Historic Preservation Commission - Regular Meeting

And welcome to Historic Preservation Commission. Today is Tuesday, 05/20/2025. I'd like to call the meeting to order at 06:00. A, call meeting to order. I've done that one. B, roll call.

Commissioner Conrad? Here. Commissioner Ellum? Here. Commissioner Simmons? Here. Commissioner Wolf? Here. Vice chair Parson?

Here. Chair Whitaker? Here. C, pledge allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag, to The United States Of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Pledge allegiance to

the Texas one state under God, one and indivisible. You.

Can we get our monitors turned on up here, please?

Yeah. Our screens are blank. They're not on. They're thinking about it. Alright. Thank you. Alright. D is citizen communication. Miss Judy Anderson, preservation sorry. Round Rock Preservation. Come aboard.

Good evening, commissioners. I just wanna bring you up to date on all the activities for historic preservation month. Round Rock preservation has focused more on education and having opportunities present themselves or we look for those opportunities to educate the public about historic preservation and about Round Rock's history. We had some great opportunities for that last week. We had been contacted to talk to first graders at Forest Creek Elementary School.

And so we took advantage of that opportunity and there were a little more than a hundred first graders seated on the floor at the library and we gave them history about Round Rock, how Round Rock was and how it is now and compare the two. They were so well behaved, so attentive and engaged and really gave us impetus to do more of that. If we can engage the youth and the children in this community to be interested in our heritage and our history, I think that helps our focus going forward and brings another audience, if you will. So we did that and then our history program on Tuesday was Randy Michna from Old Settlers. He gave a very entertaining and informative discussion about the history of Old Settlers.

And then the Center Art Club, we had that event last Thursday night, which is another great partnership. We've really been working on partnerships with other entities that can meld together with the preservation ideas that we have. And the Center Art Club has a display over at Baca Center. If you've not seen it, I encourage you to go in and look at it of Round Rock art and there are some excellent pieces over there. So that was a really good evening for all of us.

And the library display, speaking of art, is still on the 3rd Floor. If you haven't been over there, please try to go and do that. All of these activities really add more spotlight on the commission, I think, for people to not only be aware of the things that we're doing, but then it adds importance and a signature to what the Historic Preservation Commission does for the city. And part of our education focus this year is to write articles on a monthly basis that get posted in the Facebook page, Round the Rock. And Stephanie Tyler has partnered with us to make sure those are published every month and we are writing those.

The one we will submit for the month of May highlights some of the events of historic preservation month, which will be good to get that out to the public as well for those that are not aware of all of that. And Saturday the tenth, we had a black history presentation because that didn't happen in February. Ella Sauls Morrison delivered that history, it was amazing. She one incredible woman and all the stories, personal experience and family and neighbors, that was really very good. So our efforts to partner with other like minded groups, I think is paying off for us and touching school children is really working well for us.

You know, last year in May, we had the seventh graders from Pearson Ranch Middle School give the program at the Baca Center and then to tap into elementary school. I think that's just furthering our message. I've probably gone over three minutes. Any questions for me? So thank you all for the participation, those of you that have participated in these events this month. Really great.

Thank you. Well, Judy, we can't thank you and your organization enough for all that you do. You just take it more and more. Every time you tell me things you're doing, I think, okay, they've hit their limit, then you do 10 more things. Thank you so much. You guys are doing a fabulous job, and we're so appreciative and so proud to be a part of that.

Thank you. We're proud to partner with you.

Thanks, Judy. Okay. Number e is approval of minutes. Consider e one, consider approval of the minutes of the 04/21/2025 historic preservation commission meeting. Hopefully, you had a chance to look at the minutes that were in our packet. If you have any questions, anything that needs to be corrected, please talk about it now. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? K. Can I have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve the minutes.

Thank you, Andrew. Second?

Second it.

Thanks, Richard. You wanna take a vote for us, person?

Mhmm. Commissioner Conrad? Yes. Commissioner Ellum? Yes. Commissioner Simmons? Yes. Commissioner Wolf?

Yes.

Commissioner Vice Chair Barson? Yes. Chair Whitaker?

Yes. Alright. The minutes are approved as presented. Thank you. F, certificate of appropriateness. F one, consider a presentation and action regarding a certificate of appropriateness for 609 E Liberty Avenue H P 25 Dash 010.

Good evening, questioners. So this is 609 East Liberty. It's believed to have been built by J. E. And Anna Gustafson around 1920. W. Cat gives the date of 1930. It's Style is Folk National. The attic was converted between to living space sometime between 1974 and 1995. And this case concerns the two existing garages flaunting fronting Black Street.

