10-26-2023 (Historic Review) MinutesWylie Historic Review Commission Regular Meeting
October 26, 2023 — 6:00 PM
Council Chambers - 300 Country Club Road, Building #100, Wylie, Texas 75098
CALL TO ORDER
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CITY OF
WYLIE
Chair Sandra Stone called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Chair Sandra Stone, Vice Chair
Allison Stowe, Commissioner Krileigh Hoermann, Commissioner Stephen Burkett, Commissioner Kali Patton,
Commissioner Laurie Sargent, Commissioner Anita Jones, Deputy City Manager Renae 011ie, Director of
Community Services Jasen Haskins, and Administrative Assistant Lillian Baker.
COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
Any member of the public may address Commission regarding an item that is not listed on the Agenda. Members of the public
must fill out a form prior to the meeting in order to speak. Commission requests that comments be limited to three minutes for
an individual, six minutes for a group. In addition, Commission is not allowed to converse, deliberate or take action on any
matter presented during citizen participation.
None approached the Commission
CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the Commission and will be enacted by one motion.
There will not be separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda
and will be considered separately.
A. Meeting Minutes from September 28, 2023 Regular Meeting
Board Action on Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Vice -Chair Stowe and seconded by Commissioner Patton to approve the Consent Agenda
as presented. A vote was taken and carried 7 — 0.
REGULAR AGENDA
Consider and act upon a recommendation to the City Council regarding the demolition of a commercial
structure in accordance with Ordinance No. 2022-34. Property located at 104 S. Ballard. within the
Downtown Historic District.
Board Discussion on Regular Agenda Item #1
Deputy City Manager 011ie presented an overview of the application, from the Wylie Economic Development
Corporation (EDC), to demolish an existing structure, property located at 104 S Ballard within the Downtown
Historic District (DTH). The property has housed multiple businesses, but was a newer addition to the city and does
not have historical significance. The current tenant will vacate the property at the end of October 2023. If approved,
the building will be demolished in December 2023. There is no engineering report because the building is not
dilapidated or structural issues.
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Rachel Hermes with the EDC was present and stated that there are no future plans for this site to date. She further
stated that due to its location it is prime property and the EDC will redevelop and market it to be an asset to the
community.
The question of the mural that is painted on the side came into question by Board and the Commission raised
concern on the preservation of the mural. Hermes informed the commission that the EDC would be thoughtful of
the thoughts of the City regarding the mural. The Commission requested that the mural be documented in some
way, preferably photographs, prior to demolition.
Board Action on Regular Agenda Item #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Stowe and seconded by Commissioner Hoermann to approve
recommendation for demolition, with the condition that the mural be photographed prior to demolition. A vote was
taken and carried 7 — 0.
2. Consider and act upon a recommendation to the City Council regarding the demolition of a commercial
structure in accordance with Ordinance No. 2022-34. Property located at 100 E. Oak St., within the
Downtown Historic District.
Board Discussion on Regular Agenda Item #2
Deputy City Manager 011ie presented an overview of the demolition application from the EDC for the property
located at 100 E Oak St within the DTH. The property is currently being used as a church. The church will vacate
in January of 2024 and demolition will begin in February of 2024. The property has no decay or structural issues
and has no historical significance.
Board Action on Regular Agenda Item #2
A motion was made by Commissioner Patton and seconded by Chair Stone to approve recommendation for
demolition. A vote was taken and carried 7 — 0.
3. Consider and act upon a recommendation to the City Council regarding the demolition of a residential
structure in accordance with Ordinance No. 2022-34. Property located at 300 N. Second St. within the
Downtown Historic District.
Board Discussion on Regular Agenda Item #3
Deputy City Manager 011ie presented the demolition application for the EDC for property located at 300 N Second
St. It was noted that the EDC has purchased all homes on this street with the exclusion of one and the property to
the east. The Commission raised concern that the home appeared older than records showed of 1967. The
Commission inquired why demolition was necessary for a residence that does not have any evident structural issues.
The question was also raised by Chair Stone on why the commercial district was being pushed so far north into the
residential area. Hermes stated that the EDC will be demolishing all the properties and they currently do not have
discussions in progress on what will be developed there in the future. The one residence that they do not own, was
previously attempted to be purchased but the EDC was unable to acquire.
