Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth
Action
Transfer of State Historic Site – Guadalupe County
Sebastopol House State Historic Site to the City of Seguin
August 25, 2011
I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff and the City of Seguin are negotiating terms and conditions under which the Sebastopol House State Historic Site (SHS) would be transferred from TPWD to the City.
II. Discussion: The Sebastopol House SHS was acquired by TPWD in 1976 for its significant history and architecture, and opened to the public in 1989 after significant archeological study, stabilization and restoration. The site includes the Greek Revival style “limecrete” house constructed in 1856 and 2.2 acres of land.
In keeping with recommendations from the legislature, and consistent with the TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan, State Parks Division staff have been evaluating sites to determine whether or not local ownership and operation might be appropriate. As a result of these evaluations and local discussions, the City of Seguin has expressed a willingness to own and operate the Sebastopol House and grounds.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
“The Commission adopts the Resolution attached as Exhibit A.”
Attachments — 4
Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit A
A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the Transfer of the Sebastopol House State Historic Site in Guadalupe County to the City of Seguin
Whereas, in 1976, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) purchased the Sebastopol House State Historic Site (the Site) from the Seguin Conservation Society for its historical significance, including the architecture and construction of the 1856 Greek Revival home; for the purpose of insuring its preservation and accessibility to the public; and,
Whereas, during the Regular Session of the 82nd Texas Legislature (2011), the Legislative Budget Board did recommend that TPWD evaluate the feasibility of transferring certain sites to local partners for management and operation; and,
Whereas, TPWD and the City of Seguin (the City) entered discussions regarding the transfer of the Site to the City and the City has indicated a willingness and desire to assume ownership of and responsibility for the Site; and,
Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) finds that as required by Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26, notices of today’s hearing of this matter by the Commission were published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation which is published at least six days a week in the community nearest to the Site in which such newspapers are published (Seguin Gazette Enterprise in Guadalupe County), with the last day of publication being not less than one week or more than two weeks before the date of today’s hearing and that such notices specified the date and time at which the Commission would hear testimony regarding the transfer; and,
Whereas, the City of Seguin has agreed to protect and manage the Site and its resources, and to operate it for public recreation, interpretation and education; and,
Whereas, TPWD and the City of Seguin have agreed on terms and conditions for the management of records and artifacts associated with the Site; and,
Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26, that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land (the Site); and,
Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with Section 13.009 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code that transfer of the Site from TPWD to the City is in the best interest of TPWD; and,
Now, therefore, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to transfer the Sebastopol House State Historic Site to the City of Seguin for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approved in this Resolution.
Adopted and approved this 25th day of August 2011.
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Peter M. Holt, Chairman
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T. Dan Friedkin, Vice-Chairman
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Ralph H. Duggins, Member
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Antonio Falcon M.D., Member
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Karen J. Hixon, Member
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Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., Member
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Margaret Martin, Member
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S. Reed Morian, Member
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Dick Scott, Member
Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit B
Location Map for Sebastopol House SHS in Guadalupe County
Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit C
Vicinity Map for Sebastopol House 30 miles east of San Antonio
Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit D
Sebastopol House SHS
