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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-02 HPC MINCity of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission June 2, 2008 Present: Howard Lieberman, chair, Phil Eastwood, Robert. Gag, Gayle Hudak, Jeff Johnson, Larry Nelson, Roger Tomten and Scott Zahren Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Approval of minutes: Mr. Eastwood noted that his suggestion regarding Case No. DR/08-22 was to mute the color of the columns not around the doorway, opposite of what was indicated in the minutes. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Hudak, moved approval of the minutes of May 5, 2008, as corrected. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. DEM/08-23 - A demolition request of a residence at 817 First St. S. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. J.G. Hause Construction, applicant. It was noted that as notices for the public hearing were mailed prior to the decision to issue an emergency demolition order, the action would be to open and close the public hearing, which chair Lieberman did. Mr. Johnson asked if the replacement structure would come before the HPC for design review as an infill structure. Mr. Pogge said according to state statute, if the owners obtain a building permit within one year, review would not be required as the structure would be grandfathered due to being lost by fire. Case No. DEM/08-24 A demolition request of a shed/outbuilding at 219 N. Martha St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Andrew and Amber Barnick, applicants. Mr. Barnick was present. Mr. Lieberman reviewed the nine requirements for the issuance of a demolition permit. Mr. Barnick explained the existing shed takes up a good portion of their backyard; they want to open up the backyard and have a safe place for their child to play. Mr. Lieberman opened the public hearing. No comments were received, and the hearing was closed. Mr. Johnson noted that the applicant had completed all nine steps required by ordinance and moved approval of the granting of a demolition permit. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DEM/08-28 A demolition request for a garage at 1017 W. Pine St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Andrew and Erin Braun, applicants. Mr. Braun and contractor Bruce Rydel were present. Mr. Braun explained they would like to demolish the existing one-car garage, construct a new two-car garage with bedroom above, along with a general remodeling and expansion of their home. Mr. Johnson said he thought the plans fit well with the architecture of the existing structure, and noted there is nothing unique about the existing garage other than its age. Mr. Lieberman opened the public hearing. No comments were received, and the hearing was closed. Mr. Johnson moved approval of the demolition permit as submitted. Mr. Zahren seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission June 2, 2008 Case No. DEM/08-29 A demolition request for cone-car garage at 116. S. Sixth St. in the RB, Two-Family Residential District. Diane and James Kleinke, applicants. Ms. Kleinke was present. She explained they have lived at this residence since 1996 and have needed a garage since moving in. She said the existing structure is leaning heavily, is an eyesore and not functional. She said they would like to build a new structure that is more fitting to the architecture of the home. Mr. Johnson commended the applicants on the job they have done with restoration of the home. Ms. Hudak asked if an existing outbuilding would remain; Ms. Kleinke said that structure is used as a playhouse and would remain. Mr. Lieberman opened the public hearing. No comments were received, and the hearing was closed. Mr. Eastwood noted all nine required steps have been completed and said plans for the replacement structure look good in moving for approval of the demolition permit. Mr. Zahren seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. DESIGN REVIEWS Case No. DR/08-25 Design review for installation of a 25-square-foot sign at 126 S. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Yaniv Abotbul, applicant. Mr. Abotbul was present, along with architect Mark Balay. A revised drawing of the proposed signage was submitted at the meeting. Mr. Balay stated the sign would be 17' x 1'7" to meet the sign ordinance. The signage would be raised gold letters on a black background with gold border trim. Mr. Balay noted they also are requesting four lights to be placed above the sign, but said the lights would be no more than 100 watts. There was a question as to whether the graphics of T-shirts included in the revised drawing would be counted as part of the total allowable sign square footage; Mr. Pogge said the graphics would be included in determining the square footage. Mr. Johnson moved approval as submitted and shown in the revised drawing with the conditions that the sign be no larger than 17' x 1'7" with the verbiage The Shirt Factory and subtitles, Sweatshirts, Custom T-shirts, Souvenirs; that the T-shirt graphics be removed; that the sign be a black background with raised gold lettering with gold border trim; that the wattage of the four lights not exceed 100 watts. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/08-26 Design review for new signage at 1840 Market Drive in the BP-C, Business Park Commercial District. Nordquist Signs, applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Lieberman reviewed the staff report which noted that the total sign area on the north elevation is less than the maximum allowed by ordinance. A variance was previously granted for a second wall sign, and the proposed sign on the east elevation meets the conditions of the previously granted variance. Mr. Tomten moved approval as submitted. Ms. Hudak seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/08-27 Design review to change the storefront fagade at 223 S. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Peter Sampair, Bridgeview Stillwater, LLC, applicant. 