Chair Stone wanted to table the item to find out more information on the exact age of the home, the architecture,
and if it had any historical significance. She felt that more information needs to be researched prior to making a
decision on the demolition. Vice -Chair Stowe stated she would research state records to find accurate and any
historical records on the age of the home.
Board Action on Regular Agenda Item #3
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A motion was made by Chair Stone and Seconded by Vice -Chair Stowe to table Agenda Item 3 until more
information can be researched. A vote was taken and carried 7 — 0.
WORK SESSION
WS1. Discuss Downtown Historic Ordinance
Board Discussion on Work Session
Chair Stone stated that the application that was submitted (I I I Keefer) presented an opportunity to revisit a number
of items within the ordinance. Chair Stone expressed concern over specific ordinances and questioned whether they
were specific enough to make decisions or be interpreted correctly. She stated that the city had few true contributing
residential structures that met both historical architecture and/or historical significance and that she wanted to be
sure that future structures were historically accurate to be added to that list of properties. She also stated that she
wanted to build the district.
The Board discussed 6.3 A of the Ordinance verbiage regarding what a contributing structure is. Deputy City
Manager 011ie noted that the Texas State Historical Commission states that a contributing structure is one that is 50
years or older. Some homes were built outside of existing historical standards, but could be deemed historical at a
future date. Deputy City Manager 011ie noted that a home built in 2023, in 50 years may be deemed historical or it
may not, but there is no way to determine that at this time.
The Board discussed 6.3 E-2(C) of the Ordinance. Chair Stone expressed concern over the verbiage "encourage and
discourage." She stated the verbiage should use words such as "shall/must." Chair noted the most recent application
at 111 Keefer and that the windows were not "Craftsman style." To which the Board noted that the true craftsman
windows were designed for ventilation and were specifically placed when air conditioning was not available and
the standards for windows are different on the recent submission for that reason. Deputy City Manager reiterated
the State Guidelines that the new builds should not be replicas to be confused with originals. She also noted that the
priority of the board was for preservation of the DTH and not exact replication of historic homes.
Commissioner Hoermann stated that the Historic Review Commission (HRC) was an advisory board and not
established to set laws. Commissioner Patton questioned if the HRC was overstepping its boundaries. Commissioner
Jones asked if there are standard lists of historical features. Deputy City Manager 011ie informed the Board that
there is a resource available, from the Secretary of Interior, she uses when reviewing applications and the Board
agreed that applicants should be directed to this resource before filing with the City. Director Haskins cautioned
against using specified language as it could cause unintended consequences by being too restrictive. Chair Stone
wanted the Board to become more familiar with the resource and create a list that needs to be met by applicants.
Deputy City Manager 011ie said this could create issues because it puts applicants and the Board in a restrictive box
and that more open dialogue would be preferred for what is best for the DTH and not personal preference by Board
Members. The Board agreed to remove the encourage/discourage section from the ordinance and for applicants to
reference the resource materials. Chair Stone also questioned if prior to destruction that applications be
accompanied by a Structural Engineer letter. Deputy City Manager 011ie noted that the letter is typically only
required if the building is of decay or not structurally sound and in some instances is waived if the structure does
not fall into that category.
The Board discussed 6.3 — E 4 (iii) of the ordinance relating to the definition of the accessory structure. It was still
determined that a garage is part of the main residence and not in all cases considered an accessory structure and that
it can also depend on the usage. Chair Stone requested that the verbiage be changed to include a garage specifically
as an accessory structure for all new builds in the DTH, again noting the latest application for I I I Keefer. Chair
Stone stated that she had never seen a historic home with an attached garage. Commissioner Burkett noted that he
has seen attached garages on historic homes as he lived in a 1902 Victorian with an attached garage in Galveston,
TX. The Board also discussed setbacks and if those could be adjusted. Director Haskins stated that the setbacks are
firm in the ordinance for the DTH. Chair Stone noted the previous application for I I I Keefer and stated that the
lots were too small for the residence that was wanting to be built and if a variance can be made for the setback to
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include a detached garage if the house was moved closer to the street, that might help the issue. Director Haskins
stated he could consult with the Fire Department and the Engineering Department to see if that was a possibility, as
the location is a corner lot and site visibility for traffic may be an issue if the house is built too close to the street.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Patton and seconded by Commissioner Hoermann to adjourn. A vote was
taken and carried 7 — 0. Chair Stone adjourned the meeting at 7:47
ATTEST
�Wian Baker, Secretary
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