THE STATE OF TEXAS CITY OF BROWNSVILLE COUNTY OF CAMERON S MINOTES 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, March 14, 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 Tara Putegnat, Board Member Joseph A. Rodriguez, Board Member Voting Members Absent Fernando Balli, Board Member Reba Cardenas McNair, Board Member City Staff Criselda Flores, Assistant City Attorney Samuel Ruelas, Info Tech, Technician II Juan Vélez, Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER With a quorum present, Chairman Calvin Walker called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM(S) 1) Approval of the Minutes: February 21, 2025 Board Member Martin Leal moved to approve the minutes with the correction. Board Member Lawrence Lof seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING(S) and discussion with possible action regarding the following structures: 1) 03072024 - 1112 E. Washington St. - V.L. CRIXELL BUILDING District D4 Downtown Core (DC) Staff recommendation was as follows: To approve the proposed project. However, a COA will be signed once the project is amended l0 describe in detail the following. features and construction materials listed below: Lintels VS. window crowns. The photograph seems 10 be insufficient to redesign and build the originals. Staffi proposes t0 preserve the existing brick lintels. Storefront: the original photograph shows display windows with transom windows, lower wood window panels, wood pilasters, and a recessed door. Fiber cement panels are proposed instead as transoms, mimicking the lower panels. Transoms should be built with wood as the original photograph. The second-floor entry door is original and has an original transom window's. Both elements should be preserved. Single-hung one-over-one wood windows with clear transparent glass (non-tinted), swithout interior, grille or lights, on the second, floor. Existing original brick can be cleaned with low pressure waier. Extra. special care of the original metal pediment. The project must comply with UDC and IBC/IRC 2018. Board Member Martin Leal moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Tara Putegnat and carried unanimously. 2) No Number - 701 E. Levee St. - NEL-ROY APARTMENTS (1929) District D4 Downtown Edge (DE) Not reviewed due to incorrect address. Will be reviewed at the HPC meeting on 03/21/2025. 3) No Number - 705 E. Filmore St. - RESACA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (1931) - Parking District D4 Downtown Edge (DE) Not reviewed due to incorrect address. Will be reviewed at the HPC meeting on 03/21/2025. 4) Nol Number -934 E. Levee St. - RENTFRO & RENTFRO LAW OFFICE BUILDING (1959) District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) Staff recommendation was as follows: Background 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. The proposed new' façade is (clay brick and black aluminum window's, 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, slucco, or smooth stone, The most appropriate would be the clay brick, resembling the Border Bricksryle. Considering the discovered. historical rendering, perhaps the ouner could consider this design. Therefore. the item may be tabled so the HPC could study further proposals or be approved suhject 10 the following: Request ofa building and COA permits. Preserve the terrazzo oft the entrance and corridors and the remaining historical interior offices. Aluminum storefront preferably: ofa light color, Glass must be clear, not tinted. Landscaping to meet UDC/Article 4. Zoning Regulations /4 4.6. Zoning Development Standards / B, Applicability and E. Minimum Landscaping Standards / 3. Multi- Family, Mixed-Use, and Nonresidential Development. Project 10 comply with UDC and IBC/IRC 2018. At the motion of Board Member Lawrence Lof and seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, it was approved unanimously to close the public hearing. Board Member Lawrence Lof, moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, and carried unanimously. 2 APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION 1) 01292025 - 805 E. 7th St. = JESUS SAENZ HOUSE (1903) - Tabled on 05/10/2024, 06/14/2024, and 07/26/2024 District D4 Downtown Edge (DE) Staff recommendation was as follows: Staff signed a Lettero ofAuhorization on 11/07/2024 50 CDCB could handle its relocation 10 1526 E. Jackson St. and any issues related to the house. Therefore, the LellerofAuthorization granted is approved and ratified 10. subsequently sign the corresponding COA 10 relocaie the house al 1526 E. Jackson St. Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez moved to approve and ratify the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Lawrence Lof and carried unanimously. 