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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-07 HPC MINCity of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission Monday, March 7, 2011 A demolition ordinance workshop session took place at 6 p.m. In attendance were John Bracht, Micky Cook, Robert Goodman, Reggie Krakowski, Roger Tomten, Scott Zahren, and Planner Mike Pogge. Mr. Pogge said subsequent to the last session on this issue, a presentation was made to the City Council regarding economic development in which the speaker related the Heritage Preservation Commission's struggle with a recent demolition request; he suggested that the Council consider forming a Housing Redevelopment Authority to focus on housing. Mr. Pogge said Councilmember Cook then asked that the Council consider having a work session with the HPC to talk about historic preservation and historic buildings in residential areas. He said the workshop has tentatively been scheduled for June 7. He suggested possible topics— condition of historic building stock, hurdles to preservation and tools needed to advance preservation -- to bring to the June 7 meeting, noting that workshop sessions are time - limited. Ms. Cook noted that what prompted the Council's request was the lack of the matching grant to do the work for the establishment of the designated residential historic district and discussion about whether there is another avenue to achieve the goal of preserving the City's historic housing stock. Mr. Pogge pointed out that outside of the HPC, there is no strong advocacy group such as the former River Town Restoration (RTR). There was discussion as to the history and current status of RTR. Mr. Tomten said he thought funding was a key question in terms of hurdles /tools for historic preservation and said he thought an impartial advocacy group would be helpful; he said one missing element that the HPC could help promote is that historic preservation is an economic development tool and should be looked at as such a tool. There was discussion about the recently approved facade restoration program for downtown buildings and TIF funding. Mr. Tomten spoke of an article he read about economic development and preservation as related to downtown areas that pointed out a residential component is essential to support an historic commercial district. Ms. Cook spoke of an article regarding the economic benefit of being recognized as an historic place that pointed out that visitors to such places stay longer and spend more money. Mr. Tomten said there has been a recent inquiry by several groups looking into the designation of the St. Croix River Valley as a national heritage area. Mr. Tomten said he would not want to lose sight of the fact that what started this whole discussion was the issue of the need to make some changes to the demolition ordinance. Mr. Pogge noted that demolition review is the first on the list of tools for historic preservation that he has for the June 7 workshop. He said he plans to have a brief summary of each trying to capture the Commission's position; for demolition review, he said he would indicate that the HPC feels it is currently ineffective and would present some options, such as the St. Paul model. Regarding design review, he said the narrative would talk of the need for a local designation district; he suggested it would not take a lot of work to expand the conservation district guidelines to include additions. Other tools Mr. Pogge mentioned included: rental housing inspections, time of purchase inspections and property maintenance code; he suggested those functions, with the exception of the property maintenance enforcement, can be performed primarily by the private sector, with little staff time required. There was discussion of the City's budget situation and lack of funding for additional staff. There was discussion of establishing a designation district and what can be done without such a district; Mr. Pogge 1 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission Monday, March 7, 2011 described the individual property designation process in demotion requests used by other communities. Mr. Pogge suggested the Commission hold another 6 p.m. session prior to the April meeting. He asked for volunteers to assist him in gathering information on the condition of housing stock; Mr. Bracht said he would be willing to work with Mr. Pogge on general /broad brush interpretation of data. The workshop session was recessed at 7 p.m. OPEN FORUM No comments were received. AGENDA Mr. Lieberman called the regular meeting to order at 7 p.m. Present: Howard Lieberman, Chair, John Bracht, Micky Cook, Robert Goodman, Reggie Krakowski, Roger Tomten and Scott Zahren Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Absent: Jeff Johnson Approval of minutes: Mr. Tomten, seconded by Mr. Bracht, moved approval of the Feb. 6, 2011, minutes as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. DESIGN REVIEWS Case No. 2011 -08. Design review for signage on an existing pole located at 14130 60` Street North, Advanced Dermatology Care, in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District. Northern Sign Solutions, applicant. The applicant was not present. Mr. Tomten questioned the use of changeable copy for this signage; there were also comments regarding the aesthetics of the proposed sign. Mr. Lieberman moved to table this case. Mr. Bracht seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. 2011 -09. Design review for signage for the replacement of existing projecting signs, Shanghai Bistro, located at 324 Main Street South in the CBD, Central Business District. SignArt Co., applicant. Representatives of SignArt and Shanghai Bistro were present. The SignArt representative provided new drawings, based on a previously - granted variance of 39.6 square feet for the Main Street sign; the revised request for that sign is 38.85 square feet. The sign for the side elevation has also been changed, she said, and the plans are now to simply re -face the existing Kitchen sign that is externally illuminated. She said they are also requesting a 5' diameter image of the business logo at the patio entrance. Mr. Tomten asked for an explanation of the materials to be used on the Main Street sign. The sign company representative provided samples of the material and explained the method of lighting that will be used, noting that this sign will be less bright than the current sign which is LED illuminated. Mr. Pogge noted that the request is within the size requirements. Mr. Bracht 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission Monday, March 7, 2011 moved to approve with the revised drawings provided at the meeting. Mr. Goodman seconded the motion. Mr. Tomten asked if there are any examples of the proposed lighting style in the area. Mr. Lieberman questioned the proposed signage at the patio entrance and how it relates to the atmosphere of the patio area. The business representative said the intent was to use the existing space at that entrance but soften the look of what is currently there. In discussion, Mr. Pogge noted the patio entrance is considered a street frontage, and he noted that the applicant would have six - months to develop a proposed new sign for that elevation and not lose grandfathered status. Mr. Bracht agreed to amend his motion to allow the applicant to remove the rectangular block on the rear elevation and bring back plans for signage at that elevation for HPC review should he desire to do so in the future; Mr. Goodman seconded the amended motion. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. 2011 -10. Design review of Minus 5 Ice Box located at 305 Water Street South in the CBD, Central Business District. John Daly, applicant. Mr. Daly was present. Mr. Lieberman briefly reviewed the previous discussion regarding this request. Mr. Pogge pointed out there is revised language to condition No. 5 related to elevation above the flood plain. Mr. Daly stated since the last discussion, the proposal has changed so the structure is 6' smaller; he said the wrap will be the same, but the entry changed to face in a different direction. On a question by Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Daly said the sign itself is not lighted, but there is some down - lighting. Mr. Zahren moved to approve as conditioned, with the modification as noted by Mr. Pogge. Mr. Krakowski seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Letter from Lee Sather, owner of James Mulvey Inn, 622 Churchill Street West, request to terminate Bed and Breakfast special use permit. Mr. Pogge noted the City had received a request to terminate this B &B special use permit as the business has closed. There was discussion about language in the letter that states the property will never be used as a B &B. Mr. Pogge noted that was a requirement of the bank for financing, and said someone could use the property as a B &B in the future but would have to go through the SUP process again. Approval of FY 2010 CLG Grant Application — Mr. Pogge told the Commission the City was not able to obtain the matching part of the grant, so the application was pulled. He said the Landmark Homes project is progressing and said drafts should probably be coming to the HPC in a couple of months. He asked members to contact any owners of the listed Landmark Homes to encourage their participation in the program. In discussion, it was noted participation doesn't obligate a homeowner to do anything other than have a photo and history Of the home on the web site. Mr. Pogge stated the Commission has been invited to participate in History in Your Backyard on April 3. He said if the Commission wants to participate, he would put together some brochures and be in attendance. He asked for other members to attend as well. Mr. Zahren volunteered to assist at the event. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. 3