January 6, 2003

Galveston Landmark Commission
 

The Galveston Landmark Commission voted unanimously to deny a request for a certificate of appropriateness for alterations to the roof of a house located at 1611 Church Street.  

The commission declared that the roof is not appropriate but will not require property owners Giuseppe and Lucinda Castorina to replace the roof because the removal process would likely damage the structure. 

Brinkman Roofing Company installed a new roof on the house before obtaining a building permit from the city or approval from the Landmark Commission.  The style and materials used to construct the roof do not meet the design guidelines for the East-End Historical District. 

“This is a Mediterranean style roof on a Queen-Ann style house,” said Galveston Historical Foundation Executive Director Marsh Davis.

Lucinda Castorina explained that she selected the roofing materials over the original style because the roofing system was designed to sustain hurricane force winds. “We don’t have the money to buy a roof every time we turn around.” 

Although he agreed that the roof should not now be removed, Davis urged the commission to pursue some type of penalty for contractors who perform work without obtaining the proper permit. 

“The entire debacle could have been avoided if (the contractor) had done their paperwork,” agreed Joe Jaworski, the city council representative on the commission.

Commissioner Robert Peralez proposed the designation of the Seawall as a Galveston Landmark. 

“I can’t think of any structure that has more significance than the Seawall,” said Peralez, “it is time to protect the Seawall that has been protecting us all of these years.”  

The commission appointed Peralez and Jane Chapin to a sub-committee that will examine the issue.

The commission voted unanimously to defer a request for a certificate of appropriateness for alterations to a structure at 2006-2008 Avenue M 1/2.

City staff pulled from the agenda a request for approval to demolish Meyer Reiswerg's building at 101 Kempner that partially collapsed several months ago.

Jack King, Jami Durham and Sharon Westrup were absent.

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