Beaumont panel approves demolition certificate for Liberty Avenue house; OKs two property alteration requests

The Beaumont Historic Landmark Commission voted to approve a certificate of demolition for the house at 2229 Liberty Avenue and approved two certificates of appropriateness for separate property alterations during the commission's regular meeting.

City building official Boyd Meyer told the commission the structure at 2229 Liberty was first tagged as substandard after a September 27, 2021 inspection that revealed a collapsing foundation, a roof in need of full replacement and rotted eaves. The property, listed in a 1989 survey of Beaumont and built circa 1915, has continued to deteriorate, Meyer said, and no new ownership has been recorded since an adjacent owner expressed interest in repairing the structure at a prior hearing. Planning and building-code staff recommended approval of the demolition certificate. The commission approved the request; the demolition will next need city council approval before work can proceed.

Staff told commissioners that 27 adjacent property owners were notified of the demolition request; staff recorded no written opposition and one written expression of support from an adjacent property owner who said the vacant structure had attracted homeless persons and posed a health and safety hazard. Staff also said taxes on the property had not been paid and had increased. City staff said the city does not itself collect property taxes (the county handles tax collection and any sheriff's sale) and that demolishing the building would not transfer property ownership to the city. The city currently mows the lot and adds the cost to the property's billing if necessary.

On separate agenda items, the commission granted a certificate of appropriateness to allow an accessory building in the rear yard at 2311 Angelina Street. Planning staff reported the accessory structure is proposed for a corner lot, will be visible from the adjacent right of way, and is described in the applicant's packet as a wood structure with vertical panels, a golden-cedar 3-tab shingle roof and white trim. Planning staff recommended approval with the condition that all applicable building permits be obtained; the applicant did not attend the meeting and the commission approved the request with the stated condition.

The commission also considered a request from homeowner Blanca Zuniga at 2652 Harrison Avenue to keep exterior alterations made without prior approval. Staff reported the owner had replaced original six-over-six windows with one-over-one windows and had removed shutters without a certificate of appropriateness or building permits. Planning staff recommended denying the request to remove the original shutters but recommended approval of the window replacements with two conditions: that all applicable building permits be obtained and that the owner replace shutters on the front-left and front-right windows and paint them white to match the historic appearance. Zuniga appeared at the hearing, apologized for not obtaining permits before doing the work, said she would arrange to replace the shutters but asked for time to purchase them, and noted she may apply for a local grant to help pay for repairs. The commission approved the window request with the staff conditions; staff said it will inspect and follow up on the shutter replacement timeline.

Votes at a glance - PZ2023-510 (Certificate of Demolition — 2229 Liberty Avenue): Motion to approve (mover/second: not specified). Roll-call: Chairman Labiche — yes; Commissioner Bell — yes; Commissioner Baruvi — yes; Commissioner Crawford — yes; Commissioner Goodness — yes; Commissioner Macon — yes; Commissioner Seagull — yes; Commissioner Thomas — yes. Outcome: approved. Note: demolition requires subsequent city council approval; owner last contacted staff in early 2020; taxes unpaid and subject to county processes.

- PZ2024-351 (Certificate of Appropriateness — accessory building, 2311 Angelina Street): Motion to approve the file with staff conditions (mover/second: not specified). Roll-call: Chairman Labiche — yes; Commissioner Bell — yes; Commissioner Baruvi — yes; Commissioner Crawford — yes; Commissioner Goodness — yes; Commissioner Macon — yes; Commissioner Seagull — yes; Commissioner Thomas — yes. Outcome: approved. Condition: all applicable building permits must be obtained through the building codes department.

- PZ2024-370 (Certificate of Appropriateness — window replacement and shutter removal, 2652 Harrison Avenue): Motion to approve with staff conditions (mover/second: not specified). Roll-call: Chairman Labiche — yes; Commissioner Bell — yes; Commissioner Baruvi — yes; Commissioner Crawford — yes; Commissioner Goodness — yes; Commissioner Macon — yes; Commissioner Seagull — yes; Commissioner Thomas — yes. Outcome: approved with conditions. Conditions: obtain all required building permits; replace and paint front shutters as specified.

Why it matters: The demolition approval affects a building identified in a local historic survey and will remove a structure that staff said poses health, safety and habitability concerns. The window and accessory-building approvals set conditions meant to preserve the district's historic appearance while allowing property maintenance and limited alterations.

Next steps: The demolition certificate will be forwarded to city council for final approval. Staff said it will monitor compliance with the shutter-replacement condition at 2652 Harrison and noted homeowners may be eligible to apply for neighborhood grant funds to help cover facade repairs.