It's the corner with the front facing Black Street. Oh, sorry. The front facing Liberty and then the side street facing Black Street. The larger of the two garages first appears in historic aerials in the nineteen seventies. The smaller garage is older, but unfortunately, most of the historic aerials of the area obscure obscured by trees.

And the request is to demolish the existing garages and construct a new three guard garage with an upstairs apartment. It should be noted that this project is also under, building and zoning review, and so there are there are some conflicts there. Things may change, in the future. There are conflicts regarding to setback heights, unit size, and driveway access. None of these are appropriateness issues, but just be aware that the design could change in the future to meet these conditions.

Looking at the, excuse me, the criteria for evaluation is the Secretary of Standards relating to for rehabilitation relating to new construction are number nine and ten. Number nine is that the new work will be differentiated from the old, but compatible with the historic compatible with the existing structure in terms of his materials, features, size, scale, and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. And number 10 is that any new construction will be easily removable without affecting the historic property. So the first step in this is to consider the demolition of the existing garages. The like, as noted, the two car garage first appears in the nineteen seventies.

The one car garage is smaller. It's older. It's hard to tell how old. There are there are nineteen thirty seven and nineteen fifties aerials. There's a tree there obscuring that corner of the lot.

The historic interest is in what is interesting about that building historically is that it's was built for a smaller vehicle than currently it's and not in that case, we were well into automobile era at that point, but different scale than the current vehicles. And Steph does not believe that demolition would detract from the historic character of the property. As far as these citing massing and height of the the proposed structure, it's something that would be hard to see from the front side of the house. It would be it would be kind of behind this tree in the back. There's a there is a tree between the front and the back that's which affects visibility.

And also the grade that the garage is at is three feet lower, which is kind of exaggerated in the lower photo, but let's look at the the idea there. Steph feels that the siding massing height overall proportions are appropriate. It's oriented to a side street. They're proposing the same footprint as an existing structure. One of the things about that is that there's a currently in a zero setback.

It looks deeper because there's a lot of right of way in between. This whole area between the street and there is is right of way, not private. It looks like a setback, but it isn't. But the zoning will require a five foot setback, and so it may be set further, a little further back here. As far as analysis, as far as roof shape, Steph felt the asymmetric roof is rather out of keeping with both the historic house on this property and neighboring houses that are all kind of from the pre World War II era.

Partly the asymmetry of this of the shape and partly because the gable is facing the long side of the building. Normally, the gable would be on the short side, and then the ridge would go the long way on the building. The other thing about having a the gable facing the front is it emphasizes the height, and if you're trying to make it take a secondary keep a secondary character compared to the historic structure, then you kinda wanna not emphasize height. Steph felt that it would be appropriate to have a gabled or hipped roof with lengthwise ridge, and just showing what that looks like is even when you have the even when it's the same overall height, just having the ridge turn the other way makes it less apparent from the from the street. Regarding the windows and doors, staff felt the size, style, placement of windows, and trim was appropriate.

What was specified was a two two hundred series, and assuming that if that's Anderson, then that would be vinyl clad wood, which we've not approved before. We have not approved vinyl or vinyl clad windows even in even for new construction. We have we have approved aluminum clad wood as well as wood, depending on the depending on the details. Another thing to note is that the Mountain Grills must be on the exterior of the glass. This series among and many others offer several options for that.

We're including grills between the glass, is something we try to avoid. It's unclear whether they intended the applicant intended the pet the person door to also be from the 200 series because that 200 series includes doors. But if it did, regardless, the specifications and conditions would be the same. Regarding the garage doors, it's not clear whether these are just illustrated doors as placeholders or if they're exact what they're proposing to install. What the applicant said, indicated standard fiberglass doors, which could be a a lot of things.

And but Steph thinks it's fine as long as it's it's simple design and simple glazing pattern. The most important thing is that they're single car doors. Siding and trim, Steph felt excuse me. It's the applicant specified fiber cement siding and turbines, and we have the HPC has approved fiber cement before as long as it has a smooth on new construction in the area, as long as it has a smooth texture, not the fake wood grain texture. The applicant roofing choice was a steel panel that has a few ribs in it and then with a black finish.

The this the historic structure on the property has black composition shingle roof, so same color. The other there are several other historic properties in the in the in the neighborhood or immediate area that have the same type of roofing but in a galvanized finish always. And so far, HPC has not improved prefinished metal roofing, but believe that it's acceptable because this is new construction and because it's a garage. The paint selections were Valspar's lionfish, it's a gray, and didn't specify the sheen. Steph believes that color is appropriate if the trim is white.

