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[Landmark Commission on November 3, 2025.]
WE WILL START OUR MEETING OFF WITH ATTENDANCE.COMMISSIONER ALLEN IS ABSENT. VICE CHAIRPERSON BOURGEOIS.
PRESENT. COMMISSIONER CHAISTAIN IS ABSENT. CHAIRPERSON CLICK.
PRESENT. COMMISSIONER FITZ. PRESENT. COMMISSIONER LANGDALE.
PRESENT. COMMISSIONER SMITH. PRESENT. COMMISSIONER STETZEL-THOMPSON.
PRESENT. COMMISSIONER THIERRY. PRESENT. AND EX-OFFICIO COUNCIL MEMBER SHARON LEWIS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU KARINA. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH ANY OF OUR CASES TODAY? NO? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
DID EVERYONE HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK OVER THE MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 20TH MEETING? SEE ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE? NOPE IS THERE ANYONE PUBLIC COMMENT? IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON ANY NON-AGENDA ITEMS. NO? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NEW BUSINESS. WE'LL START WITH OUR FIRST CASE, 25LC-041.
A REQUEST FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS AT 514 17TH STREET.
THANK YOU AS STATED, THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS.
THIS IS FOR A NEW CURB CUT AND DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE SIX PUBLIC NOTICES SENT.
ONE RETURNED THAT ONE WAS IN FAVOR. SO THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TO INSTALL NEW CURB CUT AND DRIVEWAY, AS SHOWN IN EXHIBIT A OF THE STAFF REPORT. ALSO NOTE, THE LICENSE TO USE A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY WAS GRANTED IN 2022 FOR THE STAIRS AND STOOP, WHICH ENCROACH INTO THE ALLEY. I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT AS KIND OF A POINT OF ORDER.
THE DESIGN STANDARDS STATE THAT NEW DRIVEWAYS ON PRIMARY STREETS ARE INAPPROPRIATE.
IN THIS CASE, THERE WILL BE NO NET GAIN IN OFF STREET PARKING AS A RESULT.
AND THEN ALSO THE VICINITY MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE LOT ON THE CORNER.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. HERE WE HAVE SOME OF THE APPLICANTS SUBMITTALS SHOWING THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION.
THE DRAWING IN THE LOWER RIGHT IS DID NOT COME THROUGH ON THE POWERPOINT FOR SOME REASON.
BUT IT IS SIMPLY TO AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE APPLICANT'S OTHER DRAWING, IS TO ALIGN A CURB CUT WITH THE EXISTING GATES AND THE PAVED KIND OF PATIO AREA BEHIND THEM. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. AND THEN WE HAVE THE STREET LOOKING NORTH, AND YOU CAN JUST SEE AT THE END OF THE NOT REALLY THE END OF THE BLOCK, THE MID BLOCK ALLEY THE AREA IN QUESTION AND THEN THE PROPERTIES TO THE SOUTH AND TO THE WEST.
AND THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S REPORT. THANK YOU DANIEL.
DO ANY COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? I HAVE ONE. DO WE KNOW HOW DEEP THE PATIO IS? WE DO NOT, I'M SURE THE APPLICANT CAN PROVIDE THAT.
OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? NO? OKAY WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR CASE 25LC-041.
IS THE APPLICANT HERE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT? IF YOU COULD SIGN IN FOR US AND STATE YOUR NAME? SURE MY NAME IS BOB VEITH, AND I BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS, IT'S BETWEEN POST OFFICE AND CHURCH ON 17TH STREET.
SOME PEOPLE KNOW IT AS THE GOLD HOUSE, AND IT'S RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.
DANIEL, GO BACK TO THE HOUSES. GO BACK A SLIDE IF YOU WOULD.
YEAH THAT. SO THE HOUSE BOTTOM RIGHT IS THE RENTAL.
IT'S A TRIPLEX, IT'S FOR SALE ACROSS THE STREET, AND YOU CAN SEE THE CARS PARKED THERE THAT ACTUALLY, THAT WHITE TRUCK HAS BEEN THERE. IT'S GOT A FLAT TIRE. IT'S BEEN THERE SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE. THE HOUSE TO MY RIGHT, AS YOU'RE LOOKING FROM THE STREET. IS THAT HOUSE THERE. IT'S ACTUALLY A VIEW FROM CHURCH STREET.
AND IS IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR. IN FACT, HE'S BEEN TOLD TO UP THE FOUNDATION IT'S FAILING, PAINT'S COMING OFF. THE ONE TO MY LEFT. AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT MY HOUSE IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER.