2) 01292025 - 1526 E. Jackson St. - JESUS SAENZ HOUSE (1903) District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) Staff recommendation was as follows: Staffs signed a Lemer ofAuthorization on 11/07/2024 sO CDCB could handle ils relocation lo 1526 E. Jackson St. and anyissues related to the house. The new" development WaS presented at the HPC meeting held on 05/10/2024, 06/14/2024, and 07/26/2024, dates in which the relocation w'as tabled. However, in the meeting held on 07/26/2024, the HPC approved the demolition of the 1526 E. Jackson St. building so 10 relocate the Jesus Saenz House t0 the lot ovned by the City of Brownsville. Considering the comments and references written above and because the Jesus Saenz House is designated as a MEDIUM preservation priority ranking, the Ciryof Brownsville intends I0 rehabilitate it a! its new location, 1526 E. Jackson St. To approve the item following must be me!: The owner must, fill out a Building and COA applications. A COA may be granted to build the slab and consolidate the structure. The roof structure mus! be completely repaired and/or replaced in kind (same building material, same size and volume characteristics). Thej façades and theirf eaures(single-hung one-over-one wood windows with non-tinted glass, wood main door and single-hung windows, etc.) should be preserved or appropriately repaired following the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. If any element is replaced, it should be in kind (same building material, same, size and volume characteristics). However, because the existing siding was beveled siding proper ofa different historic era, the architects have proposed, fiber cement siding instead ofwood clapboard. Landscaping 10 meet UDC / Article 4. Zoning Regulations / 4.6. Zoning Development Standards / B. Applicability and E. Minimum Landscaping Standards / I. Single Family, Duplex, and Townhoume Construction. A light color t0 paint the wood structure lo proteci itj from the elements. Project 10 comply with UDC and nternational Building Code (IBC) / International Residential Code (IRC) 2018. Therefore, the LeterofAuthorization granted is approved and ratified t0 subsequently sign the corresponding COA t0 rehabilitate the house located on E. Jackson St. Board Member Lawrence Lof moved to approve and ratify the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez and carried unanimously. 3) No Number - 805 = 807 E. 7th St. = Jesus Saenz Site District D4 Traditional Neighborhood (TN) Staff recommendation was as follows: Staff signed a Letter ofA Authorization on 11/07/2024 so CDCB could handle its relocation to 1526 E. Jackson St. and any issues related to the house. 3 The new development w'as presented at the HPC meeting held on 05/10/2024, 06/14/2024, and 07/26/2024, dates in which the relocation was tabled. However, in the meeting held on 07/26/2024, the HPC approved the demolition of the 1526 E. Jackson St. building 50 to relocate the Jesus Saenz House I0 the lot owned by the City afBrownsville. There were no comments against the proposed replacement, projeci. Considering the comments and references written above and because the building is designated as a MEDIUM preservation priority ranking, the ideal would be 10 consult the Texas Historical Commission 10 avoid risksfor the (NRHP)/(RTHL) designation and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to have a formal review within the City of Brownsville. However -ai the owner's oun risk-, the HPO granted a Certificate of Appropriateness: (COA) on 03/12/2025 to) perform the following, pending delivery 10 the owner once the construction applications and COA have been uploaded to Accela along with all necessary documents for processing: To approve the item following must be met: The owner mus! fill out a Building and COA applications. A COA may be granted 10 consolidate the structure before it is 100 late. The roof structure must be completely replaced in kind (same building material, same size and volume characieristics). The façades and their feauures (single-hung one-over-one wood window's with non-tinted glass, wood porch columns, brick stuccoed piers, etc.) should be preserved or appropriately repaired following the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. If any element is replaced, it should be in kind (same building material, same size and volume characieristics). The exterior main door should be an historic Crafisman House style or aS the examples provided I0 add certain character, t0 the house. Landscaping 10 meet UDC / Article 4. Zoning Regulations / 4.6. Zoning Development Standards / B. Applicability and E. Minimum Landscaping Standards /3. Multi-Family, Mixed-Use, and Nonresidential Development. A light color 10 paint the wood. structure 10 protect itj from the elements. Project to comply with UDC and International Building Code (IBC) / International Residential Code (IRC) 2018. Therefore, it is suggested that the HPC approve and ratify the granted COA The public hearing was closed after a motion by Board Member Martin Leal, seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez, and carried unanimously. Board Member Martin Leal moved to approve and ratify the item. The motion was seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez and carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Board Member Martin Leal moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Board Member Jose Antonio Rodriguez and carried unanimously at 12:31 p.m. 21 on this Approved day of Mache, 2025 CALUA (K Calvin Walker Chairman Attest: Juan Vélez Historic Preservation Manager