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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-07 HPC MIN City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission March 7, 2005 Present: Howard Lieberman, chairman, Jeff Johnson, Patte Kraske, Brent Peterson and Roger Tomten Others: Community Development Director Steve Russell Absent: Phil Eastwood and Dian e Hark Mr. Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Tomten, seconded by Mr. Johnson, moved approval of the minutes of February 7, 2005; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 07 Design review of sign replacement for O rthopedic Sports, Inc. at 1700 Tower Drive in the BP - O, Business Park Office District. Spectrum Sign Systems, Inc. representing the applicant. Rick Ferraro, owner of Spectrum Sign, was present. Plans are to reface an existing sign. The new sign will have an opaque aluminum background and will not be lighted; there is existing ground lighting for the monument sign. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 08 Design review of a medical of fice building at 1500 Curve Crest Blvd. in the BP - I, Business Park Industrial District. James Bell, Marshall Erdman & Associates, applicant. Present were Mark Trotter; landscape architect Dan Zarnstorff; and James Bell, architect. Mr. Bell explained the M arshall Erdman firm has been working with Lakeview Hospital for over a year on planning an addition to the existing Stillwater Clinic on Curve Crest. The three - story addition will host all the physicians affiliated with Stillwater Medical Group. One of the levels will be below grade. The new building will match the existing prairie style building in materials and architectural details; there will be little change to the existing building. Material samples were provided. Mr. Zarnstorff reviewed landscaping plans. Landscaping will be integrated with stormwater cleaning through the use of swales and prairie grasses. Landscaping will provide for screening from the residential neighborhood to the north and for the parking area from Curve Crest. Mr. Lieberman as ked about lighting. Plans are to use the same type and design fixtures; the fixtures will be mounted on 30’ poles, rather than the 20’ poles in the existing lot, to provide for better light distribution. Lighting of the central drive, canopy and atrium wer e outlined; prairie - style fixtures with residential level lighting will be utilized. Bollards will be used for lighting 1 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission March 7, 2005 around the drive. There are plans to use some uplights for accenting the building. It was pointed out that uplighting should be kept to a minimum. Mr. Tomten pointed out that a double pole in the existing lot appears out of place; the applicant will look at that issue. Signage plans will be submitted separately. The propo sal is for two monument signs, and it was noted that likely will require a variance. HVAC units will be placed on the roof and screened by the slope of the roof. The trash enclosure will be located in the rear between the two buildings. Preliminary plans are for a metal enclosure; it was noted that trash enclosures must be constructed of materials similar to the primary building materials. Mr. Johnson asked if the applicant was aware of condition of approval No. 5, requiring a 6’ minimum separation betwee n the clinic parking lot and the public trail along Curve Crest. Mr. Zarnstorff said their only concern was not having to tear up the existing lot to meet that requirement. Mr. Tomten suggested that the applicant provide a pedestrian walkway to the buildin g from the Curve Crest trail. Mr. Johnson moved approval with the six conditions and the existing conditions that the uplighting plan be submitted to the Heritage Preservation Commission and that the final landscaping plan be submitted to Ms. Fitzgerald f or her review. Mr. Russell suggested adding conditions relating to the trash enclosure and pedestrian sidewalk connection. Mr. Johnson added conditions that the trash enclosure be constructed of the same materials as the main structure and that the sidewal k connection with the Curve Crest trail be a strong point of access. Mr. Johnson also clarified condition No. 5 to indicate that the new parking lot be a minimum of 6’ from the trail. Mr. Tomten seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/ 05 - 09 Design review of signage for The Bead Alley at 1320 Frontage Road W. in the BP - C, Business Park Commercial District. Kriss Novak, applicant. Mr. Novak was present. He said the business is moving from the Brick Alley to the western portion of the spa ce in the Valley Ridge center formerly occupied by Watson Appliance. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Tomten, moved approval as conditioned; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 10 Design review of signage and new storefront for BC Mongolian Barbecue a t 1490 Frontage Road in the BP - C, Business Park Commercial District. Kriss Novak, applicant. Mr. Novak and the new business owners were present. The new business will occupy the former Asian Buffet space in the Valley Ridge center. The same gooseneck ligh ting fixtures that are used by Acapulco Restaurant will be used. There are no plans for signage in the windows. Mr. 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission March 7, 2005 Johnson noted that signage is not allowed on the awnings. Mr. Novak said the owners plan to use Chinese characters, not representing the business name, on the awning valence. Ms. Kraske, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval as conditioned. Mr. Johnson clarified that it is drawing M1 that was being approved. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/05 - 11 Design review of signage for Muraskaki Japanese Restaurant at 1491 Stillwater Blvd. in the Business Park Commercial District. Gary Sukopp, applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Lieberman referred to Ms. Fitzgerald’s comment that the proposed signage appears “too large.” Mr. Lieberman noted this is a difficult location and if the signage looks consistent with the adjacent businesses and might help the business succeed, it should be approved. Mr. Johnson asked if the c olor as shown in the packet is representative of the actual color as proposed, saying he would be concerned if the color is any brighter. Mr. Tomten, seconded by Ms. Kraske, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Other items: Letter fr om MnDOT regarding National Historical Preservation Act Section 106 - federal - aid highway projects – Mr. Lieberman suggested that if members have concerns those concerns be addressed to Cheryl Martin as listed in the letter. Mr. Johnson noted that the prop osal gives MnDOT more authority in the review process. Mr. Johnson expressed a concern that SHPO have a stronger position in the Section 106 reviews. Mr. Johnson said he would forward a comment to that effect to Ms. Martin. Update on Staples and Mays Arch itectural Survey – Mr. Lieberman reminded members to complete their photo assignments. Discussion on conservation district/in - fill housing – Copies of the Palo Alto and Pacific Grove architectural guidelines were included in the agenda packet. Mr. Lieber man said the HPC would like design review of all commercial projects in the City, noting that some sites, such as Tim’s Grocery, currently are not subject to HPC review. For consistency, the HPC would like to take on that responsibility, he said. Mr. Russe ll stated that would not be a problem; an ordinance amendment would be required, he said. Mr. Johnson spoke of the HPC’s past discussions regarding establishing some kind of conservancy district in residential areas that would have additional design guide lines. Mr. Russell noted there is a process for officially designated such a district. However, he stated to do so would require the support of property owners and a lot of grassroots education. 3 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission March 7, 2005 Mr. Johnson said a good place to start might be with the demolition ordinance, providing for HPC review of the replacement structure. He suggested that scale and proportions of the in - fill structure would be the primary review guidelines. Mr. Tomte n suggested the possibility of applying for a grant to prepare a “how to” (renovate) booklet as a way of public education. Mr. Johnson also suggested using the City newsletter as a vehicle for public education. Mr. Lieberman said an occasional forum highli ghting the functions of the various City commissions/boards might be a good idea. Mr. Russell said the HPC could host some type of special event. Mr. Tomten asked about the next steps that need to be taken to establish a conservancy district. Mr. Johnson pointed out that with the completion of the neighborhood surveys, the HPC might want to pursue a SHPO grant for that purpose. Mr. Tomten suggested getting all the surveys together and trying to set possible conservancy district boundaries. Mr. Russell sugg ested a good place to start might be the Dutchtown area; with the completion of the North Hill sewer/water project, that area will begin to see a lot of subdivision requests, he said. There was a brief discussion of the annual preservation awards . Mr. Lie berman asked members to be thinking about possible nominees. Mr. Johnson asked about plans for the former fertilizer plant . Mr. Russell stated the structure is now slated for demolition. Adjournment : Mr. Peterson, seconded by Ms Kraske, moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 4