Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-06 HPC MINHERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Nov. 6, 1995 Present: Chairman Jeff Johnson Katherine Francis, Howard Lieberman, Jay Michels, Brent Peterson and Roger Tomten Others: Susan Fitzgerald, planning Absent: Robert Kimbrel and Todd Remington Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Approval of minutes Ms. Francis, seconded by Mr. Tomten, moved approval of the minutes of Oct. 2, 1995; all in favor. Case No. DR/95 -13 Design review for sign program for Stillwater Yacht Club, 422 E. Mulberry St. Doug Knutson, applicant. Mr. Peterson noted that the signs appear to be consistent in style. Mr. Lieberman, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved to accept the sign program as conditioned. Case No. DR/95 -23 Design review for exterior sign at 226 E. Myrtle St. R.J. Steichen and Co., applicant. The additional sign will be on a separate bracket and will maintain a 7' clearance. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Lieberman, moved approval as conditioned. Case No. DR- 24.Design review for exterior sign at 119 S. Main St. Gene Bealka, applicant. The applicant was not present. The request does meet the ordinance guidelines. However, several members expressed concern about the colors and the requested rear signage. Mr. Tomten noted that the ordinance does require a sign plan for buildings with more than two occupants. Mr. Michels suggested asking the applicant for more information about the rear sign, as well as an overall sign plan for the building, including the color and appearance of the front - facing signage, with a decision to be made at the HPC's December meeting. Case No. DR/95 -18. Design review for exterior modifications and signage at 108 N. Main St. Mark Balay, applicant. Mr. Balay and Kristen Klemetsrud appeared regarding the request, a request originally heard by the HPC in September. Mr. Balay said the building owner has been contacted, as suggested by the HPC. The owner does not want to participate in installation of an awning on the portion of the building he occupies, but may require new tenants to do so in the future. The other building tenant can't afford to participate, he said. Mr. Balay also said he has found that the in -fill portion of the building occupied by Savories is not a separate building on the National Register; to treat it as separate would be incorrect, he said. Mr. Balay showed a brief video of the building from Main Street. Ms. Klemetsrud reiterated the need for the awnings to unify the space the business occupies; people often try to go in the wrong entrance and often don't know the business is open. She said she would also like to do some painting, such as painting the planter at the doorway black to match the other planter, to give the building a more unified image. Mr. Johnson moved to approve the requested awnings, with the additional conditions that the awnings be truncated to provide a symmetrical appearance over the main window; that the wall sconces be removed; that lettering on the valences be removed; and that the applicant look into the possibility of painting the white window casing on the north portion or the building so the building trim will be consistent. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion; all in favor. Territorial Hotel update Steve Russell, Community Development Director, was on hand for this presentation, as were Michael Borum and architect Mark Finn, representing the developers. The plan is to reuse the two existing buildings for a 100 unit hotel /motel and convention center to accommodate 350 -400 people, with a new lobby /entrance connecting the two existing structures. There would be public /interpretive areas around the perimeter of the site. There would be one retail area, related to the hotel use only. Members asked whether the wall would be repaired. Mr. Borum said that depends on what financial help is available from the city, and he noted that no developer would take on a project unless the wall is fixed. Mr. Tomten suggested that the parking area as indicated at the front area be reduced to have the entrance be more pedestrian- friendly. Members were generally supportive of the plans as proposed. Because the project is moving rather quickly in terms of financing, it was agreed to form a subcommittee of the HPC to meet with the developers before the December meeting. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Tomten and Mr. Peterson were appointed to the subcommittee and were to meet with developers at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 15. Case No. DR/95 -22 Design review for exterior modifications at 217 N. Second St. Linda McDonald, applicant. Ms. McDonald appeared regarding the request. She said she would like to restore the windows and doors, and also would like to remove a coal shute bin and a planter that is deteriorating and causing water problems. The building would be used for a business space, not a retail use, so signage is not a problem, she said. Mr. Johnson suggested flipping the window panels as shown in the plans so the window transom lines tie into the door transom. Ms. McDonald asked whether the window panels could be lightly tinted for heat /light exposure. Ms. Francis moved approval with the condition that the window panels be switched as recommended by Mr. Johnson, that the lettering on the front door be gold leafed, and allowing lightly tinted glass for the window panels. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion; all in favor. Case No. DR/V -95 -34 Modification to plans approved May 1, 1995, for the building at 402 N. Main St. Kellison Co., applicant. Mr. Kellison and Monty Brine were in attendance. Mr. Kellison said the modification is being requested because additional tenants have been secured. The request is to increase the building square footage by about 2,500 square feet. Mr. Kellison said all the materials would stay the same as originally proposed; windows will go all the way around the building on the second floor; the entrance has been changed from the center of the building to the corner; signage will be at the corner entrance. The metal siding and brick base will be extended along the north side of the building. Mr. Tomten asked about placing gutters along the front side of the building. Mr. Kellison said that will probably be done, although there is not a lot of roof area on the building. Mr. Johnson moved approval, allowing the second story of the building to be raised 4 feet, increasing the footprint of the building as shown in plans, with all the same elevations /materials as previously approved and conditioned at the May 1, 1995, meeting. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion; all in favor. Highway 36 /bridge update Ms. Fitzgerald showed a drawing of the Highway 5 overpass design. She said it has not been decided yet if the St. Croix River bridge girders will be steel or concrete or whether the girders will be painted or left natural. South Hill Survey update Mr. Tomten agreed to give a presentation on architectural styles to be identified in the survey at the December meeting. Other business Members handed in their comments on the draft of the UBC site guidelines. Richard Kilty questioned the city's requirement for 150 public parking spaces, and the requirement of a three -story parking structure. Mr. Johnson noted those were not issues with the HPC, those were issues for the City Council. Mr. Johnson also noted for the record that he will not be participating as a voting member in the review of the UBC project in the future, as his employer, SEH, has been asked to do some work for the developers. Mr. Tomten had a listing of lighting for future reference for projects in the industrial park area. Mr. Michels suggested that the listing be added to the development guidelines for the IP area. Mr. Michels brought up a problem with the loss of parking spaces at Main /Commercial from Domino's. He asked whether the Parking Commission had looked at the problem. Ms. Fitzgerald will check on that. Ms. Fitzgerald brought up the issue of an awning at Traditions. The awning was part of the HPC approval; however, now the lessee may not want to put an awning on the front of the building, according to building owner Patrick Anderson. Ms. Fitzgerald asked for direction, considering the awning was included in the conditions of approval. It was agreed to ask Mr. Anderson to appear at the December meeting. Mr. Michels pointed out that roof vents on the Lumber Baron's Hotel are visible, when a condition of approval was that vents /mechanical equipment be screened from view. A general discussion about the HPC's enforcement authority ensued. Ms. Francis suggested that the HPC does have considerable enforcement authority, according to statements made by Charlie Nelson. Ms. Francis said she would try to set up a meeting with Mr. Nelson to discuss the issue. Ms. Francis, seconded by Mr. Michels, moved to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary