THE STATE OF TEXAS CITY OF BROWNSVILLE COUNTY OF CAMERON 3 MINUTES of the Public Meeting of the HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION BOARD OF THE CITY OF BROWNSVILLE, held at the City Chambers, on the Second Floor of the Brownsville City Hall - Old Federal Building, located at 1001 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, 78520, on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., with the following members present: Voting Members Present Calvin Walker, Chairman Martin Leal, Board Member Lawrence Lof, Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair, Board Member Tara Putegnat, Board Member Joseph A. Rodriguez, Board Member Voting Members Absent Fernando Balli, Board Member City Staff Alyssa Castillion, Senior Assistant City Attorney (online) Lena Chaisson-Muroz, Assistant City Attorney Carlos Romero, Info Tech, Technician I Juan Vélez, Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER With a quorum present, Chairman Calvin Walker called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. AGENDA ITEM(S) 1) Approval of the Minutes: January 10, 2024 Board Member Tara Putegnat moved to approve the minutes with the correction. Board Member Martin Leal seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 2) 2025 Calendar - Deadlines & ARC Meetings - 4th Thursdays at noon when necessary Board Member Tara Putegnat moved to approve the minutes with the correction. Board Member Martin Leal seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING(S) and discussion with possible action regarding the following structures: 1) 12052024 - 1526 E. Tyler St. - Consuelo & Santiago Gonzalez Site District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) Guidance 10 balance the historical contribution of the property with the special merit of the proposed replacement project: One-siory: Bungalow / Crafisman House (the designer will finde examples from the book "A Field Guide 10 American Houses' " by Virginia & Lee McAlister). The proposal follows a bungalow or Crafisman style, compatible with the existing surrounding styles, s0 the building site and setting (districi or neighborhood) are protected. Therefore, t0 approve the proposed projeci. However, a COA will be signed once the project is amended 10 describe, in detail the following characteristics and construction materials written below: Siding : Horizontal wood: Plain Novelty, Channel, Shiplapldrop, Tongue-and-Groove 5.25" width. Fibercement: orizontalselect. cerdarmill, smooth siding, orartisan lap with ma.x. 6"6 exposure; board & batien with a distance between batten centers spaced every 12 inches. lt should be drawn on the main façade. 1 Preferably one. material, avoiding brick wainscoting. Free-standing wooden 6"x6"- 8" x 8" posts preferably, from top t0 bottom. If brick wainscoting is allowed, the free-standing wooden posts willl be supported. by brick piers matching the brick wainscoting. Front door like Crafisman examples. Single-hung white aluminum windows with clear (non-tinted) ransparent glass, without interior, grid or lights. As per UDC. /Article 4. Zoning Regulations. / 4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriaieness and Demolition in the HP Overlay/D.. Heritage Officer Action li. Landscaping /(i) Replacement of paved or impervious areas seith sod or landscaping, parking area must be designed as a pervious area with sod or landscaping, and (iv) New plantings must comply with 4.6.3. Thej fence ifneeded- must be drawn and described in compliance with the UDC (42" height onfront yard up 10 meeting the front façade; 6' rest). Otherwise, it is derstood that the lot will be open. If wood, to be painted in white. Ifaluminum, 10 be painted in black. Simple front gable roofs, without pediments ofany kind. Roof: Dark grey. Project to comply with UDC and IBC/IRC 2018. At the motion of Board Member Martin Leal and seconded by Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair, it was unanimously approved to close the public hearing. Board Member Martin Leal moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez and carried unanimously. 2) No Number = 835 E. Levee St. - CAMERON COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING (1959 & 2017) District D4 Downtown General (DG) The building was subject to a new façade in 2017. Therefore, it lost is significance. The proposed elasiomeric coating and metal wall panels must have a visual impact like the existing ones. When looking at UDC/Article 4. Zoning Regulation / 4.5 Building Types /L. Corner Commercial Building and M. General Commercial Building, the permitted material nearer is stucco. Therefore, 10 approve the item subject t0 the, following: Of the metal walls presented, priority will be given 10 using the Flat Profile presented, like the metal panels built on the main and side facades. The Flat Profile metal panel must be painted with a slucco finish. The rest of the surrounding portion of the façade can be painted with the elastomeric wall coating matching thecolord and resembling a. stucro finish. Project 10 comply with UDC and IBC/IRC 2018. At the motion by Board Member Martin Leal and seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, it was unanimously approved to close the public hearing. Board Member Martin Leal moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez and carried unanimously. 3) No Number - 901 E. Filmore St. - RESACA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (1931) - Parking District D4 Traditional Neighborhood Corridor (TN-C) The proposal is 10 develop. o parking areas in front ofthe Resaca Elementary School. This building may be designated as a National Registered Historic Placess structure (NRHP) and/or a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark (RTHL). h is therefore advised that it would be best 10 consult with THC regarding the development oft the requested parking lot. In any event, neither the HPO nor the HPC is responsible fori the impact on the historic building that the possible approral of the project may have when applyingfors subsequent designations. Therefore, the proposed project can be approved once the sel of plans describes in detail the following characteristics and construction materials writien below: 2 The owner. must complete the Certificate ofA Appropriateness (COA). Project t0 comply with UDC and IBC /IRC 2018. At the motion by Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair and seconded by Board Member Martin Leal, the public hearing was unanimously approved to be closed. Board Member Tara Putegnat moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Martin Leal and carried unanimously. 4) 01142025 -1247 E. Madison St. - CELEDONIO GARZA BUILDING (c. 1886) District D4 Downtown Edge (DE) The Sanbom Maps show that the corner, building and the bakery were built with brick. Building the accessory structure with wood or cementitious fiberboard allows The Celedonio Garza Building t0 have more visual impact than being the only structure buili ofbrick. Therefore, 10 approve the item subject to the following: The priority would be t0 build the auxiliary structure with wood or fiber cement board. An alternative could be building the restrooms with bricks like the recen! wall that blends in with the historic siructure. Ifsiding: Horizontal wood: Clapboard. Vertical wood: Board & batten. Fiber cemen!: horizontal smooth siding, or artisan lap with max. 5.25" exposure; board & bauen with the distance beneen batten centers spaced every 12 inches. Free-standing wooden 6"x6" &". x 8" posis in case of developing porches. From! doors like the examples provided. Roof: Dark grey. Project to comply with UDC and IBC/I IRC 2018. At the motion of Board Member Martin Leal and seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, it was approved unanimously to close the public hearing. Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair and carried unanimously. 5) No Number 455 E. Levee St. = TEXAS EMPLOYMENT COMMISSION BUILDING (1960) District D4 Downtown Edge (DE) From the examples provided it is noticed thai the fence is appropriate with 42" height and could reach 6' on the northwest side (neighbor' s lot line), northeast side (lot line facing the alley), and rear southeast behind the warehouse recently built. To approve the 42". front fence and 6' fence on the remaining sides mentioned under the following conditions: The wrought iron fence should be painted black on lop of four unpainted brick courses. The public hearing was closed after a motion by Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair, seconded by Board Member Martin Leal, and carried unanimously. Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair moved to approve the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded by Board Member Martin Leal and carried unanimously. 6) No Number - 809 E. Madison St. - LONGORIA RENTAL HOUSES (1939) District D4 Downtown Edge (DE) UDC / Article 4. Zoning Regulations / 4.2 Zoning Procedures / 4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition in the HP Overlay/G. Request for Demolition /8. Prevention by demolition by neglect a. Emergency Stabilization and Repair 3 (1) No structure may be demolished due 10 a public hazard until it has been inspected by the HPO. The buildings should have been declared ninhabitable because they are irreparable. Following the HPO inspected the site, and as the photographs show, the documented state of the structures could be considered a public hazard. Therefore, approve the demolition as soon as possible, afier requesting the corresponding construction and COA permits 10 demolish the structures. lt mus! be followed UDC/Article 4. Zoning Regulations / 4.2 Zoning Procedures / 4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition in the HP Overlay, /G. Request for Demolition /7. Treatment ofSite Following Demolition Board Member Martin Leal moved to approve the proposal. The motion was seconded by Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair and carried unanimously. 7) No Number - 809 E. Madison St. Longoria Rental Houses Site (1939) District D4 Downtown Edge (DE) Guidance to balance the historical contribution of the property with the special merit of the proposed replacement, project: Oneston/Two-sion! building: National Folk or Folk Victorian (the desienerwillfinde examples from the book "A Field Guide 10 American Houses " by Virginia & Lee McAlister). The proposal follows a Victorian Style, compatible with the existing surrounding siyles, so the building site and setting (district or neighborhood) are protected. Therefore, 10 approve the proposed projeci. However, a COA will be signed once the projeci is amended t0 describe in detail the following characteristics and construction materials wrinen below:: Siding : Horizontal wood: Clapboard. Vertical wood: Board & batten. Fiber cement: horizontal smooth siding, or artisan lap with max 5,25" exposure; board & batten with the distance belween batten centers spaced every 12 inches. Free-standing wooden 6". x 6" 8" x 8" posis preferably from top to bottom. If brick vainscoting is allowed, thej