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FALL OFF. SO I'M JUST IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A NATURE OF THE BLOCK.IT'S A B&B, B&B HOTEL RIGHT NOW, SO IT IS A RENTAL BLOCK.
AND THIS WILL TAKE. I THINK IT'LL TAKE SOME PRESSURE.
IT'S NOT TOO BAD. USUALLY WHEN UNLESS THERE'S A CROWD IN TOWN AND THEN THERE, THERE ARE ISSUES.
THERE'S ALSO A PARK. EXCUSE ME. DANIEL, IF YOU GO TO THE LAST ONE THAT I SENT YOU WITH.
YEAH SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO.
SO THE JUST TO ORIENT YOU THE DRIVEWAY IN QUESTION, I'LL GO IN THOSE TWO WHITE GATES, WHICH IS MY PROPERTY TO THE RIGHT OF THE HOUSE, AND THAT'S ABOUT 15FT DEEP. AND IT'S PAVED.
AND THE ONLY THING, THE ONLY BRICK I'M PUTTING IN, I THINK, IS I'M GOING TO CUT AWAY THE SHRUBBERY THERE 8 FEET AND BRICK IT, AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO MATCH THE BRICK. THIS IS THERE'S A BRICK THERE RIGHT NEXT TO THE FIRE HYDRANT, AND THEN YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT. BUT RIGHT BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT OF MY CAR, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY CAR IS AN IDENTICAL BRICK WALKWAY, SO IT SHOULD MATCH WITH THE BRICK. THE SIDEWALK ACTUALLY ENDS RIGHT AT MY CAR.
THERE'S A LITTLE PIECE OF LAND. YOU CAN SEE IT WHERE ALL THOSE FERNS ARE BETWEEN HIS HOUSE AND MY HOUSE SO IT WILL ALLEVIATE IT. IT SHOULD ALLEVIATE PARKING IN THE FRONT WITH A FIRE HYDRANT I ASSUME THAT'S AN ISSUE OF SAFETY. BECAUSE THE RENTERS PARK TOO CLOSE TO IT, AND THE POLICE ARE USUALLY GRATUITOUS SO I'LL BE PARKING IN THERE IT'S SAFETY FOR ME, IT'S CONCERN.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME BREAK INS IN THE AREA. AND I THINK IT'LL I THINK IT'LL LOOK GOOD.
LIKE I SAID, IT'S A RENTAL BLOCK. HOPEFULLY IT'S TURNING AROUND.
BUT I THINK IT'LL FIT IN NICELY. ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT I'M NOT ADDING A GARAGE OR ANYTHING.
ALL I'M DOING IS, IS PULLING IN TO WHERE THOSE TWO WHITE GATES ARE.
SO I WOULD REALLY ENJOY IT IF I COULD PARK MY CAR IN THERE.
ANY QUESTIONS? I DO. IS THERE NOT PARKING FROM THE ALLEY BEHIND YOUR HOUSE WHERE YOU COULD DO A DRIVEWAY THERE? THERE ACTUALLY IS. IF YOU LOOK, YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT.
BUT BEHIND MY STEPS IT'S NOT MY PROPERTY. THAT'S ACTUALLY OWNED BY BECAUSE OF THE EASEMENT.
AS REGARDS THE. BUT I COULD PARK THERE. BUT AGAIN, IT'S EXPOSED TO THE PEOPLE AROUND ME.
I'D RATHER FOR THE SAFETY. IT'S A NEW CAR, AND I'D RATHER HAVE IT INSIDE OF THE GATE.
I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO COME OUT AND GO AROUND AND GO UP THE STEPS.
I WOULD SAY, OKAY, WHAT I WAS SAYING WAS, COME AROUND BEHIND YOUR HOUSE.
OKAY. YEAH SHE'S A STUDENT AT UTMB, AND I LET HER PARK BECAUSE SHE'S IN THAT RENTAL WITH HER BOYFRIEND.
DO ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? YOU SAID IT WAS 15FT DEEP? ABOUT. I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO, BUT YEAH, THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT.
YEAH, THERE'S ENOUGH FOR I THINK THERE'S ENOUGH FOR TWO CARS.
SO IT MIGHT BE EVEN 20 TO THE RIGHT OF THE. YEAH.
YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT WHAT WOULD BE MY GARAGE IF THERE WERE A? YES.
