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briekelman

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  1. I'm not trying to detract from the recent PC post. However, seeing it made me realize that while I posted the Culture Map article, I forgot to post the Houzz article on our house. It was written by one of the Houzz editors who specializes in Historic Preservation. Enjoy! http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28613889/list/Houzz-Tour--From-Shocker-to-Stunner-in-Houston
  2. Our house was featured in Culture Map http://houston.culturemap.com/news/home-design/06-14-14-defying-recommendation-to-tear-down-eyesore-houston-couple-pulls-off-an-incredible-restoration/?utm_source=sf_facebook
  3. Thanks! Yes, i designed every inch of everything in the house - from the built-in's to the lighting fixtures to the hardware, plumbing, everything. All of my interior lights are antiques from various antique stores, but the exterior lights are not expensive - $33 each from Home Depot. I noticed later that Coltivare has the same ones outside, but in "Brick Patina" (mine are "brushed nickel"). If you PM me your email address, I'll send you my spreadsheet which has the link / prices to everything. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-Brushed-Nickel-1-Light-Outdoor-Cottage-Lantern-BOA1691H-BN/202022740?keyword=BOA1691H-BN Through the process, I found that you can spend a fortune on everything....or NOT! Rehabbing these old houses is so expensive, that when I could save money on selections, I tried to get good quality as inexpensively as possible. The rain shower head is American Standard and cost $65 (now it looks like it's $79), and you need another piece that's $30. Below are the links to those. The plumbers did all the rough-in fixtures, so I'm not sure how much they cost, as it was embedded in the bigger plumbing bill. I did chrome throughout the house, which surprisingly is the cheapest finish these days (very rare that my personal preference is the cheapest option!!!). http://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Standard-Easy-Clean-10-in-Single-Function-Rain-Showerhead-in-Polished-Chrome-1660-610-002/202099436?keyword=1660.610.002 http://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Standard-12-in-Ceiling-Mount-Shower-Arm-in-Polished-Chrome-1660-190-002/202099421?keyword=1660.190.002
  4. if anyone wants to see a before/after of my house. anyone who thinks i am not a historic preservationist is crazy! thank you again to everyone who helped me along the way! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101657054246971.1073741826.17004695&type=1&l=79af547c8b p.s. hopefully the link works? I tried to make the photo album public, but I don't know how to test it for people that i'm not FB "friends with". Can someone let me know?
  5. Wait a minute..... I thought the Ordinance was pitched as already having design guidelines? Simply click on the youtube video below, listen to Marlene's words, and look at Marlene's Powerpoint. "Already in place for the Old 6th Ward, Houston Heights, etc...." It is pretty clear to me that Design Guidelines were in place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWf-f9JRh4g This is also why my Preservation Planning staff contact sent me the Design Guidelines linked on the Houston Preservation website. It wasn't until my appeal that they decided to start calling them "educational material." I have copy/pasted my back and forth with my Preservation Planning Staff contact below (removing her name with XXXX for privacy sake). I even asked if these were the latest DG's since they were dated 2008, when the Ordinance was dated 2010. She said very clearly - yes. This is pretty clear to me, and I'm not sure what changed or why these DG's are not used anymore. Date: Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 11:09 AM Subject: RE: 1207 Harvard To: Brie Kelman No, for the Heights design guidelines 2008 is the most up to date version. They were put together after Heights West and East historic districts were created. XXXX, City of Houston Planning & Development Department From: Brie Kelman Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:48 AM To: XXXX Subject: Re: 1207 Harvard Ok - cool - thanks. This is the document I was using originally. I noticed that it's dated 10/13/2010, where the guidelines are dated December 2008. Since you sent them to me, I assume they are correct, but I just wanted to double check that there isn't anything newer than 2008? Thanks again! On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 10:43 AM, XXXX wrote: No problem. I’ve attached a PDF, the section on Certificates of Appropriateness starts on page 21 and section 33-241 covers additions. XXXX, City of Houston Planning & Development Department From: Brie Kelman Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:35 AM To: XXXX Subject: Re: 1207 Harvard No problem! I can only imagine how hectic it is over there...it's hectic over here getting ready! Thanks for your email and the guidelines. They are good for me to have as well, but if you could forward the ordinance as well, that would be helpful. On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 10:31 AM, XXXX wrote: Sorry, I know I just sent you the design guidelines. Did you mean the guidelines or a copy of the Ordinance? Sorry it’s been a bit of a hectic morning. XXXX, City of Houston Planning & Development Department From: XXXX Date: Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 10:24 AM Subject: RE: 1207 Harvard To: Brie Kelman Hi Brie, At this point I think that it may be best to move forward with the original proposal. Even though staff will be recommending denial, it is just a recommendation the Commission has the final say and they do not always support staff recommendations. I would recommend that you come to the Commission meeting and present all of the reason that you’ve stated below and that we’ve talked about to the Commissioners, by doing this you’ll be providing them with information and the personal reasons behind your proposal. This can make a difference in their decision. If you’re going to send in any other supporting documents they will need to be submitted by Friday morning. Here is a link to the Heights Design Guidelines- http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres/houston_heights_design_guide.html Best, XXXX XXXX, City of Houston Planning & Development Department From: Brie Kelman Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:29 AM To: XXXX Subject: Re: 1207 Harvard Hi XXXX, Sorry, I forgot to ask one more thing. Can you please email me a copy of the historic guidelines? I want to make sure we are using the correct document . Thanks!
