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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-07 HPC MINb HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Oct. 7, 1996 Present: Robert Kimbrel, chairman Jeff Johnson, Howard Lieberman, Jay Michels, Brent Peterson, and Roger Tomten Absent: Katherine Francis Others: Sue Fitzgerald, planning Chairman Kimbrel called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes Mr. Kimbrel asked that the minutes of Sept. 4, 1996, reflect commission members' concerns regarding the quality and accuracy of the South Hill draft survey. Mr. Michels, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval of the minutes as corrected; all in favor. Case No. DR/96 -26 Design review of exterior sign at 113 S. Main St. J. Clark Clocks and Watches, applicant. The applicant did not appear. Ms. Fitzgerald indicated she had talked to the owners on two occasions. The sign is in place and is in conformance. Mr. Tomten said he did a sketch of the elevation of the building and possible sign band; Ms. Fitzgerald said she will send Mr. Tomten's sketches to the building owners for future reference. Mr. Michels, seconded by Mr. Kimbrel, moved approval as conditioned; all in favor. Case No. DR/96 -34 Design review of wrought iron fence at 321 S. Main St. Patrick Anderson, Marine Leasing, applicant. Mr. Anderson explained the fence is desired to prevent encroachment upon his property. He explained the design and location of the fence. Mr. Johnson asked whether the garbage cans would be left out all week; Mr. Anderson said they would only be outside on pickup day. Mr. Kimbrel, seconded by Mr. Johnson, moved approval; all in favor. Case No. DR/96 -35 Design review of "aesthetic improvements" at 321 S. Main St. and 123 N. Second St. Patrick Anderson, Marine Leasing, applicant. 0 • Mr. Kimbrel, seconded by Mr. Johnson, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary Mr. LaCasse said he has been working with a group considering taking over the Wild River restaurant. Also, changes are planned for the front of the building. The new Wild River business operators are concerned about the visibility, thus the request for two signs -- a new sign on Nelson Alley utilizing an existing sign frame and a sign above the door which replaces the former Esteban lettering on an existing sign band. Mr. LaCasse noted the building has lots of frontage on Nelson Alley, but minimal signage. The sign frame will be mounted high on the building. Mr. LaCasse said other changes are planned, including cleaning up the rear parking lot area and installing a fence. He will be bringing in a comprehensive sign plan for the building. Mr. Kimbrel moved approval as conditioned; Mr. Michels seconded the motion. Mr. Johnson noted there was a previous concern about the brightness of the Wild River sign. Mr. LaCasse said the bulbs were changed and the lighting was toned down; he also suggested that if the name of the restaurant is changed, the signage might look more subdued. Mr. Tomten also noted the new projecting sign is larger than .allowed in the guidelines; however, he said an exception could be made considering the lack of signage on that elevation of the building and the height of the requested sign. Mr. Tomten did a sketch of the elevation and possible sign band. Motion of approval as conditioned passed unanimously; Ms. Fitzgerald will send Mr. Tomten's sketches to the building owners for reference. Other business 9 U.S. Bench Corp. -- There was a discussion of the City Council's action on the HPC's recommendation regarding the U.S. Bench Corp. contract. Mr. Tomten reiterated the HPC's position that the benches are not allowed in the Historic District according to the city's sign ordinance; a secondary point is that the materials and design of the benches are not in conformance with the Design Guidelines. U.S. Bench representatives will be present at the November HPC meeting. It was agreed that Mr. Tomten and Mr. Michels would work with Ms. Fitzgerald in developing the HPC's response /alternatives. • Mr. Anderson described the proposed improvements to the warehouse dock area of the Connolly building and provided color samples; the dock and arch over the back door will be painted a dark green. The exterior windows of the Simonet warehouse also will be painted dark green. Mr. Johnson moved approval with the condition that both buildings and dock area be painted the color as shown in the sample provided. Mr. Lieberman seconded the motion; all in favor. Case No. DR /SUP/96 -65 Design review of automotive oil change and glass company at Stillwater Market Place 4th Addition. Chad Junker, C & D Enterprises, applicant. Mr. Junker provided elevation drawings and described the proposed signage and colors. Trash will be kept inside. As proposed, one HVAC unit would be placed on the roof. Mr. Junker explained a proposal to change the curb line to eliminate the flow of traffic back and forth between the new car wash and his businesses. Mr. Tomten expressed his concern about the HVAC unit on the roof; Mr. Junker said he would be willing to move the unit. Mr. Tomten also asked about the lighting, noting the fixtures are to be downlit, shoebox style fixtures. There was a discussion as to how to meet the requirements for green space due to the proposed change in curb line. Mr. Johnson made several suggestions regarding the proposed signage -- that the applicant might wish to consider two different colors to differentiate between the two businesses and to change the lighting so it will not wash out the signage. Mr. Johnson moved approval with the eight conditions recommended by staff and the additional conditions that the heating and ventilation unit be removed from the roof and placed on grade and enclosed with landscape screening; that city staff review the new access and the 10 -feet green space buffer on the south side elevation; that light fixtures be downlighted; and that signage be allowed on the east elevation only. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion; all in favor. Case No. DR/96 -36 Design review of exterior signage at 324 S. Main St. Kevin LaCasse, applicant. • Andiamo banquet facility -- Mr. Michels reported that he had spoken with Mr. Anderson. Mr. Anderson said the light fixtures in question are similar to the ones by Hardee's in North St. Paul rather than those at St. Mary's Church. Mr. Michels noted that Mr. Anderson won't be doing any work until the boating season is over. It was agreed to continue the issue for another month. • Changes to the dental clinic at 1375 Curve Crest Blvd. -- Ms. Fitzgerald said a landscape plan has been submitted; she also explained several architectural changes that have been made to the building. Mr. Johnson noted that he and Mr. Peterson had reviewed and approved the landscape plan on Aug. 19, 1996. members had no objections to the design changes. • South Hill Survey -- Ms. Fitzgerald said that SHPO received the final draft in a piecemeal fashion; also she did not have the opportunity to review the final draft before it was submitted to SHPO. Mr. Peterson expressed a concern about the completeness of the survey. Mr. Lieberman noted that the final draft still contains some typographical errors. Ms. Fitzgerald said the rebids for the Sabin Survey are due Oct. 15. It was noted that the boundaries in the survey are not correct. It was suggested that an attempt be made to correct the boundaries in doing the survey. Mr. Johnson submitted his completed survey assignment. * Lumber Baron's Hotel -- Ms. Fitzgerald reported that she had talked with City Attorney David Magnuson about the correspondence with the Lumber Baron developers regarding the completion of the project, as well as the trash enclosure matter. • Miscellaneous -- Mr. Tomten noted that ProEx is asking for another sign and questioned whether the request would come before the HPC. Ms. Fitzgerald said the request requires HPC review. There was a brief discussion regarding the architecture of the Cub /Target development. Mr. Kimbrel suggested that the development looks a little "monotonous." Mr. Michels asked what building changes in the downtown district need to be reviewed by the HPC. Any changes to the exterior facade of buildings in the Historic District are subject to review. Ms. Fitzgerald will notify Mr. Zepper, building inspector, to report any planned changes for review by the HPC.