Historic Landmark Commission

MINUTES HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING RONALD C. BOWMAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 447 NORTH MAIN STREET Tuesday, July 2, 2024 - 5:30 PM Minutes of the Historic Landmark Commission Meeting of July 2, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Present: 4 - Chairman Justin Boerner, Commissioner Joe Bateman, Commissioner Michael Nichols, Commissioner Lynnese Graves Absent: 3 - Commissioner Caesar Hance, Vice Chair Sally Pena, Commissioner Patti Mainz Staff Present: Nathan Crane, Franci Linder, Sara Varvarigos, Heather Wood, Lesley Gastelum Recognized/Registered Guests: John Villareal, Larry Pipkin, James Theis 1. CALL TO ORDER – 5:30 PM Chairman Boerner called the Historic Landmark Commission to order at 5:33 p.m. 2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST No conflicts were declared. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Boerner opened public comments at 5:33 p.m. No comments were received. Chairman Boerner closed public comments at 5:33 p.m. 4. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Nichols, seconded by Commissioner Bateman, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Boerne Page 1 Printed on 8/12/2024 Historic Landmark Commission Official Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 Yea: 4- Chaiman Boerner, Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner Graves, Commissioner Bateman 4.A. 2024-327 Consider approval of the minutes of the Historic Landmark Commission meeting of June 4, 2024. 5. REGULAR AGENDA: 5.A. 2024-328 Consider a demolition request for the structure at 812 N Main Street (KAD 286807) (Bella Sera of Boerne Inc - Applicant is John Villarreal) I. Staff Presentation II. Public Hearing III. Action Sara Varvarigos, City Planner II, presented the proposed demolition. Chairman Boerner opened the public hearing at 5:43 p.m. No comments were received. Chairman Boerner closed the public hearing at 5:43 p.m. Commissioner Bateman asked when the original building was built. Sara confirmed that the original building was built in 1960. Chairman Boerner and Commissioner Bateman gave a brief overview from a site visit to the location; they both expressed that there appeared to be no historical or architectural value, with not much remaining from the original structure. John Villareal, representative of the owner, gave a brief background on the Bella Sera brand, their various locations and the proposed updates they hope to establish at the Boerne location. He added that the proposed demolition, if approved, is planned to begin in September. City of Boerne Page 2 Printed on 8/12/2024 Historic Landmark Commission Official Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 A motion was made by Commissioner Bateman, seconded by Commissioner Graves, to approve a demolition request for the structure at 812 N Main Street (KAD 286807) (Bella Sera of Boerne Inc - Applicant is John Villarreal). The motion failed due to lack of a second. Yea: 4- Chaiman Boerner, Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner Graves, Commissioner Bateman 5.B. 2024-330 Consider a request for a certificate of appropriateness, for a proposed exterior building renovation and building addition located at 262 S Main St (applicant is Andiamo Builders LLC, on behalf of Terra Fortuna Properties LLC). Sara Varvarigos, City Planner II, presented the proposed certificate of appropriateness for a building permit. Larry Pipkin, Vice President of Andiamo Builders LLC, made himself available for questions. Commission discussion ensued regarding the revised site plan as presented. Sara clarified that the applicant submitted a revised plan addressing staff comments specific to height of the front windows, color of mortar, and widening of the parking spaces on site. The windows in the original design were lower and staff requested to have the windows higher in the facade to better tie in with the historic district guidelines. Staff also suggested the color of mortar to be a more aged-looking color instead of white, and to widen the parking spaces to comply with design standards. Sara mentioned that conditional approval based upon the revised design plans stamped July 2, 2024 to meet historic district requirements, would be preferred. Larry Pipkin elaborated that the wood elements will be stained, and the greenhouse will feature a concrete footing around its base. At this stage, no exterior lighting is being proposed, and the front awning is designed to harmonize with the existing structure. Additionally, transom windows will be reinstated to enhance the historical aesthetic, with efforts made City of Boerne Page 3 Printed on 8/12/2024 Historic Landmark Commission Official Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 to salvage as much as possible to preserve historical integrity. He further explained that a few additional permits will be necessary in the future to finalize the project. A motion was made by Commissioner Nichols, seconded by Commissioner Graves, to approve a request for a certificate of appropriateness, for a proposed exterior building renovation and building addition located at 262 S Main St as presented by site plans dated July 2, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote: Yea: 4- Chaiman Boerner, Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner Graves, Commissioner Bateman 5.C. 2024-329 Consider the proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code adopted on November 24, 2020, including but not limited to: · Section 2.11.B.9 (Historic Preservation Tax Exemption) · Section 3.11.G.1.a (Historic District Prohibited Sign Types) I. Staff Presentation II. Public Hearing Sara Varvarigos, City Planner II, presented the proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code as a discussion item. The item was published as an action item, but later determined by staff to be presented as discussion only, no action to be taken. Nathan Crane, Planning Director, explained that the proposed amendments to the sign regulations was prompted from city council discussion concerning sign pollution along Interstate Highway 10; the intent of removing all pole signs from all zoning districts is to improve the visual aesthetics along IH-10 and throughout the city Commissioner Bateman expressed reservations about the enforcement of current and future sign regulations. Nathan Crane explained that the intent of the proposed removal of the tax exemption section of the Unified Development Code is so that the City of Boerne Page 4 Printed on 8/12/2024 Historic Landmark Commission Official Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 city council can designate specific areas, such as the flats, for property owners to benefit from grant options or other programs rather than a tax exemption, which will be more meaningful for the public. Nathan welcomed the commission to email any questions or concerns and clarified that the next Historic Landmark Commission meeting they will vote on a recommendation to council. There were no members of the public present in the audience for the public hearing. No action taken. 6. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION/LEGAL COUNSEL/STAFF – No discussion or action may take place. Sara Varvarigos announced that an email will be sent on July 8, 2024 with the annual cyber security training that will be due within a month. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Boerner adjourned the Historic Landmark Commission at 6:45 p.m. _______________________________ Chairman ______________________________ Vice Chair City of Boerne Page 5 Printed on 8/12/2024