free-standing wooden posts will be supported by brick piers matching the brick wainscoting. Do nots surround the main centered openings to the staircase with brick Fromt door like Victorian examples. Single-hung white aluminum windows with clear (non-tinted) transparent glass, withoul interior grid or lights. As per UDC/ // Article 4. Zoning Regulations. /4 4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition in the HP Overlay, / D. Heritage Officer Action li. Landscaping. /(i) Replacement of paved or impervious areas with sod or landscaping. parking area must be designed as a pervious area with sod or landscaping, and (iv) New plantings must comply with 4.6.3. The HPC Board requires a plan showing the landscaping of the property. The HPC Board requires , fence that must be drawn and described in compliance with the UDC (42" height on front yard up t0 meeting the front façade; 6' rest). If wood, 10 be painted in white. Ifaluminum, 10 be painted in black. Roof: Dark grey. Project t0 comply with UDC and IBC/IRC 2018. Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair moved to approve the proposal following the staff recommendations and some additional recommendations on landscaping and fences. The motion was seconded by Board Member Lawrence Lof and carried unanimously. 8) No Number - 934 E. Levee St. RENTFRO & RENTFRO LAW OFFICE BUILDING (1959) District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) Staff recommendation was as follows: The building is been altered without a building and COA permits. The newspaper's render shows the main façade facing E. Levee St., refaced around 1980 when the main tenant relocated their office 10 Boca Chica. 4 The proposed. new façade is (clay brick and black aluminum windows, reinterpreting the 1960s Neoclassical Revival designed by Ruth McGonigle, A.H. Woolridge, and Frank Torres. As per UDC / Article 4. Zoning Regulation / 4.5 Building Types / M. General Commercial Building. the permitted materials are brick, stucco, or smooth sione. The most appropriate would be the clay brick, resembling the Border Brickstyle. Considering the discovered historical rendering, perhaps the owner could consider this design. Therefore, the item may be tabled so the HPC could study. further proposals or be approved subject to the following: Request building and COA permits. Preserve the terrazzo of the entrance. and corridors and the remaining historical interior offices. Aluminum. storefront preferably ofa light color. Glass must be clear, not tinted. Projeci 10 comply with UDC and IBC / IRC 2018. HPC board members discussed the possibility of stopping interior and exterior work since the work being done on this MEDIUM preservation priority ranking structure has not been reviewed by the HPC. Additionally, they discussed the possibility of approaching the city manager and legal to file an injunction against the property owner. Board Member Lawrence Lof moved to table the façade proposal. The motion was seconded by Board Member Martin Leal and carried unanimously. 9) No Number - 855 E. Tyler St. - LEOCADIA G. VASQUEZ HOUSE (1962) District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) The existing house follows the Minimal Traditional feature; the rest ofthe contributing structures follow a. style representing Minimal Traditional (2), shoigun (2), and no style (1). The house is a medium preservation priority ranking: the owner would qualif for tax exemptions upon completion ofrehabilitation. The priority would be rehabilitating 855 E. Tyler St. 1>60-year-old house). However, the property does not have historical significance as the families that lived at this address did not contribute to the history of Brounsville. Therefore, the demolition may be approved. The HPO has requested to save and donale the hardware from windows and doors. In case the HPC approves the demolition, and as per UDC / Article 4. Zoning Regulations / 4.2 Zoning Procedures / 4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition in the HP Overlay / G. Request for Demolition /4. HPC Consideration /d. Proposed Replacement of Structure to be Demolished (i) (5), permits for demolition and new project must be issued simultaneously. The public hearing was closed after a motion by Board Member Tara Putegnat, seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, and carried unanimously. Board Member Lawrence Lof moved to approve the proposal following the staff recommendations. The motion was seconded by Board Member Martin Leal and carried unanimously. 10) No Number - 1433 E. 19th St. - LEOCADIA G. VASQUEZ RENTAL HOUSE (1962) District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) The existing house follows the Minimal Traditional Shorgunijeaure; the rest of the contributing structures follow a style representing Minimal Traditional (2), shotgun (2), and no style (I). The house is a medium preservation priority ranking; the owner would qualif for lax exemptions mpon completion of rehabilitation. 5 The priority would be rehabilitating 855 E. Tyler St. (>60-year-old house). However, the property does not have historical significance as the families that lived al this address did not contribute 10 the history of Brownsville. Therefore, the demolition may be approved. In case the HPC approves the demolition, and as per UDC / Article 4. Zoning Regulations / 4.2 Zoning Procedures / 4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition in the HP Overlay / G. Request for Demolition /4 4. HPC Consideration /d. Proposed Replacement of Structure 10 be Demolished (i) (5), permits for demolition and new, project must be issued simultaneously. The public hearing was closed after a motion by Board Member Tara Putegnat, seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, and carried unanimously. Board Member Lawrence Lof moved to approve the proposal following the staff recommendations. The motion was seconded by Board Member Martin Leal and carried unanimously. 