2014 Annual ReportSchertz Historical Preservation Committee
Annual Report
Calendar Year 2014
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NOM 11-1 s, W ,.
TO: Schertz City Council Members, January 25, 2015
The Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) herein submits its Annual Report.
The focus of the Committee's 2014 activities centered upon three categories of objectives as set
forth as Appendix B to last Year's Annual Report. Those categories were: 1) Historic
Recognition Projects 2) Historic Publication Projects 3) Joint Historic Initiatives. The
Committee has recorded a most successful year in terms of achieving its projected goals (see
Report - "Goals and Objectives" pp. 4 -5). This year's objectives are set forth in Appendix B to
this report.
The most vexing issue for the Committee this past year was the matter of reconciling the
Committee's goals and objectives, as set in the original City Council formulating resolution,
with the expressed wishes of the current Council to avoid incorporation of a "historic overlay
district" zoning provision into the City Unified Development Code (UDC). In hopes of
resolving the matter, the Committee proposed a non - restrictive and incentive based plan for a
designated Main Street area. That proposal remains pending with the Council.
The "impact events" as outlined in last year's report (disposition of collected artifacts /adaptive
use initiative blockage/UDC amendment failures /designation program postponement) have all
remained unchanged with the exception of the reinstitution of the Committee's Landmark
Designation Program. One landmark property designation was approved in December.
The Committee wishes to thank the members of City Council and the City Staff (Brian James)
for the support given throughout 2014.
in erely,
can Weirtz, ai an
CC: John Kessell, Schertz City Manager
Brian James, Schertz Executive Director
Attachment:
1. SHPC Annual Report 2014 w/
Appendix A & B
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ....... ............................... Page 2
Membership ................. ............................... Page 3
Resource Management and Controls ................... Page 3
Committee Goals and Objectives — 2014 .............. Page 4 -5
Fiscal Matters ............... ............................... Page 6
Impact Events ............... ............................... Page 6
Conclusion ................... ............................... Page 7
APPENDIX
A. Annual Inventory /Audit of Resources Report, dated January 2015
B. Committee Calendar Year 2015 Goals /Objective Statement
1
Executive Summary
The CY 2014 goals and objectives of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC)
centered around three topics: 1) historic recognition projects 2) "advancement of the (historic)
narrative" through publications, and 3) joint organizational initiatives. The Committee's
"landmark property" designation program remained dormant during the first three quarters of the
year as the Committee unsuccessfully attempted to secure from the Council a Unified
Development Code (UDC) amendment pertaining to a "historic overlay district" zoning rule.
An alternative voluntary and "incentive based" project has since been proposed and remains
pending Council approval. One "landmark property" designation occurred in the 4th quarter.
Research is pending into the possible nomination of Aviation Heights as a "Heritage
Neighborhood.
Joint Committee / Comal Settlement Association (CSA) projects have resulted in landscaping of
the grounds surrounding the historic memorial plaques at Comal Settlement as well as the
construction of the "Royal Road" memorial monument. Similar joint efforts resulted in a
successful Comal Settlement historic plaque /monument dedication event held in July. Another
joint Committee /Heritage Neighborhood restoration project is on -going at the Vineyard
Fellowship Church, a designated Schertz Landmark Property.
Publication projects have produced several volumes pertaining to Schertz area cemeteries and
local historic events. Those documents have been transferred to the Schertz Public Library for
permanent retention and use by researchers. Four newsletters and seven Remembrances
Special Edition Articles were published as was a collective volume of articles covering 2010-
2014. The Committee's "Looking Back" feature began appearing in the monthly Schertz
Magazine in mid -2014. The Committee has undertaken a historic Schertz picture book project
due for publication in 2015 that is designed to display Schertz history via pictures accompanied
by brief commentary.
The application and research paper for consideration of Saint Joseph's Chapel's listing on the
National Registry of Historic Places were completed and submitted for approval by THC and
subsequently by the U. S. Department of Interior. Approval was received in August and the
Chapel is now listed on the National Registry.
Youth involvement in the Committee's effort to "advance the narrative" regarding Schertz
history received a positive response from school district administrators and several project have
been initiated. One of the student initiatives will become a part of the picture book project.
The achievements made with respect to the Committee's targeted goals have been extremely
rewarding and we look forward to continuing the progress made in 2014 into CY 2015.
