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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-05 HPC MINi i Heritage Preservation Commission January 5, 2000 Present: Howard Lieberman, chair (7:25) Beth Diem, Phil Eastwood, Jeff Johnson, Robert Kimbrel, and Roger Tomten Others: Planner Sue Fitzgerald Absent: Dean Miller Vice chair Mr. Kimbrel called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Kimbrel asked that the discussion of the new pedestrian lighting in the downtown area, the last item under "other items," reflect that the fixtures are not the ones approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission. Mr. Tomten, seconded by Mr. Eastwood, moved to approve the minutes of Nov. 1, 1999, as amended; motion passed 4 -0 (Ms. Diem, Mr. Eastwood, Mr. Kimbrel and Mr. Tomten). Mr. Kimbrel introduced and welcomed new member Beth Diem. Case No. DR/00 -1 Design review of exterior signage for tattoo business at 235 Y2 East Chestnut St. Dave Zappia, applicant. John Wicklund was present representing the applicant. Mr. Wicklund provided a sketch of the proposed sign. The request was for a 217" square foot sign to be placed over the face of the glass on the transom window. The exterior of the building is 25'9" in width. However, the tattoo shop occupies only one -half of the space, thus is allowed 13 square feet of signage according to the ordinance. Mr. Johnson suggested that the applicant consider a projecting sign which would improve exposure from Main Street, rather than a sign placed on the face of the building. Ms. Fitzgerald also noted the applicant is allowed to use up to one -third of the inside window glass for signage. Mr. Johnson further noted that the proposed colors are a "little strong" — the red should be darker /muted. Mr. Johnson moved to deny the request as submitted as the size of the size is over what is allowed by the ordinance and the colors outside the downtown design guidelines, with the recommendation that the applicant consider a projecting sign to be reviewed by staff for size and colors, and allowing a projecting sign as long as it is within the ordinance /guidelines. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 -0 (Ms. Diem, Mr. Eastwood, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kimbrel, Mr. Tomten). Other items: • Territorial Prison project update /project advocacy Ms. Fitzgerald referred to a memo in the packet outlining the terms of the sale and TIF assistance for the hotel/conference center /restaurant at the Territorial Prison site. Ms. Fitzgerald said if there are new plans and any changes to the plans previously reviewed by the HPC, the plans will come back to the Commission. Heritage Preservation Commission January 5, 2000 Mr. Lieberman said he had received a call asking for a written letter in support of the hotel project. Mr. Lieberman said he did not perceive the HPC's role as being advocates for private, commercial development. He stated he was not willing to say anything other than that the HPC had reviewed the proposal and thought it appropriate. He said in his view, the HPC's advocacy for a private developer is not the same as being an advocate for a public project, such as the preservation of the lift bridge. Ms. Fitzgerald said the City looks to the HPC in issues relating to the preservation of historic structures. Mr. Lieberman said in such cases, a more appropriate approach would be for the staff to request that the HPC address the City Council on whether a specific proposal is a good reuse of an historic structure. Mr. Johnson agreed that the HPC ought to stick to issues of whether a proposal is historically appropriate. As far as specific plans for the Territorial Prison project, Mr. Johnson noted that SHPO will be a big player and suggested the HPC wait until plans are submitted before making any comments. There was a brief discussion of the Lumber Baron's Hotel project and related issues. • Design Guidelines Mr. Tomten briefly reviewed the third draft of amendments to the Downtown Design Manual, specifically highlighting awnings and signage. Regarding awnings, Mr. Tomten said the biggest change is clarifying that signing is permitted on the end panel or front valence only. There is also more detail regarding sign coloring, he said. Regarding awnings, Mr. Kimbrel questioned the wording allowing fixed, round- headed awnings over arched windows or doors. Mr. Johnson agreed that the architectural features of arched windows are lost when such awnings are used; he suggested allowing "bubble" awnings only when inset in an arched opening. Mr. Eastwood referred to the section on painted wall signs and murals noting that recently the HPC presented an award to Randy Raduenz for one of his murals. Mr. Tomten agreed that the mural on Images of the Past photo shop would be outside of the revised guidelines as the building is a contributing structure. Mr. Tomten asked members to bring additional comments for further discussion at the Feb. 7 HPC meeting. He also asked members to consider whether to address trademark logos/colors in the updated Design Manual. • Lift Bridge issues Mr. Johnson stated he had been representing the HPC in the 106 review process for the new river crossing. He submitted the draft of a letter addressed to Adam Josephson, MnDOT project manager, regarding the economic impact analysis on the effects of the removal of the historic lift bridge. The letter stated the economic impact analysis dated July 1999 is "inaccurate" and submitted several arguments in support of that position. Members were in consensus that while the letter may be "too soft," could be more positive or could have more hard numbers, there was a need to get a letter off stating the HPC's position that the study is flawed. 2 Heritage Preservation Commission January 5, 2000 Mr. Johnson moved to approve the letter as presented as the HPC's position on the economic analysis and authorize the chairman to sign the letter. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Lieberman and Mr. Johnson submitted a proposed letter to Congressman Bill Luther asking Mr. Luther's assistance in preserving the historic lift bridge. Mr. Lieberman said the letter is the result of a meeting RTR had with Mr. Luther. The letter would be signed by Rivertown Restoration, the Heritage Preservation Commission as well as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Minnesota Preservation Alliance. The letter asks for Mr. Luther's assistance is two areas — initiating discussions with Department of Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit regarding the National Park Service's responsibility to protect the historic lift bridge which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and providing leadership in the transfer of the ownership of the historic lift bridge to a public owner such as the city of Stillwater. Mr. Lieberman said unless those in favor of preserving the lift bridge start moving on a lot of different fronts, the lift bridge will be removed. Mr. Johnson pointed out that the letter representing a coalition of historic preservations groups and the indication of uniform support of those groups would have more power than the actions of any of the groups individually. A lengthy discussion ensued. Mr. Kimbrel favored the HPC taking its own actions, rather than joining with RTR and the other groups; he also suggested that requesting assistance of Congressman Luther might result in the politicizing of the issue. Ms. Diem suggested that since the city of Stillwater is not a signatory of the letter, perhaps the City should not be specifically named in the section regarding the transfer of ownership to a public entity. The discussion concluded with a motion by Mr. Eastwood, seconded by Ms. Diem, to accept the draft letter. Mr. Kimbrel asked for some additional time to go through the letter before taking action. Ms Diem asked if the other groups had indicated their approval. Mr. Johnson said the RTR and National Trust have indicated their approval and the Minnesota Preservation Alliance had given a verbal commitment. Mr. Lieberman offered a friendly amendment to the motion — approving the letter to Congressman Luther in substantially the form as presented, but to not send the letter before Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, for possible revision based on comments from HPC members and other signatories. As Mr. Lieberman was to be out of town, Mr. Johnson was asked to make any revisions if needed. Mr. Eastwood agreed to accept Mr. Lieberman's amendment to the motion; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Lieberman, seconded by Mr. Eastwood, moved to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 3