OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission Meeting – August 14, 2025

Committees and Commissions — Thursday, August 14, 2025
BodyHouston, Texas
SessionCommittees and Commissions
DateThursday, August 14, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:16:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

It is now 232 p.m.

0:17

Thursday, August 14th, 2025.

0:20

Today's meeting of the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, HAHC is called to order.

0:27

I am Commission Chair David Buchek, and to verify we have a quorum, I will call the roll.

0:33

The Chair is present.

0:41

Sorry, yes, Commissioner Jones.

0:43

Present.

0:44

Commissioner Blakely will be absent today.

0:46

Commissioner Sapulvida is not here currently.

0:49

Commissioner Cosgrove.

0:51

Commissioner McNeil.

0:53

Commissioner Curry.

0:55

Not here currently.

0:57

Commissioner Yap.

1:00

Commissioner Stava.

1:03

Present.

1:03

Commissioner Couch.

1:05

And our Deputy Director Robert Williamson.

1:08

Present.

1:09

Thank you, Commissioners.

1:10

We have a quorum.

1:12

As part of the chair's report, I'll just read out some of the speaker rules that are posted.

1:17

This meeting can be viewed on HTV, although virtual participation options are not available.

1:23

Meetings start about a minute after the scheduled time so that we can allow for HTV broadcast to go live.

1:30

Speakers, if you wish to address the Commission on an item, please fill out the speaker's form before the item is called and turn it into uh staff near the front door.

1:41

Um the speaker rules are posted on the agenda and are at my discretion at this meeting.

1:45

Applicants may open and speak for three minutes.

1:48

You may also be recognized to close with an additional two minutes.

1:51

I may call on you for additional time to answer questions from Commission members.

1:56

Other public speakers may speak one time up to two minutes when I recognize you to speak.

2:01

Uh please note for individual consideration of certificate of appropriateness after staff's initial presentation.

2:08

I will open the public hearing.

2:10

Commission members hold your questions for staff until our deliberations have been um before our deliberations until after the public hearing has been has already been open.

2:26

And with that, I will turn this uh over to the uh director's report uh thank you, David.

2:34

Uh good afternoon, Chair Buchek, historic commission members and the public.

2:38

Um Robert Williamson, acting secretary of the commission and deputy director of the Houston Planning and Development Department.

2:45

For my report today, I have several announcements.

2:47

Uh first, the state legislature just passed House Bill 1522 amending the Texas Open Meetings Act that will impact the timing of our notice postings for the Commission.

2:58

Effective September 1st, the 72-hour notice requirement has been changed to three business days prior to the meeting.

3:05

Consequently, our posting requirement will back up from Mondays at 2 30 p.m.

3:09

to end of business on the Friday before the next meeting.

3:13

City holidays cannot be counted as well, which may push the notice date back an additional day or so depending on the holiday and our commission schedule.

3:21

Next, uh four mayoral appointment members of the commission whose terms have expired are rotating off the commission, and this will be their last meeting.

3:30

Position six, Beth Wheedar, a three-term member and our vice chair and commercial representative.

3:35

Position four, Rhonda Sapelvuda, a two-term member and our cultural history representative.

3:41

Position eight, Stephen McNeil, a four-term member and a remodeler builder representative.

3:46

And finally, position nine, Stephen Curry, a three-term member and our preservation specialist.

3:51

These four members have made a significant contribution to the Commission and Houston Historic Preservation efforts.

3:57

So on behalf of the city, I want to thank them for their commitment to the commission and the service to the city.

4:03

The planning department would all also like to acknowledge their service with a certificate of appreciation and a small gift that I will distribute at the end of my report.

4:12

Four current commissioners are being reappointed by Mayor Whitmore and include Commissioners Jones, Blakely, Buchek, and Cosgrove.

4:19

The mayor's four replacement members will be introduced at our next meeting after they have been confirmed by City Council and sworn in.

4:26

In closing, if you have any questions, you can call the Houston Office of Preservation Hotline at 832-393-6556 or visit our website at Houston Planning dot com.

4:39

This concludes my report.

4:40

Thank you, and now I'd like to distribute these certificates.

4:44

Thank you.

5:00

Thank you.

5:15

Okay.

5:16

And um one thing we're gonna do next is um because there's not a mayor's uh liaison report today, um, but we've been asked to pose for a photograph.

5:25

So uh we'll now assemble in the front area where the four chairs are, and we will um mark this day for the record.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████81%
Procedural██████10%
Zoning And Land Use███6%
Community Engagement█2%
Code Enforcement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission Meeting – August 14, 2025

The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) met on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 2:23 PM. The meeting was called to order by Chair David Buchek, with a quorum present. The agenda included nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, a reclassification request, and several certificates of appropriateness (COAs). Key announcements included changes to the Texas Open Meetings Act and the departure of four commissioners.

