Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Heidi and John Lario for Approval of a Historic Marker for the Property Located at 512 W. Virginia Street.
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney by promoting reinvestment activities and ordinance changes in Historic Downtown McKinney that balance preservation of historic character and current market needs.
MEETING DATE: May 4, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Cassie Bumgarner, Historic Preservation Planner
Paula Jarrett Nasta, AIA, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDED HPAB ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of this Historic Marker Application.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The applicant requests approval of a Historic Marker under the HNIZ Program property at 512 W Virginia Street.
• To be eligible for a historic marker under the HNIZ program, residential properties must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the program, provide specific information with the historic marker application.
• Staff has reviewed the request and has found that it meets the minimum eligibility requirements of the HINZ program for a historic marker.
• Specifically, the applicant must provide the following with an application for a historic marker:
o A written documented history.
o Verification that the building is a minimum of 50 years of age.
o Verification that the residential property is located within the HNIZ boundary.
o Photo documentation of all four elevations using black and white or color photographs and copies of any available historic photographs.
o Legal description of the property with a location map.
o A site plan of the property shall be provided, if available.
o Additional information as deemed necessary by the Director of Planning or their designee.
• The home is listed as a high priority building built in 1920 in the 2015 Update of the Historic Resources survey. A high priority building contributes significantly to local history or broader historical patterns; is an outstanding or unique example of architecture, engineering or crafted design; retains a significant portion of its original character and contextual integrity; meets in some cases, criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and/or is eligible for a Texas Historical Marker.
Construction and Alterations to the property:
• Built late 1919/early 1920 as a one-story, wood-frame structure on pier and beam foundation
• Detached garage built circa 1950
• Detached carport built circa 1985
• The porch was screened prior to 1985
• Kitchen Remodel in 2022
History of the home and people associated with the property:
• Prior homesteads of Mrs. M. L. Neal, WC Gray and Mattie Gray, and John Edward Gibson and Clara Gibson.
• The home has had several owners, but the longtime owners, the Strother family, have local significance as professionals in the community, educators, and proprietors.
• Pearl Strother purchased the land in 1919 and started building a “modern six room cottage” contracted from well-known McKinney home builder J. M. Pistole.
• The home is a Craftsman bungalow with a cross-gabled roof, exposed rafter tails, and 4 over 1 Craftsman style windows.
• Pearl Strother was appointed as the first woman for County Clerk after her husband George passed away. She then served as deputy clerk for over 15 years.
• Later in life, Pearl and her daughters would be educators for McKinney Independent School District.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone (HNIZ) Program was established in 2008 for the purpose of preserving the city’s unique and historic neighborhoods while encouraging property owners to maintain and/or rehabilitate residential properties and structures.
• The HNIZ Program includes a three-tiered incentive structure whereby residential properties that meet specified criteria are eligible to receive ad valorem tax exemptions on city taxes for a designated period of time.
• To be eligible for an HNIZ Program incentive, the following minimum general requirements apply:
o The property shall be located within the HNIZ Program area.
o The property shall be owner-occupied and shall maintain a homestead exemption from the Collin Central Appraisal District for the life of the incentive period.
o Verified, eligible improvements shall have received all necessary permits and approvals, including COAs.
o The structure, accessory structures, grounds, property elements and building elements with their materials and finishes have been maintained in good repair and in operable condition.
o There are no pending code violations.
o The total ad valorem taxes owed to the city must be current and paid on time.
• The historic marker is one of the requirements for the Marker Level incentive of the HNIZ program.
• Under Ordinance #2022-03-036, if the HPAB approves the Marker, the applicant will be responsible for purchasing and displaying the Historic Marker.