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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-04 HPC MINTNF NIATN ►LAG! Oi MINNESOTA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING March 4, 2013 Chairman Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present: Absent: Staff: Chairman Lieberman, Commissioners Brach, Johnson, Krakowski, Council Representative Menikheim Commissioner Goodman Community Development Director Turnblad APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of February 4, 2013 meeting minutes Commissioner Larson pointed out that on Design Review Case No. 2013 -04, he discussion and would like the minutes to so state. Motion by Chairman Lieberman (there was no second) to approve the minutes of the with the addition noted above. All in favor, 6 -0. 7:00 P.M. Larson, Zahren, recused himself from the February 4, 2013 meeting OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. DESIGN REVIEWS Case No. DR/2013 -08. Design review of a roof top vestibule located at 125 Main Street South in the CBD, Central Business District. Larry Nelson, Mainplace LLC, applicant. Chairman Lieberman explained that building owner Larry Nelson would like to add a second access to his rooftop patio, similar to the access which was approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission and built a number of years ago. This would allow for patio access from both units when they are owned separately. The new access would be constructed with the same materials as the existing one but would be smaller, with an 8 foot by 12 foot footprint. Larry Nelson, applicant, pointed out that the interior stairway has not been designed yet, so he isn't sure where it will penetrate the roof. He said he wants to keep the look simple and industrial in materials and design. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting March 4, 2013 Commissioner Larson said he agrees with the design intentions but would like to see what the finished access will look like. Mr. Nelson responded that he would be happy to bring completed plans back for final approval. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Zahren, to approve the new roof access as conditioned, with the added conditions that the access be kept as close to the north edge of the building as possible and as far back from the east edge as possible, and that the applicant submit plans for the final design and materials before construction. All in favor, 6 -0. Case No. 2013 -09. Design review of an addition of an exterior bar at the caboose located at 305 Water Street South, The Freight House, in the CBD, Central Business District. Aspire Development, applicant. Chairman Lieberman explained the applicant is requesting approval for an expanded covered outdoor bar at the Freight House. A Design Review Permit was issued last year for a similar project with a different design but was not constructed. No expansion in seating capacity is proposed; as submitted the plans likely represent a small reduction in seating capacity. , representing the Freight House, stated that this structure is more compatible with the existing caboose structure than the previous proposal. It will create an outdoor garden feel with a natural timber look. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to approve the modifications to the caboose patio bar as conditioned, with added conditions that the rooflines of the two structures be freestanding, not joined, and that this project replaces the previously approved structure. All in favor, 6 -0. Case No. 2013 -11. Design review of window replacement and trim located at 222 Chestnut Street East in the CBD, Central Business District. Thomond O'Brien, applicant. Chairman Lieberman explained the applicant is requesting approval to replace two existing wood -frame windows with two similar vinyl -clad windows. No changes are proposed to the window opening size. Thomond O'Brien, applicant, stated that the existing windows don't protect the building from water; he also would like to finish the stucco to one uniform color. Commissioner Johnson recognized this is an alley side of the building and the second floor elevation is not as noticeable. If there is an opportunity when framing the window to bring it out flush with the face of the stucco, it would be sealed better from water. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve the replacement of the windows as proposed. All in favor, 6 -0. Commissioner Larson offered that there are paint -on products that could be applied to even out the texture of the stucco. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to approve the repainting of the stucco in one color, light gray, with a paint that is suitable for application on stucco. All in favor, 6 -0. Case No. 2013 -10. Design review of signage for Black Letter Books located at 102 Main Street South in the CBD, Central Business District. Cecilia Loome, applicant. Page 2 of 4 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting February 4, 2013 Chairman Lieberman explained the applicant is requesting approval for two wall signs, a smaller sign of 24.8 square feet on Myrtle Street East, and a larger sign of 43.3 square feet on Main Street North. The new signs would replace former This Love of Mine wall signs. They would not be illuminated. Commissioner Johnson noted that the requested signs appear to conflict with awnings that were recently approved by the Commission for this location. Motion by Chairman Lieberman, seconded by Commissioner Zahren, to table the application until the applicant can be present, due to the confusion over the placement of signs and awnings. All in favor, 6 -0. NEW BUSINESS City Planner Position Community Development Director Turnblad indicated he is reviewing 120 applications for the City Planner position. He is not sure yet who will staff the Commission - it will depend on the skill set of the person who is hired. Commissioner Terms Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to recommend to the Council that John Brach and Scott Zahren be reappointed to the Heritage Preservation Commission. All in favor, 6- 0. Demolition Ordinance Chairman Lieberman brought up that he has struggled with this ordinance from the beginning. He agrees that the Commission's charge is to view proposals from the standpoint of preservation, not economics. He would welcome an opportunity for the Commission to review the ordinance again. Community Development Director Turnblad replied that the Council tabled the ordinance for additional input from the HPC. It will be brought back to the HPC at its April meeting. Commissioner Johnson noted the ordinance, being fairly new, is complicated. The first demolition considered under the ordinance was a complex case. He would like to see how the ordinance plays out in other cases. He also suggested that maybe three consultants could be prequalified by the City to do demolition reviews at an established price, to speed up review timelines. Chairman Lieberman responded that property owners may question the City using a pre - selected consultant. He believes in preservation but the process seems cumbersome and he doesn't want the Commission called into question for applying subjective analysis to determine what a property owner can do. Commissioner Johnson reflected that a lot of property ownership issues are cumbersome and regulated, such as maintaining a septic system. The ordinance encourages maintaining the status quo rather than requiring change or action on a property owner's part. Council Representative Menikheim commented that the City should better publicize its commitment to historic preservation. Page 3 of 4 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting March 4, 2013 Community Development Director Turnblad replied it's clearly stated in the comprehensive plan, which is a reflection of what the community wants. The Commission discussed ways to convey and promote its commitment to preservation and related issues, such as newspaper columns and the web site. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Lieberman adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 4 of 4