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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-1998 Meeting I I .' I PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - January 12, 1998 4:00 P,M. r PRESENT: Mays, Chairman, J. Brigham, Kuhlke, Todd, members; R. Oliver, Administrator; J. Wall, Attorney; P. DeCamp, Planning & Zoning; R. Sherman, License & Inspection Department; T. Beck, Recreation Department. ALSO PRESENT: Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission, Belinda Brown of the Clerk's office; Mr. J. Weathers, petitioner; Ross Snellings, Erik Montgomery, Historic Augusta; Ted Clarkson, Rob Maulding, Summerville Association. Stacy Edison, Metro Spirit; Alisa DeMao, Augusta Chronicle. ABSENT: Mayor Larry E. Sconyers. An appeal request from Mr. Johnny Weathers regarding the denial of a demolition permit for property located at 726 Hickman Road and 2097 Heckle Street. MR. MAYS: Ms. Bonner I know you sent out several letters in reference to this to several persons of different entities being here regarding this particular item today. If we can begin wich the first person on the list. Ross Snellings, Chairman, Historic Preservation Commission: This item came before the Historic Prese~fation Commission in March 1996. After hearing from all parties involved a motion was made to deny the request for demolition. In April 1996, the applicant aooealed it to this Committee and the matter was tabled at that tl~e because of a lack of information. Erik Montgomery, Historic Augusta: We advocate preserving the house. We believe that it is of beth historic and architectural significance. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well in our own local preservation district ordinance for Summerville as being a contributing structure to the Summerville District. So, it's really no argument as to whether it is of historic or architectural significance, because all the people who pass off on such things have said so. We have a quarterly newsletter with 1500 members and we've offered to list it in our newsletter and explain the situation, also the Georgia Trust for Historic Prese~fation which has 9,000 members across ttle state has offered to put it in there publication to see if someone would show an interest in purchasing the house. Ted Clarkson, Immediate Pass President of The Summerville Neighborhood Association: The historical value of the houses in the Summerville area is veri I important to us and we feel very strongly about this house. We don't want to see this house demolished because it will lower the property value of the other houses. This is our feeling according to the Ordinance: "providing such variances, modifications or interpretations, shall remain in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the provisions, and this is what's important, so that the architectural or historical integrity or character of the property shall be conserved". You can't preserve something if you tear it down. Rob Maulden, President Summerville Neighborhood Association: As a community we feel that we ca~~oe afford to lose a significant structure like this. Mr. Weathers: I cannot afford to renovate the house to bring it up to code. The repairs are so over whelming that I don't wane to do any and I cent: inue to lose meney, every month it's a different loss. What I plan to do is get out of the rental business, completely. MR. TODD: I move that we posqlOne this until we get: some figures on what it would cost to renovate the property. MR. MAYS: Motion dies for lack of a second. MR. TODD: the appeal. I would like to make another motion that we deny I MR. MAYS: Motion dies for lack of a second. MR. BRIGP~: Mr. Weathers do you have a plan if this place is demolished to replace ie? Mr. Weathers: No. MR. BRIGHAM: Since you don't have a plan, you don't have an appeal. Mr. Wall: He is suppose to submit a plan. He has been denied In part because he didn't have a plan. MR. BRIGHk~: I would like to make a motion that we refer this back to the Historic Preservation Commission and let them, after they see a plan, or something else happens, then it can come back to us, but righe now there is no.reason for it to be here. MR. TODD: Second. MR KUHLKE: I weuld like to make a substitute motion that we defer or postpone any action on this for six months. At the end of I After a lengthy discussion; I I I six months, if Mr. Weathers finds himself in the same position then he can come back and appeal to this body. I'm hoping that during that six months is that the Historic Preservation, Summerville, Historic Augusta will actively get involved and try to find somebody to buy this piece of property. If you're not successful in doing that, I have a real problem in penalizing somebody that owns a home and not be able to do what he wants to do with it. But, don't come back to us unless you have a plan, a proforma on whether or not if you spent the money to bring this building up to code, a proforma on what your income would be, what your expenses would be, what your investment is, so that we can see whether it's a liable project or not, if you spend the money. MR. MAYS: Motion dies for lack of a second. MR. BRIGHAM: I will accept the details of Mr. Kuhlke's motion as an amendment with the exception of the six month waiting period. Mr. Weat:hers: I withdraw my request for demolition. MR. BRIGHAM: I think that we need accept this as information since Mr. appeal at this time to drop the motion and just: Weathers has dropped his Mr. Wall: The withdrawal will be the withdrawal of the appeal and not the withdrawal of the application. Because he cannot withdraw his application at this point asking the Committee's approval. Motion carried unanimously. MR. KUnLKE: I move that we don't accept his withdrawal and refer it back to the Historic Prese~fation Commission. MR. BRIGHk~: Second. Motion carried unanimously. A request from the Director of Recreation to approve the design and construction plan for the new South Augusta Regional Park to be built on Windsor Spring Road. At this time the design engineers, Cranston, Robertson and Whitehurst present the design and construction plan for the new South Augusta Regional Park. MR. TODD: I disagree with the piece mealy of this project. I would like to appoint a subcommittee to come up with funding sources or get it under budget to include the following chairman: Mays, Bridges, Powell, Mr. Beck and Mr. Kuhlke and direct Mr. Beck to proceed with the plan. MR: KUHLKE: I wculd like to make a motion that we direct Mr. Beck to ask Cranston, Robertson and Whitehurst to proceed with the plan with the understanding that we will probably come back with add/alternates once we identify the funding. MR. TODD: Second. Motion carried unanimously. A request from the Attorney to approve Bus Shelter/Bench Encroachmen t permi t and Bus Shel ter /Bench Indemni ty Agreement between Augusta, Georgia and the Georgia Department of Transportation. Mr. KUHLKE: So move. MR. BRIGHAM: Second. Motion carried 3-0 with Mr. Mays voting no. A request to approve a change in the professional services contract awarded to Virgo Gambill Architects in the amount of $12,500.00 for additional seating and future expansion of the Natatorium. MR. KUHLKE: So move. MR. MAYS: Second. Motion carried unanimously. A request from Mr. Todd for discussion of lighting on the walking track in the Butler High School Area. MR. KUHLKE: I move that we receive this as information. MR. BRIGHP~: Second. Motion carried unanimously. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission bjb I I I