The Mashup

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
Request for Council Action

SUMMARY:

This briefing will provide City Council with the history of the creation of the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) as well as options for Council to consider for modifications to the historic review process.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The HDRC is a City Council-appointed board of fifteen (15) citizens who review design changes to individual historic landmarks as well as buildings and properties located within historic districts.  The HDRC advises in reference to the preservation, protection, identification and enhancement of the City’s historic resources.  It also is the public body that reviews all design changes to properties located within the six River Improvement Overlay Districts (RIO’s) that stretch from the headwaters near Hildebrand Avenue to the old City limits south of Mission Espada.

The purpose of the HDRC is to provide guidelines and oversight for development of properties on or near the river to ensure good urban design principles and economic development, and to protect adjacent neighborhoods from inappropriate development.  In addition, the HDRC provides public review for all City projects including new fire stations, community centers, libraries, park structures, monuments, etc. They also review all public art projects within the City, allowing for public input and comment and providing guidelines and standards for appropriateness.

In order for the City to maintain its position as a certified local government with the state of Texas, the HDRC must be comprised of residents of the City, and have representatives of specific categories in its membership, to the extent available, which include the fields of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archeology, or other disciplines related to historic preservation such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography, or cultural anthropology.  When such a representative is not available, the HDRC is required by state law to “seek outside expertise in the appropriate discipline, when considering National Register nominations and actions that will affect historic properties which are normally evaluated by a professional in such disciplines.” Rule 15.6(f)(3)(D),Texas Admin. Code.  The City has determined that the membership of its HDRC shall include  architects, landscape architects, historians, planners, artists, business interest, real estate specialist, attorneys, archaeologists, contractors and general citizens.  The HDRC reflects the diversity of San Antonio including gender, ethnicity, wealth, age and education.  They are the “public review body” that encourages and promotes citizen input in the design review process. They hold public meetings, seek public comment, and promote the best practices of design to protect our historic neighborhoods, our River Walk and the overall character of San Antonio.  

The HDRC meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month. They hear on average 30 to 40 cases per meeting.  54% of all applications submitted are reviewed by the HDRC with 46% of those cases listed on consent.  17% of the cases heard by the HDRC were sent to subcommittees for review.  Overall, approximately 98% of cases are approved with the HDRC accepting staff’s recommendation.  

The HDRC has a consent agenda for the convenience of applicants, and staff is able to approve all ordinary maintenance and repair requests. The HDRC encourages conceptual approval of large commercial projects to give an owner assurance to proceed prior to a large investment.   Many residential applicants are unable to afford professional design services and members of the commission often volunteer their time to help these citizens.

The HDRC has a number of subcommittees, as authorized by the City Code, to be able to review projects more in depth.  These subcommittees often meet on site, or meet with the applicants to review large or complex projects.  The subcommittees include the Architectural, Demolition, River Walk, Signage, Public Art, Landmark and Landscape subcommittees.  Subcommittee meetings occur between regularly scheduled HDRC meetings.  If a project is referred to subcommittee, it is automatically scheduled for the following HDRC meeting unless the applicant agrees in writing to extend the time period.  Please refer to attachment A for the HDRC conventional and alternative application process with subcommittees.

The duties and functions of the HDRC are provided in Article 8 Administrative Agencies under Section 35-803 in the Unified Development Code (UDC).  These duties and functions are assigned in order to protect proposed or designated individual historic landmarks or districts and buildings, objects, sites, structures, public art and design enhancements having special historical, cultural, architectural, and archaeological value; the River Walk area, and public property and rights-of-way.   Please see attachment C for a copy of Section 35-803.  A brief listing of the duties and functions are as followed:  

·          Identify structures and areas that represent the history of the city, state, or nation;

·          Investigate and recommend landmark designations through the City Zoning Commission;

·          Hold public hearings for changes affecting proposed or designated landmarks or structures;

·          Recommend design guidelines for landmarks or structures;

·          Recommend guidelines for public amenities and signs;

·          Hold public hearings and review applications for ad valorem tax exemption for structures with historical significance;

·          Review and make recommendations concerning proposed tax increment districts and special assessment districts;

·          Testify before all boards and commissions;

·          Review all proposed National Register nominations within the City of San Antonio;

·          Inform and educate the citizens of San Antonio concerning the heritage of the City;

·          Recommend recognition of landmarks or structures by means of certificates, plaques, or markers;

·          Review periodically the zoning ordinance of the City of San Antonio and recommend any amendments;

·          Create committees from among its membership to consider applications and to make recommendations to the full HDRC;

·          Prepare and submit to the city council an annual report summarizing the work of the HDRC during the previous calendar year; and

·          Select four (4) members for the Public Art Committee from within HDRC.

ISSUE:

Since 1967, City Council has approved modifications and improvements to the historic preservation process including creation of a Historic Review Board in 1967, creation of a Historic Preservation Officer in 1974, adoption of the Historic Preservation Ordinance in 1987, and the creation of the current Historic and Design Review Commission in 1992.  This item will present to City Council options to consider as improvements to the current historic preservation procedures.

ALTERNATIVES:

Three options will be presented for consideration.  They are as follows:

Option A recommends substantial improvements to the current process.  They include decreasing applications that will be reviewed by the HDRC.  This option increases the types of Certificates of Appropriateness issued by staff by proposing a list of Categorical Exclusions to be reviewed and approved by staff that would include items such as fences and swimming pools.   Items for HDRC review will be limited to large civic and historically significant cases; large and complex private development; public art pieces as well as applications that do not fall under the list of categorical exclusions approved by staff.  Additionally, Option A proposes providing quarterly reports to the HDRC on actions taken by staff; decreasing the number of commissioners from 15 to 7; and limiting the number of times an item can be sent to committee by the HDRC unless the applicant requests additional review.

Option B recommends no changes to the current review and approval process.  However, Option B does recommend conducting worksessions prior to the HDRC meeting to brief the commission on items on the agenda, similar to the current process for the Planning and Zoning Commissions.

Option C proposes the elimination of the HDRC resulting in staff review of all applications with the Director of Planning having final approval.  Applicants may appeal the decision to the Board of Adjustment.  

Options A and B maintain compliance with State Law which requires a historic preservation committee to designate historic properties and propose listings on the Federal Register of Historic Places as well as maintain the city’s position as a certified local government to receive additional funding and grants.  Option C will result in the State assuming oversight and maintenance of all designated historic properties if the City does not have procedures and reviews in place for all historic places.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of Option A with a public process to seek input regarding the categorical exclusions.  Additionally, staff recommends the monitoring of the proposed improvements for six months to determine any impact and provide to Council the status on the changes.