Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission Meeting - March 9, 2026
Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission Meeting - March 9, 2026
The Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission met on March 9, 2026, to consider several cases including historic designations, appeals for window replacements, new construction, and additions. The meeting began a few minutes late and was adjourned at 4:08 PM. All 10 commissioners were present. The commission voted on seven items, with most passing unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of February 9, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Motion passed 9-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Case 2301 Fleming Drive (Appeal): The homeowner, Mr. Allen, expressed financial hardship and requested permission to replace historic wood windows with vinyl windows. He provided photos of neighboring homes with similar windows. The Carver Heights Neighborhood Association submitted a letter opposing the vinyl window request.
- Case 1112 Elizabeth Boulevard: Applicant representative Shannon Logan argued that the proposed garage and shutters complied with historic district guidelines, emphasizing that the garage replaced larger non-conforming structures and that the guidelines allow non-original shutters. He noted the owners' frustration had led to listing the house for sale.
- Case 2022 6th Avenue: Applicant Eric Bussey explained the proposed lime wash coating was a breathable, reversible treatment intended to protect deteriorating historic brick, not a modern paint.
- Case 26-037 (Fire Station Addition): Architect Jim Tharp explained that raising the ceiling in the new lobby required modifying second-floor windows, which would become largely invisible from the street.
- Case 1227 Verbena Street: No public testimony.
- Case 901/909 Evans Avenue: Applicant Brittany Blood expressed support for staff conditions and excitement for the project.
Discussion Items
- World War I Aerial Gunnery Target (Taliaferro Field): Staff recommended designation as a Highly Significant Endangered (HSE) overlay, noting the object meets four of eight criteria and five aspects of integrity. The site is threatened by development and vandalism. Commissioners questioned the origin of a protective fence. No public testimony. Motion passed 9-0.
- 2301 Fleming Drive – Window Replacement Appeal: Staff recommended denial because replacing wood with vinyl and a picture window violates district guidelines. The homeowner provided estimates: vinyl windows approximately $4,000 total; wood windows (Pella) approximately $20,000. Commissioners expressed sympathy for financial hardship and noted potential safety issues from deteriorated windows. Discussion about the possibility of a financial hardship waiver. Motion to approve the COA as requested passed 9-0 over staff recommendation.
- 1112 Elizabeth Boulevard – Garage and Shutters: Staff recommended denial due to lot coverage exceeding the 5% limit and the garage extending 32 feet instead of the allowed 20 feet from the rear property line, plus shutters being non-original. Applicant argued the garage replaces existing non-conforming structures and that guidelines allow shutters. Commissioners noted the need for more time to resolve interpretation issues. Motion to deny without prejudice passed 9-0, allowing the applicant to return with revised plans.
- 2022 6th Avenue – Brick Coating: Staff recommended denial, stating that coating historic brick is inconsistent with preservation standards. Applicant proposed a lime wash to protect deteriorating brick. Commissioners discussed alternatives like repointing and brick replacement. Motion to deny without prejudice passed 9-0.
- 26-037 – Fire Station Addition (Community Center): Staff recommended approval with condition #1 requiring retention of second-floor windows. Applicant wanted to reduce window height to accommodate a taller lobby ceiling. Commissioners debated whether the windows were visible from street views. An alternate motion to approve without condition #1 (i.e., allowing window modification) passed 7-2.
- 1227 Verbena Street – New Multifamily Residence: Staff recommended approval with conditions regarding front door style, window installation, and submission of adjustments. No opposition. Motion to approve with conditions passed 9-0.
- 901/909 Evans Avenue – Multifamily Residences: Staff recommended approval with conditions including all-brick facades, cantilevered awnings, belly band treatment, and protection of the state historical marker. Applicant agreed. Motion to approve with conditions passed 9-0.
Key Outcomes
- HSE Designation for WWI Target: Approved 9-0.
- 2301 Fleming Drive COA (Vinyl Windows): Approved 9-0, overriding staff recommendation.
- 1112 Elizabeth Boulevard: Denied without prejudice 9-0.
- 2022 6th Avenue (Brick Coating): Denied without prejudice 9-0.
- 26-037 Fire Station Addition: Approved with conditions except condition #1 (windows retained) – motion passed 7-2.
- 1227 Verbena Street COA: Approved with conditions 9-0.
- 901/909 Evans Avenue COA: Approved with conditions 9-0.
- Next Steps: The case HCLC 26-041 was administratively withdrawn and will appear next month after zoning commission.
Meeting Transcript
March 9th, 2026 meeting of the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission. And uh thank you for your patience. We're gonna start it a few minutes late today, but thank you. So uh statement regarding the Texas Open Meetings Act Thank you so much, Chair. Welcome to the March 9, 2026 Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission. Our commission requires a quorum of six members to be present and available for voting. The following board members are present today. Chair Rick Herring, Vice Chairwoman Anna Katrina Kelly Gardner, Commissioner Stephanie Muse, Commissioner Estrus Tucker, Commissioner Roger Sheffalo, Commissioner Corey Malone, Commissioner Brian Ketchum, Commissioner Tim Haldin, Commissioner Bresendine, and Commissioner Thomas Oliver. Staff present today are Laura Lie Willett, Anna Alvarez, Jefferson Prado, Andres Hernandez, Trey Quaz, Hi Wan Kim, and myself, Laura Young. Today's meeting agenda can be found online at WWW.gov. Speaker registration forms must have been turned in prior to the start of the meeting. Today's public hearing is being documented by video conference recording, which will be available on the city's website. To achieve a timely and orderly meeting, the HCLC requests that the following rules of procedure be respected. Each case will be called in the sequence listed on the agenda unless otherwise directed by the chair. All ensuing dialogue shall be directed to the HCLC only. After each staff presentation, the applicant and other proponents will be given a total of seven minutes to speak. Opposition may then speak for seven minutes. Continuation beyond the speaker's allotted time will be subject to the chairman's sole discretion and approval. All other meeting procedures will adhere to HCLC adopted rules of procedure to the extent practicable. Following the official close of each case hearing, the HCLC will remain an open session to discuss and vote upon the item in question. During this time, no further public testimony or commentary will be allowed unless directed by the chair. A closed executive session may be held with respect to the posted agenda items to enable the HCLC to receive advice from legal staff. For additional information on any case in today's agenda, you may contact the Development Services Department by calling 817-3928000. Thank you for your attention. Chair Herring, will you please call the meeting to order? Yes, we are called to order, and thank you for that. Do we have announcements from staff? Hello, Commissioners. Happy Women's History Month is my announcement today. And also if you are interested, the Choctaw Code Talker State Marker Ceremony is scheduled, I believe, for April 1st at Veterans Memorial Park. Again, I will send that information out as I get more. And that's all my announcements. All right. Any announcements from Commissioners? All right, I just want to make one quick announcement. Today we received from staff the annual report of activities of the Historic Preservation Office and the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission over the past year. And I just want to give a shout out and a very sincere thank you to Laura Eye Willett and all of the staff of the Historic Preservation Office for their diligent and outstanding and very thorough work for every uh case they review and every case they bring before the commission. So thank you. All right, and with that, if there's no further announcements, we'll move on to approval of the February 9th meeting minutes. I make a motion to approve the February 9th meeting minutes. I'll segment that. All right, we have a motion and a second. Sorry, first was Commissioner. Oh, Kelly Gardner and Vice Chair Kelly Gardner. And it was a second. Motion and a second by Commissioner Ketchum. I'll be back. There we go. Thank you. We have a motion and a second.
openpublica.com