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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-06 HPC MINhivater. IMF 1111TM/LICE Of MINNEIITA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING May 6, 2013 Chairman Lieberman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Absent: Staff: 7:00 P.M. Chairman Lieberman, Commissioners Brach, Goodman, Johnson, Krakowski, Larson, Council Representative Menikheim Commissioner Zahren Community Development Director Turnblad, Interim City Planner Douglas APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of April 3, 2013 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Goodman to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2013 meeting. All in favor. DISCUSSION OF CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Commissioner Johnson noted that candidates were interviewed by Commissioners Johnson and Larson, Chairman Lieberman, and a Council Representative Doug Menikheim. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to recommend that the reappointment of John Brach and the appointment of Elizabeth Welty to the Heritage Preservation Commission. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. DESIGN REVIEWS Case No. DR/2012 -41. Design review of an awning for Osaka Express located at 108 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. North Star Sign, applicant; and Case No. DR/2013 -17. Design review of signage and facade repair for Osaka Asian Bistro located at 108 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Sean Flynn, applicant. Continued from the April 3, 2013 meeting. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to table the application for Case No. DR/2013 -17, signage and facade repair for Osaka Asian Bistro located at 108 Main Street North, and accept the Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2013 withdrawal of the application for Case No. DR/2012 -41, an awning for Osaka Express located at 108 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -23. Design review of a patio for outside seating located at 116 Main Street South (Quick Fire Pizza) in the CBD, Central Business District. Ryan Lettner, applicant. The applicant explained that he is requesting design review and approval for a new exterior patio for Quickfire Pizza behind the building at 116 Main Street S. The proposed patio location is surrounded on three sides by existing buildings. The patio will seat 26 -30 and be a stamped- concrete patio. Soft lights are planned under the pergola. Drainage will be directed to an existing storm sewer. The fire pit shown on the plans was not approved by the Fire Marshall and is no longer part of the project. Chairman Lieberman commented the patio will enhance the business. Community Development Director Turnblad said the Planning Commission will discuss the special use permit, sound, lighting and other issues. Commissioner Johnson commented that he would want to avoid spotlights. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve the patio for outside seating located at 116 Main Street South (Quick Fire Pizza) in the CBD, Central Business District as conditioned with additional conditions that there be no open fire pits, any gas lights be approved by the Fire Chief, and construction shall not start until completion of painting on the front of the building as requested by staff. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -19. Design review of internally - illuminated sign for Famous Footwear located at 1871 Market Drive in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District. Anchor Signs, applicant. Chairman Lieberman reviewed the staff report. The proposed sign will replace the existing sign on the front elevation. The sign will state "Famous Footwear" in red acrylic individual letters. A square red and white logo, about 8 square feet in area, will precede the lettering. The total sign dimensions are 30 feet 6 inches wide by 34 inches tall with 86.32 square feet in area. The sign will be internally illuminated. Staff recommends approval as conditioned. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the sign for Famous Footwear located at 1871 Market Drive in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District. All in favor. CHAMBER PRESENTATION Ambience Opportunities in Downtown Stillwater - Chamber Downtown Revitalization Committee Todd Streeter, Executive Director of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce explained that downtown Stillwater is economically and physically decaying. The Downtown Revitalization Committee was created to find ways to upgrade the look, function and economics of downtown. He introduced Rich Cummings, a member of the Ambience Committee. Mr. Cummings presented ideas for enhancing downtown ambience, in conjunction with upcoming changes involved with the Browns Creek Trail coming in from the north, the lift bridge closing, and construction of a new bridge. He discussed opportunities for lighting the lift bridge, historic buildings and churches, trees, Page 2 of 8 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2013 stairways, the Staples Mill chimney, and possibly the stone bluffs to give downtown a warmer, more welcoming feel. He also said the City's signage ordinance is confusing and should be updated. Commissioner Johnson noted that lighting involves not only street lighting, but also the shops' interior lighting. Many of the opportunities for lighting