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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-08 HPC MIN City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 2004 Present: Howard Lieberman, chairperson, Phil Eastwood, Diane Hark, Jeff Johnson and Roger T omten Others: Planner Sue Fitzgerald Absent: Patte Kraske and Brent Peterson Mr. Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Johnson moved approval of the minutes of Aug. 2, 2004, noting a typo in the minutes ofDRl04-48. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DR04-48 Design review of North Coast Restaurant in the Grand Garage. Jim Kellison was present and reviewed the proposed design and materials. He noted the exterior design has changed substantially from the previous restaurant proposal. Outdoor seating is still proposed, he said. He also stated the applicant will come back with a complete sign package. Mr. Johnson said it appeared there is some loss of parking. Mr. Kellison said the number of parking spaces has not changed from the ip~a<<l!plan; the intent is to provide valet parking. Mr. Lieberman asked if the proposed fire features had been reviewed by the Fire Department; Ms. Fitzgerald responded in the affirmative. The flame will be turned off when the restaurant is closed, Mr. Kellison pointed out. Mr. Johnson moved to approve the revisions to the originally-approved plans, with the condition that a sign plan for the entire building be provided; that clips of proposed lighting fixtures be provided; and that the Fire Chief review the fire features. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-4l Stillwater Mills on Main project Melissa Pfannenstein of DJR Architecture Inc. provided the HPC with a project update and reviewed some 45 design changes enumerated in a written document. Ms. Pfannenstein briefly spoke to each of the changes. There was some discussion about the use of rockcast materials versus brick on certain facades. Members asked that samples of the rockcast material be provided for the next discussion. Mr. Johnson asked about lighting fixtures. Ms. Pfannenstein said clips are not available at this time. Mr. Johnson asked if the existing wall along North Second Street will be replaced; Ms. Pfannenstein responded in the affirmative. Mr. Johnson asked about roofunits/mechanicals. Ms. Pfannenstein reiterated there will be no rooftop mechanicals. There will be three elevator shafts 1 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 2004 finished with Hardiboard. The number of residential units - 98 - has not changed. Mr. Tomten asked if members could submit written comments; Ms. Pfannenstein said those would be welcome. There also was a brief discussion about the use of awnings at the retail spaces and how that use would work with the residential units. It was suggested that it might be better to utilize a sign band. Mr. Johnson moved to give concept approval to the revisions, with material samples to be provided for the next discussion. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Suki Thomsen, North Broadway, asked about the height of the structure. Ms. Pfannenstein said the structure is just under 50 feet to the top of the roof, with a parapet above. The Main Street elevation will have a walkway, retail spaces, and three levels of housing. From the rear elevation, only three stories of housing will be visible, she stated. Dave May, representing the project developer, was present with a request to place banners on the sales trailer. The request was for a 3x3 banner on the west side and 6x6 on the north site of the trailer. Mr. May said in future, when demolition occurs and construction begins, the project developer may be requesting an additional ~ijtfh.OOOO5people know that other businesses on North Main Street are still open for business. Mr. Johnson suggested that staff be empowered to work with the developer on such signage if the need arises. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that if businesses are being negatively impacted, the city will take some type of emergency action. The request for banners on the sales trailer was related to Case No. DRl04-56, design review of a sales trailer in the parking lot at 227 N. Main St. Vern Stefan also was present for the discussion. The discussion centered on the U-Haul rental vehicles currently parked at the site. Mr. Johnson noted if the sales trailer is located in the parking lot, there will be a loss of spaces and more demand for parking. Mr. Johnson asked if Mr. Stefan could relocate the U-Haul vehicles, perhaps keeping some off site. Mr. Stefan said he could move the U-Hauls to the east side of the business, and he said locating the sales trailer at his business would not compromise the capacity of the lot to serve parking needs for the hardware store. Mr. May noted the intent is to have the sales trailer use terminated by next spring. Mr. Lieberman moved to authorize placement of the sales trailer in the Maple Island Hardware parking lot from Oct. 1, 2004-June 1, 2005, approving the requested banners, with the condition that there be no lighting, and that the applicant come back with any request to extend the length of the use. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-49 Design review of covered deck and review of an exterior bar on the north side of the building at Water Street Inn, 101 S. Water St. Chuck Dougherty, applicant. 