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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2018-05-01 minutesCity of Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Regular Meeting – Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Council Chambers – John G. Christy Municipal Building 320 E. McCarty Street Commission Members Present Attendance Record Mary Schantz 6 of 6 Steven Hoffman 6 of 6 Bill Case 6 of 6 Donna Deetz 6 of 6 Art Hernandez 5 of 6 Nathan Percy 6 of 6 Doug Record 5 of 6 Commission Member Not Present Jane Moore 5 of 6 Council Liaison Present Laura Ward Staff Present Sonny Sanders, Planning and Protective Services Director Eric Barron, Planning and Protective Services Planning/MPO Manager Jayme Abbott, Neighborhood Services Manager Sheri Johnston, Neighborhood Services Specialist Kelly English, Neighborhood Services Assistant and Commission Secretary Bryan Wolford, Associate City Counselor Guests who Testified During Public Hearing Jenny Smith, property owner of 2 parcels of land in the proposed district Jane Beetem, resident at 1612 Payne, Jefferson City Patsy Johnson, Jefferson City Cultural Arts Foundation and 908 Lafayette St. resident Tony Smith, property owner of 2 parcels of land in the proposed district Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Quinn Chapel AME Church Glover W Brown, Friends of Lafayette and the Historic Foot District Matt Holland, had rental property in the proposed district Tristan Hayes, 412 Lafayette St. resident in the proposed district Call to Order Mary Schantz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Adoption of Agenda Donna Deetz moved the agenda be adopted as printed. Steven Hoffman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes Steven Hoffman moved the minutes from the April 10, 2018, Regular Meeting be approved as printed. Bill Case seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. New Business School Street Local Historic District Application and Proposed Design Guidelines Eric Barron presented the staff report on the School Street Local Historic District Application and the Proposed Design Guidelines. He informed the Commission of the following staff concerns regarding the application: 2  Lack of strong connection between historic events and boundaries of district,  Architecture, while being reminiscent of early century buildings, lacks notable or defining elements,  Lack of historic identity amongst the general public,  Conflict with prior historic studies. Eric Barron stated that the Proposed Design Guidelines are fairly typical for a historic district, and only apply to exterior changes to houses in the School Street Local Historic District. He stated that the Design Guidelines would not be part of a subjective review process with the commission acting as the review board for any proposal to modify buildings in the area. Eric Barron recommended that Commission Members carefully consider the information put forward as justification for the historic district designation, as well as the level of historic designation that is sought. The following citizens were present to testify about the School Street Local Historic District:  Jenny Smith is the applicant for the proposed historic district and spoke in favor of the Local Historic District application. Jenny and Tony Smith live at 1211 Elmerine Ave., Jefferson City. They own 2 parcels within the proposed School Street Historic District; 612 and 614 E. McCarty St. Jenny said FEMA had informed several interested individuals, via conference call and an email that the City was in charge of managing local flood plains. She believes the local historic designation would lift restrictions imposed by the FEMA flood plain regulations regarding the 50% substantial improvement rule in the proposed district. Jenny said she thought it would allow property owners in the area the ability to further improve their homes which would revitalize the area. She said if the structures are demolished, FEMA prohibits new construction on the area.  Art Hernandez asked Jenny Smith why was the application was filed now and not years earlier. He stated that many of the structures need significant rehabilitation. Jenny responded that it should have been done earlier. She said they are hoping with the lifting of the 50% substantial improvement rule, it will allow more opportunities for property owners to make necessary improvements to the properties in the proposed district. Art said it appeared, by the viewing the signatures on the application, that about 80% of the homes are not owner-occupied.  Jane Beetem is a resident at 1612 Payne Dr., Jefferson City, and she spoke in favor of the application. She explained the reasoning given to the boundaries of the proposed Local Historic District application. She said about 25% of the properties are owner- occupied. She said Quinn Chapel was not included in the proposed district due to it being a newer building, less than 10 years old. She said many of the property owners cannot obtain a building permit for the expensive repairs needed at this time, but hopes that if the designation as a Local Historic District is in place, the 50% rule will be waived so that the necessary repairs can be done. She said property owners want to fix up their properties but just aren’t allowed to right now.  