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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-09 HPC MINCity of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission February 2, 2009 Present: Howard Lieberman, Chairperson, Micky Cook, Phil Eastwood, Jeff Johnson, Jerry Krakowski, Roger Tomten and Scott Zahren Staff present: Community Development Director Bill Turnblad Absent: Gayle Hudak Mr. Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Zahren, moved approval of the minutes of Jen. 5, 2009. Motion passed unanimously. OPEN FORUM Mr. Lieberman invited any comments from the public. No comments were received. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. DR /09 -05 A neighborhood conservation district design review for new construction at 702 W. Churchill St. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. HAF Architects, Michael Moon, applicant. Michael Hoefler of HAF Architects was present. He showed photos of the streetscape and neighboring buildings, the proposed elevations of the new structure, and other projects and infill projects in the area. He stated the design picks up the "vocabulary" — narrow lap siding, double - hung windows, front porch and other Victorian features — from other homes in the immediate area. In response to a letter in the agenda packet, Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Hoefler to clarify whether the new structure will be a single - family home or duplex. Mr. Hoefler said it will be a single - family residence. Mr. Johnson noted as proposed, there will be no changes to the grading or footprint of the building, but the square footage of the new structure is increased considerably from the former structure; he asked how that was accomplished. Mr. Hoefler stated they are building over the existing foundation, with two stories over the rear portion of the foundation; some of the increased square footage comes from finishing a portion of the basement, he said. Mr. Tomten said he thought the detailing of the structure was nice but expressed concern with the height of the second floor, saying an issue, for him, would be keeping the structure a one and one -half story residence. He also expressed concern about the height of the windows on the south elevation. Mr. Johnson agreed that the height of the proposed design is more representative of a full two -story house, rather than a one and one -half story. Mr. Tomten and Mr. Johnson suggested that the second floor could be lowered two feet without a significant loss of usable space. Mr. Hoefler argued that on any street, there are homes of different height; he said the builder needs some value on the second floor, and said he did not think the proposed design is oversized at all for the neighborhood. The contractor, Brandon Stryhn, pointed out that lowering the height of the second floor could impact the bathroom. Mr. Eastwood asked how much taller the new structure is proposed to be; Mr. Stryhn said the new home will be three feet taller. City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission February 2, 2009 Mr. Lieberman expressed his concern with the demolition that has occurred and the failure to follow proper process. He suggested tabling this case until the Commission receives more history on what has occurred or not occurred to date. Mr. Lieberman opened the public hearing. Brandon Stryhn, 1375 Pheasant Run, New Richmond, noted this is the first time he has done an historic project in Stillwater. He reviewed what he had done, stating he had received a building permit with the intent to save as much of the previous structure as possible. He described the condition of the structure he found when work began and noted he then received permission to demolish the rear addition to the structure. He said he has had the same set of plans since the start of the project. He spoke of efforts he had made to save what he could of the previous structure. He also stated the situation with this project is affecting his family and crew members and tabling the case would cause additional stress. Kevin Kiel, 722 Anderson St. W., spoke in favor of the project. He said he felt the other structure was about to fall down. He stated there are a lot of houses in the area that look like full two stories and said the project has lots of neighbor support. Betsy Glennon, 812 S. Harriet St., spoke favorably of the people working on the project, saying they are incredibly hard working and have been considerate and cooperative regarding requests. She said she was happy to hear that no changes are planned to drainage or the footprint of the structure, expressing a concern about a potential impact on her property should the drainage be altered. She said she does have respect for historic preservation but noted that it is too late to go back and reconstruct that property. She said the former property was a hazard and eyesore and felt this would be an improvement for the neighborhood. Mr. Lieberman read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Westcott, 918 Harriet St. S., into the record. The letter indicated the writers were happy to see the former structure taken down but expressed concern about the new structure being a duplex. Mr. Lieberman again noted that the new structure will be a single - family residence, not a duplex. Mr. Lieberman spoke of his sense that process has not been followed in this project. Mr. Turnblad pointed out that there is a separate enforcement proceeding going on regarding the demolition. Mr. Lieberman brought the discussion back to the table and ruled that the demolition issue be removed from the discussion. There was discussion about lowering the height of the second floor. Mr. Eastwood pointed out that has a huge difference in salability and suggested there is not that big a difference visually in the two -story versus one and one -half story. Mr. Zahren expressed his concern about the process — having design review after the project is essentially complete. Mr. Johnson said he thought that overall the proposal is a nice design, but he expressed concern about the massing on a small lot and building that is close to the street. Mr. Johnson also spoke of some discrepancies in the representation of the front elevation and the scale /position of the windows. Mr. Tomten read design review guideline No. 12 regarding massing, saying that was his concern and one that he would have had trouble with whether the design review took place before demolition or not. 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission February 2, 2009 Mr. Johnson moved approval of Case No. 09 -05 as conditioned, with the additional conditions that the height of the ridge /eave line be lowered by no less than 1.5 feet and that the windows on the front elevation be narrowed, from 34 to 30, to better fit the profile of the end gable. Mr. Johnson stated the motion included approval of the details, such as Hardie lap siding and colors, as presented. Mr. Tomten seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 -1, with Mr. Eastwood voting no. DESIGN REVIEWS Case No. DR /09 -06 Design review of a non - illuminated wall sign at 350 Main St. N., #106, in the CBD, Central Business District. Lawrence Signs, applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Tomten asked if the requested sign is larger or smaller than the allowable square- footage; Mr. Turnblad stated the requested signage is smaller than allowed by ordinance. Mr. Tomten and Mr. Johnson both suggested that the signage be narrowed in height and the text elongated to better fill the space. Mr. Tomten also suggested changing the placement of the sign, bringing the sign out to the edge of the pilaster. Mr. Tomten submitted a sketch showing the suggested approximate placement. Mr. Tomten, seconded by Mr. Eastwood, moved approval of the requested signage as conditioned, with the additional conditions that the height of the sign be approximately 2'2 ", with the text elongated, and that the sign be moved to the edge of the structural column as indicated in the submitted sketch. Motion passed unanimously. It was noted for the record that the sign is to be non - illuminated. OTHER BUSINESS 2009 CLG grant application to the Minnesota Historical Society — A copy of the grant application was included in the agenda packet. After brief discussion, it was consensus to recommend that the grant application be submitted. Changes to sign regulations in the BP zoning district — A copy of the new regulations was included in the agenda packet. Mr. Turnblad briefly reviewed the primary changes — multiple signs are now allowed, but the total allowable square footage has not changed. Also, the allowable height of free - standing signs is shorter in the district farther off Highway 36. Mr. Turnblad noted that the impetus for the change was the number of variance requests received and approved. Rather than continuing to grant variances, he said it was felt a better approach was to change the ordinance. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Johnson. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker 3