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission June 2, 2008 Mr. Sampair was present. He stated the color of the rendering of the proposed sign included in the agenda packet was fairly accurate; he said the sign would not be lighted. In addition to the signage, he said he would like to remove the existing lap siding on the front elevation and replace it with a flat paneling, as well as install new storefront windows and door. He said he will not be doing anything with the existing brick. Mr. Johnson noted that the original building did not have an angled setback, which is why the old concrete coal chutes extend out from the building. Mr. Johnson said it would be nice to see the front facade go back to the original at some point. Mr. Zahren moved approval of the sign as conditioned. Mr. Johnson suggested additional language: that approval is given to replacing the lap siding with flat paneling; that approval is given to replace the windows and framing and door to match the existing door to the second floor; and that the signage not be lighted. Mr. Johnson noted that the Commission encourages the use of wider style framing and rails, more traditional retail style, for the door. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion with the added language. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/08-30 Design review to change the storefront facade, signage and lighting at 208 S. Main St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Smart Side Realty, LLC, applicant. Phil Soby, Smart Side Realty, was present. Most of the discussion centered on the size of the signage. Mr. Johnson stated he thought the proportions of the sign looked good and questioned whether the total square footage of the sign could be determined by measuring to the end of the lettering, rather than the entire panel. Mr. Pogge stated that square footage is determined by measuring to the edge of the panel, and stated the applicant could request a variance from the Planning Commission or shrink down the lettering to meet the square footage requirement. Mr. Johnson moved approval of the sign as submitted, with the condition that the sign be reduced to a maximum area of 16 square feet or that the applicant be granted a variance from the Planning Commission to allow the sign to exceed the allowable square footage, and. that if the sign is reduced in size, the design be reviewed by staff prior to installation. Mr. Lieberman seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Regarding the proposed changes to the facade, members spoke favorably of the plans as submitted. Mr. Tomten asked the applicant if he was going to save the existing awning; Mr. Soby responded that he would do that if the awning framework can be reused. Mr. Johnson asked about the proposed lighting by the doors and asked if there was any soffit so the lighting could be recessed above the doorway. Mr. Soby said the door is recessed so there is no way to have lighting above. Mr. Tomten said he thought the lighting as shown would be OK as long as the wattage is subtle enough. Mr. Tomten asked if there were plans to do any tuck pointing; Mr. Soby said that had been discussed. Mr. Tomten suggested the mortar type that should be used if tuck pointing is done. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned, with the additional conditions that the specified mortar type be used if tuck pointing is done and that the fighting fixtures by the doorway be reviewed by city staff for wattage level, and with the suggestion] that the existing awning be restored if possible. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. City of Stillwater ' Heritage Preservation Commission June 2, 2008 OTHER BUSINESS Discussion of Demolition Ordinance - Mr. Pogge spoke to the amount of staff time and cost involved in considering demolition requests and reviewed suggested changes to the ordinance - that the ordinance come into play for structures built prior to 1940, rather than the existing criteria of structures more than 50 years old, and that staff review demolition requests for outbuildings to make an initial determination if a building is historically significant and economically feasible to renovate. In discussion, Mr. Johnson pointed out that the proposed language includes mention of an initial building permit issued before Jan. 1, 1940, and suggested that the language regarding the issuance of the building permit should be stricken as often the issuance of a building permit can't be determined. Mr. Lieberman spoke against creating an artificial timeframe for determining whether a structure is significant and suggested that a benefit of the current ordinance is that it slows down the demolition process and offers time for people to consider alternatives to demolition. Mr. Johnson agreed with the concern about setting an arbitrary date but suggested changes could be made to the process for outbuildings. Mr. Eastwood suggested the Commission needs to be more protective of outbuildings in historic districts and suggested that if there is a change in staff, new staff might not be as attuned to the significance of such structures. Mr. Lieberman also noted that staff needs to be protected from political pressure. Mr. Eastwood suggested that perhaps the process regarding outbuildings could be restricted to historic districts. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tomten both suggested that perhaps the process could be changed to include only outbuildings of the same construction period as the primary residence. Mr. Pogge said he would take comments and come back with possible changes for additional discussion. Mr. Pogge informed the Commission that the City is taking a proactive stance on foreclosure issues and asked that members inform staff if they see any problem properties. Mr. Pogge noted that the City has entered into a plea agreement on the Bush, Lehmke lawsuit. As part of the agreement, the defendants will donate $1,500 to a fund that can be used by the HPC as it sees fit for preservation activities in the City. It was suggested the money could be used to attend conferences. Ms. Hudak asked if all the historic district studies had been completed. Mr. Eastwood suggested doing photos of historic homes. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Johnson. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 4