2
Membership
The Committee is authorized 14 members. Committee strength was at 14 members as the year
began and as it ended. Two members resigned during the year due to moves outside the City and
another member was transferred to an Associate member status. Three replacement members
were welcomed to the committee. One Committee officer (Secretary) was among those who
resigned and another new member accepted those officer responsibilities. Membership quality
remains high and enthusiasm is ever present among members. Brian James, City of Schertz
Executive Director, has participated in all committee meetings and offered excellent counsel and
advice throughout the year. Officers for CY 2015 include: Chairman — Dean Weirtz; Vice
Chairman — Debbie Krause; Secretary — Lynn Foehrkolb; Treasurer — Jim Webb.
Resource Management and Control
Resources available to the Committee consist of display items (photographs, artifacts,
documents, paintings, charts, maps, furniture, etc.) either donated by Schertz citizens or
manufactured by Committee members. Some furniture items were purchased using City funds.
Inventory control is maintained through use of a resource listing. The Committee Chairman and
one other Committee member complete a 100 percent inventory audit of the resources in January
of each year. The completed 2015 inventory is appended as Appendix A.
There are several locations where resource inventory is maintained. The major location is the
Space Saver II storage facility, Universal City, Texas. Other resources are on display at the
Schertz City Library, Schertz Visitors Center, Schertz Area Senior Center and at the Randolph
Field Realty Office.
Committee Goals and Objectives — 2014
Appendix B of the Committee's CY 2013 Annual Report set forth goals and objectives for the
Committee to pursue in CY 2014. The goals and the results achieved are set forth below:
Goal #1 —Historic Recognition Projects
A. Pursue development of an amendment to the City of Schertz Unified Development Code
(UDC) as pertains to the city's preservation program (i.e. "Historic Overlay District
Zoning "). RESULT: Submission of the Committee's proposal to City Council met with
negative reply. An alternative voluntary and incentive based proposal has been
resubmitted and awaits final consideration by Council.
B. Continuance of research, identification and designation of City of Schertz landmark,
heritage neighborhood and historic district properties. RESULT: Pending Council
action on the UDC amendment proposal by the Committee, the designation program was
temporarily postponed and reinstituted in the fourth quarter of the year. One property
was nominated and designated by Council. Comal Settlement (now Schertz City and
ETJ) recognized as historic via a dedication ceremony July 2014. A subcommittee study
project is underway regarding naming Aviation Heights as a "heritage neighborhood ".
C. Pursue continued research and completion of application for listing of Saint Joseph's
Chapel (Comal Settlement) on the National Registry of Historic Places. RESULT: The
application and research paper in support thereof was submitted and approved at both the
State of Texas and the national levels. The Chapel was placed on the Register in May
2014.
Goal #2 — Historic Publication Projects
A. Continue research, identification and publication of quarterly newsletters and
Remembrances Special Edition Articles. RESULT: Four quarterly newsletters and
seven Remembrances Special Edition Articles were produced.
B. Continue research, identification and publication of the Schertz historical cemetery
journals. RESULT: Two volumes, documenting seven different cemetery holdings were
published and placed in the historic research section of the Schertz Public Library.
C. Publish a consolidated Remembrances Special Edition Articles book. RESULT: The
book was published containing all articles from 2010 thru 2014 and placed in the Schertz
Public Library. Included are all quarterly Committee newsletters for the same periods.
D. Continue publication efforts in promotion of the Committee's "advancing the (historic)
narrative" principal. RESULT: Several historical themed articles have appeared in the
Schertz Magazine written by Jim and Diana Webb, committee members. The Committee
arranged for recurring monthly feature in the magazine called "Looking Back ". A
4
arranged for recurring monthly feature in the magazine called "Looking Back ". A
consolidated City Landmark Property Listing book was published and placed in the City
Library. A Schertz City picture history book is in the preparation stages.
Goal #3 — Joint Historic Initiatives
A. Seek expansion of local history education/awareness program through a youth/student
involvement initiative. RESULT: The school district administration has joined with the
Committee and the City Secretary in promoting several initiatives involving students in
local history related projects. Each of the projects are on- going.
