SUBJECT
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Public hearing and consideration of a motion to consider the exterior alteration of the side façade along Lincoln Street by adding a terracotta clay mural on part of Lot 4 and all of Lot 5, Block 40, Western Division, located at 502 Convent Avenue. This property is within Old Mercado Historic District.
HD-005-2026
District VIII
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BACKGROUND
Initiated by: KRI Investments, Owner; Mona Dadlani, Representative
Previous Action:
On March 26, 1996, the Historic District Landmark Board approved the proposed scope of work, which included, 2 canopy signs measuring 40” x 18” and one painted wall sign not to exceed 60 square feet; the wall sign shall be centered over the business and the yellow board shall be reduced to comply with the 60 square foot signage area. Messages on signs shall state “1$ Plus”. (Historic Order No. 144).
On September 16, 1999, the Historic District Landmark Board approved the proposed scope of work, which included, a change to the canopy style per plans presented to the board. The change included:
1. Roof counter flashing to be painted to match the existing exterior wall color in order to minimize its visual impact.
2. Freon connection on the south wall to be painted to match the existing wall color in order to minimize its visual impact.
(Historic Order No. 318).
Current Proposed Scope of Work: The applicant proposes installation of a mural on the side elevation of the building. The mural includes applied terracotta clay pieces, which would create a three-dimensional surface and alter the existing wall texture. The current exterior finish of the wall is stucco.
Building Type: As per the Historic Urban Design Assessment Report (1996):
- “This is a single-story brick masonry commercial building. It has storefront windows that have tile on the base and on the columns. Today, these windows have an overhead security grill. This building has a recent metal canopy that covers up what could be clerestory windows beneath it. The frieze is a brick pattern punctuated by the air vents openings. The parapet is capped by a linear brick raised coursing.”
Site: The property is an H-CBD (Historic Central Business District) zoning district.
Letters sent to the surrounding property owners: 38
For: 0
Against: 0
Granting or Denying an Application:
- As per the Laredo Land Development Code, Section 24.1.2.2(2), the Historic District Landmark Board shall utilize the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings; and the City of Laredo, Texas, Historic Urban Design Guidelines
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards:
1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces and spatial relationships.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.
10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
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*THE PURPOSE OF THIS APPLICATION REVIEW BEFORE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT/LANDMARK BOARD (HDLB) IS FOR HISTORIC COMPLIANCE ONLY. APPROVAL FROM THE HDLB DOES NOT GUARANTEE A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT, OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF PERMIT THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT.
Staff supports the proposed scope of work for the following reasons:
1. The mural does not require removal of historic architectural features, openings, or defining structural elements. The existing stucco will remain intact. The installation is limited to a side elevation and does not obscure primary façade detailing. As proposed, the historic character of the property will be retained and preserved. (Secretary of Interior Standards - Standard 2)
2. In addition, the mural shall be installed in a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property would remain intact. Removal must be undertaken with the gentlest means possible, avoiding abrasive methods, harsh chemical treatments, or mechanical procedures that would damage the stucco. Any future removal shall include careful patching and repair to restore the original stucco finish. (Secretary of Interior Standards - Standard 10)
Staff General Comments:
1. Any improvements which are approved by the Historic District Landmark Board shall also comply with all Building Code requirements and other regulations as provided in the Laredo Land Development Code.
2. Approval by the Historic District Landmark Board does not guarantee approval of a building permit or any other permit which may be required.
3. It is recommended that all existed improvements utilize the following resources as a guide:
- The Secretary of the Interiors' Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
- City of Laredo Historic Urban Design Guidelines
- City of Laredo Historic Preservation Plan
4. No other improvements, changes to the building, site or new construction on the property shall be permitted without prior review and approval by staff and/or Historic District Landmark Board, to meet compliance.
5. As per the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, all proposed scope of work should be physically and visually compatible to the original materials and features of the historical structure.
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