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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-08 HPC MIN Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 1999 Present: Howard Lieberman, chairperson Chuck Dougherty, Jeff Johnson, Dean Miller and Roger Tomten Others: Planner Sue Fitzgerald Absent: Phil Eastwood and Robert Kimbrel Mr. Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Dougherty, moved to approve the minutes of Aug. 2, 1999; all in favor. Case No. DR/99-23 Design review of updated signage at Domino’s Pizza, 501 N. Main St. John DiMatteo of Arrow Sign and Awning Co. representing Domino’s Pizza. The production manager for Arrow Signs was present for the discussion and provided a color sketch of the proposed signage. He said the current owner was unaware there were too many signs and wants to bring the business into compliance. He noted there are two building tenants and asked how that would affect signage. He also said the applicant prefers a building sign rather than a monument sign. It was noted the applicant has 29 feet of front footage which would determine the allowable building signage; the requested sign is 34’2”. It also was noted the signage could not be internally illuminated as requested, but could be illuminated with an exterior light source not visible from the street. During the discussion, members expressed their concern about the overall appearance of the building and the site. Mr. Johnson asked if the applicant would be willing to continue the matter for another month and return with a whole package to clean up the building/site and improvements such as coloring the mansard area of the building, as well as check with Domino’s to see if there is other corporate signage that might be more appropriate to an historic district. It was also suggested the applicant look at soffit lighting under the mansard which would light window signage. Mr. Tomten also requested that the building owner look at how the other building tenant can be incorporated into the plans. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Tomten, moved to continue the matter until the October meeting; all in favor. Case No. DR/SUP/99-38 Design review of Rivertown Inn Bed and Breakfast at 306 W. Olive St. Julie and Jeff Anderson, applicants. Mr. Dougherty abstained from the discussion. The applicants were present. Mr. Anderson explained that they have lived around the corner (119 W. Chestnut St.) from the property for 20 years and have no plans for substantial changes. He 1 Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 1999 said they intend to “respect the cultural and historic aspect of the property.” They will have a live-in manager for the B&B. Regarding the conditions of approval, it was noted that nine bedrooms and 18 guests, rather than 10 guests as listed, are permitted. Regarding condition of approval No. 6, Mr. Anderson said they had applied for and received approval of the transfer of the on-sale wine license held by the current owners. Mr. Johnson noted that any exterior changes to the building would have to come before the HPC and meet Department of Interior standards. Mr. Anderson said they do have some plans for improvements, such as painting, which will be presented to the HPC as the plans progress. Mr. Johnson noted the number of allowable guest rooms exceeds the city’s ordinance but is grandfathered in and no changes are being planned in the operation of the B&B. Mr. Johnson moved to recommend approval of the transfer of the special use permit allowing nine bedrooms and 18 guests, with language added to condition of approval No. 6 referring to the City Council action transferring the on-sale wine license; Mr. Miller suggested deleting the language “as determined well founded” to read that complaints regarding non-compliance with the Conditional Use Permit has be reviewed by the Planning Director or appropriate governing body. Mr. Johnson agreed to incorporate that language change into his motion. Mr. Tomten seconded the motion; motion passed 4-0, with Mr. Dougherty abstaining. Other items: ? Mr. Lieberman read the City Council’s resolution appointing Mr. Miller to the Heritage Preservation Commission into the record and officially welcomed him to the group. ? Update on Historic Lift Bridge meeting: Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tomten attended the Aug. 18 meeting, along with representatives of RTR, and shared several observations. It was noted that the HPC is now designated as a consulting party to the discussions; two public meetings will be held in October and the intent is to have a draft memorandum of agreement by the end of October. Mr. Johnson suggested that the HPC ought to be active in getting the community involved in a “back the bridge” movement. It was suggested that the two chambers of commerce should be involved in that, and Ms. Fitzgerald said she would bring that matter up at the next City of Stillwater Chamber meeting. ? Mr. Lieberman expressed his concern and “disgust” regarding berming, lighting and perfunctory landscaping being done in the development in the western portion of the city. Ms. Fitzgerald reported she had received a letter from the regional people from Video Update; a new sign is being made and more berming will be done. Ms. Fitzgerald said she would get back to Mr. Kellison regarding the situation at St. Croix Bike and Kennedy Transmission. Mr. Johnson also referred to the condition of the back side (County Road 5) of the Junkers’ business. There also was a question about berming/landscaping plans for Mr. Nolde’s development on the west side of County Road 5; Ms. Fitzgerald will report on that at the October meeting. 