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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-01 HPC MIN City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 1, 2005 Present: Howard Lieberman, chairperson, Jeff Johnson, Brent Peterson and Roger Tomten Others: Planner Sue Fitzgerald Absent: Phil Eastwood, Diane Hark and Patte Kraske Mr. Lieber man called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Tomten, moved approval of the minutes of July 6, 2005. Motion passed unanimously. Update on Stillwater Library addition. Bill Hickey, representing the applican t. Present were Bill Hickey, Stillwater Public Library Board of Trustees, and John Mecum, Miller Dunwiddie Architecture. Mr. Mecum reviewed a number of design changes which he said have been necessitated both due to the delay in construction start and site and soil conditions which will result in additional costs. The parking level has been raised to reduce the amount of site excavation and underpinning required for the existing building. The north side has been pulled back 6’ and the east side pulled in as well, making for a more compact footprint. Raising the garage level will require additional terracing, it was noted. Other changes include the use of pre - cast rather than custom cast materials in some areas; the main level will remain brick. Mr. Hickey no ted that the previous “notch:” at the southeast corner of the addition had to be absorbed into usable square footage and suggested that change might be the most noticeable change. Mr. Mecum said despite the changes, he felt the new construction will be ver y compatible with the original building and the existing addition. Mr. Johnson expressed a concern that the exterior treatment of the east elevation and lack of posts on the plaza level reduces the visual impact at that elevation. Mr. Tomten agreed that t he garage entrance, mid - level appear utilitarian looking and do not do justice to the Carnegie building. Mr. Mecum noted that the mid - level decorative windows with recessed panels on the east elevation will offset the garage entrance changes and draw more emphasis. Mr. Johnson reiterated his concern about giving up the piers on the plaza level and asked it if might not be possible to reduce the number by half, which would still give a stronger anchor to the top level. Mr. Tomten noted that the southeast cor ner of the new wall will be in a flush position against the existing stone and wondered if the existing wall could be recessed a little; Mr. Mecum agreed that would be possible. There also was discussion of possible ways to give a more horizontal look to t he east elevation. There was some discussion of the material for the retaining walls/terracing. Mr. Mecum said no decision had been made at this point. Mr. Johnson suggested that some retaining wall materials tend to get overused and tend to cheapen the l ook of the overall project. Mr. Johnson suggested the use of retaining wall units that will be less visually noticeable than the rest of the building. Mr. Tomten suggested the possible use of the same cast natural rock that will be used for the 1 City of St illwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 1, 2005 garage level. Mr. Tomten also suggested that with the addition of the retaining walls/terracing, it would be good to review a landscape plan. Mr. Hickey responded that a landscape plan had not been prepared as yet, but one would be submitted. Mr. Johnson summed up the Commission’s suggestions: introduce stronger horizontal elements on the east and south elevations; add several piers to the railings at the plaza level; have the retaining walls/terrac ing match the colors/materials of the garage; and a smooth setback between the old and new buildings at the southeast corner. Mr. Lieberman said while he recognized the need for cost adjustments, he was saddened by the changes. Don Empson – CLG grant Don Empson and Kathy Vadnais were present. Mr. Empson thanked the HPC for its vote of confidence in his selection to do the final architectural survey. In a memo, Mr. Empson asked HPC members for their priorities and tasks they would like him to complete as p art of the survey. Mr. Empson said he assumed that development of design guidelines would be one of the tasks and provided members with some selected guidelines he had culled out; a copy also was provided to Planning Commission Chair Robert Gag. There was a brief discussion about the City Council’s recent first reading of an ordinance requiring design review for infill housing. Mr. Lieberman said it was clear the Council was not going to approve a suggested moratorium and instead directed the HPC and Plann ing Commission to develop guidelines for design review. Mr. Lieberman noted the sooner guidelines are developed, the sooner design review will occur. He asked Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tomten to work with the Planning Commission on the task. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tomten agreed to do so; Mr. Johnson asked that Mr. Empson serve as consultant. Mr. Johnson noted that it might be possible to have some preliminary guidelines relating to items such as massing and roof pitch in place in a relatively short time and then mov e forward in further refining the guidelines. Regarding other tasks to be completed in Mr. Empson’s study, Mr. Johnson said the Commission would like the work to identify key properties that are of local historical importance, as well as suggestions as to how to identify such properties and implement a program to recognize those of local importance. Mr. Empson noted that at some point there should be a discussion of the criteria for local importance as that may be subject to personal opinion. Mr. Johnson s aid another task should be defining the boundaries of the district that should come under design review. Mr. Empson suggested that area should basically be Owens Street to the River, Dutchtown to Orleans. Case No. DR/05 - 34 Design review of signage for Dia monds on Main at 1314 Frontage Rd. W. Greg Skoog, representing the applicant. 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 1, 2005 Mr. Tomten, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR. 05 - 35 Design review of signage for Stella at 216 S. Main St. Cheri Benson, applicant. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned, with the additional condition that the applicant submit a color sample to Ms. Fitzgerald for review and approval. Mr. Johnson s econded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 36 Design review of an office building at 1749 Greeley St. S. Mike Black, representing the applicant. Present were Mike Black and Eric Ogren, property owner. Mr. Black reviewed the plans for a n office complex on the five - acre site. The complex will include 21 new office spaces in seven buildings; one existing building on the site will be utilized. The existing access points off Greeley Street also will be utilized. The complex will operate simi lar to a town house association. Mr. Black said they have more than the required amount of parking – 216 required, 222 - 228 provided. He said Ms. Fitzgerald has suggested larger green spaces in the parking areas; he also will work with Ms. Fitzgerald regard ing utilizing existing landscaping along Greeley Street, as recommended. A lighting plan had been submitted, with staff recommending the use of high - pressure sodium bulbs; he said staff approved of the feet - meter candle reading of the lighting plan. Mr. B lack said the new units in the middle to the rear of the site will have a residential look, with stone base and hardi - board siding. The two new buildings closest to Greeley Street will have more brick to match the existing building. Color renderings of bui ldings similar to those proposed were provided. There will be two trash enclosures constructed of similar building materials. One monument sign is proposed on Greeley Street. The individual buildings will have plaques, about 2x3, identifying the business and address. Mr. Johnson asked about building lighting. Mr. Black said there would be one exterior light over the address sign; the remainder will be recessed under the eaves. Mr. Lieberman asked if there would be association covenants regarding such items as signage; Mr. Black responded in the affirmative. There was some discussion regarding the monument sign. Mr. Johnson noted there is a 100 - square foot limit; Mr. Black said the applicant would conform to whatever the ordinance stipulates. Mr. Johnson al so suggested that the applicant might want to consider individually lighted letters for the signage and said Ms. Fitzgerald could provide him with appropriate examples of such signage, which he said provides better visibility. Mr. Tomten asked whether the applicant might consider providing a sidewalk along Greeley Street as part of the landscaping 3 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 1, 2005 plan. Mr. Ogren said he would look at that option, but wondered if the sidewalk might impact the overall paved surface of the site. Mr. Johnson moved approval as conditioned, with the additional conditions: that the siding of the buildings be hardi - board rather than stucco; that the parking lot lighting be high - pressure sodium bulbs; that the mon ument sign conform to ordinance regarding size and height and that only the lettering be backlit; that details regarding the sign design and location be submitted to staff for review/approval; and that a more detailed landscape plan denoting parking lot is lands and sidewalk location on Greeley Street be submitted to staff for review/approval. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 37 Design review of exterior modifications at 221 - 229 Chestnut St. W. Gregory T. Pavlick, applicant. The applicant was not present. Ms. Fitzgerald said the request is to paint the trim above the windows. She said a section of the cornice along the west portion of the building has deteriorated and the applicant will look at repairing that. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned indicating the HPC would like to have the missing cornice replaced. Mr. Lieberman seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 38 Design review of signage for Accents Paola at 1500 W. Frontage Rd. Pa ola McElgberon, applicant. The applicant was not present. Ms. Fitzgerald said the verbiage will be deep burgundy in color with terra cotta swirls. She said the applicant also plans to create a new door opening for the business. Mr. Johnson moved approval as submitted and conditioned, with the additional condition that only one sign be allowed on the south elevation and that any new door opening be similar in size, glazing and other details to adjacent businesses. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion; motion p assed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 26 Design review for an accessory dwelling at 821 Third St. S. Todd Huntley, applicant. Ms. Fitzgerald provided revised plans for the structure. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval of the revised plans with the recommendation that the belt trim be removed. Motion passed unanimously. 4 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 1, 2005 Other Items: Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Streetscape Committee – Members of the Streetscape Committee, including Joci Tilsen and Norm Steere, addressed the Commission. Ms. Tilsen said the committee has held several meetings to discuss ideas of how to create vitality on Main Street. She noted that closure of the lift bridge will result in less tr affic and therefore fewer safety issues, so it seemed like an ideal time to experiment with some of the ideas the committee has developed. Suggestions include placement of outdoor sculptures and outdoor seating areas; a 5’ clear walkway would be maintained for pedestrian traffic. She said a survey was distributed to businesses in the Historic District, with some 33 ideas submitted. Ms. Tilsen mentioned some of the ideas for outdoor areas around her business, and it was pointed out that she could implement most of her ideas with no action required by the HPC or City Council. Mr. Lieberman said he thought having activity on the street adds to the vitality of the area and said he had no problem with having objects outside as long as the items are not for sale. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that approval from the Council would be needed if the displayed objects were for sale. There was discussion about having tables and chairs outside as long as a 5’ clear space is provided; Ms. Fitzgerald stated serving of food and liqu or would not be allowed. Mr. Lieberman concluded the discussion by noting that the HPC does not have the authority to grant variances. The HPC is supportive of encouraging such activities as described by the committee members, but can do nothing more that give its support, he said. Mr. Tomten suggested showing a graphic plan of Main Street indicating specific locations where outside activities are proposed when the committee makes its presentation to the City Council. Update on Terra Springs – Brian Sween ey was present with an update on the Terra Springs project. The interpretive trail behind buildings 1 and 2 is nearly complete, and the historic marker has been rebuilt. The developers partnered with the City to do additional repairs to the wall, work that will add an additional 25 - 30 to the structure’s life span, he said. Mr. Peterson asked about the original guard tower on the upper wall that has been removed. Mr. Sweeney said the City was doing the work on the upper wall; Ms. Fitzgerald said she would ch eck into that matter. There was a brief discussion about lighting. Mr. Tomten said metal halide lighting was not what he remembered as being approved. Ms. Fitzgerald said she is working on that issue and said she thought the two fixtures on Main Street ha d been taken care of. Mr. Johnson said the color green on building 1 was not what he had expected. Mr. Lieberman said while both positive and negative comments have been heard, for the most part, he said he thought Terra Springs was a good project and sai d he appreciated the developers’ efforts in working with the City. 5 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 1, 2005 Update on Teddy Bear Park – Jeff Hemer of Thorbeck Architects gave a brief update on the park. Most of his presentation centered on plans to renovate the barn on the site. Plans are to use the lowest level for storage, the main level for seasonal - use meeting space and the upper level as a business suite. The plans include installation of two bathrooms and kitchen facilities . Two additional columns have to be added to provide structural stability. Samples of building materials were provided. A new cupola will replicate the original. Metal clad windows also will replicate the originals. However, Mr. Hemer said the requirement that the building be sprinkled will be cost prohibitive. A request that the sprinkling requirement be waived has been denied by the City, he said. He said at this point, there seem to be two options – do nothing or initiate the process to have the buildin g demolished. Mr. Lieberman pointed out that demolition request reviews are the purview of the HPC, and he suggested that a request to demolish this structure will not be looked upon favorably. Mr. Hemer asked for suggestions as to how to proceed. Members advised that other potential cost saving measures be looked at – leaving more open space, eliminating use of the upper level, partnering with neighboring business owner. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recordin g Secretary 6