Steph believes that the garage doors should be the same color as the walls, but the doors could be either the same or a contrasting color. That'd be fine. So going to the recommendation, we're citing the applicable standards for rehabilitation number nine and ten. Staff recommends approval with the following conditions. First, any alterations to meet zoning, building, and or transportation requirements must be reviewed by preservation staff to determine whether amendments to the certificate of appropriateness are necessary.

The two garages may be demolished because they are not mentioned as significant in the historic resources survey form and because they're utility buildings. The roof shape presented is not appropriate and must be redesigned in a hipped or gabled form with the ridge running lengthwise. Revised plans must be submitted to preservation staff for review. Metal panel roofing is appropriate. Prefinished black color is appropriate for a new construction garage.

Fiber cement, lap siding, and trim are appropriate but must have a smooth texture. Windows must be wood or metal clad wood. Staff must approve series before the series before ordering. The door and garage door selections must be confirmed by staff because they haven't been indicated yet. Appropriate doors would be wood or fiberglass with a simple design and glazing pattern and may not include plastic moldings.

Where there are divided lights on the windows, doors, or garage doors, the grills must be on the exterior of the glass. Hardware selections have not been made and must be confirmed by staff. And the paint color lionfish is appropriate if paired with a white trim color. The garage doors must have the same color scheme as the walls, but the sander doors may be a contrasting color paint or stain. So your motion, should specify what modifications of the plans and in addition to specifying, you know, whether these are the conditions you would want to apply to it, also if there are is anything that would make you want to see what would make you want this to come back to the commission instead of just being reviewed by staff.

And do we have the applicant? Yes, we do. Would you like to say something?

Regarding the comments that you made, the only thing was to approve

Could you come up to the microphone, please? Sorry. And you're the owner?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. Thank you. Yes.

Regarding the comments that were made, the roof orientation is the only thing that that I really wanted to see what the perspective was. I have no issue with reorientating it as mentioned. If that's necessary, the rest of the finishes and things are we would abide by all whatever the expectations are for those.

Was the roof for solar radiation?

The reason that the roof is constructed the way it is in the plants right now is because of the interior layout, the way the rooms are laid out, the small pitches orientated directly over the kitchen area and the dining space, and then the lower pitched areas over the bedrooms. And and that's the purpose of that. If we have to modify the roof, then I would have to go back in and redesign the interior space. But if that's what you all are deeming as necessary, then that's the approach that would be taken.

Okay. Commissioners, do you have any questions for the homeowner?

So it was said that you all are gonna have to go and have, a five foot setback for planning and zoning. Is that right? Is that something like where are you all in that process to know if you're gonna have to have that setback?

My understanding of that is that that's later on down the road whenever the city development occurs. Right now, the current construction activities that are related to this project won't impact that at all. So whenever the city makes final decisions on what they wanna do with sidewalks and parallel street parking, it won't impact the the new construction that's taking place.

So your building will not be too close to the city property at that point?

Right. Because right now, we have allowable space for a full parking. But then what was shown in the presentation, the gravel area, that's about a five foot section that is immediate to the street. That area, we're not doing any construction on as well as the existing drive space that's there right now. We're only impacting the footprint of the building that's existing.

The existing building is on the property line. The fence line is the property line that was shown in the illustration. I thought I read.

Okay. First, to make sure The new building would have to be five feet back from that fence line. Is that correct? Yes.

So when, once the CFA, is approved, then they can go through the building permitting process. And this is a little bit different project because it's residential, so it will just go through building permit. They need the CFA to get the building permit, and then there'll be a review. So there may be some modifications that need to occur, like moving the building back or something else that will happen later which may impact the design.

Is the ceiling indicated on the plans? Is it flat ceilings?

It's a flat ceiling, but in the overhead utilities and things, we create that pitch space to run overhead utilities. But the ceiling, yes, on the inside 2nd Floor, it's a flat ceiling.

Anything else, commissioners? Thank you so much.

Sure. Thank you.

Okay. If there's no other discussion or questions on this, the recommendation that I understand is that we can use the staff recommendation as is. If we want to add anything to it, we may add it as an addition. And, of course, the the main and most important thing is any changes of any kind need to come back to staff for approval.

I'd like to make a motion to accept the staff recommendations with the exception of the roof design to allow the roof design to stay as it is, and any modifications to the plan that are not gonna be able to be reviewed and approved by staff should should come back to us.

Thank you, Andrew. Do I

have a second? I'll second it. Thank you. Commissioner?

Sorry, that was second was from Commissioner Ellum? Yes. Okay.

Can I just clarify something concerning what comes back to staff? So normally window selections, door selections, those require HPC review, so all of those would come back to you all?

