Dec 20, 2022 Landmarks Commission

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:05]

>> WE WILL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

THIS IS THE ABILENE LANDMARKS COMMISSION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INFORM EVERYONE PRESENT THAT THIS COMMISSION MEETS IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT.HE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMISSION IS SET FORTH BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN SECTION 1171 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

THIS IS A RECOMMENDING COMMISSION.

ALL FINAL DECISIONS ARE MADE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OR THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE REQUEST AND APPROVAL OR DENIAL BY THIS COMMISSION.

OUR OVERALL PURPOSE IS TO ADMINISTER THE PROVISION OF CITY CODE FOR THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF STRUCTURES

[1. Minutes; Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Minutes from the Previous Meeting Held on August 23, 2022]

AND WE DO HAVE A QUORUM HERE TODAY.

DID EVERYONE HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE MINUTES? I WAS NOT AT THAT LAST MEETING, SO I CAN'T BE OF ANY HELP ON THAT. DID Y'ALL SEE ANYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE

THE MINUTES? >> I WILL MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> I'LL SUCK IT. >> OKAY.

WE HAVE -- STEVE BUTMAN -- A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

A SECOND BY JAMIE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY DISAPPROVE? OKAY.

MINUTES ARE APPROVED. (SIGHING) LET'S SEE.

[2. HOZ-2022-01: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a Request for Historic Overlay Zoning at the McKinzie House located at 689 E.N. 18th Street. (Mason Teesardin)]

DO WE HAVE A STAFF REPORT? >> OKAY.

MY NAME IS MASON (NAME) I WILL BE PRESENTING HOZ 20 2201.

THE APPLICANT IS MARTHA MCKINZIE SHIPP GROVES.

FOR THE ESTATE OF (INDISCERNIBLE) SHIPP AND BETTY MCKENZIE. THE REQUEST IS TO ADD A HISTORIC OVERLAY TO THE RESIDENCE OF ABILENE HEIGHTS AREA.HE LOCATION IS 689 EAST NORTH 18.

THE MCKINZIE/JOHNSON HOUSE IS A 1 AND A HALF STORY MISSION SPANISH REVIVAL RESIDENCE BUILT IN 1929.THE EXTERIOR WALLS ARE ORIGINAL STUCCO WITH A FLAT PARAPET ROOF AND A MATCHING STUCCO CHIMNEY.INDOWS ARE THE ORIGINAL WOOD.

THERE IS A TWO STORY SINGLE BAY ENCLOSED PORCH CHARACTERIZED BY TOWER ROOF CLAD AND TERRA-COTTA TILES AND ARCHED STUCCO POSTS.

THERE IS A DETACHED GARAGE BUILT IN 1929 AS WELL AS AN ACCESSORY STORAGE STRUCTURE LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY BUT IT'S NOT CONTRIBUTING TO THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE SITE.

IT IS BUILT IN 1939. THE HOUSES LISTED IN ABILENE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES.

THIS IS THE LOCATION MAP. AND HERE IS THE AREA LOCATION MAP. AND THEN, THE MULTIFAMILY ZONING ALL AROUND IT. AND THEN, HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. SO WE HAVE A PHOTO FROM 1997, AS WELL AS 2009. AND THEN, A CURRENT PHOTO THAT WE TOOK. AND THEN, ACCORDING TO SECTION 2.3.4.4, THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICTS, SHALL BE ESTABLISHED ONLY IF PRINCIPAL DISTRICTS, CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, AREAS, SITES, STRUCTURES, BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES OR OBJECTS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF A PROPOSED ZONE EXHIBIT ANY ONE OR MORE THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: WE DEEMED IT TO MEET 1 THROUGH 4. IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST HOMES CONSTRUCTED ON THE HILL AND IT HELD A LOT OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS FROM ACC, WHICH IS NOW ACU.

IT WAS USED FOR HOSPITALITY MEETINGS, HOSPITALITY MEETINGS

[00:05:03]

AND THEN, JE MCKINZIE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING FUNDS TO KEEP ACC FROM BANKRUPTCY DURING THE 30S.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL;

CORRECTLY. >> OH, YES, MA'AM,! SORRY (LAUGHING). STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> ANY QUESTIONS?

>> SO THIS IS STUCCO INSTEAD OF BRICK?

>> MM-HMM. >> OKAY.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> YOU SAID 1939, I THINK, IS

WHAT YOU SAID?>> 1929. YEAH, THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL STRUCTURE THAT WAS BUILT IN 39 THAT IS NOT CONTRIBUTING.

