Title
Discuss Specific Provisions of the Proposed Improvements to the Historic District Zoning Ordinances
Summary
MEETING DATE: October 18, 2011 - City Council Regular Meeting
DEPARTMENT: City Council
Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Mayor Pro Tem Travis Ussery
Councilmember Don Day
Kevin Spath, AICP, Assistant Director of Planning
Guy Giersch, Historic Preservation Officer
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Discuss and provide feedback
ITEM SUMMARY:
• On September 26, 2011, after several months of research/review of model ordinances and best practices, Staff and the Town Center Study consultant team presented to City Council an update on a substantially complete draft of the proposed consolidation and improvement of the historic district zoning ordinances.
• Based on feedback received during and after the September 26 Work Session, additional clarification/discussion is warranted on 3 specific provisions of the proposed draft:
• Staff’s proposal to add the following new duty of the Historic Preservation Board in Section 146-166(d): “Monitor and report to the Texas Historical Commission (THC) any actions affecting its local county courthouse(s), Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs), National Register (NR) properties, State Archeological Landmarks (SALs), and any locally designated landmark.”-Staff is now recommending that this provision be removed from the draft proposal.
• Staff’s proposal to add the following new provision in Section 146-97(f)(2) in order to help improve the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application process: “If the proposed work includes the replacement or removal of historic exterior architectural features (such as wood windows or wood lap siding), the applicant shall submit a written evaluation of the existing condition of said historic exterior architectural features performed by an independent third party (i.e. a licensed architect, engineer, or contractor) with demonstrated experience and expertise in the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures. The evaluation shall include a signed affidavit from the independent third party, certifying and attesting the level of deterioration of said exterior architectural features and providing an expert opinion of their suitability for repair.”-Staff continues to recommend that this new provision be included in the draft proposal.
• Staff’s proposal in Section 146-97(f)(2) to change the final appeal body in the COA application process from the City Council to the Board of Adjustment.-Staff is now recommending that this change be removed from the draft proposal so that the City Council will continue to be the final appeal body for COA applications.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Staff’s 2011 proposed improvements to the historic district zoning ordinances are the result of the following:
• City Council Goal for 2016: “Vibrant Historic District: Authentic Downtown and Neighborhoods” and City Council Policy Action for 2011-2012: “Research/draft improvements to historic district ordinances.”
• Preferred Concepts from the Town Center Study Vision (adopted in 2008): “Protect historic character” and “Promote adaptive reuse of historic buildings.”
• The City’s unsuccessful application for Certified Local Government (CLG) designation by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in 2009.