11) No Number - 855 E. Tyler St. - Leocadia G. Vasquez Site (1962) District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) The building must have one of the entries facing E. Tyler St. and the other facing E. gr St. Guidance to balance the historical contribution of the property with the special merit of the proposed replacement, project: One-story building: Minimal Traditional (the designer will find examples from the book "A Field Guide 10 American Houses " by Virginia & Lee McAlister) - protruding entrances and aligiedreeedporch: Two-story building: Prairie style (the designer will find examples from the book "A Field Guide 10 American Houses' - by Virginia & Lee McAlister). The proposal follows a Minimal Traditional style, compatible with the existing surrounding styles, s0 the building site and setting (district or neighborhood) are protected. Therefore, to approve the proposed project. However, a COA will be. signed once the praject is amended to describe in detail the following characteristics and construction materials wrillen helow: As per UDC/Article 4. Zoning Regulations /4.2. Zoning Procedures / 4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition in the HP Overlay/G. Request for Demolition /6. Issuance ofi permit (d), fees for demolition by neglect would be applied separately. Siding : Horizontal wood: Plain Novelty, Channel, Shiplapldrop, Tongue-and- Groove 5.25" width. Fiber cement: horizontal select cerdarmill, smooth. siding, or artisan lap with max. 6" exposure; board & baten with a distance between banen centers spaced every 12 inches. li should be drawn on the main, façade. The vertical siding facing E. Tyler St. would be benerif changed into board & bauen (battens every 12"). Free-standing wooden 6" x6" - 8" x8" posis from top 10 bottom. Front door like Minimal Traditional examples. Single-hung white aluinn windows with clear (non-tinted) runsparent glass, without interior, grid or lights. As per UDC/Article 4. Zoning Regulations /4.2.5 Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition in the HP Overlay/D. Heritage Officer Action /i. Landscaping /(i) Replacement of paved or impervious areas with sod orl landscaping. parking area nust be designed as a pervious area with sod or landscaping, and (iv) New plantings must comply with 4.6.3. The fence ifneeded- must be drawn and described in compliance with the UDC (42" height on front yard up t0 meeting the front façade; 6' rest). Otherwise, ir is nderstood that the lot will be open. If wood, 10 be painted in white. Ifaluminum, 10 be pained in black. Roof: Dark grey. Project to comply with UDC and IBC/IRC 2018. The public hearing was closed after a motion by Board Member Tara Putegnat, seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, and carried unanimously. Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair moved to approve the proposal following the staff recommendations and some additional recommendations on landscaping and fences. The motion was seconded by Board Member Tara Putegnat and carried unanimously. APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION 1) 01272025 - 1025 E. 11th St. - HENRY FIELD STORE & HOUSE / PACHECO COMPLEX (1894-1906) District D4 Downtown Core (DC) Staffsigned a COA on 02/05/2025 with the following comments: Considering the comments and references wrillen above and because the building is designated as a HIGH preservation priority ranking, the ideal would be 10 consult the Texas Historical Commission to avoid risks for the (NRHP)/(RTHL) designation and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) t0 have a formal review within the Ciry ofi Brownsville. However -aI the owner's own risk-, the HPO granis a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) t0 perform the following: To rehabilitate the. firsl-floor wood columns as shown in the original photograph provided by the owner and the submilled drawings. The wood posts can be aligned with those existing on the second foor, bul the total section mus! be 6"x6". The wood posts could have an interior metal structure 10 reinforce the structure. The existing beams under the balcony must be preserved unless damaged. Ifso, the new' replacement wood must have the same wood and section. All the existing spindle workj friezes and lace-like brackets must be preserved, building replicas on empty spaces. A light color t0 paint the wood. structure t0 protect it from the elements. Project t0 comply with UDC and International Building Code (IBC) / International Residential Code (IRC) 2018. Therefore, 10 approve and ratify the granted COA. At the motion of Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez and seconded by Board Member Martin Leal, it was unanimously approved to close the public hearing. Board Member Martin Leal moved to approve and ratify the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair and carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Board Member Martin Leal moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair and carried unanimously at 1:42 p.m. 14 Approved on this day of hach 2025 CALAI CONGES Calvin Walker Chairman Attest: Juan Vélez Historic Preservation Manager