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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-02 HPC MINCity of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 2, 2010 Present: Howard Lieberman, Chair, John Brach, Micky Cook, Robert Goodman, Jeff Johnson, Jerry Krakowski and Scott Zahren Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Absent: Roger Tomten Mr. Lieberman called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Lieberman moved to table approval of the July 7, 2010, minutes to the September meeting. OPEN FORUM No comments were received. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. DEM /DR/2010 -11 Demolition request for the southern portion of a residence at 1117 Broadway St. N. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. George Middleton, applicant. Continued from the June 7 and July 7, 2010, meetings. Mr. Lieberman noted the applicant has requested that this case be tabled and moved to do so. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. DESIGN REVIEWS Case. No. 2010 -24 Design review of signage for Alesci Gallery located at 116 Main St. S. in the CBD, Central Business District. Scott Zahren, applicant. Mr. Lieberman noted that Mr. Zahren would not be participating in this discussion. Mr. Lieberman reviewed the request. Mr. Zahren reviewed the materials to be used in the sign. Mr. Johnson noted the request meets the conditions of the ordinance and design guidelines and moved approval as conditioned. Mr. Goodman seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Zahren not voting. Case No. 2010 -25 Design review of signage for Paiement Law Office located at 221 Myrtle St. E. in the CBD, Central Business District. Constance Paiement, applicant. Mr. Lieberman reviewed the request for signage and awnings. The applicant was present. She provided sketches of the requested sign. Ms. Paiement stated the awnings will be black canvas fabric; she said she would like to replace an existing awning on the Union side of her office space will smaller, permanent awnings. She stated the awnings will be more than 8' above the sidewalk and no lighting is proposed. Mr. Johnson noted that this building has one of the few remaining crank -out style awnings. The applicant and a spokesperson stated that some of the existing awning mechanism is damaged and noted that the recommendation is to leave the crank -out awnings open at all times due to issues with wear and tear, which is why the applicant is requesting a fixed -style awning. Ms. Paiement also explained that the awning space on the Union side is the only place available to place signage on that elevation. Mr. Zahren noted that the fixed awnings will outlast the crank -style and said he thought the proposal looked good. Mr. Goodman said he thought the proposal improved the appearance of the building. Mr. Johnson said his concern with the proposed awnings is that, according to the design guidelines, the goal is to keep architectural elements and features of a building that were original or of the period of a building; he noted that it would not require a lot of repair to leave the existing crank -out 1 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 2, 2010 awnings in the down position as a fixed awning. Ms. Paiement said according to the awning companies she spoke with, the crank -out style awnings do not weather as well as fixed awnings, meaning they will have to be replaced more often. Mr. Johnson asked whether it would be possible to leave the crank mechanism in place and mount the new awnings on the window casings below. Mr. Zahren suggested that the awnings would have the same appearance whether of the crank or fixed style. Ms. Paiement said it would not be possible to mount the new awnings on the window casings, as the proposal is to mount them on the brick. Mr. Zahren asked whether it would be possible to use the same mountings for a new awning; the spokesperson for the applicant stated the new awnings will be mounted in the same location as the existing awning(s). Ms. Paiement said she thought it would be unattractive to leave the crank mechanism in place, but said she would remove it and save it for the next occupant if that is what the Commission would prefer. Mr. Krakowski agreed that it would be unattractive to leave the mechanism in place, citing the possibility of rusting. Ms. Cook said she liked the idea of preserving the equipment somehow, perhaps placing it in storage. Mr. Johnson noted that the design guidelines call for accentuating the window features, not covering over several window openings with a single awning as is proposed here. It was noted that the existing awnings cover more than one section of windows. Mr. Lieberman agreed with the concern regarding differentiating windows. Mr. Brach said when he first saw the proposal he thought it looked attractive, but said he understood the concern regarding spanning more than one window; he said he was unaware of the issue regarding the crank -style versus fixed awning, but said he wouldn't be overly concerned about preserving that element. Mr. Goodman said he liked the proposal as shown, noting that historically, there was a number of buildings downtown where the awnings covered more than one window; he reiterated that he thought the proposal improved the appearance of the building over its current state. Mr. Zahren moved to approve the request as conditioned. Mr. Krakowski seconded the motion. Mr. Johnson asked that a condition be added that if the crank