Consent Calendar

  • Items E4, E5, E6, E7, E12, E13, E14, E15, E16, E17 were approved as a block with staff recommendations. These included new construction, alterations, additions, and signage in various historic districts. Specific details: E4 (4702 Euclid St) – new garage, Woodland Heights; E5 (81 Bernard St) – new single-family residence, First Montrose Commons; E6 (122 Rutland St) – alteration/addition, Houston Heights West (approved with conditions); E7 (925 Courtland St) – alteration of siding, trim, doors, windows, porch, balcony, roof, Houston Heights South (approved with conditions); E8 (309 Bayland St) – alteration/addition, Woodland Heights (pulled for individual consideration); E9 (201 West 15th St) – alteration, Houston Heights West (pulled for individual consideration); E12 (2040 West Gray St) – alteration/signage, River Oaks Theater and Shopping Center; E13 (1050 Yale St) – alteration/signage, Houston Heights South; E14 (1225 Oxford St) – alteration/addition, doors, porch, balcony, roof, Houston Heights East; E15 (2010 State St) – new single-family residence, Old Sixth Ward; E16 (516 West Main St) – alteration/addition, First Montrose Commons; E17 (1020 East 16th St) – alteration of doors and others, Norhill (denial of COA, issuance of COR).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Emily Ryan (Preservation Houston) spoke in support of the National Register nomination for Margaret Root Brown College (Item C), noting it is the last residential building on campus preserving women's education history at Rice University.
  • Becky Davis (agent for owner Patsy Kelly) requested reclassification of 320 East 20th Street from contributing to non-contributing (Item D), citing a 1945-1946 construction date and inventory error.
  • Patsy Kelly (owner) supported the reclassification, stating the property was built in 1945 and never contributed to the district.
  • Kyle Kelly (family member) supported the reclassification.
  • Amy Gray (neighbor) stated neighbors agreed to the reclassification.
  • Ann Callis Vistakis (owner of 410 Main Street) spoke in favor of Item E1 (balcony and facade restoration), describing family ownership and the building's history.
  • Sam Gianukas (architect) supported the balcony design, noting it is freestanding and can be removed.
  • Patrick McConnell (homeowner of 3312 Beauchamp St) spoke in favor of Item E2, explaining the need for a screen porch due to mosquitoes and family needs.
  • Glenn Cementelli, Adam Turner, and Adrian Ruthfin (neighbors) opposed Item E3 (new construction at 702 Euclid St), arguing the proposed house is too large, too tall, and does not meet setback requirements.
  • Sam Gianukas (architect) defended Item E3, stating the house aligns with neighboring setbacks and is not out of scale.
  • Michael Zertucci (commissioner) commented on Item E8 (309 Bayland St), requesting simplified windows and removal of shingles and skirt on the addition.
  • John Shepherd (Flight Signs) and Nathan Niemyer (Flight Signs) spoke on Item E9 (201 West 15th St signage), proposing an internally illuminated sign that mimics neon; they agreed to use neon instead.
  • Ed Wonder (owner of 918 Columbia St) spoke on Item E10, explaining he did not know permits were required for window replacement; he is willing to replace front windows with wood if required.
  • Christine Chichester (owner of 417 Highland St) spoke on Item E11, explaining the need to relocate the house to accommodate a garage and usable yard space.
  • Ronnie Cabrera (artist and resident) spoke during public comments about the imminent demolition of the Granada Theater in the East Tex Jensen neighborhood, urging preservation and asking for a halt to demolition.

Discussion Items

  • Item A (First City National Bank 1021 Main St & 1101 Fannin St): Staff presented the nomination for National Register listing under Criterion C (architecture, local significance). No public speakers. Commission unanimously supported the referral without objection.
  • Item B (Inwood Manor 3711 San Felipe St): Staff presented the nomination for National Register listing under Criterion C (architecture, local significance). Commissioner Jones asked about protections; staff clarified National Register listing does not prevent demolition but may trigger tax credit requirements. No objections; commission supported referral.
  • Item C (Margaret Root Brown College 6100 Main St): Staff presented the nomination under Criteria A (education) and C (architecture). Public speaker Emily Ryan supported. Commission supported referral.
  • Item D (320 East 20th St – reclassification): Staff presented the case for reclassifying from contributing to non-contributing based on incorrect 1930 date and actual 1945 construction. Public speakers all supported. Some commissioners questioned the need for reclassification vs. demolition. A motion to defer was made and seconded to allow a site visit report; the item was deferred.
  • Item E1 (410 Main St – balcony and facade restoration): Staff recommended approval with conditions (transoms, balcony width, remove joints, simplify storefront). Public speakers supported. Commissioners debated the design's authenticity. A motion to approve staff's conditions with additional consultation passed.
  • Item E2 (3312 Beauchamp St – addition): Staff recommended approval with conditions (remove screen porch, remove brick skirt). Applicant agreed to lower roof pitch on screen porch and use siding on addition. Motion to approve with changes passed.
  • Item E3 (702 Euclid St – new construction): Staff recommended approval with conditions (push back second floor, 7/12 roof pitch). Multiple neighbors opposed. Architect argued compliance. After discussion, motion to approve staff conditions plus 26-foot setback passed (one opposed).
  • Item E8 (309 Bayland St – addition): Pulled from consent. Commissioner Couch requested simplified windows, no shingles, straight skirt. Applicant agreed. Motion to approve with those conditions passed.
  • Item E9 (201 West 15th St – signage): Pulled from consent. Staff recommended indirect illumination. Applicant revised to use neon. Motion to approve with neon sign passed.
  • Item E10 (918 Columbia St – window replacement): Staff recommended denial due to unpermitted vinyl window installation. Owner explained ignorance. Commission deferred to allow staff inspection of existing windows.
  • Item E11 (417 Highland St – relocation and addition): Previously deferred. Owner explained need for relocation. Commission denied the motion to relocate (one opposed, none in favor).