  6. in case the link for the Chronicle didn't work....here is the article: By Mike Morris January 19, 2014 In October 2010, an emotional Sue Lovell, then a city council­woman, lauded the passage of a strengthened historic preservation ordinance for Houston after a long, complex and divisive battle she and Mayor Annise Parker had led. In recent months, however, Lovell has appeared before the commissions tasked with implementing the ordinance to lobby on behalf of builders and homeowners seeking to remodel historic homes. What changed? Not her support for preservation or for the ordinance, Lovell said. What has shifted, she and others said, is the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission's interpretation of the rules. "I fought for this ordinance," the former councilwoman said, "and I'm going to continue to fight to improve this ordinance." The rules passed in 2010 prevent property owners from demolishing or altering the exterior of historic buildings in 20 designated districts without the approval of the historical commission. Previously, owners simply had to wait 90 days - even if the commission denied their request. The topic is divisive, in part, because the restrictions are some of the only land use controls in Houston, the nation's largest unzoned city. Initially, Lovell and others said, homeowners were told to preserve a historic home's façade by not adding rooms onto the front half of the structure, only to watch the starting point for building restrictions creep toward the back of the house; the historical commission now prefers additions affect only the rear wall. "Then they come to the commission and the commission says, 'Well I don't want it set all the way back; it's taking up the whole back yard,' " Lovell said. "It's like trying to nail down Jell-O." Heights resident Brie Kelman said more predictability is needed. Kelman applied last year to renovate a dilapidated bungalow by adding on to the back half of the house to fit her growing family. She has kept the home's original siding, windows, porch and many furnishings, and has repurposed materials removed during the renovations. The commission voted no, saying Kelman did not follow its staff's suggestion to push the addition farther toward the back of the house and that the design dwarfed the home. Pushing the addition back would only increase the square footage, take away her yard and increase the cost, Kelman said. She thought her design had satisfied the only clear numbers she could find in the ordinance. Kelman showed the city's Planning Commission a chart comparing her design to a similar but much larger addition that was approved the same day hers was denied; the denial was overturned. Sam Gianukos, a builder who had 14 of his clients' applications denied or deferred on the first try last year, said "the commission, basically, is changing the ordinance at the commission." Mayor not content Both sides use data to make their point. Of the 361 projects presented to the historical commission last year, Parker said 84 percent won approval outright; another 8 percent were approved after revisions. Critics, however, say appeals to the planning commission highlight the problem. Last year, 15 historical commission denials were appealed to the planning commission, which ended up reversing decisions in 11 of those.
  7. I don't ever look at haif unless I get an email saying that someone has updated this specific thread. I heard that the recent Leader articles on the topic had been posted on another thread. Therefore, in case others are like me and only check this specific thread, I thought I'd post here too since the subject matter is pertinent to this topic. http://www.theleadernews.com/?p=15142 (Note: there are 7 different articles in this series. You will see a blue box on the middle right section that has links to all 7 different articles) Separately and similarly, yesterday on the cover of the Sunday City and State Section of the Chronicle, there was another article on the topic: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/She-fought-for-historic-preservation-ordinance-5156481.php
  8. http://houstontx.swagit.com/play/10312013-616 Click on Roman numeral v on right. 2 were overturned and 2 were upheld (both of Bungalow Revival's projects were denied coa's - Houston's best and most famous historic preservationist) A - bicycle bungalow - overturned Hahc B - bungalow revival - upheld Hahc (my new next door neighbors who are only adding 835 SF by removing a bad 90's addition C - creole new construction - overturned Hahc D - Bungalow Revival - upheld Hahc and denied a dormer A lot of emotion and exhaustion right now, and I sincerely hope that this doesn't result in my new neighbors moving.