YEAH IT'S PROBABLY 15FT TO 18FT. OKAY. AND THERE'S ENOUGH ROOM FOR TWO CARS IN THERE.
SO, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT THREE BEDROOMS. IT'S A FOUR BEDROOM HOME, FIVE GUESTS.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO ALLOW THEM TO PARK, YOU KNOW, IF THEY COME DOWN FOR ANY OF THE EVENTS HERE.
IS THERE A CURB THERE NOW? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED, THERE IS.
AND IT ACTUALLY, IF YOU GO, DANIEL, TO THOSE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS I JUST SENT YOU THE OTHER ONE.
OH, YEAH. SO IT'S HARD TO SEE. BUT YOU SEE THE CURB LIKE.
RIGHT YOU SEE THE TOP LEFT PHOTO AND THAT'S THE, THAT'S THE STREET.
AND THEN YOU CAN SEE THE CURB AND IT ENDS IT ACTUALLY STOPS.
SEE THE YEAH. RIGHT. KEEP GOING. NO YOU WERE GOING GO TO THE RIGHT.
RIGHT THERE IS THE END OF THE CURB. THE CURB DOESN'T EXIST AFTER THAT.
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IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE I HAD TO PULL THE SHRUBS AWAY TO SEE THAT IT ACTUALLY STOPPED IT SURE DOES MY BOUNDARY TO MY HOUSE AND MY WELL I'M SORRY TO MY LOT IS IN THE VERY MIDDLE OF THAT PHOTOGRAPH.THAT'S THE BOUNDARY. AND THERE IS LIKE A 20 OR 25 FOOT PIECE OF VACANT LAND BETWEEN THAT BOUNDARY AND THAT GRAY HOUSE TO MY RIGHT THE COURTYARD OF THE WOULD BE GARAGE. THE UNCOVERED GARAGE IS ALREADY BRICK AND THEN IT WOULD TIE RIGHT IN TO.
YOU CAN SEE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TOP LEFT.
YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT. THAT TREE, THAT PINE TREE IS.
OR THAT. I'M SORRY, FERN, THAT UGLY FERN TREE STUB IS GOING AWAY BUT THERE IS ANOTHER BRICK WALKWAY JUST LIKE THE ONE LOWER LEFT.
IT'S RIGHT TO THE IMMEDIATELY TO THE LEFT OF THAT UGLY FERN TREE ON THE LEFT SIDE.
YEAH THERE YOU GO. YOU CAN SEE IT THERE YEAH. THAT'S THE SECOND TIE.
I THINK IT'LL TIE IN NICELY WITH BOTH OF THOSE WALKWAYS.
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. OKAY. I HAVE A GENERAL QUESTION ON PAGE 9 OF 18, THERE IS A EXHIBIT A DESCRIPTION. IT LOOKS, IF I'M READING THIS CORRECTLY, YOU'RE DOING A 10 FOOT WIDE WIDTH WITH BRICK AND DOWN JUST UNDERNEATH IT. IT SAYS 5 FOOT R AND 5 FOOT R.
I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CURB OUT 5 FOOT RADIUS AND 5 FOOT RADIUS OKAY. OKAY. SO THAT'S ROUGHLY APPROXIMATELY 20FT OF CURB THAT WILL THEN BE MISSING.
AND DOES IT HAVE TO BE THAT WIDE INSTEAD OF ALL OF THAT BRICK. OKAY. AND IT'S A IT'S A WIDE STREET, SO I CAN EASILY PULL UP WITHOUT EVEN THE, THE CURB THING. THE RADIUS, IF YOU WILL. BUT HE SAID IT HAD TO BE 10 FEET.
IT'S A LOT OF BRICK. BUT IF THAT'S OKAY AND IF AT WHERE IT SAYS RIGHT DOWN THERE, I THINK IT SAYS BOC AND THEN THERE LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A WALKWAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT IS THE CORNER OF YOUR HOUSE WILL SPEAKERS]. THAT'S THE WALKWAY RIGHT THERE. YEAH OKAY AND THEREFORE IF YOU HAVE A DRIVEWAY THERE WILL THE WIDTH OF THE RADIUS WITH THE 10 FOOT AND THE OTHER 5 FOOT RADIUS, WOULD THAT THEN PREVENT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM PARKING IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE, PARTICULARLY IF THEY PARK IN FRONT OF EITHER THE 5 FOOT RADIUS OR THE WALKWAY? I MEASURED THAT, AND SO FOR A FIRE HYDRANT, IT'S 15FT.