enhancement would be up to private owners to install and maintain lights. Commissioner Larson said he likes the notion of lighting the Staples Mill chimney and the pedestrian plaza in front of Staples Mill. Chairman Lieberman said the City definitely needs to improve lighting, and cautioned to use lighting judiciously to create drama, but not overlight. Mr. Cummings responded that the technology of LED lighting has changed dramatically; it is better able to be controlled, inexpensive and easy to install. He addressed streetscaping, for instance with Highway 95 changes, will there be an opportunity to widen sidewalks to provide space for more benches, outdoor dining and trees? The Committee also wants to make sure the sidewalks are cleaned and maintained, summer and winter. He presented slides showing ideas from other communities around the country. Chairman Lieberman commented that he doesn't want downtown Stillwater to be overrun with big box stores, but what if some well -run national companies start thinking about small box stores? How would we as a Commission think about that because we have been very reluctant over the years to have national entities come into town because we fear we'll lose what's unique about Stillwater. We have to allow businesses to maintain their identity. Commissioner Johnson responded there's a lot of flexibility in the large windowfronts that are underutilized by downtown businesses, and there needs to be more emphasis on what is effective signage within the ordinance. He is a little concerned about looking at large scale signage when it's the historic architecture of the buildings that's the primary feature. Mr. Cummings said it's not just street signs, but also park entrance signs, signs indicating the Birthplace of Minnesota, and historic landmark signs that should be considered. Mr. Streeter informed the Commission that the Downtown Revitalization Committee has submitted a proposal to the Stillwater Area Foundation with respect to a great ideas competition that would embrace our history and utilize local organizations to bring forth the Medallion Project, which involves a two -foot diameter medallion to be placed in strategic places downtown in the sidewalk. The Chamber will work with the Historical Society and the City to identify opportunities to place the medallions and to ask for organizations, businesses, and individuals to sponsor the medallions. The medallions could also tie in with the podcast project. Commissioner Johnson noted that trash containers downtown are unsightly - this has been a topic for years. Commissioner Goodman noticed there's no marker showing where the old McKusick Mill was (Main and Myrtle), no marker on the hill by McKusick Lake showing where the flume that operated the mill was. There are a lot of existing buildings that have an interesting history but there is no signage indicating this. Councilmember Menikheim noted this is expanding the Commission's duties beyond preserving what is still here to preserving what was. Page 3 of 8 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2013 DESIGN REVIEWS continued Case No. DR/2013 -20. Design review of rooftop exhaust and make -up at the American Legion located at 101 Third Street South in the CBD, Central Business District. Russell Allen, representing the American Legion, applicant. Chairman Lieberman reviewed the staff report. The applicant requests design review and approval for rooftop venting and mechanical equipment to serve a new kitchen hood required to meet minimum health and safety codes. The existing kitchen facility is non - compliant and poses a fire hazard without proper ventilation. The new vent and mechanical equipment will be visible from Third Street and the adjacent property to the south. Staff recommends approval as conditioned. Commissioner Larson asked if the applicant looked at screening. He knows it would be an additional expense. Commissioner Johnson added that screening also would help reduce some of the sound from the unit. Chairman Lieberman said this is kind of a quirky building, part of the community, and putting up large and expensive screening is contrary to what the Legion is trying to accomplish. He has no problem with it as presented as long as it's painted to match the building. Motion by Commissioner Lieberman, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the rooftop exhaust and make -up at the American Legion located at 101 Third Street South in the CBD, Central Business District, as conditioned including painting the unit to blend into the building. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -24. Design review of signage and for the construction of kiosk for Papa Wheelies Surrey Rental located at 204 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Nancy Musser, applicant. Chairman Lieberman reviewed the staff report. The applicant is requesting design review and approval for a seasonal kiosk and signage for Papa Wheelie's Surrey Rental at 204 Main Street N. Outdoor sales in the Central Business District require a special use permit. The Planning Commission will review the special use permit request at their May 13, 2013 meeting. The proposed kiosk will be on private property at the northwest corner of Main Street North and Commercial Street on an existing concrete area adjacent to Let There Be Light. The 7 foot by 6 foot kiosk will be present during the rental season, approximately April to October. The kiosk