  9. My new next-door neighbors are trying to remodel their house. Bungalow Revival is their designer/builder, and even HE, as the most well-known Historic Preservationist in Houston (if not TX), cannot get through the HAHC - crazy. They are only adding ~800 SF for a total square footage of 2,624, which is less than their whole block's average. The appeal is this Thursday, Oct 31 @ 2:30 pm. Click here to see a photo album that shows the shoddy 1990's addition, which is the ONLY thing that they are removing and replacing with a much better, more cohesive addition. The new space will actually be safe (unlike the current 1990's addition) and will make their house function (their 2nd daughter spent the first year of her life in a closet!). Can you please each send the email that I have drafted below to show your support for these wonderful neighbors of ours? We don't want to lose to the suburbs! Feel free to embellish as much as you would like, but in case you are busy, feel free to copy/paste/send. I left several things in red at the bottom, so you would remember to modify/personalize for you. Many thanks! To: Delaney.Harris-Finch@houstontx.gov,historicpreservation@houstontx.gov cc: jzucker@yettercoleman.com, triciazucker@hotmail.com Subject: Support letter for 1213 Harvard COA I am writing to show my support of the Zucker's renovation project at 1213 Harvard and encourage the Planning Commission to grant them a Certificate of Appropriateness. I am unable to attend the Planning Commission meeting in-person to show my support; therefore, this letter must suffice. Their project complies with the Ordinance and will be a great improvement to the neighborhood. Please respond to confirm that you will include this letter in the packet you will provide the Planning Commission on Oct 31. Thank you, Name The Heights (if applicable) Address (if applicable) Historic District Heights East (or whatever HD you are in if applicable)
  10. Hi all, I've gone a bit quiet after the whole unintentional window drama. I know I don't need to further explain myself to 99.5% of you, but in my defense to the 0.5% of you who still think I'm evil, I will say that I posted 2 extra times on Nextdoor: in response to person 1, I know that George does wonderful work. That is why I promoted him at the historic preservation fair as well as why I gave him a compliment in my original post. The only reason I even mentioned him was because every other post I've seen on next door about old window repair has recommended him (again this is a tribute to his good work), and unfortunately for me, he does not want to work on my windows, so I need to find an alternative and was asking for help. He has spoken for why he does not want to help us (actually in more appropriate language than to us originally). In terms of your clarification as to what I am doing, of course I want to restore them and make them as functional and energy efficient as possible. I know this is something that he specializes in, and it would be great if I could find someone who can do it as well as him too. in response to person 2 later who was asking if I had found anyone: Hi Jimmy, Thanks for asking; I sent all of the great recommendations to my builder while I was out of town last week. I know he's started talking to them and feels like we have many great options. I haven't talked to him since I've been back in town (late Friday night - I try to leave him alone on weekends as much as possible!), so I'm not sure if he's chosen anyone yet. Separately, I did not intend for my question to cause drama, and I called George to apologize. I thought "unwilling to help" was pretty PG, but apparently others disagreed. Also, to those who thought it was inappropriate for to ask for help on a public forum, please know that before posting on Nextdoor, I asked everyone I knew possible if they had any recommendations: the Historic Preservation Staff, Lynn with Historic Houston, neighbors, etc. They all recommended George - again a tribute to his great work and fabulous reputation, but unfortunately for me, this didn't help get me anywhere in restoring/fixing my historic windows. I waited for ~2 months after talking to him before posting on Nextdoor b/c I thought that maybe we'd be able to find someone. I also tried to think of the best way to ask the question b/c every other post I've seen in the past recommended him. I know he's busy and has a long waiting list, so I assumed that if I said something like "can't help us," it would lead people to say: "he's busy but worth waiting for" or something similar, which again speaks very highly of him, but doesn't help get all of my windows restored, now that it's time for us to get moving on the windows. Alas "unwilling to help" was the best I could come up with, which didn't seem bad or rude to me! Thanks again to everyone for your recommendations!
  11. Thank you for the legal clarification; I did not know how this works legally (I am being serious, not sarcastic). I haven't seen the meeting yet b/c it is not posted, so I did not see the other 11 approved additions, nor the 3 new construction applications. Did you go or do you have a copy of the dvd? If you have a copy of the dvd, can you post it on youtube? I am anxious to watch the whole thing when it is posted. Did any of the 11 approved additions have 2nd stories? If so, where did they start? I know you are hoping to do an addition eventually per another older post; do you want to put on a 2nd story? I sincerely hope that you are able to do it and you don't get told no b/c I know what you do will be thoughtful and preserve the character of your house. I work with 3 people who are looking to buy in the Heights recently/now. I am not saying that this is everyone by any stretch of the imagination, but this is my personal knowledge of "the market". As one mere example, the first thing that one of them said to me when showing me a listing on Harvard was: "we'd of course put in energy efficient windows." I said, you can do that, but you will have to go through a process and have the potential to be denied like several other people where you might have to appeal, even though the legal document says that you can as long as you use "like" materials and it doesn't specify condition: (6) New materials to be used for any exterior feature excluding what is visible from public alleys must be visually compatible with, but not necessarily the same as, the materials being replaced in form, design, texture, dimension and scale; I told her that I LIKE my old, rotten windows, so I am choosing to keep them, so I did not have this issue. This is only one example of one small conversation...I don't have time to type more. All this said, I want you to know that I have tried to talk all of them into buying in the HD, but none of them want anything to do with it. I am not trying to scare anyone away from HD's - quite the contrary! I have said over and over again that I like them in principle but think the details of enforcement could be improved.