Patsy Johnson, of 908 Lafayette St., Jefferson City, spoke in favor of the Local Historic District application as a life-long resident and as a member of the Jefferson City Cultural Arts Foundation. 3  Tony Smith, of 1211 Elmerine Ave., Jefferson City, owns 2 parcels within the proposed School Street Historic District. He spoke in favor of the Local Historic District application.  Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, is Pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church at 415 Lafayette St., and spoke neutrally about the Local Historic District application. She disagrees with the current boundaries of the proposed district, and feels they were excluded from the proposed historic district. She stated Quinn Chapel is very invested in the area that has been historically African American. She feels the exclusion in the historic district is reminiscent of segregation, and feels it is insulting. She would like the matter to be put on hold so that more people could weigh in on the matter to see what is feasible for the area. She would like to see an opportunity for commerce in the area, and if it becomes a historic district that it may affect zoning for commercial use. The neighborhood is declining because there is nothing there.  Glover Brown, Exec. Director of the Friends of Lafayette St. and the Historic Foot District. He is a resident at 1700 Valley High Rd. He disagrees with the current boundaries of the proposed district. He said in his opinion the applicants are planning to use the proposed designation to get around FEMA’s 50% rule to improve properties to enhance their personal investments. Glover requested the Commission Members table the motion to approve the Local Historic District application until the next meeting to allow time to do research and put an economic development package prepared for 408 Lafayette, 624 E. McCarty and 410 Lafayette St.  Matt Holland, and a partner are property owners of 624 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City. Matt spoke neutrally regarding the Local Historic District application. His rental property is not in the flood plain and he is 100% indifferent to what happens.  Art Hernandez asked Bryan Wolford for counsel regarding what effect tabling the application would have on the application itself. Bryan Wolford stated if the Commission does not act on the Local Historic District application at this meeting, or if they table the agenda item, the applicants will have to reapply for the designation as School Street Local Historic District and resubmit the application. Bryan said according to a provision in City Code, in Section 847, a continuance must be requested by the applicant before the hearing process has begun.  Tristan Hayes, of 412 Lafayette St. and life-long resident of the area, spoke in favor of the Local Historic District application. He has watched the neighborhood decline and would like it to be revitalized again.  Art Hernandez moved to approve the School Street Local Historic District Application. Donna Deetz seconded the motion. Motion passed.  Donna Deetz moved to approve the School Street Local Historic District Proposed Design Guidelines. Nathan Percy seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Old Business Landmark Designation – 1213 Elmerine Ave. Jayme Abbott presented the staff report for the amended Landmark Designation application submitted by Kevin and Judy Murray for their home at 1213 Elmerine Ave. The property is not the Dalton house, as previously thought, but it is the Collette house. Staff recommends that the property be considered for the Landmark Designation Award. If approved, the property will be considered for approval by Council during the May 7 Council Meeting. 4 Bill Case moved to approve the amended Landmark Designation application. Steven Hoffman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Section 106 Review a. 1406 Debra Ave  Jayme Abbott presented the staff report regarding Section 106 Review at 1406 Debra Ave.  Art Hernandez removed himself as a voter on the Section 106 Review for 1406 Debra Ave. because he owns property on Debra Ave.  Steven Hoffman moved to approve the Section 106 Review for 1406 Debra Ave. Doug Record seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. b. 210 Dawson St.  Jayme Abbott presented the staff report regarding Section 106 Review at 210 Dawson St.  Steven Hoffman moved to approve the Section 106 Review for 201 Dawson St. Art Hernandez seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Other Business Art Hernandez read his resignation from the Historic Preservation Commission aloud to those present. His resignation is effective on June 15, 2018. Commission Members agreed that Art will be difficult to replace. Mary Schantz thanked Art for his service. Dates to Remember a. Heritage Week Celebration, Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. b. Next Meeting, June 12, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Adjournment Art Hernandez moved the meeting adjourn. Bill Case seconded the motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.