OKAY. OR EVEN THOUGH IT'S TYPICALLY NOT ENFORCED, I FOUND BUT IF YOU LOOK AT MY CAR THAT'S ABOUT 13FT, MY CAR FROM THE FIRE HYDRANT. SO BUT THE 8FT YEAH, THAT'S ABOUT 13FT. AND THEN SO WITH THE DRIVEWAY THERE, NOBODY'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO PARK.
BUT IT'S WHAT SOMEBODY SAID INITIALLY. IT TAKES AWAY ONE'S FACE THAT'S AN EFFECT.
THE SPACE THAT WOULD BE IN FRONT OF THIS DRIVEWAY.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD YES THAT'S THE ONLY SPACE IT'S TAKING AWAY BECAUSE MY CAR IS BASICALLY PARKED IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY A LITTLE BIT TO THE LEFT. OH, SORRY THAT'S A LOT BUT [LAUGHTER] YOU'RE ON NOW. OKAY SORRY. DO I HAVE TO GO 20FT? DO I HAVE TO DO THAT? THE 5 FOOT RADIUS IS. AND THE 10 FOOT MINIMUM WIDTH ARE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STANDARDS.
SO YES, THAT WOULD NOT BE NEGOTIABLE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
USING THAT, EVEN THOUGH I'D NEVER DRIVE ON IT.
SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO BRICK WALKWAYS? THERE ALREADY ARE SO YEAH, WHERE HE'S POINTING, THAT'S THE SECOND BRICK WALKWAY, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH BEHIND MY CAR
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THAT'S WHERE THE SECOND BRICK WALL YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT ON HERE BECAUSE IT DIDN'T COME THROUGH. BUT THE RADIUS.RIGHT DANIEL? IS GOING TO BE FLOATING ABOVE THAT BRICK WALKWAY.
CORRECT? I DON'T SEE HOW I CAN GET AROUND THAT.
YEAH IT'S HARD IT'S HARD TO SAY. BUT YEAH, THE STANDARDS THE ENGINEERING HAVE FOR NEW DRIVEWAYS WOULD, WOULD BE IN EFFECT SO IN THIS CASE THE COA IS JUST IF THE DRIVEWAY IS APPROPRIATE.
SO I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. SO YOU'RE GOING TO GO WHERE THE GATE IS NOW IS GOING TO BE THE DRIVEWAY THAT SAYS 10 FEET WIDE THE GATE RIGHT NOW? NO IT'S I DON'T WANT TO. I'M NOT GOING TO TOUCH THE WALL I'M GOING TO TAKE THE GATES OFF. AND THAT GIVES ME AN EXTRA THREE. IT GIVES ME ABOUT 8 OR 9IN ON EITHER SIDE.
OKAY BUT ARE YOU WITH THE I GUESS THE FLARE OUT THE FIVE FEET.
IS IT GOING INTO THE OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY THEN? OR I GUESS AN EASEMENT, I DON'T.
YOU SEE THE PINE TREE IN THE VERY MIDDLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WHITE WALL? OKAY SO THAT'S LIKE A EIGHT FOOT, SEVEN FOOT WHITE WALL. MY PROPERTY END BEHIND THAT TELEPHONE POLE.
THE RIGHT SIDE OF THAT WHITE WALL. SO THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM THERE. SO NO, I WOULD NOT ENCROACH ON HIS PROPERTY AT ALL, PROBABLY 2 OR 3FT FROM IT. THE WAY IT IS CONSTRUCTED NOW, I'M SEEING THE PICTURE WITH THE WHITE VEHICLE, ASSUMING THAT YOUR CAR THAT IT CAN PARK IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE, THERE'S NO DRIVEWAY THERE. CAN ANOTHER VEHICLE PARK BEHIND YOU WITH, SAY, APPROPRIATE SPACE AS A AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW? NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY? PROBABLY FIVE FEET. MEANING THERE'D BE THEY'LL BE PARKED IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE, NOT ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE? THEN AND ANOTHER CAR. YOU'RE ASKING CAN ANOTHER CAR PARK BEHIND ME.
YES. HE'S PROBABLY HALF ON MY PROPERTY AND HALF ONE.
IF IT'S A PUBLIC STREET. THERE'S NO I DON'T THINK IT'S YOUR VERSUS HIS PROPERTY OKAY GOTCHA GOTCHA. IT IS YOUR RECORD. YEAH. AND THE GIRL WAS NICE ACROSS THE STREET.
