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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-17 HPC MINj 1 water THE SIRTHRLACE Of MINNESOTA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING April 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Thueson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chairman Thueson, Commissioners Heimdahl, Holmes, Larson, Mino, Councilmember Junker Absent: Commissioners Finwall and Summers Staff: Planning Manager Gutknecht APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of March 20, 2024 regular meeting Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2024 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no Consent Agenda items. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Case No. CD 2024-014: Design Review Approval and Conditional Use Permit Amendment to Add Outdoor Saunas at 232 Main St N (Crosby Hotel/Excelsior Sauna) Planning Manager Gutknecht reviewed the case. Hotel Crosby requests Design Approval for the installation of three semi -permanent saunas behind the Crosby Hotel, between the hotel and parking ramp along the existing patio space. The site will also include cold plunges, a check -in area and a changing area. The saunas will be accessible to both the public and guests of the hotel. One of the saunas will be wood fired and the others will be electric. All will be primarily permanent in nature; however, the applicant is investigating options to move them if necessary to access existing underlying stormwater infrastructure. Removal would require special equipment. The applicant had commenced construction without City review or approval but has since ceased work and has been highly cooperative in providing necessary materials for review. Three options are being reviewed, with the third alternative being the least preferred by the applicant: 1) existing location at NE corner [applicant preferred alternative]; 2) northern property line between private sidewalk and adjacent parking lot/property line; 3) SE corner in patio area [applicant's least preferred because it would impact existing pergolas and sidewalk and result in major patio reconstruction]. The project will require the following approvals: 1) HPC Design Approval; 2) Planning Commission Amendment to an existing Conditional Use Permit; 3) Building Permit; 4) Encroachment Agreement [City Council]; 5) Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting April 17, 2024 Washington County Department of Health [cold plunge pool]. Staff is generally supportive of the concept from a use and design perspective and is generally comfortable with the overall building design (exterior materials), but has concern with the current location due to proximity to the parking garage and conflicts with storm sewer infrastructure. Staff prefers either Alternative #2 or #3 that avoids conflicts with stormwater infrastructure and building code. Staff does not have complete plans for Alternative #2 or #3. If it is the Commission's desire to approve Alternative #2 or #3, it should postpone action and direct the applicant to submit complete plans for that alternative. Chairman Thueson asked if the Commission is agreeable to this design, but bigger issues surface that might necessitate using one of the other configurations, will the project come back for HPC review either on the Consent Agenda or for another hearing? Mr. Gutknecht replied yes, the HPC would have the opportunity to review any major changes. Chairman Thueson remarked that moving to a different area of the lot would be a major change. Commissioner Larson asked if the project has been before the Planning Commission or the Building Official, and Mr. Gutknecht replied it has not been seen by the Planning Commission, but that staff met with the applicant, property owner and their contractor on site a few weeks ago and discussed the regulatory concerns. At that time the building official made some comments but a building permit application has not been submitted yet. The applicant is working with an engineering firm on the stormwater component of the existing/preferred option and an architect to assist in the separation concerns that will ultimately be reviewed by the Building Department. Councilmember Junker asked about the smell from the wood burning vents. Applicant John Daly of Hotel Crosby replied there is a smell only at start-up, then it burns clean. He believes it will not make any more smell than wood smoke from any of the restaurants downtown. Leif Kjorness of Excelsior Saunas confirmed this. Mr. Gutknecht added if there is a nuisance complaint of smoke smell, the City would ensure it is mitigated according to City Code. Commissioner Larson remarked there is not enough information to evaluate Option 2 or 3. The advantage to Option 1 is that it has least visual impact/public impact. Commissioner Holmes commented the code questions that are outside the HPC's purview tonight are whether this is a piece of equipment or a building. From a design standpoint, they are thoughtfully designed buildings that will fit in well, it is more a question of code regulation and storm water engineering. Commissioner Mino asked that the location be specified in the Resolution being considered, and Commissioner Larson suggested that the first condition reflect that the project must be consistent with approved plans "in the location shown." Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, to adopt Resolution HPC2024-04, Resolution Granting Design Review Approval for Three (3) Outdoor Saunas in the Downtown Design Review District for 232 Main Street North (Case No. CD2024-014), changing condition #1 to state "Design must be consistent with the approved plans and within the location reviewed at the meeting." All in favor. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS 2024 Heritage Preservation Commission Work Plan/Priorities Update Mr. Gutknecht reported that the City Council is going through the strategic planning process and once that is wrapped up, staff will bring back the HPC priorities, strategies and work plan to iron out the details and next steps. Page 2 of 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting FYI l)nion Art Alley Phase 11 April 17, 2024 Mr. Gutknecht said a proposal to extend Union Art Alley will be forthcoming. Staff has asked the applicants to start working with property owners and identifying materials. Comprehensive Zoning Code and Subdivision Code Update Mr. Gutknecht stated that staff will present a more fleshed out work plan at the next Planning Commission meeting and bring it back to the HPC in May. COMMISSIONER REQUESTS Commissioner Heimdahl asked if there is interest in promoting National Preservation Month in May. Commissioners agreed that City social media could be used to highlight preservation in general, any events such as those at the Warden's House, and the Heirloom Homes Program. Mr. Gutknecht will work with other staff to get any approvals needed. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Matt Thueson, Chair ATTEST: 'I'im Gladhill, Community Development Director Resolution HPC2024-04, Resolution Granting Design Review Approval for Three (3) Outdoor Saunas in the Downtown Design Review District for 232 Main Street North (Case No. CD2024-014) Page 3 of 3