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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-21 HPC MINCity of Stillwater Joint Meeting of Heritage Preservation Commission Parking Ramp Steering Committee Feb ruary 21, 2008 Present: Heritage Preservation Commission members Chairman Howard Lieberman, Phil Eastwood, Jeff Johnson and Roger Tomten , Parking Ram p Steering Committee members : Mark Balay, Jim Christopherson, representing Ascension Episcopal Church, and Mike Holsten, representing Trinity Lutheran Church Staff present: Community Development Director Bill Turnblad Representing LSA Architects were Mik e S c hrock and Catherina Mullinax - Jones. As there was a quorum of Heritage Preservation Commission members, Chair Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mr. Turnblad gave a brief introduction. He noted that the two facades presented for input at this meeting included revisions based on comments received at the last Heritage Preservation Commission. Mr. Schrock agreed that they had received strong direction from the HPC. Mr. Schrock briefly reviewed the project. The ramp will be a three level stru cture, with entry on Second Street and bridge from Third Street to the top level of the ramp. He stated they have a better idea of the budget and the number of parking spaces. Mr. Schrock noted that they are working with a very tight budget. He stated at t his point, the ramp will have 314 parking spots, about a 212 space net gain from the current 104 parking spots in the area. Later in the discussion, Mr. Turnblad pointed out that the City does not have total co ntrol of the existing 104 parking spaces, so t he net gain is actually greater than 212. There was a question about the budget. Mr. Schrock said they are working with a budget of $5.3 million, a construction budget of $4.4 million. Mr. Turnblad pointed out that the bond consultants will be doing anoth er forecast, noting that the interest rate on borro w ed money is good at this time; he stated construction bids also are very good at this time. Mr. Schrock stated that given the budget, the exterior façade won’t be wrapped around all four sides; however, h e said it is anticipated that brick will be used on the spandrels on all four sides. He showed a photo of the level of finish that likely will be similar to this ramp. Mr. Schrock reviewed the two facades developed based on the HPC comments. Members were in consensus favoring option 3. Mr. Lieberman said he was most comfortable with option 3, saying he thought option 4 was too ornate and he did not like the two anchors. Mr. Eastwood agreed in favoring option 3, saying his main concern was with the detailin g on the side elevations that can be viewed by the public. Mr. Balay also spoke in favor of option 3, but noted it was difficult to transition from the higher to the lower piece of that design. Mr. Johnson suggested the top parapet of the middle section co uld be raised slightly to help with the transition. Mr. Christopherson also spoke in favor of option 3, but wondered if cars would be visible from below (Second Street); Mr. Schrock said cars should not be visible. There was discussion about the rear elev ation and the view from Third Street. Mr. Schrock said they are looking at ways of screening cars parked on the top elevation. Mr. Johnson asked about pedestrian travel. Mr. Schrock said they have talked with Trinity Church about having a small bay of gree n area of the top level and some type of pathway from the bridge with texture change to make the pathway obvious to pedestrians. It was su ggested to treat the entire driving lane as a pedestrian space, perhaps with colored concrete, to better identify it a s a primary entry. Members also sugg ested keeping the Heritage Preservation Commission Parking Ramp Steering Committee February 21, 2008 triangle parking area on Third Street to the south of the site as green space; Mr. Schrock said that is an option favored by Trinity Church. Mr. Johnson pointed out there is an area on Third Street that is starting to slide and wondered if there was any remedial action planned; Mr. Schrock said that information has been passed along to the structural engineers, bu t they have not rece ived any additional information back at this point. Mr. Johnson asked a bout lighting. Mr. Schrock explained lighting would be on columns along Second Street. He said they are wrestling with lighting on the top elevation and said it likely will be directional lighting from the parapet projecting east. Mr. Tomten asked if any t hought had been given to the view of the structure at the terminus of Commercial Street, suggesting that anything that could identify the structure looking up Commercial would be good. Members said they thought having the entrance offset from the end of Co mmercial would help slow down traffic; Mr. Balay suggested shifting the exit panel might address Mr. Tomten’s concern. Mr. Johnson said a massing diagram would be helpful to determine how the structure will affect the viewsheds There was discussion of the stairways in the tower elements. Mr. Balay suggested there should be less vertical element in the north stair tower. Mr. Johnson suggested rotating the stairs 90 degrees; Mr. Johnson also suggested having the stairs look like fire escape stairs to enhance the look of a commercial building. Mr. Tomten asked if there were any details regarding landscape plans. Mr. Schrock said there will be significant landscaping in front of the structure and a pathway to Peace Park. Mr. Johnson suggested the front could b e graded up some as part of the landscaping. He also suggested that is would be nice to have some type of historical marker in Peace Park to identify the remains of a former mill site. Mr. Johnson moved to approve concept option 3 as presented with the fo llowing suggestions/conditions: that the north stair tower stairs be rotated 90 degrees; that the pedestrian access off Third Street be the width of the full driving lane; that the back of the façade, east elevation be looked at closely as viewed from Thir d Street; that the triangle parking lot on Third Street be used as green space; that consideration be given as to how to reduce the elevations changes as viewed from the Second Street elevation, perhaps by raising the parapet so as not to appear so flat; that the design team further address plans for lighting on the upper deck; and that the stairways to be black in color or appearing as a fire escape as seen through the windows. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Tomten expre ssed his concerns about the project restraints caused by the budget. Mr. Christopherson expressed his pleasure than concern is being shown regarding the view from Third Street. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Lieberman, second by Mr. Eastwood. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 2