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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-07 HPC MIN1. . 0 s City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 7, 2000 Present: Howard Lieberman, chairperson Beth Diem, Phil Eastwood, Jeff Johnson, Dean Miller and Roger Tomten Others: Planner Sue Fitzgerald Absent: Robert Kimbrel Mr. Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Tomten, moved approval of the minutes of July 5, 2000; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/00 -22 Design review of exterior signage for Merrill Lynch at 219 N. Main St. Hi- Tech Signs, representing the applicant. Grant Skoop of Hi -Tech Signs was present. He explained that Hi -Tech is just the installer of the signage; the lettering is made by a firm in California. He explained the process by which the lettering is applied to the building. Mr. Tomten stated he had reviewed the sign package for the 2nd phase of the Maple Island building project. The approved sign package provides for six primary sign bands — three on the Main Street elevation and three on the Water Street elevation. He noted that the Merrill Lynch sign would be the third sign on Main Street. Mr. Tomten said he thought the proposed Main Street signage is OK, but said he had a problem with the Water Street elevation in that the proposed location does not reflect the entry or exit space of the business. Mr. Johnson agreed the Water Street entrance is not well defined. He noted the applicant can use up to 1/3 of the window glass for signage. He also suggested that consideration be given to a directory of tenants. Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Eastwood, moved to approve the west elevation signage and deny the east elevation signage, incorporating the business into a building directory and utilizing the allowable window space instead. Mr. Lieberman questioned rejecting the second sign until it is determined that the applicant is not entitled to the signage. Mr. Johnson said the requested Water Street sign could be denied because there is no entrance at that location. Mr. Eastwood asked if an applicant must have an entrance to have a second sign if the applicant has frontage on two streets. Ms. Fitzgerald said in reading the ordinance, there is no mention of entrance or building level in reference to that issue. Mr. Eastwood said he would withdraw his second of the motion if the request is within the approved building sign plan and meets the ordinance requirements. 1 r City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 7, 2000 Mr. Johnson asked whether the applicant would be flexible in moving the requested Water Street signage to a location near the Water Street entrance. Mr. Skoop said he didn't think there would be a problem with that. Mr. Johnson then withdrew his original motion. Mr. Lieberman moved approval of the Main Street signage, as conditioned, with staff to determine an appropriate placement for the Water Street signage. During the discussion it was noted there currently is a non - conforming sign for Yacht Brokers on the Water Street side of the building. Mr. Tomten suggested adding a condition that the developer be informed the existing sign is non - conforming and also to remind Mr. Stefan that the approved sign plan allows for just three primary sign bands on the Main Street and Water Street elevations. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. SUPN/DR/00 -53 Design review of modified conceptual plan for a 170 room hotel, restaurant and conference center at 606 N. Main St. Territorial Prison Coalition Inc., applicant. Present were Mike Borum of Territorial Prison Coalition and Mark Finneman of the architectural firm, Finn Daniels. Mr. Finneman explained the primary change is the addition of a 30 -unit wing to be constructed behind the main prison building. He stated the developers need 170 rooms to make the project economically feasible. There also has been some change in the mezzanine area to accommodate more rooms, he said. The concept of the inside of the buildings is much the same as originally proposed, he said. The hotel addition will be as unobtrusive as possible; it will be connected to an existing one -story structure in the service area. Mr. Finneman said he had met with Charlie Nelson of SHPO a number of times. Mr. Johnson asked about items to be removed /demolished as indicated in the demolition notes in the architectural renderings in the agenda packet. Mr. Finneman said the intent is to replicate or recapture the original structures to the extent possible except on the service side of the building. Mr. Finneman noted the project is continuing to evolve and the front lobby may well change. Mr. Johnson said it is important that the original window and door openings be maintained and that the connecting building be minimal. Mr. Lieberman asked whether it would be useful for an HPC member /staff member to attend future meetings with Mr. Nelson; Mr. Johnson agreed that would be a good idea. Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Johnson, moved support of the proposed modified design concept for a 170 -room hotel, restaurant and conference center as conditioned and to have the HPC chair /designee serve as an ongoing liaison in future meetings with Mr. Nelson. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Finneman said once the pricing package is determined, the applicant will come back with more definitive design plans. Mr. Johnson said there is a security issue with the building that should be addressed; Ms. Fitzgerald will look into that matter. 2 � 4 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission August 7, 2000 Case No. DR/00 -23 Design review of an exterior sign at River Heights Plaza. DeMars Signs, representing Euro Nails, applicant. Bihn Lee, owner, was present. Mr. Johnson noted that the business has 18 feet of frontage and the proposed signage is a little over the allowed 18'. He asked it the placement/height of the lettering is consistent with neighboring businesses. Mr. Johnson moved approval as conditioned with the applicant to work with staff so the elevation/location of the signage is consistent with neighboring businesses. Mr. Miller seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR/00 -24 Design review of proposed storage building at 1709 S. Greeley St. Tom Hoffman, applicant. The applicant was not present. Commission members had some concerns about the proposed building material and the height of the doors. Mr. Lieberman moved to continue the request to the September meeting due to the concerns and to provide the applicant with a copy of the Business Park design guidelines. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Other items: • Ms. Fitzgerald said she will be contacting Amoco regarding the promise to return the downtown station/store to its pre -storm condition. • Ms. Fitzgerald said she would contact Yacht Brokers regarding the non - conforming sign. • Mr. Tomten informed members that the St. Croix River Association would be hosting a forum on bridge proposals at 7 p.. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Stillwater Armory. Mr. Lieberman said he would be attending a meeting of the RTR bridge committee scheduled for the Wednesday following the August HPC meeting as a representative of the HPC. A discussion of bridge issues ensued. The recording secretary left at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 3