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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03022004 BSC Minutes WS r City of West University Place A Neighborhood City ® Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission 3826 Amherst Street, Public Works Conference Room Workshop Committee Meeting Minutes March 2nd, 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Brian Hoogendam, Bryant Slimp, David Flame, John Ayres, and Kevin McMahon. MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Peter Benjamin, Darryl Friday, J. Denny Powers and Muddy McDaniel. COUNCIL LIASION: (None) STAFF PRESENT: Annette Arriaga and Dennis Mack. [Call to Order.] With members present Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Workshop Committee. Dennis Mack gave BSC a graph of the comparison of homes built prior to 1992 and for homes built from 1992 to the present. The graft showed the average number of new homes being built verses remodeling that was taken place in the West University area. Brain Hoogendam updated BSC on his conversations with Sunny McKinnon, who is with West University's Historical Society. She provided him with helpful information and gave him a book about West University's History. Brian Hoogendam asked BSC to define the goals for Old Stock Housing and to think about what are the objectives. David Flame asked what are we trying to accomplish? David spoke to Mike Farley briefly and said that Mike Farley indicated that his objective is to develop a City Policy that promotes, protects, enhances and perpetuates Old Stock Houses within the City of West University Place. The issues: ❑ Entry Housing To provide a more diversified and demographic approach. ❑ Diversity Style in construction. ❑ Density Size of houses and the coverage of lots. Brian Hoogendam asked BSC to refocus and to think about our goals in light of the refined objective by considering data on the appraised value, the year the house was built or the lot size. Dennis stated that the cheapest lots in West University Place are selling for between $125-150K. John Ayres noted that it is very hard to find a house selling for less than $300K in West University. He stated that he notices young doctors looking for homes in the $350K to $400K-price range. John Ayres added if there was a way to impact the city taxes placed on Old Stock Houses? Dennis Mack stated that homeowners who want to remodel need an incentive to keep the house the way it is. One way would be tax abatement. Brian Hoogendam stated that he had purchased an older home that was built in 1948. But, he could not consider it an older home because the house had been updated. Brian Hoogendam again asked BSC to refocus and consider, what is our goal? Old Stock Housing as defined by the committee includes: 3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713.66894441 • www.westu.org ~ 4! Building and Standards Commission Work Shop Minutes March 2nd, 2004 Page 2 of 2 Area Value / Criteria Reasoning Appraised Value of Less than $80,000 Improvements that have a lower appraised improvement (not land) value are typically the older homes that - per HCAD of the have not had additions or been remodeled property Year Built - Per HCAD Earlier than 1960 Age can define the style and condition of the house Footprint of the House Cannot be greater than 2 If a house has had extensive remodeling X the on final size then it cannot be considered old stock Brian Hoogendam asked about other potential areas of relief for owners of old stock houses. The committee game up with other possible solutions for example, ❑ Potential Tax Freezes- Renovated verses being demolished ❑ Potential Fee Increase- 1. For demolition contractors. 2. For sewer permits ❑ More leeway for homeowners wishing to remodel older homes. 1. Example, 20 foot set back on back property line (currently applies to primary structures, not garages. Houses can currently go up, but not back. 2. Windows-Old houses may have old windows and might not pass the current energy compliance requirements. Can the City give some exception to this? Bryant Slimp stated that the committee is coming up with a lot of great ideas and the next step is for the committee to: ❑ Agree on goals and objectives. ❑ Agree on the criteria. ❑ Decide on recommendations that the committee will be making to City Council. David Flame will contact Michael Saegert at the Harris County Appraisal District to discuss the concept about the possible freeze of appraisals on Old Stock Houses. David will ask that if the intent is to preserve older homes, what might Harris County have to add to the preservation of Old Stock Housing? [Adjournment.] Bryant Slimp motioned first to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. PASSED THIS_t~LDAY OF r~ , 2004. Bryant limp, Chai n ATTEST: ~'r 6 Ms. Annette R. Arriaga Development Se ' es Secretary