B. Assist, where possible, the Comal Settlement Association (CSA) and /or the Cibolo
Valley Community Museum Association ( CVCMA) in projects designated to promote
area historic preservation /restoration projects. RESULT: The joint efforts of the
Committee and CSA produced a restoration of the Comal Settlement community
monument landscape and the dedication event commemorating the monuments in July
2014. The joint efforts of CVCMA and the Committee resulted in the planning and
completion of the "Welcome to Schertz" mural project at 507 Main Street.
C. Pursue other joint historic restoration/preservation projects as they might arise.
RESULT: The Committee has undertaken a joint restoration initiative with the
parishioners of the Vineyard Fellowship Church, a designated Schertz landmark property.
Fiscal Matters
The Committee's budget cycle is the same as the City of Schertz (October 1st to September 30"').
The Committee projected budget expense for fiscal year 2014-2015 has been set at $5,150.00.
The only revenue generator is derived from book sales. Budget expenses and revenues for fiscal
year 2014-2015 (to date) and for calendar year 2014 (January — December) are set forth below:
FY 2014 — 2015 (As of January 1, 2015)
ALLOCATED EXPENSES REVENUE (book sales)
$5,150.00 $149.02 $257.96
CALENDAR YEAR 2014 (January — December)
ALLOCATED EXPENSES REVENUE (book sales)
$5,150.00 $1,152.23 $292.96
Pending for the fourth year is the question of how to dispose of collected artifacts
accumulated by the Committee in hopes of a history/cultural museum being created.
There is no expectation that such a museum will be created and thus continued storage of
the materials seems fruitless and costly in terms of time for the Committee and cost to the
City. Requests have been made of City staff to arrive at a final disposition solution
without answer.
The Committee's long standing support for an amendment to the City Unified
Development Code (UDC) relating to a "historic district" zoning classification has been
abandoned in hopes of Council adopting a substitute incentive based "Main Street
Restoration Program". Action by Council remains pending.
1.1
Conclusion
The Committee experienced a shift in emphasis as it proceeded with its work in 2014.
The original goals set for the Committee by City Council in 2006 (i.e., 1. institute a
history museum 2. attract grants for a museum 3. provide for preservation of historic
Schertz properties) were no longer considered viable pursuits based upon prior year's
experiences and absence of necessary resources. The emphasis this past year has
primarily focused on recognition initiatives such as: Comal Settlement Memorial; and,
Saint Joseph's Chapel listing on the National Registry of Historic Places. Historic
publication initiatives have included: publication of cemetery journals; recurring
REMEMBRANCES Special Edition Articles/Newsletters; and, a consolidated
publication of Special Edition articles encompassing years 2010 -2014. Several joint
organizational projects (Adopt -A- Highway at Comal, Comal landscape initiative, and
"Welcome to Schertz" mural initiative) were completed. A partnership with the students
of the Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) was
begun during the last calendar quarter and offers promise in the coming year. Efforts
continue in support of a historic Main Street incentive based project. The Committee is
studying the possibility of proposing the creation of a second "Heritage Neighborhood"
in the Aviation Heights Subdivision. Work has begun on a historic picture book
pertaining to the City's history which should be published in the first or second quarter of
2015. The Committee continues its relationship with The Riedisheim, France Historical
Society and again this past year that society continued its tradition of publishing a feature
article regarding Schertz in its annual publication, "The Bulletin ".
The year 2014 has been productive and rewarding for the Committee.
APPENDIX
A. Annual Inventory /Audit Report, dated January 2015
B. Committee Calendar Year 2015 Objective Statement
Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
Annual Report CY 2014
I's 0 0
Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Calendar Year 2015
Objectives
Recognition Projectse
#1 Pursue identification, research and designation of potentially eligible
"Landmark" and "heritage Neighborhood" properties within the City or its ETJ.
an I
#1 Continue research and publication of quarterly Committee newsletters and
REMEMBRANCES Special Edition articles.
#2 Continue research and publication of Schertz historical cemetery journals to
include a master listing of all cemetery graves
#3 Continue research and publication of a Schertz City photo history book
Joint Initiatives:
#1 Continue development of the youth/student involvement initiative
#2 Assist, where possible, the Comal Settlement Association and/or the Cibolo
Valley Community Museum Association in projects designed to promote area
historic preservation/restoration projects
#3 Continue work on the joint Committee/Vineyard Church restoration project