If you can't if you can't make the decision, then, yes, you can bring it back to us. But we've been letting those kind of things go to y'all, as long as you, like, you already have it in the recommendations for those things. So if they change drastically from those, then they'd come back to us. Okay.

We good? Yep. Then let's take a vote for the motion, please.

Okay. Commissioner Conrad? Yes. Commissioner Ellum? Yes. Commissioner Simmons? Yes. Commissioner Wolf?

Yes.

Vice chairperson? Yes. And chair Whitaker?

Yes. Motion carries. Thank you, guys. Thank you, sir, for coming in.

Okay. Next item, the partial property tax exemptions first. I'm sorry. That's

My turn. G tax exemptions g one, consider a recommendation regarding applications for the twenty twenty five partial tax exemptions for historical significant sites. Kirsten. Okay.

As a overview of the program here, the goal of the program is to prevent deterioration of the city's historic resources and rewards timely and appropriate maintenance to prevent the loss their loss. Approval is based on meeting specific maintenance criteria that are spelled out in the ordinance through inspections and verified through inspections. Purpose is to identify items that if left unrepaired will cause structural damage or compromise its historic integrity. Exempt the ex exemption exempts 75% of the city's portion of the property taxes, and the savings is encouraged to be reinvested in property maintenance. The program requires application to the appraisal district between January 1 and April 30 each year that the that the owner wishes to participate.

The property must have a historical relay of zoning, and the applicant must have owned it since January 1. Staff completes the inspections as the applications are received mostly in March and April, and commissioners are assigned a set of inspection reports to evaluate. The inspection reports and photos are are relayed via via SharePoint. And at today's meeting, you will vote on recommendation to city council for which properties meet the criteria for the exemption as as given in exhibit a. The council must adopt the ordinance by July 15, and the the currently, the first reading is scheduled for June 26.

The 2020 as for outreach, the 2024 inspection reports were sent out to the owners in July, and the owner had until August 31 to appeal any items they that were to be completed by this year. WCADS also sent out paper applications to in January to everyone who had applied last year. In early twenty twenty five, staff sent out application information to owners of eligible properties and that had not applied in 2024 and postcards to owners reminding them to address maintenance items from the 2024 inspections. Also sent a letter to the new owner of an eligible property about the exemption program. And, before counsel has their public hearing, there are required there's required public notice.

These are the 16 items that are given in the ordinance and on the inspection report form. The note last one is keep property shall be kept in conformance with all city codes, which also means changes what made without a certificate of appropriate or must be made with a certificate of appropriateness. Each of the 16 maintenance criteria are checked pass or needs maintenance pass. Either means there's no maintenance issue or there's something to keep an eye on that doesn't necessarily need to be addressed by the following year. Needs maintenance is something that's expected to be addressed by the following year, and either the repair completed or progress made on a complete on a complex repair.

This year, there were 52 applications, 19 of which were current are currently rated pass. 32 were rated needs maintenance rated that needs maintenance on exhibit A, and one inspection is currently rated fail. If all 52 are awarded the exemption, the total would be $1.05 $100,100 and and $60,689 If 51 are awarded the exemption, then the total would be $163,786 The ratings are all given in exhibit a, which will be the which will be the HPC's recommendation to city council. And at this meeting, you should the commission should specify any changes to the overall rating to any specific item rating or wording in any inspection report. The one currently not meeting standards is the 10 Chisholm Trail.

In the 2024 inspection, it was noted there were painted several spots with paint adhesion and and rot on the siding. There was rot at the bottom of the garage wall. That was repaired, and that was noted on this year's this year's inspection report. And number 19, as part of the board and batten siding, had been replaced with lap siding without a certificate of appropriateness. When they received the when the commissioner gave it an initial fail rating, it was conveyed to the applicant, and the applicant's contractor responded to staff that the plan is to replace all the siding on the building, not just this one section, which was not clear at the point.

And also that the original siding was Dutch lap, which is still on the gable, and what was put on the side here is just flat lap. The Dutch lap is kind of like this, and then there's a scoop under the where it laps over. And did not get an indication of whether they intend to apply for a certificate of appropriateness soon or not. So, staff recommendation is to recommend exhibit of approve of exhibit a as the HBC's recommendations to city council for applications whose properties meet the requirements for the 2025 historic property tax exemption. If discussion leads to any changes of the ratings in exhibit a, the change must be noted as an amendment to the motion.

