Historic Zoning Commission

COOKEVILLE HISTORIC ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 8, 2004 5:30 P.M. The Cookeville Historical Commission met on Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 45 East Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501. MEMBERS PRESENT: Alma Anderson, Mary Jean Delozier, Calvin Dickinson, Don Prince, and Greg Stamps. STAFF PRESENT: James Mills, Jayne Barns, and Jeff Fitzpatrick. OTHERS PRESENT: Tom & Donna Lee, Charles & Patty Martin, and Charles Fisher. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL THE MINUTES OF JUNE 8, 2004. Calvin Dickinson made the motion to approve the minutes of June 8, 2004. Alma Anderson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. APPROVED. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE REMOVAL OF CANOPY TREES ALONG DIXIE AVENUE ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 508 NORTH DIXIE AVENUE. REQUEST SUBMITTED BY WALTER HILL CARLEN. (THIS ITEM WAS TABLED AT LAST MONTH’S MEETING.) James Mills stated that the request from Mr. Walter Hill Carlen for the approval of an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of street canopy trees at 508 North Dixie Avenue was tabled at the May 2004 meeting. The purpose for tabling consideration of the request was to allow Cookeville City Forester Jeff Fitzpatrick to complete a more thorough examination of the trees for the purpose of determining whether any might feasibly be saved. Mr. Carlen specifically requested that the removal of seven (7) street canopy trees be approved. He indicated in his application that the trees are in poor condition and are a hazard to power lines as well as to vehicles along North Dixie Avenue. He also indicated in the application that the trees would be replaced. The Design Guidelines for the North Dixie Avenue Historic District specify in Section X, Guidelines for Landscaping, Accessory Structures and Signs, Subsection A, General Landscaping, (6) that “canopy trees along North Dixie Avenue shall be removed only when necessary and shall be replaced, where appropriate to maintain the street canopy”. The Zoning Code provisions for the HS, Historic District require that certain determinations be made in evaluating an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. These are as follows:  The proposed action is in harmony with the intent of the HS District.  The proposed action would complement other structures within the HS District. HISTORIC ZONING COMMISSION 2 JUNE 8, 2004  The proposed action complies with the “Standards for Rehabilitation” as promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior.  The proposed action complies with the Design Guidelines for the North Dixie Avenue Historic District. Staff recommended approval of Certification of Appropriateness subject to confirmation from the City Forester as to what, if any, trees should be removed and to the replacement of any removed trees. Jeff Fitzpatrick, City Forester, stated that since the canopy for North Dixie Avenue is vital to the district that he would recommend cutting only 3 trees (# 2, 4, & 5 according to attached copies of the City Forester’s presentation) and reduce the crown on the other trees to help save them and to plant 6 replacement trees. Calvin Dickinson made the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness subject to removal of only 3 trees and crown removal on remaining tress as approved by the City Forester subject to replacement with 6 trees as specified by City Forester. Alma Anderson seconded the motion. Votes: Don Prince--aye, Calvin Dickinson--aye, Greg Stamps--nay, Alma Anderson--aye, and Mary Jean Delozier--aye. APPROVED. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL HISTORIC ZONING DISTRICT DESIGNATION ALONG WEST BROAD STREET BETWEEN OAK AND CEDAR AVENUES AND INCLUDING THE DEPOT. James Mills stated that the purpose of the Public Hearing is to solicit comments from property owners along West Broad Street between Cedar and Oak Avenues regarding the establishment of a Historic District. The proposed district consists of 13 parcels and includes the Cookeville Depot Museum. The area is zoned CBD, Central Business District. As was noted at the May 2004 meeting, the required two-thirds majority approval of property owners in the original area proposed for Historic District designation, consisting of 42 parcels along West Broad Street between Walnut and Oak Avenues, was not obtained. However, in soliciting opinions regarding the establishment of a district for the original area, 8 of 12 property owners in the area between Cedar and Oak Avenues indicated that they favored the establishment of a historic district. For this revised area, this represents the required two-thirds majority approval. With the inclusion of the Depot Museum the approval margin is 69 percent (9 of 13). Because it has been several months since the responses of property owners were obtained, the Planning Department contacted the owners of the 12 parcels in the revised area to obtain their opinions regarding the formation of a Historic District. This was also done because of a change in the ownership of one of the parcels originally in favor of designation. As of today, the Planning Department has received new responses from 8 of the 12 property owners all in favor of designation. HISTORIC ZONING COMMISSION 3 JUNE 8, 2004 All of the structures within the revised boundary of the Historic District can be considered as historic. This was not the case for the area originally considered. Staff recommended approval of the establishment of a Historic District overlay zone to include 13 parcels (including the Depot Museum) located along West Broad Street between Cedar and Oak Avenues with recommendation to the Planning Commission and City Council. Calvin Dickinson made the motion to approve a Historic Zoning District to include 12 properties located on West Broad Street between Cedar and Oak Avenues and including the Depot for a total of 13 properties. Alma Anderson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: 6:30 P.M. SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL SUBMITTED FOR RECORDING ___________________________ __________________________________ JAYNE BARNS CPS DON PRINCE, CHAIRMAN PLANNING ASSISTANT COOKEVILLE HISTORIC ZONING