Key Outcomes

  • National Register Nominations: Items A, B, and C were approved for referral to the Texas Historical Commission without objection.
  • Reclassification (Item D): Deferred to a future meeting for a site visit report.
  • Certificates of Appropriateness:
    • E1 (410 Main St) – Approved with conditions (transoms, balcony width, remove joints, simplify storefront, consultation with commissioner).
    • E2 (3312 Beauchamp St) – Approved with conditions (low roof pitch on screen porch, no stucco on addition, brick skirt removed).
    • E3 (702 Euclid St) – Approved with conditions (second floor pushed back, 7/12 roof pitch, 26-foot setback).
    • E8 (309 Bayland St) – Approved with conditions (one-over-one windows on addition, no shingles, straight skirt).
    • E9 (201 West 15th St) – Approved with condition of neon sign.
    • E10 (918 Columbia St) – Deferred for staff inspection.
    • E11 (417 Highland St) – Denied (motion to approve relocation failed).
  • Public Comments: The commission committed to connecting Ronnie Cabrera with Preservation Houston to discuss preservation options for the Granada Theater.
  • Staff Report: Noted departures of Commissioners Wheedar, Sepulveda, McNeil, and Curry; appreciation expressed. Announcement of changes to Texas Open Meetings Act (HB 1522) effective September 1, 2025. Preservation Office updates: Fifth Ward meeting for Lions Avenue National Register nomination, Norhill Design Guidelines public meeting in September.

Meeting Transcript

It is now 232 p.m. Thursday, August 14th, 2025. Today's meeting of the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, HAHC is called to order. I am Commission Chair David Buchek, and to verify we have a quorum, I will call the roll. The Chair is present. Sorry, yes, Commissioner Jones. Present. Commissioner Blakely will be absent today. Commissioner Sapulvida is not here currently. Commissioner Cosgrove. Commissioner McNeil. Commissioner Curry. Not here currently. Commissioner Yap. Commissioner Stava. Present. Commissioner Couch. And our Deputy Director Robert Williamson. Present. Thank you, Commissioners. We have a quorum. As part of the chair's report, I'll just read out some of the speaker rules that are posted. This meeting can be viewed on HTV, although virtual participation options are not available. Meetings start about a minute after the scheduled time so that we can allow for HTV broadcast to go live. Speakers, if you wish to address the Commission on an item, please fill out the speaker's form before the item is called and turn it into uh staff near the front door. Um the speaker rules are posted on the agenda and are at my discretion at this meeting. Applicants may open and speak for three minutes. You may also be recognized to close with an additional two minutes. I may call on you for additional time to answer questions from Commission members. Other public speakers may speak one time up to two minutes when I recognize you to speak. Uh please note for individual consideration of certificate of appropriateness after staff's initial presentation. I will open the public hearing. Commission members hold your questions for staff until our deliberations have been um before our deliberations until after the public hearing has been has already been open. And with that, I will turn this uh over to the uh director's report uh thank you, David. Uh good afternoon, Chair Buchek, historic commission members and the public. Um Robert Williamson, acting secretary of the commission and deputy director of the Houston Planning and Development Department. For my report today, I have several announcements. Uh first, the state legislature just passed House Bill 1522 amending the Texas Open Meetings Act that will impact the timing of our notice postings for the Commission. Effective September 1st, the 72-hour notice requirement has been changed to three business days prior to the meeting. Consequently, our posting requirement will back up from Mondays at 2 30 p.m. to end of business on the Friday before the next meeting. City holidays cannot be counted as well, which may push the notice date back an additional day or so depending on the holiday and our commission schedule. Next, uh four mayoral appointment members of the commission whose terms have expired are rotating off the commission, and this will be their last meeting. Position six, Beth Wheedar, a three-term member and our vice chair and commercial representative. Position four, Rhonda Sapelvuda, a two-term member and our cultural history representative. Position eight, Stephen McNeil, a four-term member and a remodeler builder representative. And finally, position nine, Stephen Curry, a three-term member and our preservation specialist. These four members have made a significant contribution to the Commission and Houston Historic Preservation efforts. So on behalf of the city, I want to thank them for their commitment to the commission and the service to the city. The planning department would all also like to acknowledge their service with a certificate of appreciation and a small gift that I will distribute at the end of my report.

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