SHE SAW THAT BECAUSE SHE WAS ALWAYS PARKING THERE. AND SHE SAW THAT I MOVED IN AND SHE LET ME PARK THERE EVERY DAY OKAY THANK YOU THE 10 FOOT SECTION WOULD COME OUT OF THAT, AND THAT WOULD BE BRICK? I DON'T KNOW, THAT WAS A QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS. I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE TO RIP THAT SIDEWALK OUT OR NOT. IT'S IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. THERE'S A COUPLE OF CRACKS. AGAIN, IT ENDS RIGHT AT THE END OF MY PROPERTY. RIGHT.
I'D HAVE TO DO LESS DEMOLITION IF I COULD LEAVE THE SITE.
DID YOU HAVE THAT SIDEWALK PUT IN? THAT'S BEEN THERE. PROBABLY THE ORIGINAL. IS THAT A CURB CUT RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A GATE RIGHT THERE? YOUR NEIGHBOR'S CURB CUT? THAT IS A TENANT. YEAH, THAT IS A GATE HE WAS ACTUALLY OUT DRIVING YESTERDAY, BUT HE IS THE GROUND FLOOR TENANT OF THE NEIGHBOR THAT OWNS THAT HOUSE.
BUT THAT IS A CURB CUT RIGHT THERE? IT LOOKS LIKE IT AGAIN, IF YOU IF YOU PRINT A LITTLE THING WHERE MY CURB ENDS, GO TO THE LEFT.
THERE'S NO MORE CURB AFTER MY DRAWING YEAH. ALL THAT HAS NO CURB.
THE CURB DOESN'T END TO LIKE, WHERE MY WHERE MY HATCH MARKS ARE.
SO IS THAT A DRIVEWAY RIGHT THERE? IT USED TO BE.
AT ONE POINT, IT WAS A GARAGE. OKAY. BUT IT'S BEEN ABANDONED.
THE GARAGE IS GONE, AND IT'S SIMPLY DIRT. AND THEN HE COMES OUT EVERY TWO WEEKS WITH HIS CAR, OPENS THE GATE AND COMES OUT AND I GUESS GOES SHOPPING. I DON'T KNOW, HE WAS OUT YESTERDAY, BUT NO, THERE'S NO THERE'S NO CURB. THERE'S NO SIDEWALK, IT'S JUST GRASS.
AND THAT GOES ANOTHER PROBABLY 40FT ALL THE WAY TO CHURCH STREET.
SO THAT PROPERTY HAS NO CURB ON IT ON 17TH STREET AT ALL? CORRECT NO? OKAY THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS CASE? NO? OKAY [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A MOTION FROM THE COMMISSION.
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ACTUALLY, CHAIRWOMAN, COULD I ASK A QUESTION FOR STAFF? BUT THE REQUEST IS FOR A NEW CURB CUT. SO CAN STAFF CONFIRM OR DENY IF THERE IS, IN FACT, AN EXISTING CURB CUT OR NOT? WELL, LET'S MAKE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN CURB CUT AND CURB NOT BEING THERE [LAUGHTER].BUT IN THIS CASE, AS THE APPLICANT HAS INDICATED, THE CURB PRETTY MUCH STOPS APPROXIMATELY WHERE HE HAD POINTED OUT ON THE IN HIS PRESENTATION AND ANYTHING TO THE NORTH OF THAT, WHICH WOULD BE TO THE LEFT OF THESE OF THE TOP PHOTO.
THE OTHER'S A CURB THERE. SO TECHNICALLY IT IS A NEW CURB CUT.
THANK YOU. YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE ANY OF THE CURB BECAUSE OF THAT WELL, I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FOR STAFF. IS THERE A RECORDED CURB CUT OR GARAGE OR I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TERM RIGHT NEXT TO IT WHERE THAT GARAGE USED TO BE RIGHT THERE? STAFF WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT QUESTION COMING UP, SO I COULDN'T SAY.
JUST LOOKING AT GOOGLE STREET VIEW AND THERE IS NOT AN IMPROVED CURB OR DRIVEWAY AT THAT LOCATION.
OKAY OPEN FOR A MOTION FROM THE COMMISSION.
OKAY. OKAY, I'LL MAKE A MOTION. I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE CASE 25LC-041.
I THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO PARK MY CAR ON MY PROPERTY.
