Loading...
2013 Summer Remembrances Newsletter 1 Remembrances Newsletter of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Summer Edition 2013 As noted in the last edition of the Newsletter we received the State of Texas Comal Settlement Community historic landmark plaque from the manufacturer. It was necessary to transfer the plaque to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) for eventual placement within the community. TXDOT will install the plaque some time in the future as their schedule permits. The Committee’s application for National Registry of Historic Places listing for the Comal Settlement community remains pending with the Texas Historical Commission(THC). Chairman Weirtz has received a preliminary THC review of the Committee proposal and more details regarding some of the proposed nomination sites have been requested. The Committee Chairman completed his European trip the day the rains stopped falling in Schertz (Saturday, May 25, 2013). The trip included a visit with members of the Riedisheim (France) Historical Society. This is the Society that the Committee has maintained communications with since 2007 after introducing their members to the fact that one of our founding families (the Schertz family) migrated from their town to Texas in 1843. Historical research papers and gifts were exchanged. The meeting concluded with a traditional Alsatian meal at a local Riedisheim restaurant. At the July 2, 2013 Committee meeting, the Chairman presented a slide briefing relating to his Riedisheim visit. City Council met on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 and considered two matters relating to Committee activities. First, was the earlier proposal for adoption of a City of Schertz Coat of Arms. The suggested depiction offered by the Committee was the subject of a citywide City website survey. The survey resulted in 61.9% of the respondents favoring the design of the Coat of Arms as offered by the Committee. The Council expressed 2 favorable opinions for use of the emblem as a ceremonial Coat of Arms device for use by the Mayor as he or the City Council see fit. The second matter considered by Council was a Committee proposed amendment to the City of Schertz Unified Development Code (UDC) that would have established a provision for placement (with 51% owner approvals) of properties (residential or business) with significant historical value to the community within a “historical overlay district”. Such placement would entail instituting restrictions on the type of exterior only alterations to the elements of the property that mark it as “historic”. The Council unanimously expressed its opposition to establishing such “historical overlay districts”. The Preservation Committee formulated the proposal with City Staff assistance. The Committee believes this proposal was a necessary element to assure long-term preservation of the few historic properties remaining in the City. Absent codified rules for protection of historic landmark properties, the City’s preservation program under the title “Historic Preservation Committee” appears to the Committee to be a misnomer and without meaningful purpose as set forth in its formation resolution. The Summer edition of our Remembrances Special Edition Articles #2013-7 thru #2013-9 have been published. The titles include: (1) Riedisheim to Schertz – First Family Origins Spark Historic Society Friendships (2) Schertz Weather History Dotted with Surprises (3) Danville School Reunion Resurrects Memories Nominations for “Landmark Property” designation were submitted to the Committee at the July 2nd meeting for the following properties: (1) 104 Church Street (2) 6565 FM 482. Both nominations were approved by the Committee and will soon be brought before City Council for final approval along with two previous Committee approved nominations (Main Plaza Bldg.- 509 Main St. & former Schertz Bank Bldg.- 511 Main Street). New banners for use along Hwy. 78 (at First Street) advertising the Schertz Heritage Neighborhood have arrived and will begin appearing once the existing banner supply is exhausted. The Schertz Banks and Trust continued its centennial celebration with an open house event on Monday, June 17, 2013. Congratulations! Our Landmark Property nomination proposal for 511 Main Street recognizes the 100-year existence of the old Schertz Bank Building, certainly a structure worth preserving.