HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07 - Historic District Design StandardsMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2022
SUBJECT: APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF AN ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH ARCHITEXAS
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider approving and ratifying an agreement with
Architexas to develop recommendations for revisions to the design and
architectural standards within the Historic District.
FUNDING SOURCE: Funds are available in the Convention and Visitors Fund for an estimated
total amount of $75,000.
BACKGROUND: Ordinance No. 2013-23 was approved in order to set architectural
standards to address issues with new builds and remodels in the Historic
District that had become too large, out of scale or "loomed" above other
homes. While this ordinance has been successful in solving that issue, it
has stifled creativity and resulted in what some consider to be a
homogenous look.
The intent of this contract for services would be to advise on new
architectural standards and production of a book of exterior design
elevations to guide future development that would allow for a more
diverse architectural aesthetic, while still preserving the sense of scale
that was the original intent of the ordinance. Proposed amendments and
the book of design elevations will be presented to the City Council for
consideration and the Historic Preservation Commission will be involved
as appropriate.
The proposal provides a full scope of services to accomplish this task.
However, we anticipate using them on an hourly basis as some of the
work will be undertaken internally by staff. We began a review of the
ordinance earlier this year that was precipitated by the redevelopment of
an area on Worth and Texas Streets that are currently multi -family.
To date, our expenditures have been $15,159 and this action will ratify the
payment of those invoices and allow for an additional services to be
incurred on an hourly basis.
Staff recommends approval.