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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-02 HPC MIN City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission October 2, 2006 Present: Howard Lieberman, Chairman, Ken Harycki, Larry Nelson, Brent Peterson, Roger Tomten and Scott Zahren Others: Planner Mike Pogge Absent: Phil Eastwood and Jeff Johnson Approval of minutes: Mr. Tomten, seconded by Mr. Zahren, moved approval of the minutes of September 6, 2006. Motion passed unanimously. DESIGN REVIEWS Case No. DR/06-38 Design review of a monument sign at 2850 Curve Crest Blvd. Mike Kuehn, Welsh Construction Inc., applicant. Representing the applicant were Mike Kuehn and Richard Hanson. Mr. Kuehn reviewed the proposed materials and colors of the signage. Ground lighting will be used to illuminate the monument sign, as proposed. Mr. Lieberman spoke in favor of the use of downlighting. Mr. Kuehn pointed out that the original property owner wanted all of the signs in the area to match his, which is lighted from the ground. Mr. Tomten said he thought there were design guidelines for all of the buildings in this area, the Campus Research and Development District. Mr. Tomten suggested that given the prairie-style architecture of the building, a font more in keeping with the architecture style might be appropriate. Mr. Kuehn again noted that the original property owner and his architect recommended font styles. Mr. Tomten questioned the proposed location of the monument sign given that visibility is limited due to the location in a swale area with lots of vegetation. Mr. Tomten suggested the applicant might want to consider a different location closer to the north entry driveway. It was noted that the sign could be located within 15’ of the property line. There was discussion about maintenance of the swale area and whether that would be allowed if it is part of the groundwater treatment system for the area; Mr. Pogge said he would check into that issue. A condition of approval is that signage for tenants be limited to either a wall sign or listed on the monument sign. One building tenant currently has a wall sign, and Mr. Hanson said they will be requesting a variance. Mr. Lieberman pointed out that the Heritage Preservation Commission cannot grant variances, that is a function of the Planning Commission. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned, changing the verbiage of condition No. 3 to indicate that ground lighting of the sign is allowed with the contractor to supply a fixture cut for staff review, and that the HPC is not opposed to an alternate location of the monument sign near the north entry drive, subject to staff approval of any alternate location. Mr. Pogge noted that in addition to signage for tenants, it should be specified that the building name is limited to either the monument sign or a wall sign, not both. Mr. Tomten agreed to include that as part of his motion as part of condition No. 2. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. 1 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission October 2, 2006 Case No. DR/06-43 Design review of signage for Stillwater Art Guild Gallery at 402 Main St. S. Randall Raduenz, applicant. Mr. Raduenz was present and reviewed the proposed design and colors of the sign. He noted that the sign likely will be somewhat smaller than indicated in the application packet. The sign will not be lighted with any fixtures. Mr. Raduenz explained that he plans to use a 3M material that provides illumination from passing car lights. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Zahren, moved approval as conditioned; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/06-44 Design review of an accessory dwelling unit at 609 Broadway St. S. Myron Reubendale, applicant. Mr. Reubendale was present. Mr. Harycki noted that there are not many other possible locations for a garage to be placed on the property other than as proposed. Mr. Harycki and Mr. Tomten both noted that the proposed design of the new structure matches well with the primary structure. Most of the discussion centered on Mr. Tomten’s question regarding the proposed roof pitch. Mr. Tomten pointed out that in order for the eave of the new structure to match up with the house, the width of the house has to match the depth of the garage. Mr. Tomten suggested that it might be necessary for the applicant to either shorten the garage somewhat or have a shallower roof pitch; he noted, however, should a shallower roof pitch be necessary, it might be so insignificant as to not be noticeable. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned, that the windows be double-hung sash windows and the addition incorporate similar siding and roof pitch as the primary structure, and finding that the depth of the new structure and roof pitch be considered a “minor” modification reviewable by staff. Mr. Peterson seconded by motion. Mr. Lieberman offered a friendly amendment that approval is subject to the granting of a variance by the Planning Commission or successful appeal to the City Council as the proposed design will not work without a variance. Mr. Tomten and Mr. Peterson agreed to incorporate Mr. Lieberman’s amendment as part of the motion. Amended motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/06-45 Design review of exterior color of the caretaker’s house at 220 E. Mulberry St. Dave Speedling, representing the owner. The applicant was not present. Color samples were provided in the agenda packet. Members were in consensus the colors were acceptable. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Zahren, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/06-46 Design review of exterior channel letter sign at 2850 Curve Crest Blvd. Nordquist Sign Co., applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Tomten expressed a concern about the “hodge-podge” of channel lit lettering and reiterated comments made in Case No. DR/06-38 that in prior discussions regarding this area, there was a desire for uniform signage and guidelines for this area. Mr. Pogge noted the only consideration for the HPC is whether the signage is compliant 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission October 2, 2006 with the zoning code, and it is; there are no color requirements for the West Business Park District, he noted. Mr. Tomten asked whether it would be possible to require that the requested signage match the existing Keller Williams sign to at least provide consistency across the building. Mr. Lieberman suggested that the HPC could recommend that if the Planning Commission grants the requested variance, that the new sign match the existing wall sign. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned, with the additional condition that wall signs not be lighted. The motion also included the additional condition that while offering no opinion on the issuance of a variance, if a variance is granted, the HPC would prefer that the wall sign be consistent in style and lettering with the existing wall sign. Mr. Nelson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/06-47 Design review of signage for Huntington Learning Center at 1250 Frontage Road. Signart, applicant. The applicant was not present. There was some discussion about the shade of green in the proposed signage; it was noted that is a corporate color. Mr. Zahren, seconded by Mr. Nelson, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/06-48 Design review of signage for Anytime Fitness at 1270 Frontage Road. Attracta Signs, applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned as long as the sign does not cover the building columns. It was noted the previous sign did cover the columns. There was no second to Mr. Tomten’s motion. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Zahren, moved approval as conditioned; motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS ? It was noted the annual Preservation Awards were to be presented at the Oct. 3 City Council meeting. ? Mr. Pogge told Commission members staff is working with the Stillwater Mills on Main developers regarding an issue with lights; the developer will be replacing ballasts to comply with the allowable light intensity, he said. Mr. Pogge also updated the Commission on a restoration project at the Historic Courthouse. ? Mr. Tomten asked whether plans for a City parking garage on Third Street would be coming before the HPC for review. Mr. Pogge responded in the affirmative, noting that the parking garage plans are at least a year down the road. Mr. Tomten provided information on the state Preservation Conference which he had attended in Red Wing. He said the conference was very informative and encouraged members to attend in the future. He noted that next year the national conference will be held in St. Paul. Mr. Peterson stated that the Historical Society and Historic Courthouse will be submitting written proposals to host tours of Stillwater in conjunction with the national conference. Mr. Tomten suggested that perhaps the HPC could host discussions relating to building height, demolition permits, and residential housing in a downtown, as possible topics. Mr. Lieberman suggesting hosting such discussions in the afternoon prior to a regular monthly meeting and inviting interested persons to attend the evening meeting; 3 The City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission October 2, 2006 ? also suggested infill design guidelines as a possible seminar/discussion topic. Mr. Harycki suggested using the national conference as a means to been proactive regarding the Landmark housing and historic signage programs. Mr. Peterson noted the state sesquicentennial will take place in 2008 and it is likely state funding will be available for sesquicentennial-related programming. Mr. Tomten said a group was meeting later in the week to discuss possible plans for the national conference and he would mention the possibilities discussed by the HPC at that time. Members viewed a portion of a presentation Mr. Tomten had made during the Red Wing conference. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 4