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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-04 HPC MINCity of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission May 4, 2009 Present: Jeff Johnson, vice chair, Gayle Hudak, Roger Tomten, Scott Zahren and Micky Cook, Council liaison Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Absent: Phil Eastwood, Jerry Krakowski and Howard Lieberman Mr. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes Mr. Zahren, seconded by Ms. Hudak, moved approval of the minutes of April 6, 2009. Mr. Tomten noted a typo in the first paragraph on the second page, "are" should be "any," and suggested that the reference to a 3D "elevation" in the first line of the third page should be 3D "perspective." Mr. Zahren amended his motion to approval as corrected; Ms. Hudak seconded the amended motion. Motion passed unanimously. OPEN FORUM PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. DEM /09 -21 A demolition request for a garage at 19224 First St. N. in the RA, Single Family Residential District. Melanie Ebertz, applicant. The applicant was present. Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. No comments were received, and the hearing was closed. Mr. Tomten noted Ms. Ebertz had submitted a thorough application. Mr. Johnson noted the existing garage is newer than the rest of the outbuildings, and the replacement design is more reflective of what is on site. Mr. Tomten, seconded by Mr. Zahren, moved approval of the demolition permit. Motion passed unanimously. DESIGN REVIEWS Case No. DR/09 -13 Design review of an addition to an existing building, The Lowell Inn, at 102 N. Second St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Richard Anderson, applicant. Continued from the April 6, 2009, meeting. Richard Anderson and his architect from DBA Architects were present. The architect stated that in response to concerns expressed at the last meeting, all the floors will be constructed in the first phase, with the interior work completed in the second phase. He also noted that they have raised the parapet 2' to eliminate the need for a height variance. Mr. Johnson asked about rooftop units. The architect stated the units will not be visible from the street. Mr. Johnson noted the rooftop penetrations will be visible from the bluff and suggested that the plumbing vents and other penetrations be consolidated as much as possible. Mr. Tomten asked about colors /materials. The architect stated the brick will be the same color as the parking ramp, with the arches and recessed areas a darker brick. There will be precast bands on the facade, and the parapet precast will match the parking lot, he said. Mr. Tomten asked about the previous suggestion to utilize deeper reliefs; the architect stated they are looking at 2" reveals. City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission May 4, 2009 Mr. Johnson asked about lighting and signage. The architect responded there are no plans for lighting of the room balconies and recessed lighting is planned for the vestibule area; he said there are no plans for signage of the entry area. Mr. Johnson suggested that consideration be given to some type of light fixture for the entry. Mr. Tomten asked about the color of the window frames; the architect said the color will likely be a champagne or dark brown. It was consensus that the lighter color, the champagne, would be preferable. Most of the discussion centered on four -sided architecture and the proposed transition from brick to stucco. Mr. Johnson noted the parapet is being carried around the building and said he saw the use of stucco as appropriate for tight fitting side -to -side adjacent buildings. Mr. Tomten agreed, but suggested that at least the triangular potion of the south elevation that is visible from Second Street ought to be brick; the architect agreed that could be done. Mr. Johnson moved approval as conditioned with the additional conditions that the lighting details be submitted to staff for approval; that the color and materials for door and window framing be submitted for approval; that brick be used on the visible portion of the south elevation, a darker brick similar to the window infills; and that mechanical equipment be consolidated and none, other than plumbing venting, placed on the higher roof. Mr. Tomten seconded the motion, but stated he would like the applicant to consider the use of brick on the entire structure. Mr. Johnson noted the rear elevation will be visible from Third Street until the vegetation grows up and agreed to add the requirement for use of brick on all four sides as a condition of the motion; Mr. Tomten agreed to the amended motion. The architect suggested the rear elevation will not be visible from Third Street. Mr. Johnson noted there is not a lot of surface on the rear elevation and suggested the biggest concern is with the upper two stories. Mr. Johnson suggested as a compromise that brick be required for the upper two stories, allowing stucco on the lower story. Mr. Tomten said he would be OK with that compromise. Mr. Anderson spoke of the expense involved, noting that the rear elevation is not visible, that the stucco will look nice, and that he donated property to the City for the ramp project. Mr. Zahren pointed out that there is stucco on his building that is attractive. Mr. Johnson pointed out the design guidelines call for four -sided architecture and again pointed out there is not a lot of surface area involved in requiring just the second and third stories to be brick. Ms. Cook asked about the cost difference; the architect responded that brick is about twice as expensive as stucco and noted that the stucco details will match the ramp. Mr. Johnson pointed out there was a motion on the table that does not call for brick on the rear elevation. A vote was taken on the original motion, which failed 3 -1, with Mr. Zahren voting yes, Ms. Hudak, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tomten voting no. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned previously, with the condition that brick be used on the south elevation and second and third floors of the west elevation, allowing EFIS on the rear elevation of the first story. Mr. Anderson questioned whether the ramp could carry the extra load if brick is utilized as conditioned; the architect responded that load would be a problem. Mr. Tomten withdrew his motion. Mr. Johnson noted that most of the design guidelines apply to free - standing buildings, so this request is a bit different as the rear and side elevations are viewed differently. Mr. Johnson moved approval as conditioned earlier, with the condition that masonry details and parapet be carried to the visible portion of the south elevation, with the applicant to submit a stucco sample 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission May 4, 2009 to staff for review. Ms. Hudak seconded the motion. In discussion, it was agreed that lighting details, color and trim samples be submitted to the HPC for review and approval. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/09 -17 Design review of a seasonal ice bar on the deck facing the river at the Freight House, 210 Water St. S. in the CBD, Central Business District. John Daly, applicant. Mr. Daly was present. He noted this would be a seasonal use, for 90 days only. He explained the proposed location on the deck, noting they would be losing 10 tables. Mr. Johnson suggested it is hard to visualize the color and scale of the bar and suggested approval be granted for this year only, rather than a long -term commitment. Mr. Johnson noted there is to be no signage or use of a product or business name. Mr. Zahren moved approval for one year, clarified for approval to Dec. 31, 2009. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, indicating approval is for the sample design choice without graphics. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/09 -18 Design review for signage, St. Croix Music, at 450 Main St. N. in the CBD, Central Business District. Gary Brown, applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Pogge noted the proposed signage is comparable to the McGarry Insurance signage on the south elevation. Mr. Johnson expressed a concern about the potential for additional tenants. It was verified there will be no lighting. Mr. Tomten asked about materials. Mr. Pogge said the application indicates the use of board with digital imaging. Mr. Tomten suggested the sign would look better with a border, not increasing the size of the sign, but decreasing the size of the lettering. Mr. Tomten moved approval with the condition that the applicant considers utilizing the border as suggested, with review by staff. Mr. Zahren seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/09 -19 Design review of proposed new U.S. Post Office at 107 Third St. N. in the PA, Public Administration, and CBD, Central Business District. HAF Architects, Mike Monn, applicant. Representing the applicant were Mike Monn and Bob Eiselt, Trinity Lutheran Church. Mr. Monn gave a visual presentation of the massing of the building as viewed from a variety of vantage points. He described the materials including a darker color brick, lighter color rain screen panels, and metal standing seam roof. On a question by Mr. Johnson, Mr. Monn described the proposed traffic /parking circulation. Mr. Tomten asked about the intent of the design, whether the focus was on a building housing the Post Office. Mr. Monn responded the design focus was on a multi- tenant building with a Post Office as one of the tenants, rather than a generic Post Office building. Mr. Johnson suggested that the Post Office in the heart of the City should be more than a side door to another building; it should be a focal point. Mr. Eiselt responded that it is difficult to make it (the Post Office) a focal point when it is only 2,000 square feet of a 7,600- square -foot building; he also noted the Post Office wants the main entrance where the parking is located. Mr. Johnson noted the focus of the building is at Third /Myrtle Street; he suggested moving the tower /massing 3 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission May 4, 2009 more to the north end of the building which would allow the front entry to still be used as an access to the Post Office. Mr. Eiselt pointed out that the Post Office does not want a second entrance due to security concerns. There was some discussion of the use of retaining walls, as well as the slope of the parking area. Mr. Monn noted that changing the slope of the parking lot is limited by ADA requirements. Ms. Cook suggested the proposed structure looks more contemporary than the house that once stood at this location; she suggested that more consideration should be given to complementing the historic district and historic town in which it is located. Mr. Monn responded that the intent is to complement and respect the surroundings not pretend to be an old building. Mr. Eiselt spoke of the efforts to blend the new building into the surroundings by using the same style roof as the Water Department, the tower of City Hall and colors of the brick at Trinity Lutheran Church. Both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tomten agreed the elements such as the roof, tower and brick materials fit