AND IF HE HAS THE ABILITY TO DO IT, THEN THAT'S WHY IT'S OPPOSITE OF WHAT STAFF WANTS.
SO MY RECOMMENDATION IS APPROVAL OR MY MOTION IS APPROVAL.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SHARON SECONDS. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? IT'S A HARD ONE FOR ME BECAUSE I SEE THE POINTS FOR BOTH.
THE FACT THAT THERE'S NO OTHER CURB ON THAT BLOCK IS WHAT.
NOW THERE'S NO CURB THERE ANYWAY I HAVE A QUESTION YEAH. LIMITED CURB. BUT ON THE RESTRICTIONS, IF YOU APPROVE THIS, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF APPLICANTS ACTUALLY COME AND DO WHAT THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE? BECAUSE HE HAS A LIST OF THINGS THAT HE HAS TO FOLLOW IF THIS IS APPROVED.
WILL HE BE ABLE TO GET THE PERMIT? IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A SEPARATE BUILDING PERMIT FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT? AND THEN MAY REQUIRE THE LANDMARK COMMISSION AND OR CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION.
SO THERE SEEMED TO BE A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS HERE.
AND WOULD THIS BE SOMETHING THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF APPLICANTS ACTUALLY CAN MEET THESE CONDITIONS OR THESE RESTRICTIONS. IF I MAY A LOT OF TIMES WITH REQUESTS LIKE THIS IN THE STORE DISTRICT FOR NEW CURB CUTS, STAFF WILL CATCH IT WHEN WE DO OUR REVIEW FOR PLANNING AT THE TIME OF PERMIT AND SAY, WHOA, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO GO THROUGH LANDMARK COMMISSION FIRST IN THESE CASES WITH THE APPLICANT, MR. VAITH, HE ACTUALLY TALKED TO US FIRST AND ASKED US, HEY, WHAT WOULD I HAVE TO DO? SO I THINK HE'S AWARE OF THE OTHER PERMITS THAT WOULD BE NEEDED, BUT, YES, A RIGHT OF WAY PERMIT WOULD BE REQUIRED AS WELL, IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION. YEAH, JUST A THOUGHT.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? [LAUGHTER] I JUST SAY MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE FIRE HYDRANT, THE 15 FOOT DISTANCE THAT MUST STAY AWAY, THE ADDITIONAL 20FT OF LOFTS, CURB SPACE, AND THE INABILITY OF ANYONE ELSE TO HAVE PARKING ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THIS HOME BECAUSE OF THE CUTOUT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR RIGHT OF WAY.
WITH A NEW 20 FOOT SECTION OF CURB BEING REQUIRED FOR THIS DRIVEWAY.
MAYBE MORE THAN ONE VEHICLE, AS OPPOSED TO, SAY, MORE THAN ONE PARKING SPOT MAY BE IMPACTED.
THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN. YEAH, I AGREE, I DON'T REALLY LOVE THE FLARE OUT HOW IT IS TO MAKE IT.
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I DON'T I GUESS THERE'S SOME LOGICAL ENGINEER LIKES THAT, BUT.I'LL NOT DO THE FLARE OUT IF I CAN OKAY. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WE WILL GO ON TO OUR VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? THOSE OPPOSED? THE MOTION FAILS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ANYBODY? TAX VERIFICATION IT'S 25LC-043 2327 AVENUE M.
IN JULY OF 2025, THE APPLICANT SUBMITTED FOR TAX ELIGIBILITY FOR WORK AT THIS ADDRESS.
THE THRESHOLD TO PARTICIPATE WAS $136,000. THE APPLICANT HAS SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION THAT SUPPORTS A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $180,000 ON REPAIRS, ROOFING, PAINTING AND INSTALLATION OF NEW SYSTEMS. CITY COUNCIL HAS THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON THE SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES TAX PROGRAM.
THEY WILL REVIEW THIS REQUEST AT THEIR DECEMBER 11TH MEETING.
THE TAX EXEMPTION WILL FREEZE THE CITY PORTION OF THE PROPERTY TAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, AT THE PRE IMPROVEMENT VALUE OF $380,000. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.
THIS IS A BEFORE PHOTO AND THEN WE HAVE AN AFTER.
AND THAT CONCLUDES STAFF'S REPORT. THANK YOU CATHERINE.
ANY COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? NO? OKAY. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR CASE 25LC-043.