If any of the application ratings are to be included in the recommendation as a fail rating, there's currently one, It is necessary to include an amendment with specific findings as to why the exemption should not be awarded. Suggested wording to move to approve Exhibit A as the HBC's recommendation of the City Council, And if exhibit a is unchanged, I'm in the motion to note that the property at 10 Chisholm Trail does not meet the requirements for the tax exemption because it did not adequately address maintenance items number four and sixteen. If you change, 10 Chisholm Trails ratings to NM to then you need an amendment excuse me. You need an amendment to, amend the motion to change the rating in exhibit a for 10 Chisholm Trail to needs maintenance, and then, other amendments to any other changes to exhibit a or to an inspection report.

Okay. Thank you, Kirsten.

Alright. Commissioners, do we have any discussion, questions? As you could see from the 2024, report, this had been reported as needed maintenance, and it wasn't done as maintenance. They didn't come to us with a CFA asking to do what they've done. So that's that's where the the confusion is at this point to my understanding.

A So our choices are if you wanna think do on that one for a second, if you go back two more pages, it's the list of all of the the inspections and the ratings on them. And if you'll notice, they're either all pass or needs maintenance until you get to this particular one, which is the Number 10 Chisholm Trail, and it is marked fail. So if you determine to go with that and have and if you want to talk about any of the other ones as they're rated, those that can come to discussion at this point also, as normal. If we want to go with the recommendation of staff, then we can do that and approve it as is, and that's how it will go to city council. Correct?

Did I say that right? Yes. So

discussion questions? So, I'm gonna move to a note staff's recommendation that they come back with the contractor that has been instructed to apply for CFA, so to keep that, status as fail. So you want it as

let me get back to the page. Yeah. I'm sorry. As Bail until the Exhibit A from a spreadsheet. So your your motion is to approve it

As as stated. Stated. Okay. And then they come they can come back from the CFA, the contractor specifically. Exactly.

Okay. Any other questions, concerns? Joelle's going to tell us something here. No. I'm just moving it back to the Oh, okay. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So the motion at this point is exhibit a as is approved the way that it's been stated to us. So we've got the motion. Do we

have a second?

I'll second it.

All right, Richard. Thank Let me let

me motion to approve I'm sorry?

Let me motion first. I thought you did. I'm sorry. No, didn't. Just had Oh, yes, question. I'm sorry. I'm going to go ahead and move to motions. Apologize. It's okay. Go ahead. I'll

motion to move to staff recommendation. Okay.

Thank you. I apologize. No worries.

I'll second that.

Okay. Alright. Thank you. Alright. Kersten, can we have a vote, please?

Okay. Commissioner Conrad?

Yes.

Commissioner Ellum? Yes. Commissioner Simmons? Yes. Commissioner Wolf?

Yes.

Vice Chairperson? Yes. Chair Whitaker?

Yes. Okay. So, we've had the motion and the second and we have voted and the motion carries as presented to the commission. Thank you. Okay. H, planner report h one, consider a monthly update regarding projects relating to historic preservation commission actions and goals.

Good evening, commissioners. Your monthly update for the month of May is included in your packet. Judy Anderson has shared some of the events and initiatives for preservation month, in addition to the events that she spoke to, the chalk wagon dinner as well as Pioneer Day occurred at the May, and over 1,500 people attended Pioneer Day. Staff and Round Rock Preservation, as well as a few commissioners, will be at Music On Main hosting a preservation booth tomorrow evening. The city was the recipient of the Texas Historical Commission's Award for Excellence in Media Achievement for 2024.

And the city was honored at Real Places, a conference held on April 24. There is a training coming up later this summer. The NAPC is hosting a virtual short course that will be a two day online training. If you are interested in attending, please let staff know so we can register you for that short course. Also, just a reminder that the deadline to submit nominations for local legends is June 30.

And one of your goals as a commission for this year was to each solicit a new nomination. So you can find more information on our website. There's a link in the update. And that deadline to submit nominations is June 30. Do you have any questions or comments about anything in the monthly update?

No, thanks. Thank you so much, Appreciate it.

And we have some photos as well. I didn't progress this So you'll see the table at Music on Main, the history banners that are currently displayed at the library, as well as Round Rock Preservations exhibit on the 3rd Floor, and then a few photos from the Chuckwagon dinner and Pioneer Day.

Great. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. H2, consider discussion regarding upcoming preservation events and activities. Does anyone have anything to share? I love May, but thank goodness we're almost done with it because it gets a little crazy. Thank you so much. I do have a quick question if I could. What date what is the date that we will go back to the city council with the recommendations?

Their first hearing is June 26.

June what?

June 26 is the the meeting that they'll be presented at.

June 26 is what you said? Mhmm. Okay. I'm sorry. Thank you. All right. Thank you so much. All right. Is there anything else that needs to be discussed tonight? Anything we need to talk about? Gosh. We did good tonight then. We're gonna adjourn at 06:30. Thank you.