HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-18 HPC MINj 1 water
THE SIRTHRLACE Of MINNESOTA
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
September 18, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 P.M.
Commissioner Larson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., noting that he is acting as Chair for this
meeting because Chair Thueson and Vice Chair Heimdahl are attending remotely.
Present: Chairman Thueson (remotely), Commissioners Finwall, Heimdahl (remotely),
Larson, Summers, Councilmember Junker
Absent: Commissioners Holmes and Mino
Staff: City Administrator Kohlmann, Interim Community Development Director Gutknecht
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Possible approval of minutes of August 21. 2024 meeting
Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Summers, to approve the minutes of the
August 21, 2024 meeting. Motion passed 5-0-1 with 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
Riverfront Renewal Presentation - City Administrator Kohlmann
City Administrator Kohlmann reviewed a $13.5 million plan to expand and enhance riverfront access,
called "Riverfront Renewal." The plan includes transforming Lumberjack Landing and Bridgeview
Park through State funding, private donations, grants and City contributions. He showed proposed
design plans for each project. $6 million funding from the State Legislature, and $1.1 million in grants
and donations, has already been secured. In the November election, Stillwater voters will decide
whether to accept a half percent sales tax to cover $6.2 million of project costs. The tax would end
after 10 years or when the $6.2 million is secured, whichever comes first. Commissioners voiced
appreciation for the project.
Case No. CD 2024-035: Design Review for New Single -Family Home in Neighborhood Conservation
District at 1904 5th Street North - Resolution HPC 2024-16
Interim Community Development Director Gutknecht explained that applicants Frankie Peterson and
Karen Kramer are requesting a design review for a proposed single-family dwelling on a to -be -
created vacant lot, east of 1904 5th Street North. The new parcel will be located on the corner of 5th
Street North and Willow Street West. The proposed dwelling is a 2-story contemporary design with
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
September 18, 2024
attached garage, board and batten siding, cedar shake accents, and a stone chimney. The lot is mostly
flat with a steep increase in grade toward the road. There are mature trees throughout the site with
the densest collection located in the proposed building area. The proposed footprint meets setbacks
and impervious surface requirements, although the proposed impervious is nearly maxed out at
29.3%. Pigeon Consulting, the City's consultants, suggested ways to further improve the proposal:
consider options such as porch or awning to highlight a distinct entrance, show consistent window
sizes, and include information on specific materials and window models for staff review. Staff
recommends approval with six conditions, and consideration of the three advisory suggestions.
Frankie Peterson, applicant, said he is happy to make design changes requested by the HPC.
Councilmember Junker asked if the driveway will be shared with the adjacent lot (Mr. Peterson's
mother's) and Mr. Peterson said there will be a separate driveway.
Commissioner Finwall asked if the applicant considered a front porch per the consultants' suggestion.
Mr. Peterson said it was considered, however the size of the lot, the setback, driveway location and
the slope in the southeast corner chewed up that 30 feet. There is not enough room to have a porch
with a modest 30 x 50 floor plan.
Commissioner Larson said he understands the limitations but there still may be room for an extension
in the breezeway area that would act as a small front porch, and Mr. Peterson agreed to look at that.
Commissioners Larson and Summers voiced concern with the randomness of the window placement,
and Mr. Peterson said the renderings were not detailed and he will line up the windows.
Commissioner Larson asked about the approval process and staff review, and Mr. Gutknecht outlined
the options for approval or tabling.
Commissioner Finwall asked if there is a plan for tree replacement and Mr. Peterson answered yes.
Commissioner Summer reviewed the Commission's requests: final cut sheet showing materials;
elevation plan and fenestration plan (including consistent alignment of windows and doors); if
possible, an acknowledgment of intent to have some version of a porch in the breezeway area.
Motion by Commissioner Summers, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to adopt Resolution HPC 2024-
16, Resolution Granting Design Approval for a Dwelling Located in the Neighborhood Conservation
Design Review District for 1904 5th Street North (Case Number: CD2024-035) with the conditions
recommended by staff, plus two additional conditions: 1) applicant shall provide elevation plan and
window plan showing consistent window sizes and fenestration; 2) applicant shall provide updated plans
showing an attempt at making a prominent, clear front entryway in the breezeway area. All in favor.