IS THE APPLICANT HERE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME ON UP AND SIGN IN AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR US, PLEASE, AND TELL US WHAT YOU GOT GOING ON? YEP I AM BRIAN SPRATT I'M THE HOMEOWNER. AND I'M GOING TO THIS IS MARK PINCOCK HE'S THE OTHER OWNER.
AND THEN INTRODUCE BILL ROLLINS, WHO WAS OUR FROM ROLLINS BUILDING GROUP.
HE DID THE FULL RENOVATION. BUT SO YEAH, WE JUST COMPLETED IT AND MOVED IN IN AUGUST.
SO I'LL LET BO SPEAK TO THE WORK THAT WAS DONE.
OKAY THANK YOU FOR SERVING. TEND TO BE IN THAT SEAT A LITTLE BIT TOO, AS WELL.
SO APPRECIATE ALL Y'ALL DO. MY NAME IS BO ROLLINS.
I'M AT THREE COLONY PARK DRIVE IN GALVESTON. I WAS THE CONTRACTOR HERE ON THIS MAJOR RENOVATION.
BEFORE US TODAY IS, TO ME, NOT A BETTER EXAMPLE OF WHAT THIS TAX INCENTIVE CAN BRING TO THE ISLAND.
THIS WAS A FULL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR RENOVATION.
THE HOMEOWNERS MARK AND BRIAN CHOSE GALVESTON OF ALL PLACES.
THEY'RE COMING FROM UTAH, BUT THEY CHOSE GALVESTON FROM MANY OTHER PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND CHOSE ALSO TO DO A HISTORIC RENOVATION THAT WE ALL KNOW IS A BIG UNDERTAKING HERE IN GALVESTON.
THEY DID A VERY SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION ON THIS HOME MEETING ABOVE WHAT THE THRESHOLD WAS.
THIS HOME DESERVES A LOT A LOT OF LOVE. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL OLGA SAMAROFF HOME.
SO NOW, NOW, [LAUGHTER] NOW THEY HAVE TO ACTUALLY EXPLAIN THAT THERE'S LIGHTS ON THE HOME, AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. WE INTERIOR WISE WE KEPT ALL OF THE ORIGINAL DOORS.
ALL THE ORIGINAL FLOORS BROUGHT ALL OF THOSE BACK TO LIFE.
THIS HOME ACTUALLY HAS AN HISTORICAL MARKER NUMBER 5507018582.
[00:30:05]
I USUALLY JUST KNOW THEM AS THE SIGNS IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE SINCE I GREW UP FIVE BLOCKS FROM HERE.BUT THIS ACTUALLY IS A VERY BIG PART OF GALVESTON'S HISTORY.
IN FACT, OLGA SAMAROFF ORIGINALLY NAMED MARY OLGA HICKENLOOPER CHOSE SAMAROFF AS A BETTER NAME, I GUESS, TO SELL HER TICKETS AS BEING ONE OF THE WORLD RENOWNED PIANISTS FIRST.
IN FACT, SHE WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN TO EVER RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO THE CONSERVATOIRE DE PARIS.
FOLLOWING LEAVING GALVESTON AFTER THE 1900 STORM WITH HER GRANDMOTHER.
SO A VERY SIGNIFICANT HOUSE FOR US HERE IN GALVESTON TO BRING BACK TO LIFE.
SO I ASK THAT YOU GIVE A CONSIDERATION TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION WOULD LIKE FOR Y'ALL TO PASS THIS REQUEST SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. ANY COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? NO. OKAY. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS CASE? NO. OKAY, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A MOTION FOR THE COMMISSION.
I MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM 25LC-043. OKAY I'LL SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I JUST WANT TO SAY I'LL WALK BY THAT ALMOST WEEKLY.
GREAT JOB. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? THOSE OPPOSED.
THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU GUYS FOR LOVING YOUR HOUSE.
OKAY, WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT 25LC-045 1721 POST OFFICE.
THIS IS ALSO A REQUEST FOR TAX VERIFICATION. IN JULY OF 2024, THE APPLICANT SUBMITTED FOR TAX ELIGIBILITY FOR WORK AT 1721 POST OFFICE. SINCE THE APPLICANT HAS EXCEEDED THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD FOR PARTICIPATION, THEY ARE REQUESTING VERIFICATION THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN MET.
