HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-12 - Minutes -
Meeting of the Historic District Commission
February 12, 2026, 5:30 PM
City Hall Rock Street Annex Meeting Room & Zoom
NOTE: The February 12, 2026 Historic District Commission meeting was held in person
and online. Staff were present in person.
Members: Chair Christine Myres, Meredith Mahan, Mark Harper, Cheri Coley, Jennifer Didway,
Tommie Flowers Davis, and Karen Rorex
City Staff: Kylee Cole – Long Range & Preservation Planner; Britin Bostick - Long Range
Planning & Special Projects Manager
Call to Order: 5:30 PM
In Attendance: Vice Chair Cheri Coley, Meredith Mahan, Jennifer Didway, Mark Harper,
Tommie Flowers Davis, Karen Rorex, Kylee Cole, Britin Bostick, and Kaci Black.
Approval of Minutes from the January 8, 2026 Meeting: Motion to accept by Commissioner
Mahan, second by Commissioner Harper. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Unfinished Business:
1. Downtown Design Overlay District Review: Cole recapped the sections for
commercial buildings and last meeting’s discussion of columns, arches, pedestals,
etc. She also presented a section for windows, skylights, and doors with a focus on
non-historic age commercial buildings. Cole questioned the application of the
standards, which are typical of the treatment for historic buildings rather than new
commercial buildings. Requirements for sills, operable windows, and door finishes
may not be consistent with commercial buildings generally, and as all window
configurations are permitted, keeping that statement seems potentially unnecessary.
Cole does want to cover opacity and facades in the next meeting as those standards
do come up and not infrequently are the subject of variance requests. That particular
topic may require a deep dive with the Commission.
2. Citywide Survey Ph. 1 Update: Cole announced Post Oak Preservation Solutions is
working ahead of schedule and Post Oak is working to finalize the documents. They
are including additional photos and the final document is expected around the first of
March. Cole expects to have that document for the Commission at the March
meeting.
New Business:
1. Oak Grove Design Guidelines: Cole introduced the document presented to the
Commission with a congratulations to the Commission for their support and the
neighbors for their efforts. Now that the district is established it is time to continue the
process by looking at design guidelines. Cole worked with Oak Grove property
owners beginning with a template based on their desired outcomes and 4-5 owners
met and edited the document to capture their top priorities, which were new
2
construction, demolitions, and a few very specific site features such as retaining
walls and roof forms. The end result was two documents to act as one, and the
owners are asking for a combination of mandatory guidelines for new construction,
changes to roofs, relocation of historic buildings, and retaining walls, which are
common to the neighborhood, as well as demolition of historic properties. Stone
retaining walls are a priority as part of the historic landscape and site design.
Owners are additionally proposing advisory guidelines, which would not require the
public hearing process but that set important best practices considered valuable as a
guide for changes to historic properties. These are tailored to the dominant
Craftsman and early 20th century architectural styles in the district. The advisory
guidelines include landscaping and other prominent site features.
Vice Chair Coley asked if future owners will be handed the set of rules upon
purchase of property. Cole responded that while the City is not typically included or
consulted on the sale of property, the information will be available online and should
be caught in the due diligence process. Commissioner Mahan recommended special
street signs for the district and other Commissioners agreed. Cole asked for
Commissioners to review the guidelines document before the next meeting and that
ultimately the Commission would need to formally adopt the document when
finalized. Commissioner Rorex asked about enforcement if a building were
demolished without approval? Bostick replied that it would be treated similarly to
other development work without approval, which is handled by the City Prosecutor’s
office. Cole noted that penalties can be $500 per day in instances of violation and
that a Stop Work Order is typically issued.
Announcements:
1. Cole announced that the Certified Local Government award of approximately $47,000.
She discussed with Commissioners that this is less than requested, and the phase 2
survey project scope was estimated to cost approximately $85,000, and staff are
working to see if additional budget can be available.
2. Cole announced that the annual Historic Preservation Awards are open and awards will
be presented in May.
Adjourned: 6:01 PM