mechanism is removed that it be stored suitable for a future tenant. Mr. Zahren accepted that as a friendly amendment. Motion passed 5 -1, with Mr. Johnson voting no. Case No. 2010 -27 Design review of exterior window and door replacement at 413 Nelson St. E. in the CBD, Central Business District. Mike McGuire, applicant. The applicant was present. Mr. McGuire explained the request for the new windows is to get a stronger connection between the interior space and the deck outside. He said the space was previously used for commercial retail space; he said he has two potential tenants interested in use of the space for a coffee shop or wine /beer spot, so the connection between the interior and exterior is important to those uses. He provided drawings of the proposed changes. He noted that it is important to preserve the identity of the building as a former grain elevator, but yet find a reuse for the building. Mr. Johnson noted the openings on this elevation are not original to the building either. Mr. McGuire noted that very few of the window /openings on the facade are original to the building. In the discussion, it was noted that the windows in question are not very visible to pedestrians. Mr. Johnson noted that the windows in place are not original to the building and the proposed changes do not represent a significant visual change and moved to approve the request as submitted. Mr. Zahren seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. 2010 -28 Design review of a garage with a dwelling unit above at 708 Pine St. W. in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Nathan and Lucy Smith, applicants. Mr. Lieberman reviewed the request. Mr. Lieberman noted the HPC's role in this instance is to review the proposal for consistency with the primary dwelling unit in design, detailing and 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 2, 2010 materials. The applicants were present; they provided sketches and photos of the main dwelling unit. Mr. Smith said the proposal for the new carriage house is to maintain the same roofline, type of front gable, siding materials as the primary dwelling unit. He said the windows, while they give the appearance of double -hung windows as in the home, are casement/awning windows. He explained the intent is to have the carriage house look more like a home with a front porch on it. He said the long -term plan for the house is to replace the existing cedar shakes and possible re -side the rest of the home. Mr. Johnson asked about the posts; the applicant stated they will be square posts similar to the main house. Mr. Johnson suggested it might be nice to duplicate the curved returns, perhaps on the fascia board; Mr. Smith said he thought that could be done on the gable end. Mr. Goodman moved approval as conditioned. Mr. Zahren seconded the motion. Mr. Lieberman noted the Commission is not offering any other opinions except as related to subsection G. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. 2010 -29 Design review of signage for J.G. Hause Construction Inc. at 106 Main St. S. in the CBD Central Business District. Larry Roehrkasse, applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Pogge explained the request for a three - dimensional projecting sign, using a dollhouse which the applicant intends to repaint to match the corporate colors with a hanging sign below the dollhouse with the lettering J.J. Hause Construction Inc. He stated the entire sign measure 30" wide, 18" tall by 12" deep, which is just under the ordinance limits. Mr. Johnson noted there are several other 3- dimensional signs in the downtown, which are appropriate to the design guidelines. Mr. Johnson asked if anything else would be done to the building front. Mr. Pogge noted the building was painted with the historic home project and used the approved color. Mr. Zahren moved to approve as conditioned. Mr. Goodman seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Lieberman noted that an issue with the City Code that arose at the retreat session will be corrected; he read the omitted paragraph related to demolition permits. Mr. Lieberman reviewed the City Council's action related to the Veterans' Memorial Committee's requested new plaque. Mr. Lieberman apologized for his role in the discussion at the HPC related to the plaque. Ms. Cook noted that the Memorial Committee changed the language after hearing concerns at the HPC meeting. Mr. Pogge reviewed changes to the Hersey Bean wall project due to the collapse of the wall; he said the project is now looking at how to preserve some portion of the wall but yet make the site safe. Mr. Johnson spoke of the importance of the two arched openings on the site. Mr. Pogge said the work plan will be brought to the September meeting. He stated he had attended a conference put on by the National Association of Historic Preservation Commissions; he said it was an excellent conference with a number of ideas, including some related to demolition by neglect, that he hopes to bring back to the Commission. Ms. Cook suggested utilizing a student who has volunteered to assist with the HPC efforts. Mr. Zahren asked about a recent issue with the Shirt Factory and whether other businesses were contacted regarding the same. Mr. Pogge reviewed the actions taken regarding a complaint; he reviewed the current policy regarding private use of the public sidewalk. Meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Johnson. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 3