BY SHAHERYAR KHAN & DARCY SPRAGUE
Historic permitting steps
The challenges
What business owners are saying
City process for Certificates of Appropriateness, needed to modify historic buildings:
The city has four historic districts, where all buildings within are subject to extra regulations, New Braunfels Historic Preservation Officer Katy Totman said. Other buildings can be designated as historic by the city, state or nationally, and each designation comes with different requirements. Some buildings might have no designation, despite being as old or well preserved as those that do. TJ Grossi, executive director at Schumann Con- sulting, said the key to navigating the challenges is having a lot of experience with the different processes. Schumann Consulting is currently working on the Faust Hotel remodel and has shepherded several projects throughout the city through the process. Nathan Feingold, owner of NB Remodeling and vice chair for the New Braunfels Historic Commis- sion, said obtaining historically appropriate mate- rials can be costly and time-consuming. He also
Sisters Lilliana Brabham and Laura Hick- man own the bookstore and coffee shop Chapter & Co. on W. San Antonio Street. Stairs reading “First National Bank” from the late 1800s lead into the building. “This building has a soul,” Brabham said. The front section of the building had been mostly restored when the pair took it over. They said the permitting process was smooth, and they’ve had few issues with the building’s age. The back of the building is unfinished, and the pair are committed to maintaining as many historic elements, including using original windows and light fixtures and converting some of the original beams into shelves or countertops. “People just want to know where they come from,” Brabham said. “And even if you don’t come from here ... this is a piece of history.” A trio of New Braunfels residents are converting The Voigt House into Kenne- dy’s Tavern. The home features an 1840s brick house inside a 1870s home. While it is located outside of the city’s historic districts and comes with few restrictions for remodeling, the team is committed to keeping it as close to the original as possible, owner Kyle Kennedy said. “If we just let people knock things down, our downtown would look like anywhere,” Kennedy said. As a lifelong New Braunfels resident, he said it is important to keep it locally owned and have as much local participation as possible.
Apply for a Certificate of Alteration (required for any exterior work)
Undergo Historic Landmark Commission review or undergo administrative review if eligible
Either after issuance of the certificate of alteration, or concurrently with the above process, apply for a standard building permit
Standard development review occurs
Final permit issuance
SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
said the permitting process presents challenges. “As far as I’m concerned, [the permitting process is] a jumbled mess,” Feingold said.
Local involvement
Associates—is working with his colleagues to develop a website that will address the challenges and importance of managed growth. Lark Mason and his son, Lark Mason III, are members of Pre- serving New Braunfels, a new initiative to save and protect historic structures in the city “It’s an overwhelmingly difficult thing to do for a private person to engage in any kind of historic preservation effort,” said Lark Mason.
Historic preservation groups, such as the New Braunfels Historic Landmark Commission, the New Braunfels Conservation Society and the Sophienburg Museum and Archives, play a role in restoration efforts. “It creates the fingerprint and an aesthetic for the area that people fall in love with,” said Jennifer Singleterry, executive director for the Sophienburg Museum. Lark Mason—president and CEO of Lark Mason
What’s next
Cultural events
Braunfels Historic Landmark Commission also holds public information meetings. Even those not opening a business can get involved in New Braunfels culture and history by attending or volunteering at cultural events. “Buildings are just empty structures. ... Without the people, without [cultural] events, they’re just husks,” said Lark Mason III, who organizes the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.
The city is working to simplify the process and align guidelines with neighboring cities, said Christopher Looney, director of planning and development services. It also offers financial incentives, including a 20% property tax reduction for downtown historic district properties and waives some permitting fees. Business owners can contact the city’s historic preservation office for renovation guidance and assistance with the permitting process. The New
Folk Fest: April 12 Historical Homes Tour: April 19 New Braunfels Barn Sale: May 25 Wurstfest: Nov. 7-16 New Braunfels Renaissance Faire: Dec. 5-7 & Dec. 12-14 NBCS Christmas Market: Dec. 11
SOURCE: NEW BRAUNFELS CONSERVATION SOCIETY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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