>> OKAY. I WAS CATCHING THE WRONG THING!

>> (LAUGHING) YES, SIR. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY, WE'LL CLOSE THE STAFF PRESENTATION.

AND IF THE APPLICANT WOULD LIKE TO COME AND TALK ABOUT THEIR PROPERTY IF THEY ARE HERE? AND, I BELIEVE THEY ARE.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY! AND WHY YOU WOULD LIKE HO

ZONING. >> OKAY.

DO YOU WANT TO COME UP TO? >> YEAH, YOU CAN BOTH COME UP.

MAKE SURE YOU STATE BOTH YOUR NAMES AND YOUR ADDRESS.

>> MARTHA GROVES AND I LIVE IN LUBBOCK, 6809 NATIONAL AVENUE.

>> AND I'M TERRY GROSS, SAME ADDRESS.

>> AND THIS HOUSE IS A HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR FAMILY SINCE 1929, EXCEPT FOR A 25 YEAR PERIOD WHEN THE JOHNSONS, PERCY JOHNSON TOOK OVER THE HOUSE AND OWNED IT.

AND AT THE END OF HIS LIFE, HE AND HIS WIFE SOLD THE HOUSE BACK TO MY PARENTS. THEY CONTACTED MY PARENTS IN THE DALLAS AREA WHERE MY DAD WAS AN ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SAID WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN HAVING THE PROPERTY BACK? IT'S BEEN IN MY FAMILY FOR A LONG TIME. SO MY PARENTS BOUGHT IT BACK AND RETIRED THERE -- I GUESS IT WAS IN THE 80S.

SO IT'S A HOME THAT WAS BUILT BY MY GREAT GRANDFATHER.

THE MCKINZIE DORM ACROSS THE STREET WAS NAMED AFTER MY GRAND DAD -- GREAT GRANDDAD, SORRY. AFTER HE SECURED THAT PROPERTY, I MEAN THAT FUNDING FOR THE UNIVERSITY (INDISCERNIBLE) IN THE 30S. I THINK ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS IS MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WAS AN ENGLISH WOMAN.

SO SHE HELD TEA EVERY AFTERNOON AT THE HOUSE, SO THAT THE STUDENTS OR WHOEVER COULD COME TO TEA.

AND AFTER MY FOLKS MOVED IN, AND THEY WERE RETIREMENT AGE.

THEY CONTINUE TRADITIONS LIKE THAT.

NOT EVERY DAY, BY ANY MEANS. BUT THEY ALSO HAD PEOPLE COME IN FOR ONCE A WEEK INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDY AND THINGS THAT WERE RELATED TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.

AS WELL AS OPENING UP TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN TRAVELING THROUGH. IT WAS ALWAYS IN OUR NATURE WHERE WE LIVED TO NEVER LOCK THE DOOR.

WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A KEY TO OUR HOUSE.

SO PEOPLE CAME AND STOPPED AT OUR HOUSE AND WE JUST GREW UP AND HOSPITALITY MINDSET THAT WAS INSTIGATED BY THESE TWO PEOPLE. SO MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER OWNED A DAIRY FARM, AND HE WOULD HAVE PEOPLE COME INTO WORK AT THE DAIRY FARM OR AT THE HOUSE. IN FACT, EVERY DAY THERE WERE JUST LINEN CLOTHS (INDISCERNIBLE).

THEY HAD TO BRING THEM ACROSS THE STREET.

THAT'S ONE REASON WHY THEY BUILT THAT LAST STRUCTURES BECAUSE THEY NEEDED A PLACE TO WASH ALL THOSE LINENS AND HER TO GET THEM BACK FOR THE NEXT MEAL.

>> WOW! >> THAT HAVE TO HANG THEM OUT TO DRY AND IRON THEM AND ALL THAT BUSINESS.

SO IT HAS QUITE A BIT OF HISTORY.

HE WAS ALSO INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AND WAS INFLUENTIAL HERE. HE PERSONALLY BUILT THIS HOME WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS, OF COURSE.

INBOTH MOTHER HOMES ACROSS THE CITY AS WELL.

SO EXPERT ARCHITECT NO . BUT HANDS-ON BUILDER? HE PUT A LOT OF HOUSES UP ON THE HILL.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING ALSO IS -- YOU CAN'T TELL IT NOW, BUT ACROSS THE STREET WAS THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE AT ACU.

THEY DECIDED TO TEAR DOWN. THEY MADE A PARKING LOT AND USE A PART OF IT FOR ONE OF THE DORMS (INDISCERNIBLE).