2 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 2004 Chuck and Judy Dougherty were present. Mr. Dougherty briefly reviewed the proposed design of the deck area. Mr. Johnson pointed out that the intent in the original plan approved by the City and SHPO was to maintain the historic warehouse/industrial look of the deck, which was the original loading dock area. Mr. Dougherty explained that the current roof forces folks to look out on the railroad tracks and parking area rather than the river. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tomten suggested there are alternatives such as skylights and lighted panels to achieve the desired effect, rather than changing the roofline. Mr. Johnson suggested that Mr. Dougherty look at older warehouse districts in the metro area for ideas on how to achieve his goal. Mr. Dougherty agreed to do that. Mr. Tomten asked if SHPO approval would be needed for any revisions. Mr. Johnson noted that since federal tax credits are involved, SHPO approval would be needed. In the discussion regarding the bar, Mr. Lieberman noted the north end of the building was never completed according to the plans approved by the City. He asked about the status of plans to complete the north end. Mr. Dougherty said that is still in future plans. Mr. Johnson noted there was a timeline for enclosing the exterior fire escape. Mr. Lieberman asked staff to go through the originally approved plans for the building and provide copies to both Mr. Dougherty and the HPC. There also was discussion of the requirement to enclose the trash receptacle. Mr. Dougherty said he would do that when the City clarifies i1S)ft1Dia~ the walkway to the river, which currently shows a portion of his property being taken. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lieberman noted that enclosing the trash receptacle was a condition of approval eight years ago. Mr. Eastwood noted the proposed bar at the north end of the building is already in place. Mr. Lieberman suggested tabling the requests, with the understanding that the applicant not be required to tear down the structure that is already in place. Mr. Eastwood made that in the form of a motion. Mr. Tomten seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-50 Design review of a freestanding sign for River Valley Dental Care and Stenberg Orthodontics at 1395 Curve Crest Blvd. Kirk X. Van Blaircom, Pyramid Sign, representing the applicant. Mr. Blaircom and Dr. Duerst were present. Mr. Blaircom explained the request for the internally illuminated sign, which is 6'5" high and 10" wide. Only the letters will be illuminated. Mr. Tomten moved approval as conditioned; Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion. Mr. Johnson noted that according to the ordinance, signage in the Business Park is limited to 6' in height. Mr. Blaircom stated the applicant wanted to include the address on the sign. If the sign is any lower, the bottom will be hidden by brush. He also noted the adjacent business sign is 6' high but is placed on aI' berm. The sign will be 15' back from the property line, in according with the ordinance. Mr. Johnson noted that there is no regulation regarding the address, so technically the City of Stillwater 3 Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 2004 sign could be seen as being in compliance with the ordinance. Motion to approve as conditioned passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-5l Design review of the exterior fa<;ade ofa proposed office building at 901 S. Third St. Mark Weyer, applicant. Most of the discussion centered on a suggestion by Mr. Johnson that the applicant take advantage of the existing headers to return the window openings to the original, rather than four evenly- spaced windows as proposed. Mr. Johnson noted that the existing headers and in-fill brick provide definite outlines of the original windows. He provided a sketch as to what replicating the original placement might look like. Mr. Tomten agreed that the window patterns do set the tone of the building's commercial history and make the building more interesting. Mr. Weyer said he would be hesitant to agree to try to replicate the original placement until he knows the cost associated with doing that. Mr. Eastwood said he had no problem with the window placement as shown by the applicant. Mr. Eastwood, seconded by Ms. Hark, moved approval as submitted. Mr. Johnson volunteered to work with the applicant in an effort to replicate the original look as much as possible. Mr. Eastwood amended his motion to reflect that an HPC member will work with the applicant in developing plans, but that the applicant is 1.ilidl@t2fi65Jbligation to accept those suggestions. The amended motion passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-52 Design review of warehouse buildings located at 1773 Industrial Blvd. Joe Peltier, applicant. Mr. Peltier was present. He noted his plans are similar to the previously-approval plans for a Mini-Storage at the site. His plans include two buildings, 82"by 24'and l4"high. The buildings will be of the same colors as the adjacent building - tan and green with a green roof. The buildings will be placed within an existing tan and green fence, and the lot will be blacktopped. In the discussion, it was suggested that relocated the building shown on the plans on the south side of the property to the north side and back toward the rear property line would provide better screening. Mr. Eastwood asked about the condition of approval that the lot be blacktopped by the time of occupancy; Mr. Peltier said he did not know if blacktopping could be done in the winter. Mr. Eastwood moved approval as conditioned, with the blacktopping to be completed by June 1 of next year, and the additional condition that the south building be relocated to the north side and rear of the property. Mr. Tomten seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-53 Design review of a 36-unit condominium in the Terra Springs development. 