2 Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 1999 ? Nomination of the original town to the National Register of Historic Places: Mr. Johnson noted that much of the research to secure such a nomination has already been done as a part of the cultural resources study done as part of the new bridge/lift bridge mitigation process. He said the nomination would really be a matter of filling out the application forms, and he had talked with historical consultants who had expressed an interest in working on the nomination. He noted that the nomination would be consistent with what the HPC/City has been doing with the neighborhood studies, and noted that when completed, the HPC could look at designating a conservancy district. Mr. Lieberman moved to ask that the HPC be placed on the City Council agenda to request RFPs to nominate the original town to the National Register. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion; all in favor. ? Support of staff design review of new residential houses: Mr. Fitzgerald asked for support to go to the City Council to request design review of new house construction, primarily in the RB district. Mr. Johnson suggested that design guidelines should cover basic guidelines such as scale/height/roof pitch, even square footage, so new houses fit the neighborhood. However, Mr. Johnson said he thought the HPC ought to get approval to proceed with nomination of the old town to the National Register before pursuing this matter. Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Dougherty, moved to give concept approval to the proposal. ? Ms. Fitzgerald handed out maps and assignments for the Hersey Staples & Co. architectural survey. Members were asked to try to complete their assigned houses by November. ? Walking tour guide: Ms. Fitzgerald provided a copy of the city of Hastings’ guide and design guidelines. There was a brief discussion regarding interest in pursuing such a guide for Stillwater. It was noted that RTR had such a guide at one time; Ms. Fitzgerald will talk to that group to see if they will be doing another publication. ? Lighting update: Ms. Fitzgerald reported that installation of the historic lighting is on schedule and should be completed by the end of October. She also reported that NSP has received approval to install a sample fixture of a highway light downtown. ? Bus bench renewal: Ms. Fitzgerald said no other companies had applied for consideration. She noted that realtors pay the company $86 per month/per side to place advertising on the benches. Mr. Dougherty said he thought the City should charge more than the current rate of $15 each for the right to have benches in the City. Mr. Johnson said that’s a City Council issue. Ms. Fitzgerald said she would talk with Mr. Kriesel regarding the current fee. New business: ? Mr. Dougherty informed the HPC his family will be moving outside of the City as of Nov. 1 and inquired as to whether the HPC wished him to continue until his term expires as of Jan. 1. Mr. Lieberman noted that technically, members must be residents of the city of Stillwater. Mr. Dougherty said October will be his last meeting. ? Mr. Miller asked about the status of the Maple Island project. Mr. Johnson said he had noticed that worked had stopped on the building and that the current status of the structure represents a hazard. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Miller, moved to have the HPC inquire of the developer as to the status of the project, specifically referring to the integrity of the historic façade of the building and the potential threat to public safety. 3 Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 1999 ? There was a brief discussion regarding the City’s pay parking lots. Mr. Tomten noted that the parking lot signs are non-historic and were never reviewed by the HPC. ? Mr. Miller inquired as to the future use of Sherm Gordon’s property downtown, should Mr. Gordon retire. Mr. Johnson noted the current use is grandfathered in and could remain unchanged. Mr. Tomten suggested the site is worthy of specific design guidelines, such as was done for the former UBC site. Mr. Dougherty, seconded by Mr. Lieberman, moved to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 4