  12. I agree - nowhere does it say 67% or 75%, nor does it say rear wall, nor does it say that you cannot have a 2nd story no matter where you start it. Your direct copy/paste from the Ordinance says "front half", which is exactly what I was referring to in my post with 50%. All of this said, the further back you push the 2nd story, the bigger the house becomes b/c the 2nd story has to sit on top of something. Them telling me to push my 2nd story back 10 ft would have made it 350 sqft bigger for no reason. You are right - as someone who has/is going through the process: it is incredibly expensive! I bought our property Nov 14, and we didn't have our permit in-hand until late May, and we are just in the process of framing now (finally, which is very fun). We are hoping/doubting that it will be complete in February, which is slightly less than convenient b/c we are expecting our 2nd child Feb 2nd. I had no idea that I would own 2 homes for 1.5 years, and likely would not have done this if I knew that from the beginning. I simply cannot afford it, especially now that there will be 4 of us, and I will be unpaid on maternity leave for several months. AND I'm probably in a better place than most b/c I'm an extremely decisive, type-A personality that makes decisions on design/materials/etc. a lot faster than your normal person. I have been absolutely "on-it" every step of the way (e.g. I bought my countertop material before I had even chosen a designer, less than one week after I bought the house). All this said, I'm still having fun with my project and will not let this get me down....not to say that it hasn't made me question my investment recently...
  13. Wow. I looked at the Planning Commission Agenda online, and it appears that both projects had Staff's recommendation for approval, but they still got denied! The July HAHC meeting is still not posted online, so I have not seen it yet....did anyone see it and/or know what the Commission said as the basis for denial? It looks like 2nd story additions are no longer allowed if someone starts it at the rear wall of the original structure and still gets denied. Here is what this looks like to me (please correct me if I'm wrong): The Ordinance says you can start a 2nd story 50% back.One of the Historic Commissioners always says that he prefers to see the 2nd story begin 67% or 75% back.The Preservation staff encourages applicants to begin their 2nd story at the rear wall to get them through the process easily (alas ridiculous looking houses like 163X Cortland shown in a previous post with zero back yard) because it will preserve 100% of the original structure.The HAHC still denies additions that begin at the rear wall.If you can't add a 2nd story addition on any portion of the original house, nor at the rear wall, does this mean that you just simply cannot have a 2nd story addition? Unfortunately the actual Ordinance and countless examples of precedent-setting houses disagree (right, all you lawyers?). This is very disappointing and disheartening. It is the first time that I have started to question my investment (which by the way is my life savings plus, plus, plus), which is a bit scary for me. Most people I know that either have kids or want kids eventually want/need a 2nd story (yes people can do it without it e.g. me right now in my 1300 sqft 1-story cottage while waiting for construction on the "new" house to be complete, but very few choose to). If they can't have this (and other things that might be important to them like replacing rotten windows with energy efficient windows), then they will say: forget looking in Historic neighborhoods, we are moving to another neighborhood or the burbs!
  14. I went to see progress on my house over lunch, and guess who I ironically ran into on the 1600 block of Harvard!? The surveyors! I stopped to ask them a few quick questions. They are only measuring Contributing Structures. I forgot to ask the logic why, but my guess is that this is because new construction is supposed to be in character with the existing contributing structures. I have not seen any alterations to non-contributing structures (other than siding) in the 7 months I've been watching this, so I'm not sure how the HAHC and staff looks at those projects. I'm not sure if there just aren't very many alterations to non-contributing structures or if they just get passed on the Consent Agenda?? They started first measuring German Town b/c they were in the process of creating Design Guidelines and then moved to HH East, starting first on Harvard Street. Someone from the City staff is with 2 interns, for a total of 3 people. This made me feel better b/c I assume that someone with more experience will know what they are donig and be able to lead the interns. (to be clear, I like intern learning experiences, since I was one for 2 summers, but think it's important that they have some supervision to ensure accurate data).
  15. (tone clarification here: I'm not arguing) Can you send the address of the 2900 sqft house you are referencing? I would like to see it, to make sure I understand what you mean by telescoping roof lines. I think most would consider my rennovation/addition as a camel back (right?), which would not have been my first choice by any stretch of the imagination. The attached photo is my favorite house in the Heights @ 16th and Harvard. Our house could/would never have looked exactly like this, but it would have been nice to use some of the design elements from it (p.s. Creole did this remodel years ago, and it's on the National Register). Creole was my designer, and trust me, our house WAS designed from scratch through MANY, MANY brainstorming sessions with both us and the Preservation Staff. They are not cranking them out from a design book.
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