well, but both felt the Post Office presence should be more of a focal point. Mr. Johnson also suggested the square projection on the south elevation looks like an afterthought. Mr. Monn explained the function of the rain screen panels and noted some of the materials relate to the desire to get lead certification for the building. Mr. Johnson asked about the timeframe of the project. Mr. Eiselt said the hope is to begin construction sometime in July so as not to interfere with the top of the parking ramp. Mr. Monn said they would not want to start over with the design, again stating that the design takes elements of the area, is a blend of historic and more contemporary features, and respects the context of the area around it. Mr. Monn also expressed a concern that if the tower feature is moved too far to the north, the building will lose its identification. Mr. Eiselt said a second entrance to the Post Office could be accommodated if the Post Office is OK with that. Mr. Tomten pointed out that the project seems at the concept stage, with a lot of items, such as landscaping, lighting, colors and materials to be filled in. Mr. Johnson suggested the design does a good job of picking up elements from the surrounding area, but he challenged the applicant to look at a different approach, specifically as it relates to making the Post Office presence a focus, rather than a secondary tenant. Mr. Johnson suggested giving concept approval of the footprint, which will allow work to begin on the foundation and the applicant to work with the Post Office, and have the applicant return with details including lighting, colors, materials and landscaping. Mr. Tomten moved to give concept approval to the general footprint and plan, with the direction to the applicant to ask the Post Office about a second lobby entrance, noting that the applicant had heard the Commission's concerns regarding the main entry. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR /09 -20 Design review of graphic on an existing awning at 116 E. Chestnut St. in the CBD, Central Business District. Pat Driscoll, applicant. 0 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission May 4, 2009 The applicant was not present. Mr. Pogge stated the applicant intends to reuse the existing canvas, and noted the name, logos and size conform to the ordinance. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Hudak, moved approval as conditioned. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/09 -23 Design review of signage for Aristos Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine at 1180 Frontage Road in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District. Mike Lawrence, Signcrafters, Inc., applicant. The applicant was present. He pointed out that the proposal is for an 8x10' pylon sign, rather than 96' as noted in the agenda packet; the existing pole will be utilized. He asked about additional signage; it was noted a request for a wall sign will have to come back to the HPC. It was verified that the sign will be internally lighted, with the background opaque. Mr. Johnson moved approval of the requested 80' pylon sign as presented, internally lighted with an opaque background. Mr. Zahren seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Final report from Dom Empson CLG grant — Mr. Empson addressed the issue of the original contracts call for completion of 300 inventories. He said it would have been an easy task to simply utilize existing information for 300 houses. Instead, he said he chose to do an in depth history of 51 homes. Mr. Pogge said he had talked with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and SHPO has approved of the approach; he said the only action needed is to amend the contract to reflect the change. Mr. Johnson said he agreed with the approach and said thought the more detailed information was of more value. Mr. Empson also reviewed the changes made to the web site. He provided information on a Deconstruction Center, which he suggested might be utilized by folks doing demolitions. Mr. Empson also spoke in favor of the City designating an historic district and designating historic homes. Mr. Empson also questioned why remodeling projects are not included in the City's infill guidelines for its Conservation District. Mr. Empson noted that Suki Thomsen had done the photos for the web site. Ms. Thomsen was present and showed a number of slides representative of the work she had done in putting a home's best face forward — taking out power lines, lighting up backgrounds, etc. Mr. Empson said if a grant is obtained for next year, the plan is to do Landmark Houses. Mr. Empson spoke of the importance of windows and talked about a fagade easement program. He also spoke of work he has been doing on the preservation of the Stone Bridge. Mr. Johnson moved to approve the amended contract from 300 house inventories to 51 more detailed histories with 9 updates and accepting the completion of Mr. Empson's work. Mr. Tomten seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Pogge told the Commission that Mark Balay, Kay Thueson, Brent Peterson and Suki Thomsen had been selected to receive this year's Preservation Awards. Mr. Pogge noted that the City will have to change all of its street signs by 2016 and suggested this would be a good time to start thinking about signage to better identify historic districts. 5 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission May 4, 2009 Mr. Tomten stated several years ago, the HPC had talked about adopting an exterior lighting ordinance, and said he would like to start working on that again. Meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 0