UM, SO THANK YOU FOR ACCOMMODATING THAT CHANGE.