1. Buxell Architecture, representing the applicant. 4 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 2004 Brian Sweeney and Jack Buxell were present. Mr. Buxell said proposed retail space has been replaced with brownstone units that have the potential for future retail. The tower element has been retained. When asked about height, he noted there is a 20' difference in grade at this site. The building will be 52' high from the median grade point to the median roof point; from the lowest grade to the roof peak will be 71 '. Rooftop mechanicals will not be visible, Mr. Buxell said. Lighting is part of the original development package. Fixtures will be downlit except for some tree lighting that will be reduced if it proves to be offensive to neighbors. There also will be some lighting up the wall utilizing cut-off light sources. Mr. Johnson moved approval as conditioned, eliminating condition No. 18 due to site elevations. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. 04/54 Design review of an addition for St. Croix Orthopaedics. Mohagen/Hansen, representing the applicant. Mark Hansen briefly reviewed the expansion project. A new entry will be created. The new space will match the character of the existing windows. The project will involve relocating one light pole in the parking lot. 10/10/2005 Mr. Tomten moved approval as condition, clarifying that the parking lot lighting utilizes shoebox fixtures that are downlighted. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-55 Design review of an exterior sign at 2000 Industrial Blvd. Jennifer Cates, representing the applicant. The applicant was not present. The request is to replace the face on an existing freestanding sign. The location of signage will not be changed, nor will the frame. Mr. Johnson moved approval as conditioned, with the additional condition that the sign not be lighted. Mr. Eastwood seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. DRl04-57 Design review of signage for palm and tarot readings at 402 S. Main St. JoAnn and Tony Peterson, applicants. The applicants were not present. The request is for a 2 liz' x 4' wooden sign; the sign will not be lit. Mr. Johnson moved approval as conditioned, with an additional condition that the applicants work with staff regarding placement of the sign. Motion passed unanimously. 5 City of Stillwater Heritage Preservation Commission September 8, 2004 Other items: Update on 501 Lofts - Jack Buxell provided an update on the 501 project. Most of the discussion focused on the trail system and flood control system on the riverfront side of the 501 project. Mr. Buxell said 501 developers have been asked to create a terminus for the trail system that wraps around Terra Springs. He said they have been talking to marina/slip owners, Mr. Desch, the City and Department of Natural Resources. The desire, he said, is to removed existing "junk" plant materials and do new plantings to screen the working end of the marina. He said current plans have the verbal support of the DNR. The trail system will have corridors at each ends of the 501 building. There will be a one-lane road on the riverfront side of the project, with a more formalized parking area. The proposal is to oversize the piping for the water treatment ponding to accommodate potential future needs. All are concept proposals at this time, he said. Regarding the 501 building, Mr. Buxell said the previously proposed party room on the fifth floor has been eliminated. Rather than the party room, the proposal is to have two resident- owned efficiency units. The developer also is proposing two additional units on the fifth floor. The additional units would be tucked back inside the parapet. The height of the building was 68' 6" to the peak in the original plan, 69' 6" to the peak in this proposal. There was no formal action taken. Mr. Litl~tfiiaflQfummed up the discussion by noting for the record that the HPC has reviewed the 501 revisions and is supportive of the proposals as consistent with the original design. Update on Staples and Mays Additional architectural study - Ms. Fitzgerald informed members that the City received no RFPs for conducting the study. SHPO said Ms. Fitzgerald could call people on their list of potential investigators. The grant fee will remain the same. Letter from Jeff Johnson regarding rail abandonment - Mr. Johnson's letter to SHPO was included in the agenda packet. Lift bridge update - Mr. Johnson noted that MnDOT has granted $5 million to upgrade the lift bridge. Cost estimates to upgrade the bridge range from $5 million to $68 million. A new bridge could be completed sometime between 2010 and 2011. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 6