Case No. CD 2024-047: Amendment to Approved Design Approval for Exterior Remodel at 113 Pine
Street East - Resolution HPC 2024-17
Mr. Gutknecht stated applicant Dag Selander is requesting an amendment to the Design Permit
approved in 2023 to increase the height of the street -facing second story to match the roofline to the
rear. While working through the building permit process starting with interior demolition, the
contractor identified structural concerns regarding the framing of the second story wall and roof
structure within the original historic structure. The City Building Official and Planning Staff met with
the applicant and contractor on site. The Building Official concurred that the second story wall
framing and roof structure requires major repairs and that attempts to repair versus replacement
would likely have a high probability of failure of the entire original structure. This is primarily due to
the extreme outward angle of the second story walls and poorly constructed roof structure. The
Building Official noted that it would be feasible to reconstruct the second story and roof and retain
the original first story framing. Staff recommends approval of the amendment with three conditions.
Page 2 of 4
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
September 18, 2024
Dag Selander, owner, and Tim Jozefow, contractor, offered to answer questions. Mr. Jozefow noted
when they discovered the structural integrity issues, they contacted the Building Official and Mr.
Gutknecht right away.
Commissioner Summers recalled one concern of the Commission on initial review in 2023 was
maintaining the one and a half story structure that was part of the fabric of the home. He strongly
believes that is still achievable. He understands the desire to maximize floor and room space, but this
plan looks more like the original proposal that the Commission basically turned away, asking instead
for a plan to preserve that one and a half story original to the home.
Mr. Selander noted the sagging floors on the newer, rear section of house led to discovery of more
structural issues and poor past repairs. They have saved the old lumber to use wherever possible.
Mr. Jozefow stated the original intention was to present a one and a half story plan, but in their walk-
through with the Building Inspector, she recommended raising it to a higher height to maintain a
uniform roofline and ceiling heights throughout the second floor.
Commissioner Larson asked if the existing roof on the back structure is reasonably straight, and Mr.
Jozefow replied the wall framing and roof framing of the addition that was done in the 90s is framed
really well. The trusses are still in good shape and the roofline is straight.
Commissioner Larson remarked the present design has a long uninterrupted character to it which
was broken up with the previous design.
Mr. Selander responded that currently, the second floor is 2 x 6's which is part of the reason for the
sagging of the floor - it was inadequate when built. The floor joists must be made bigger to support
the structure of the floor and that is part of why they are asking to match the roofline of the rest of the
house because that ceiling space would be at, or slightly below, the minimum required by code.
Commissioner Summers remarked the proposed design certainly is cleaner and a better look than
what they started with, assembled over a number of years. Given the obvious need to replace that
second floor, he could support the proposed design.
Motion by Commissioner Summers, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to adopt Resolution HPC 2024-
17, Resolution Granting Design Approval in the Downtown Design Review District and Neighborhood
Conservation District for Amended Design for 113 Pine St E (Case No. CD2024-047). All in favor.
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
2024 Heritage Preservation Awards (October)
Mr. Gutknecht presented as potential awardees: 205 Walnut Street East (Accessory Dwelling Unit);
Warden's House Porch; 512 5th Street North (Residential Remodel); and Architect Michael McGuire.
As Honorable Mentions: Good Egg Food Truck; Manitou Fund Education and Arts Center Remodel. He
also shared a possible 2025 Watch List: 1014 4th Avenue South (Residential Remodel/Demolition
Avoidance) and 302 6th Street South (Residential Remodel/Demolition Avoidance).
Commissioner Heimdahl suggested adding the Washington County Historic Courthouse project and
Chairman Thueson agreed. Mr. Gutknecht said he will check to see if it was awarded previously.
Commissioner Finwall suggested adding the conversion from commercial to residential at 809 5th
Street North, and Commissioner Larson concurred it would be appropriate for an Honorable Mention.
Chair Thueson reminded the Commission of Commissioner Mino's previously -expressed concerns
about the Walnut Street Accessory Dwelling Unit project.
The consensus of the Commission was to award the following:
Page 3 of 4
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
September 18, 2024
FYI
Awards:
205 Walnut Street East ADU
Warden's House Front Porch Reconstruction
512 5th Street North Residential Remodel
Washington County Historic Courthouse (if not previously awarded)
Recognition of architect Michael McGuire
Honorable Mentions:
Good Egg Food Truck
Manitou Fund Education and Arts Center Remodel
809 5th Street North
There were no FYI items.
COMMISSIONER REQUESTS
There were no Commissioner requests.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Summers, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to adjourn. All in fa . The
meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. /J/j �� /j
Matt Thueson, Chair
ATTEST:
i
Ben Gutknecht, Interim Community Development Director
Resolution HPC 2024-16, Resolution Granting Design Approval for a Dwelling Located in the
Neighborhood Conservation Design Review District for 1904 5th Street North (Case
Number: CD2024-035)
Resolution HPC 2024-17, Resolution Granting Design Approval in the Downtown Design
Review District and Neighborhood Conservation District for Amended Design for 113
Pine St E (Case No. CD2024-047)
Page 4 of 4