will be 8 feet high, sided with grey simulated shakes and a bronze metal roof. The proposed 2.8 foot by 3.5 foot wall sign will be located at the peak of the roof on the east side of the kiosk. The sign area is 9.8 square feet. The sign will state "Papa Wheelie's Surrey Rental" in black and white letters on a green and red background with black trim. The sign will also include the Papa Wheelie's logo. Staff recommends approval as conditioned. Nancy Musser, the applicant, said the five surreys will be stored in a nearby building at night and out during the day. She ran the pedi -cab service the last three summers downtown. She is aware that Highway 95 is a state highway that the surreys will have to cross. The building will be on skids and removed in October at the end of the season. Commissioner Larson suggested adding trim around the windows and increasing the pitch of the roof. Page 4 of 8 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2013 Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the request for signage and for the construction of kiosk for Papa Wheelies Surrey Rental located at 204 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District as conditioned. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -25. Design review to replace 45 existing windows and trim for the building located at 113 Main Street South in the CBD, Central Business District. Jeff Beissel, Beissel Window and Siding, representing St. John's Home Corp, applicant. Chairman Lieberman reviewed the request. The applicant is requesting design review and approval for window and trim replacement for 113 Main Street S. The applicant is proposing to replace existing wood frame windows and associated trim on the upper floors of the front and rear facades with aluminum single - hung windows and trim. The windows and trim would be holly green to coordinate with the existing awnings at street level. No changes are proposed to the window opening size. If the Commission finds materials and colors acceptable, staff recommends approval as conditioned. The applicant said they have been renovating elements of the building for some time. The windows will be set back into the frames to achieve dimension. The top of the windows will be round glass on the outside and square on the inside. Motion by Commissioner Brach, seconded by Commissioner Goodman, to approve the replacement of 45 existing windows and trim for the building located at 113 Main Street South in the CBD, Central Business District with the conditions that the color be as submitted and windows have round tops. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -28. Design review of side wall termination vent for a small batch coffee roaster located at 120 Water Street in the CBD, Central Business District. Geoff Schodde, applicant. Chairman Lieberman noted that the applicant is requesting design review and approval for an exterior side wall termination vent. River Moon Coffee is proposing to relocate its coffee roasting operations from the Brick Alley to the site in conjunction with a new cafe. The proposed vent would serve the roaster. The vent is relatively small and unobtrusive. The vent would exit through the south building wall adjacent to the trash enclosure and patio for Leo's Malt Shop. The south wall is currently brick and stucco. Staff recommends approval as conditioned. Mr. Schodde stated the vent will have minimal visual impact and will be painted to match the exterior building. He indicated that Larry Johnson, the building owner, was less concerned about visual impacts than potential smell but that can be minimized by appropriately scheduling the roasting. Commissioner Johnson said he would like to see as much brick remain as possible. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve side wall termination vent for a small batch coffee roaster located at 120 Water Street in the CBD, Central Business District as conditioned and the added condition that brick from the opening be salvaged. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -07. Design review of metal cast lettering spelling out Veterans Memorial attached to metal perimeter fence of the Riverview Parking lot at the corner of Third and Pine Street in the PA Public Administration District. Stillwater Veterans Memorial, John Kramer, applicant. Community Development Director Tumblad explained that the proposed sign would state "Veterans Memorial" in individual brushed bronze attached to the fence at the northwest corner of Third and Pine Page 5 of 8 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2013 Streets. The letters are proposed to be attached to two aluminum channel rails matching the existing fence color. The rails would be bolted to the fence. The proposed sign is 8 feet long, and the individual letters are 6 inches high for a total of 4 square feet in area. The sign will not be illuminated. Staff recommends approval as conditioned. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to approve the metal cast lettering for the Veterans Memorial at Third and Pine Streets in the PA, Public Administration District as conditioned. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -22. Design review to replace an existing sign for RLJ Entertainment located at 232 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Jon Masonick, applicant. Chairman Lieberman explained that the applicant is requesting design review and approval to change the face on an existing free - standing sign at 232 Main Street North. The existing sign was originally approved in 1994. This approval allowed a free - standing sign up to 30 square feet in area and 6 feet in height per the zoning ordinance. A variance was granted at that time to allow an 8 foot rather than a 15 foot setback. The existing sign is externally illuminated by ground- mounted spot lights. Face changes were reviewed and approved by the HPC in 2008 for Mara Mi and in 2010 for Acorn Direct. In 2010, the HPC suggested but did not require shielding the existing sign lighting to reduce glare. The applicant is proposing a new sign face to read "RLJ Entertainment" in blue and black letters with "Direct -to- Consumer Division" and the address below in smaller black letters. The sign background will be white. The sign face is 33 inches high by 66 inches wide for a total area just over 15 square feet. The sign is 70 inches tall. Staff recommends approval as conditioned. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve replacement of the existing sign for RLJ Entertainment located at 232 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District as conditioned, with conditions 3 and 4 modified to require staff approval of the lighting and landscaping plan. All in favor. Case No. DR/2013 -26. Design review of signage for Coldwell Banker located at 2510 Curve Crest Blvd in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District. Signs Unlimited, applicant. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to approve signage for Coldwell Banker located at 2510 Curve Crest Boulevard in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District as conditioned, with the sign only on the Curve Crest side of the building. All in favor, 4 -0. Case No. DR/2013 -27. Design review of signage for Squeeze It Juice Bar and Smoothies located at 1300 Frontage Road in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District. Albrecht Signs, applicant. Chairman Lieberman explained the proposed sign will replace an existing sign on the south elevation. The new sign will state "Squeeze It!" in orange channel letters on a raceway with "Juice Bar and Smoothies" in green letters on a white oval below. The orange lettering will be 18.2 inches high and 10 feet 10.75 inches long. The green lettering below will be just over 8 inches high and 7 feet, 10.25 inches long. Total area of the sign is 24 square feet. The sign will be internally illuminated. Staff recommends approval as conditioned. Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to approve signage for Squeeze It Juice Bar and Smoothies located at 1300 Frontage Road in the BP -C, Business Park Commercial District as conditioned. All in favor. Page 6 of 8 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2013 NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. OTHER BUSINESS Discussion on the City Council's 1st reading of the Demolition Ordinance Commissioner Johnson pointed out the wording in the recommendation might be changed to indicate a proactive approach rather than an exception to the policy. Community Development Director Turnblad agreed to change the wording. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Goodman, to recommend the amendments to the demolition ordinance. All in favor, 4 -0. Lighting on Pedestrian Plaza Commissioner Johnson commented that the lighting by the new plaza seems bright. He asked if there is anything that can be done, possibly shielding the light. Community Development Director Turnblad replied that Public Works is looking at the fixtures with intent to create a warmer look. ADA Issues Chairman Lieberman informed the Commission that a citizen had reported the new building on Main Street is not handicapped accessible. The handicapped- accessible entrance will be in the rear. He relayed this and the person was not happy that those with handicaps have to enter in the rear, Community Development Director Turnblad responded there is more than one public policy being balanced. The rear of the building will be more attractive than the front due to the plaza and the proximity to handicapped parking. Resignation Chairman Lieberman indicated he is resigning as of tonight. He intends to work on arts revitalization downtown, also is a performing artist and needs to free up some time for performing. He believes any commissioner can do the job he does. He encouraged the Commission to get someone who has a real connection with downtown. He will miss the Commission terribly. He thanked the Commission for putting up with his quirky personality and reminded that whoever takes over the chair should know that people who appear before the Commission are nervous so make it a nice experience for them. Commissioner Johnson thanked Chairman Lieberman for his efforts and for bringing a legal perspective and skills especially during the difficult reviews. Councilmember Menikheim said it takes a special person to recognize when a good thing is coming to an end. He thanked Chairman Lieberman for his skills and dedication. Page 7 of 8 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2013 Commissioner Johnson said the Commission will now need to advertise the vacancy and appoint a chair. On request from Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Larson agreed to be chair. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Lieberman, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 8 of 8