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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-17 HPC MINj 1 water THE SIRTHRLACE Of MINNESOTA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING January 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Thueson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present: Chairman Thueson, Commissioners Finwall, Heimdahl, Holmes, Larson, Mino, Summers Absent: Councilmember Junker Staff: Planning Manager Gutknecht, Assistant City Planner Molasky APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of December 13. 2023 meeting Commissioner Mino pointed out two typos. Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Summers, to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2023 meeting as corrected. Motion passed 5-0-2 with Chairman Thueson and Commissioner Larson abstaining. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Case No. CD2023-62: 124 Main St S. Blue Sun Soda Shop Storefront Improvements Assistant City Planner Molasky reviewed the case. Unlimited Construction Service, LLC applied for a Design Permit to repair and reconstruct the storefront at 124 Main St S (Blue Sun Soda Shop) to include the addition of transom windows, the replacement of wood trim with smooth LP Smart Trim, brick repair and tuckpointing on portions of the building, and replacement of wood panels with red brick. This project was started prior to design review; transom windows have been installed and portions of the existing plywood panels have been removed. Staff is bringing this request `after -the - fact.' Staff recommends approval with five conditions. Commissioner Heimdahl asked if this property owner also owns the adjacent properties with similar storefronts. He asked if the City can do anything to encourage opening of the bricked -in windows on the second floor. Planning Manager Gutknecht stated this applicant owns the adjacent buildings and is considering viable uses for the second story which is currently unfinished. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting January 17, 2024 Commissioner Larson voiced concern about the lack of drawings submitted, and the fact that the work continued even after the property owner was intercepted by City staff. The owner and the builder both should have been aware that building permits and design permits are required. A verbal description of trim is not adequate for the Commission to make a decision. Chairman Thueson agreed that clearer documentation is required. In the photo provided by staff, it appears there is a reflective coating on the upper transom windows which is discouraged by the guidelines. Ms. Molasky and Mr. Gutknecht stated there is not a mirror finish, it was just the angle of the photo and the overcast conditions. Commissioner Larson said it appears that the windows on the right and left are not the same size and it appears the brick on one side does not extend all the way up. Ms. Molasky clarified that the difference in size in transom windows is because the photo was taken at a strange angle. The transom windows do align and are the same size on either side. Commissioner Holmes said he photographed the building straight on today and the window on the right is smaller and building wrap has been taken across the area where the brick on the right would have run through which makes him think it's framing rather than brick. Renderings provided by the applicant are needed to grant a design permit. Commissioner Larson noted this facade could be better tied in with adjoining buildings which have a very strong horizontal line across all the buildings to the north. Chair Thueson provided an historic photo of the block showing a consistent sign band across the buildings. He acknowledged the City does not require the re-creation of something that is gone, but encourages it if photographic evidence exists. Commissioner Heimdahl said he would like to see a uniform design going forward for each of the other three storefronts instead of a hodgepodge. Commissioner Summers recognized that this storefront was in front of the Commission before, so it seems absurd that they would be unaware of building permit requirements. He is unwilling to approve something where it appears the current owner has no interest in following the guidelines. Mr. Gutknecht noted the City has another 30 days on the clock to consider the application if the Commission wishes to table the case. Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Heimdahl, to table Case No. CD2023-62 for more information as requested by the Commission today. All in favor. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS There were no discussion items. FYI 324 Main Street South Brick Repair Update Mr. Gutknecht stated that Robert Griffin (Dominionaire Contracting) submitted a building permit application for tuck pointing and brick repair/replacement at 324 Main Street South (Grand Garage). The applicant is seeking to repair and replace bricks on the exterior parapet and lower wall of the southeast corner of the Nelson Street facing side of the building. They are not proposing any change in color, material or design, and propose to match the mortar and brick to the existing historic building materials. At this time, staff has only received a building permit application, information regarding the location of the work, and photographs of the proposed building materials. The applicant is working Page 2 of 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting January 17, 2024 with their materials supplier to provide staff with physical samples to compare to the existing fagade prior to construction. Based on the applicant's timeline, they would like to proceed as soon as they receive approval regarding the material match. Staff recommends approval with five conditions. Commissioner Mino asked Mr. Gutknecht to point out the areas to be repaired and replaced. Mr. Gutknecht replied that staff will meet with the applicant tomorrow to define the exact area and to determine whether the proposed brick replacement will impact the Wrigley's Spearmint Gum advertisement. The parapet detail design will remain the same. Commissioner Larson said he is encouraged that the applicant it going to build a mockup panel because matching the brick will be difficult. He would like to know how the very top of the cornice will be finished off. Chair Thueson agreed that the Commission needs more specific information. Bricks with a vertical scratch pattern on them, such as in the application packet, would not be a good fit. It would be useful to consult the illustrated guidelines in the Secretary of the Interior Standards. Commissioner Summers stated he cannot approve something the Commission has not yet seen. Commissioner Heimdahl suggested that the applicant should use a softer mortar that allows moisture to seep through it. Murals Mr. Gutknecht stated that a Commissioner requested an update on the Mural Code. It is in process. Staff was behind schedule for most of last year due to recodification of City Code; this should be completed in February. Once that is approved, Community Development staff will begin looking at a zoning code amendment, bundling the mural code into the code amendment. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner mers, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Matt Thueson, Chair ATTEST: 1 Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director Page 3 of 3