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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-21 HPC MINj 1 water THE SIRTNRLACE Of MINNESOTA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING August 21, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Thueson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Thueson, Commissioners Finwall, Holmes, Mino, Summers, Councilmember Junker Absent: Commissioners Heimdahl and Larson Staff: Community Development Director Gladhill, Planning Manager Gutknecht, Assistant City Planner Molasky APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of July 17. 2024 meeting Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2024 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. CD2024-040: Design Approval for Play Equipment in the Downtown Design Review District at 215 4th Street North - Resolution HPC 2024-13 Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Summers, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Case No. CD 2024-028: Design Review for Retaining Wall Replacement at Cherry and 3rd - Resolution HPC 2024-15 Planning Manager Gutknecht reviewed the case. Applicant Cliff Bates is requesting Design Approval for the replacement of a retaining wall at 119 Cherry Street East, facing Second Street North, between the property's garage and the corner of Cherry Street East and Second Street North. The new wall will be constructed of a combination of reused existing block and natural stone from Rivard Stone, reusing the existing wall caps. To avoid unnecessary holes in the wall caps, the applicant proposes replacing the fence behind the wall rather than on it. Staff acknowledges that this portion of the retaining wall is in a significant state of disrepair, and believes that the proposed reconstruction is appropriate and meets the Design Guidelines, specifically the reuse of existing block. Carson Schifsky, contractor, confirmed that they will reuse the intact existing stone where possible. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting August 21, 2024 Councilmember Junker suggested that they allow someone else to use the stone that is not reused. Motion by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to adopt Resolution HPC 2024-15, Resolution Granting Design Approval for a Retaining Wall Located in the Neighborhood Conservation Design Review District for 119 Cherry Street East (Case Number CD2024-028). Chair Thueson suggested a friendly amendment stating that the applicant shall coordinate with staff for disposal and reuse of materials, and the motion maker and second agreed. All in favor. Utility Box Graphic Design Sign Approval Assistant City Planner Molasky stated that the City has been coordinating with Xcel Energy and MnDOT to install graphic design signs, or murals, on utility boxes downtown. The program encourages investment in public art and public space, and discourages graffiti. Staff recommends the Commission approve the installation of graphic design signs on any utility boxes eligible for the program. Chairman Thueson asked if the HPC is being asked to approve the design of all existing or future art on utility boxes, and Ms. Molasky answered it's more of an open ended approval for projects like this throughout downtown. Mr. Gladhill added that the content is staff -approved but staff realized that the HPC was not updated previously about this project. Councilmember Junker said that the project has gone over very well. He added that Commissioner Heimdahl is working with this project. Commissioner Mino asked how the project is funded, and Councilmember Junker replied the funding comes from the City, donors, and grants. Commissioner Mino asked about durability and ongoing maintenance of the artwork. Councilmember Junker the boxes with wraps have not had any deterioration and the Xcel boxes will have a graffiti repellant sealant over the art that protects the longevity of the paint. Commissioner Finwall suggested when the zoning code is updated, the definition of graphic display signs should be updated to include these boxes. Noting that Xcel Energy uses an agreement and maintenance requirement process for their boxes, she suggested that the City create a similar agreement with the artists of City -owned boxes, and Mr. Gladhill said he will talk with the City Attorney about that. Motion by Commissioner Summers, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to adopt Resolution 2024-14, Resolution Approving Graphic Design Signs on Utility Boxes Throughout Downtown Stillwater. Commissioner Finwall suggested adding a requirement for an agreement between the City and the artist to follow City standards on City -owned boxes, and the motion maker and second accepted. All in favor. 2024-2025 Heritage Preservation Commission Work Plan Community Development Director Gladhill presented the updated Heritage Preservation Commission Work Plan which will be brought to the City Council for adoption in September. Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to recommend that the City Council adopt the Heritage Preservation Commission Work Plan. All in favor. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS Page 2 of 4 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting August 21, 2024 Bergstein Shoddy Mill Rehabilitation Update Mr. Gladhill presented the design concept for the Shoddy Mill and Bergstein Warehouse project. The project is made possible through State funding with other potential funding sources. The ultimate design will be sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for review. The HPC will have the official capacity to approve or disapprove the design as well as the City Council. Councilmember Junker commented there is roughly $2 million going into the and he feels it should be useful while retaining as much integrity as possible, hence the more open design so that bikers, walkers etc. can use the space as well as enjoy its history. Chairman Thueson noted the May 2 letter that SHPO sent to the City stated they were open to some new openings that were in the shape and size of historic openings. He asked if the letter is going to the architect and Mr. Gladhill answered yes. Once the City gets more in synergy with SHPO, staff will send SHPO an updated plan to review, they'll issue an updated letter and then City staff will bring it to the HPC for formal review. The City may not get 100% aligned with SHPO on the addition of openings, but hopefully will come closer. Commissioner Mino asked if the buildings are listed on the National Register, and Mr. Gladhill replied yes, they are listed. They got a special exception to move the buildings from Oak Park Heights to Stillwater, and Stillwater's City Attorney has questions as to whether the move followed the right process or lost the designation, but in SHPO's eyes they are on the National Register. The listing doesn't necessarily prevent alterations or even demolition. The City's zoning code is the true regulatory teeth in defining what is allowed. SHPO cannot stop the City from making a change, but if it is a dramatic change, it may lose the designation. Commissioner Mino commented that the standards are a guiding principal for the HPC, so to have something that really deviates from the standards would be hard to approve, though she understands the challenges that Councilmember Junker pointed out. Chair Thueson remarked there are a lot of options to have a very functional building that also meets the rehabilitation standards. Councilmember Junker reminded the Commission that the buildings are dilapidated and were moved 12 years ago. Commissioner Holmes noted much money and effort have gone into preserving these buildings and he feels it is possible to find a balance between making them useful and maintaining their essential historic character. He feels the design that cuts away the bottom half of one building so it looks like it's hanging in space leans too much toward being useful and not maintaining the integrity of the building. Councilmember Junker commented the true asset is the wheel inside on the second floor, which shows how the cotton was processed. Commissioner Mino said it would be helpful to have images of the inside and what is important. Mr. Gladhill reviewed other riverfront projects: Lumberjack Landing, the Lowell Park Pavilion, and Bridgeview Park. 2024 Heritage Preservation Awards (October). Mr. Gladhill presented as potential awardees: 205 Walnut Street East (Accessory Dwelling Unit); Warden's House Porch; 512 5th Street North (Residential Remodel); and as Honorable Mentions: Good Egg Food Truck; Manitou Fund Education and Arts Center (Zephyr Train Depot) Remodel. He added that some Commissioners wish to recognize prolific local architect Mike McGuire who recently passed away. He also shared a 2025 Watch List: 1014 4th Avenue South (Residential Page 3 of 4 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting FYI August 21, 2024 Remodel/Demolition Avoidance) and 302 6th Street North (Residential Remodel/Demolition Avoidance). Commissioner Mino commented that the accessory dwelling unit at 205 Walnut Street East seemed like too large a footprint during review, and she feels it competes with the historical building. Mr. Gladhill said staff will prepare more materials on the potential awardees, and the HPC may submit additional ideas and make its decision in September. Mr. Gladhill noted the SHPO Preserve MN conference is September 18-20 in Red Wing. Chairman Thueson said it was announced that in the 2026 national conference will be in Minnesota. Mr. Gladhill said this is his last HPC meeting, as he is changing jobs to work closer to home. The Commission thanked him for all his efforts. COMMISSIONER REQUESTS There were no Commissioner requests. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Matt Thueson, Chair ATTEST: Ben Gutknecht, Interim Community Development Director Resolution HPC 2024-13, Resolution Granting Design Approval in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District for 215 Fourth Street North (Case Number: CD2024-040) Resolution HPC 2024-15, Resolution Granting Design Approval for a Retaining Wall Located in the Neighborhood Conservation Design Review District for 119 Cherry Street East (Case Number CD2024-028) Resolution 2024-14, Resolution Approving Graphic Design Signs on Utility Boxes Throughout Downtown Stillwater Page 4 of 4