HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-02 HPC MIN0 0
Heritage Preservation Commission
November 2, 1998
Present: Roger Tomten, chairperson
Jeff Johnson, Robert Kimbrel and Brett Peterson
Others: Planner Sue Fitzgerald; students from a government class at
Stillwater Area High School
Absent: Katherine Francis, Frank Langer and Howard Lieberman
Mr. Tomten called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Approval of minutes Mr. Johnson noted a correction to a reference to Mr. Lieberman's name in
paragraph two on the third page of the minutes of Oct. 5, 1998. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr.
Kimbrel, moved approval of the minutes as corrected; all in favor.
Case No. DR/98 -41 Design review of an awning sign at 423 S. Main St. Deborah Asch,
applicant.
Whitney Randen was present representing the applicant.
The request is to replace an existing awning at Brick Alley Books. The awning faces Main
Street; there will be no additional signage.
Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Kimbrel, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor.
Case No. DR/98 -42 Design review of an awning at 304 N. Main St. Peter Sampair, applicant.
Ms. Fitzgerald represented the applicant. The request is to install a burgundy awning; there will
be no signage. Mr. Kimbrel, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval as conditioned. Mr.
Johnson suggested amending the motion to add a condition that the awning be mounted at an
elevation above the transom window. Mr. Kimbrel and Mr. Peterson accepted the amendment to
the motion; amended motion passed unanimously.
Case No. DR/98 -44 Design review of exterior signage at 220 E. Chestnut St. Tomy O'Brien,
applicant.
Mr. O'Brien was present. It was noted the request is for an 18" x 17' wall sign on the Chestnut
Street elevation, rather than 17" as indicated in the agenda packet, as well as a 2' x 3' projecting
sign on Chestnut and an existing sign on the Union Alley elevation.
Mr. O'Brien said his landlord's believes that the Union Alley signage is for both building
tenants. He said his interpretation is that only the corner business tenant can use that signage; he
asked for the HPC's clarification of the issue, but stated his intent is not to use that signage until
some time in the future.
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Heritage Preservation Commission
November 2, 1998
Mr. Johnson noted the ordinance provides for one square foot of signage per linear front footage;
two signs are allowed for corner locations. If Union Alley is defined as a street, which Ms.
Fitzgerald confirmed, the corner tenant only would be allowed two signs. However, he noted the
requested projecting sign is in excess of what is permitted by ordinance. Ms. Fitzgerald noted
that in the past there has been some leniency extended to those businesses located off Main
Street, and she said Mr. O'Brien considers the projecting sign to be his top priority. Mr. Johnson
said the HPC limited the radio shop on Chestnut Street to one sign. Mr. Tomten said if the
projecting sign is the main priority, Mr. O'Brien should make that the main focus, noting that
window signage is allowable in up to 1/3 of the glass surface. Mr. O'Brien asked if the
projecting sign would be allowed if the Union Alley elevation signage is eliminated. Mr. Johnson
said he would have no objection to the sign band and projecting sign on Chestnut Street in lieu of
the Union Alley signage, since the corner building tenant is allowed two signs.
Mr. Johnson moved approval of an 18" x 17' sign to be placed in the sign band at an elevation
close in height to the neighboring business and a 2' x 3' oval projecting sign in lieu of the Union
Alley sign otherwise permitted, with the conditions recommended by staff and the additional
condition that the existing Union Alley sign be removed as it does not apply to the current tenant.
Mr. Kimbrel seconded the motion; all in favor.
Case No. DR/98 -43 Design review of a projecting sign at 218 N. Main St. Ed Hawksford,
representing Dave Bjerk, applicant.
Ed Hawksford and Lee Bjerk were present representing the applicant. Mr. Hawksford provided a
colored sketch of the requested signage. The signage is for a separate business located on the
second floor of the building occupied by Images of the Past and Present owned by Lee Bjerk, it
was noted. Mr. Johnson asked about signage at the side entrance; plans are for signage in the
doorway only at this time, according to the applicant's representatives. Mr. Tomten brought up
the issue of the non - conforming use of the work Kodak in the projecting sign.
Mr. Kimbrel, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval as conditioned. Mr. Johnson suggested
adding the conditions that no additional signage be allowed and that the HPC suggests strongly
that the side entrance signage be painted in the doorway glass. Amended motion passed
unanimously.
Case No. DR/87 -25 This case was continued from the October meeting, and the applicant was
not present. It was noted the applicant is out of compliance with the Design Guidelines and on a
number of conditions of approval — height, size and location of signage, the lack of berming, the
use of wall pack lighting, the dumpster. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Kimbrel moved to have
staff, preferably the City Attorney, write a letter outlining the non - compliance issues and
required remedial actions by the applicant /owners; motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Kimbrel once again raised the issue of berming along County Road 5 in that area. He asked
if the location of the bike path created a problem for the berming the HPC had requested of
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Heritage Preservation Commission
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businesses in that location. Ms. Fitzgerald will check into that issue and will check to see if there
is any money — County Road 5 or TIF funding — for the City to do the berming.
Holcombe Addition Architectural Survey
Sample inventory sheets were included in the agenda packet. Ms. Fitzgerald asked that members
do architectural /physical descriptions of the properties to the extent possible. She also reminded
members to keep good track of their volunteer hours spent on the survey. RFPs are being issued
in the very near future, she said.
Other items:
• Mr. Johnson raised the issue of the proliferation of pop /vending machines. Ms. Fitzgerald
said the machines are against the sign ordinance. Mr. Kimbrel moved to direct staff to
enforce the ordinance in regarding to the non - compliant signage represented by vending
machines and to discuss appropriate action with the City Attorney. Mr. Peterson seconded
the motion; all in favor.
• Ms. Fitzgerald noted that Eagle Valley Bank has an ATM machine which is not enclosed as
was required of Norwest Bank and she had received a complaint regarding that situation. Mr.
Johnson also noted a scrolling sign has been installed at the Recreation Center; he noted the
HPC approved the material and size of a sign conforming to the ordinance. The scrolling sign
is non - conforming. Ms. Fitzgerald will check on the two matters and report at the December
meeting.
• Mr. Kimbrel asked about the type of information the City makes available to people who are
considering projects. He said the HPC had talked previously of putting together a resource
packet. It was noted that currently Ms. Fitzgerald provides applicants with copies of the
Design Guidelines. Mr. Tomten noted that had been previous discussions regarding doing an
informational packet, and some consideration of forming a public information subcommittee.
It was decided this could be a topic for future discussion.
• Membership /attendance: Ms. Fitzgerald reported that Mr. Michels had officially reigned as
of the October meeting. Mr. Johnson suggested the HPC's membership should remain at
seven due to the problem of having a quorum at some meetings.
Mr. Kimbrel, seconded by Mr. Johnson, moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.; all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary
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