THE THRESHOLD TO PARTICIPATE WAS $90,000. THE APPLICANT HAS SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION THAT SUPPORTS A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $128,000 ON FOUNDATION, ROOFING, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND HVAC. CITY COUNCIL HAS THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON THE SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM AND WILL REVIEW THIS REQUEST AT THE DECEMBER 11TH MEETING. THE EXEMPTION WILL FREEZE THE CITY PORTION OF THE PROPERTY TAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS AT THE PRE IMPROVEMENT VALUE OF $250,000. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. HERE WE HAVE THE BEFORE PHOTO AND THE AFTER.
AND THAT CONCLUDES STAFF'S REPORT. THANK YOU CATHERINE, DO ANY COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? NO. OKAY. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR CASE 25LC-045.
IS THE APPLICANT HERE? AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY. YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME AND SIGN IN FOR US, PLEASE. OKAY ALL RIGHT MY NAME IS ROBERT FAICHNEY. I LIVE HERE IN GALVESTON NOW, AND I DON'T THINK I HAVE THE QUITE THE HISTORY OF THE LAST HOUSE, BUT I DO HAVE A HISTORY.
AND WE LIVE NEXT DOOR TO THIS HOUSE FOR FIVE YEARS, AND THE DOORS WERE ALWAYS OPEN, AND PEOPLE COULD JUST GO IN THERE AND SLEEP WHENEVER THEY WANTED TO.
AND IT WAS IN IT WAS, I THINK, A FIVE-UNIT BOARDING HOUSE.
AND IT WAS IN VERY, VERY BAD SHAPE. THAT'S A GREAT LOOKING PICTURE FROM WHAT IT WAS AND.
OH WOW PROJECT, IT COST US PROBABLY. AND THIS PART WE COULDN'T USE PROBABLY $15,000 TO $20,000 JUST TO HAVE THINGS TAKEN OUT. THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE JUST TOOK BASICALLY THEIR CLOTHES.
AND IT WAS, I THINK 18 LOADS OF TRASH WE HAD TO DISMANTLE AND TAKE TO THE LANDFILL AND ANYWAY, AND YOU HAD TO WEAR A MASK TO GO IN THERE.
AND ANYWAY, AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF CLEANING IT ALL OUT, THAT WAS OUR FIRST EXPENSE THAT WE
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NEVER EVEN IMAGINED WE'D HAVE. BUT ANYWAY, WE'VE KEPT ALL THE FLOORS, ALL THE DOORS ALL THE WINDOWS. WE HAD TO REPLACE SOME WINDOWS ON THE VERY BACK THAT HAD COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED.BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS FINISHED, AND IT LOOKS REALLY GREAT NOW.
ALL THE FLOORS, THE THE DOORS, THE TRIM AND I, YOU KNOW, LIKE, FOR ANY OF Y'ALL TO COME SEE IT, BECAUSE I'M VERY PROUD OF IT. THE THE THINGS WE'VE KEPT AND RESTORED.
BUT ANYWAY, I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS GOING TO SPEAK, BUT I'M JUST.
SINCE I SAW THAT YOU RECOMMENDED APPROVAL. YOU KNOW, I'M HAPPY TO SHOW IT TO ANY OF Y'ALL THAT COME [LAUGHTER] BY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, IT'S JUST PERFECT.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING FINISHED EXCEPT YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF THE PLUMBING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH IT'S BEAUTIFUL. OKAY ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO.
OKAY. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS CASE? NO. OKAY. I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A MOTION FROM THE COMMISSION.
OKAY JANE SECONDS. OKAY. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? NO.
MOVE ON TO OUR VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? THOSE OPPOSED. OKAY, THE MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ITEM.
THIS IS JUST GIVING YOU ALL YOUR 2026 COMMISSION SCHEDULE.
OUR GENERAL MEETING DATES ARE THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS OF THE MONTH.
WE TAKE A COUPLE OF SCHEDULED BREAKS WHEN THE MEETINGS FALL AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.
SO WE'LL BE TAKING A BREAK FOR MLK DAY, LABOR DAY, AND CHRISTMAS.
SO AWESOME. MARK, YOUR CALENDARS. ARE MARKED I'M NOT SURE WHEN YOU COME OFF. I THINK SARAH'S THE NEXT PERSON TO COMES OFF.
I COME OFF 11 OF 27. OH, NO THEN WE'LL LOOK AND SEE. WE'LL LET YOU KNOW. SO THAT'S ALL.
JUST THERE'S YOUR SCHEDULE. THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS NOVEMBER 17TH? NO. OKAY. THE TIME IS 4:38. THE MEETING'S ADJOURNED.
I DID WANT TO
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.