YOU HAD THE MCKINZIE'S HERE, AND I THINK HE WAS CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN ON THE BOARD OF ACC FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS.

[00:10:03]

MR. HARDIN SAID NO, (LAUGHING) HE WOULDN'T DO IT.

BUT THEY DEVELOPED A FRIENDSHIP AND LATER ON THAT YEAR, MR. MCKINZIE AND ACC RECEIVED $1 MILLION FOR MR. HARDIN.

>> WHICH WAS REVOLUTIONARY AT THE TIME BECAUSE THERE WAS A BAPTIST CHURCH ACROSS THE PORCH! BY THE WAY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY WOULD COME OVER AND THEY WOULD SIT ON THAT LITTLE PORCH AND PRAY FOR THE UNIVERSITY EVERY DAY. SO THAT'S KIND OF A UNIQUE FEATURE AS WELL. WE WANTED THIS IS A HISTORICAL MARKER FOR YEARS. THAT'S WHY MY PARENTS MOVED BACK, TO PRESERVE THE PROPERTY. BUT JUST KIND OF DIDN'T DO THAT. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW IS A BUILDER AND FLORIDA. AND HE SAID DON'T EVER GET HISTORICAL MARKERS! SO WE DID IT.

SO THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE HOUSE.EOPLE BENT IN AND OUT OF IT. WE WANT TO RESERVE IT AND PRE-'S OF IT AS AN HISTORICAL PART OF ABILENE.

AND RIGHT THERE, ALSO FOR THE USAGE OF ANYBODY IN ABILENE -- WE DON'T EVEN KNOW YET, BUT WE ARE PRAYING ABOUT.

E WANTED TO BE HOME HOSPITALITY.

WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAVE TEA ONCE A MONTH (LAUGHING) BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF SACRED THERE. WE'RE JUST GOING TO USE IT HAVE PEOPLE COME IN. WE ARE HOPING THAT YOU GUYS WILL SEE THE PASSION AND THE SPIRIT BEHIND THE HOME.

IT'S NOT JUST AN ORDINARY HOME. IT'S NOT JUST A HOME THERE.

IT'S KIND OF CRUMBLING RIGHT NOW IN SOME WAYS, BECAUSE MY MOTHER DIED LAST YEAR. SHE WAS93 YEARS OLD, 94 YEARS OLD. WE LOST SOME OF THAT LOVE AND TENDERNESS IN THE HOME. BUT THAT SPIRIT OF HOSPITALITY EXISTS WITHOUT HER PRESENCE AND WE WANT TO CARRY THAT ON AS

MCKINZIE HOUSE. >> ONE LAST COMMENT FOR ME, WHEN WE PULLED UP IN ABILENE, A GENTLEMAN STOPPED ME AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAS AN AFRICAN GENTLEMAN AND HE ASKED IF MRS. SHIPP STILL LIVE THERE AND I SAID NO, SHE PASSED AWAY ABOUT A YEAR AGO. HE SAID HE COULD REMEMBER BACK AS FAR AS THE YEAR 2000 COMING FROM AFRICA AND HAVING A MEAL OR BEING IN THAT HOUSE AND HOW MUCH HE HAD APPRECIATED THAT DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PRESERVE THAT A LITTLE LONGER (INDISCERNIBLE) IN THE CITY OF

ABILENE. >> THERE ARE 13 DESCENDENTS FROM THAT LINEAGE, FROM MY GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER -- GREAT-GRANDFATHER AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER THAT HAVE BEEN NAMED MCKINZIE. MY MIDDLE NAME IS MCKINZIE.

SO I HAVE A COUSIN, ANOTHER COUSIN, KNEES, ANOTHER COUSIN AND A BABY BEING BORN IN FEBRUARY.

AND WE CARRY THAT MIDDLE NAME. SO THIS COUSIN THAT IS HAVING THE LITTLE BABY HASN'T NEVER BEEN TO THIS HOUSE AND DOESN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT, THAT WE ARE PRESERVING IT OR ANYTHING.

I CONTACTED ALL THOSE PEOPLE AND SAID (INDISCERNIBLE) AND FOUND OUT ALL THROUGH THE FAMILY WE HAD THAT NAME.

AND HIS MOTHER CONTACTED US AND SAID THAT'S THE NAME OF OUR BABY! HER NAME IS MCKINZIE.

SUPER CAN HAVE A GRAND OPENING DOWN THE ROAD HERE.

WE WERE HOPING TO HAVE THAT APRIL 1. BECAUSE (INDISCERNIBLE) AT ACU WAS APRIL 1, OR MARCH 31.

