Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Minutes Regular Meeting June 5, 2017 Historic Preservation Commission City of Dripping Springs A City of Dripping Springs Historic Preservation Commission meeting was held on Monday, June 5, 2017, beginning at 5:30 PM in the City Hall, 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, Texas. I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL COMMISSION: Melissa Oehler - Chair Kathryn Chandler - Vice Chair Nicholas Dotin Doyle Fellers Emilie Kopp Bruce Lewis Kelli Tucker STAFF: Michelle Fischer, City Administrator Rachel Goodnight, Administrative Assistant Keenan Smith, Exterior Design, Architectural & Land Planning Consultant Commission Vice Chair Kathryn Chandler calls the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. All present except for Commission Chair Melissa Oehler. II. PRESENTATION BY CITIZENS Floor open to discussion on any subject. No action may be taken by law. Citizens wishing to speak shall do so after being recognized by the Chair. The Chair may establish a time limit on each citizen wishing to speak.-none. III. MINUTES Discussion and possible action regarding: A. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes, February 6, 2017 B. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes, March 6, 2017 C. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes, April 3, 2017 Commissioner Kopp motions to approve the minutes with a correction on the February minutes to change “tees” to “trees” on the second to last page. Commissioner Lewis seconds. Vote: 6:0 in favor, motion passes. D. Discussion of recommended language for stating motions and the preparation of proper minutes. Michelle Fischer reports on the recommendations. No action  is taken. IV. BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding: A. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Historic Site Plaque on “Site Walls” at 102 Old Fitzhugh Rd., Weeton Properties LLC, Applicant 1. Presentation- None 2. Staff Report (Keenan Smith) Consultant Keenan Smith provides an update on the constructed site walls and how the design and layout are appropriate. He clarifies the location of the sign as the angled portion at the end of the wall. The text of the sign has been worked on by the applicant and city staff. The applicant proposes imbedding the plaque in the top of the wall. Michelle Fischer reports that the applicant has verbally agreed to the 11” x 17” size plaque. 3. Public Hearing- No one speaks 4. Certificate of Appropriateness- The Commission discusses changing the location of the plaque to the building or a standing sign post so the plaque can be read by someone walking up and to maintain consistency with the other plaques in the historic district. Commissioner Dotin suggests tabling the item until after he is able to visit the site with the applicant to decide on a new location together. Commissioner Dotin motions to table the item until the next meeting so he and Commissioner Lewis are able to visit the site and bring back recommendations to the Commission. Commissioner Dotin amends his motion to include allowing the subcommittee of Commissioner Dotin and Commissioner Lewis to make the final determination on the location of the plaque. Commissioner Dotin retracts his motion. Commissioner Dotin motions to table the item until he and Commissioner Lewis make a site visit and return to the Commission with recommendations on locations. Commissioner Tucker seconds. Vote: 5:1 in favor, Commissioner Kopp votes against. Motion passes. B. Discuss Historic Preservation Commission Proposed Goals and Action Items within the scope of the Commission's powers and duties, including but not limited to the following: 1. Increase public awareness of the City of Dripping Springs Historic Districts 2. Increase quality of pedestrian traffic in the Historic Districts  3. Define Dripping Springs historic district branding guidelines and increase local business awareness and adoption of these guidelines C. Approval of Historic Preservation Commission Goals and Action Items for Remaining Fiscal Year 2017 D. Proposed Amendment to Fiscal Year 2017 Budget E. Creation of Additional Commission Committees Items B, C, D, and E are not discussed and are tabled until the next meeting. F. Proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Budget City Administrator Michelle Fischer informs the Commission that their 2018 budget request is due next month and asks the Commissioners to send her budget recommendations and requests. The budget preparation calendar is in the meeting packet. The Commission discusses adding Mercer Street traffic control measures to the budget and recommending the Transportation Committee evaluate the traffic on Mercer Street and make recommendations. Commissioner Fellers recommends adding staining the concrete sidewalk on Mercer Street to the 2018 budget. He also recommends having a workshop in the Fall to discuss goals of the Historic Preservation Commission in a proactive rather than a reactive manner. The Commission discusses having the meeting on Mercer Street before the next meeting. They discuss a walking workshop, about 90 minutes long. The Commissioners then discuss walking Mercer Street individually and bringing their recommendations to the July 10th meeting. Commissioner Fellers recommends expanding the Historic District brochure up Old Fitzhugh Road and adding their addresses. City Administrator Michelle Fischer says we are working on adding them to the Historic District Brochure. G. Proposed Old Fitzhugh Road Traffic Control Devices City Administrator Michelle Fischer provides an overview of the proposed Old Fitzhugh Road traffic control devices of keeping the same speed limit on the road and installing several sets of speed humps/tables. She states that representatives of the Historic Preservation Commission will attend the next meeting and give a presentation on the recommendations. The Commission discusses improving Old Fitzhugh Road while preserving the look and feel of the area. City Administrator Michelle Fischer tells the  Commission that the City’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 1 and No. 2 Board will be discussing a recommendation to the Transportation Committee to include Old Fitzhugh Road engineering, surveying, and design of improvements in its Fiscal Year 2018 budget request. The TIRZ Board has determined that improving Old Fitzhugh Road is one if its high priority projects. She recommends that the Commission ask to be included in the decision making to preserve the historical integrity of the area. H. Commission Member Terms Expiring June 2017 Commissioner Fellers and Commissioner Kopp indicate they would like to continue being on the Commission. Commission Chair Oehler is not at the meeting. V. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Dripping Springs has the right to adjourn into executive session at any time during the course of this meeting to discuss any matter as authorized by Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberations about Real Property), 551.073 (Deliberations about Gifts and Donations), 551.074 (Personnel Matters), 551.076 (Deliberations about Security Devices), and 551.086 (Economic Development).-The Commission does not hold an executive session. VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Regular City Council Meeting, June 13, 2017: Workshop 5:30pm/6:30pm Meeting B. Regular Historic Preservation Commission, July 10, 2017 at 5:30pm Commissioner Fellers motions to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Kopp seconds the motion. Vote: 6:0 in favor, motion passes. Meeting adjourns at 6:48 P.M.