BUT IT'S KIND OF NEAT THEY HEARD THE STORY PASSED ON THROUGH THE FAMILY NOT HAVING BEEN THERE (INDISCERNIBLE).

>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY INTERIOR SHOTS.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT THE INTERIOR IS LIKE TO STOP ANY UNIQUE

FEATURES ON THE INSIDE? >> TALL CEILINGS.

THE DOORS AND ALL THE GLASS DOOR KNOBS ARE THE ORIGINAL, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THEIR OR THREE BEDROOMS. IN BETWEEN TWO BEDROOMS, MY MOTHER PUT A POCKET DOOR.

SO SHE HAD A BEDROOM AND A LITTLE SITTING ROOM.

SHE USED THAT MIDDLE BEDROOM AS A SITTING ROOM.

THE ORIGINAL WALLS ARE STUCCO AS WELL.

AND AT THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE, YOU GO IN.

THE JOHNSONS CHANGE THAT OPENING REGIS LOOK RIGHT IN THOSE TWO WINDOWS? THEY CHANGED THAT TO A FRONT DOOR. AND HAD IT WHERE THEIR KIDS COULD COME IN AND HAVE A SEPARATE AREA WHEN IT WAS REALLY COMPARTMENTALIZED WHEN THEY OWNED IT.

AND THEIR KIDS HAD A LITTLE LIVING AREA.

AND HE MADE A LITTLE WALL RIGHT THERE SO THEIR KIDS COULD COURT IS WHAT THEY TOLD US. MY MOTHER, WHEN SHE MOVED IN, SHE'S LIKE NO, THE DOOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN HERE! SO SHE PUT IT BACK OVER. AND WHEN SHE DID THAT, SHE HAD THAT PUT BACK TO THE SAME WINDOWS THAT IT WAS.

THEY KEPT EVERYTHING. (INDISCERNIBLE).

SO THEY PUT A BACKUP. BUT THEY ALSO MADE IT A SQUARE

[00:15:01]

>> TO THE LEFT. >> I GUESS IT WOULD BE TO YOUR LEFT AS WELL. SHE PUT THAT DOOR BACK, BUT IT STILL HAD THE STRAIGHT WAY BETWEEN THE DINING ROOM AND THE LIVING ROOM. MOTHER SAID I WANT THAT ARCH BACK. SO SHE HAD SOME OF COME TO DO IT AND THEY HAD SAVED THE ARCH UNDER IT.

SO ALL THEY HAD TO D WAS KNOCK OUT THE STUCCO AND THERE IT

WAS! >> THAT'S YOUR ORIGINAL ARCH?

ARE YOU SERIOUS? >> IT HAS ORIGINAL CHANDELIER IN THE DINING ROOM. THE SILVER CHANDELIER.

THEY CHANGED THE KITCHEN. SHE PUT IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL KITCHEN, YOU KNOW (LAUGHING)? THE CABINETS AREN'T ORIGINAL.

THEY ALREADY TORE THOSE OUT. SAME THING -- THERE'S A LITTLE BUILT-IN HUTCH IN THE KITCHEN. THEY DON'T HAVE CHINA CABINETS NECESSARILY. BUT THAT'S STILL THERE.

THE BATHROOM TILES ARE STILL THE SAME.

THE BATHTUB IS DIFFERENT AND THE SHOWER TILES ARE STILL THE SAME. A FEW CRACKS HERE AND THERE.

SO WE BEEN HAVING FOUNDATION PEOPLE AND EVERYONE COME OUT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET BACK ON PART.

WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP IT JUST AS HISTORIC AND TO THE POINT AS

WE CAN. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH! IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS ITEM? WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES ANYONE WANT TO DISCUSS THIS? I THINK IT'S CLEAR THE APPLICANT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS. THIS IS CLEARLY A UNIQUE PROPERTY. IT'S ARCHITECTURALLY VERY UNIQUE FOR ABILENE.AND IT HAS COMMUNITY HISTORY.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> I'LL SECOND. >> I'LL SECOND.

[LAUGHTER] >> TAKE YOUR PICK!

>> MS. DALZELL. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY MS. DALZELL AND A SECOND BY STEVE BUTMAN.

MR. SCOTT? >> YES, I APPROVE.

>> YOU GO DOWN THE ROAD.

>> MOTION IS APPROVED. >> WOO HOO!

[LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU FOR LOVING AND

PRESERVING THIS HOME! >> YES, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IF THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WHICH I DO NOT TH

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.