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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-04 HPC Packet Heritage Preservation Commission Notice of Meeting Monday, November 4, 2013 The regular meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission will begin at 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2013, in the Council Chambers at Stillwater City Hall, 216 North Fourth Street, Stillwater MN 55082. AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 7, 2013. 4. OPEN FORUM The Open Forum is a portion of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting to address subjects which are not a part of the meeting agenda. The Heritage Preservation Commission may take action or reply at the time of the statement or may give direction to staff regarding investigation of the concerns expressed. Out of respect for others in attendance, please limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. 5. CONSENT AGENDA (ROLL CALL). All items listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the Heritage Preservation Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Heritage Preservation Commission member or citizen so requests, in which event, the item(s) will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately 5.01 Case No. DP/2013-58. Design permit for the site alteration of replacement of 2nd story windows and trim located at 21 Chestnut Street East in the CBD, Central Business District. Michael Hafner, applicant. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6.01 Case No. DEM/2013-57. A demolition request of a single family residence located 705 Holcombe Street South in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Peter and Ermgaart Guenther, applicant. 7. OTHER BUSINESS 7.01 Case No. DR/2012-34. A modification request on a previously approved modification for a single family home located at 317 William Street North. Shannon Mulvehill, applicant. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.01 2012-2013 CLG Grant Projects 8.01.1 Downtown Stillwater Video Tour Discussion (No Attachments) 8.01.2 Proposed Churchill, Nelson, Slaughter Residential Historic District 8.02 HPC Year-End Report and 2013-2014 Work Plan 8.03 HPC Vacancy Discussion (No Attachments) 9. ADJOURNMENT HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING October 7, 2013 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Johnson, Brach, Goodman (left at 8:35 p.m.), Krakowski, Welty, Council Representative Menikheim Absent: None Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of September 4, 2013 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Goodman, to approve the minutes of the September 4, 2013 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. DP/2013-52. Design permit for replacement signage for Bell Mortgage located at 105 New England Place in the VC, Village Commercial District. Indigo Signworks, Randy Andrews, applicant. Case No. DP/2013-53. Design permit for signage for Morgan Stanley located at 270 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Topline Signs, Steve Barcel, applicant. Case No. DP/2013-54. Design permit for signage for The Wedge & Wheel located at 308 Chestnut Street East in the CBD, Central Business District. Chris Kohtz, applicant. Case No. DP/2013-55. Design permit for signage for Marathon located 1101 Owens Street North in the CA, General Commercial District. Shelly Maschler, Rose City Inc, applicant. Commissioner Johnson clarified that on Case No. DP/2012-54, “four square feet circular” should be understood to be two feet by two feet, not four feet in diameter, which would be too large. Motion by Commissioner Goodman, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve the Consent Agenda. All in favor, 6-0. DESIGN REVIEW PERMIT Case No. DP/2013-51. Design review permit request for a partially completed rooftop deck located at 236 Main Street South in the CBD, Central Business District. Randy Propp and Randy Nelson, owners and applicants. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 2 of 6 City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant is requesting approval of a site alteration for a partially completed private rooftop patio. The new patio will help shield rooftop HVAC units from public view on Olive Street East. Staff recommends approval of the second story patio with the following conditions: 1) the 4X4" green pressure treated lumber and 1" galvanized pipe shall be the only approved materials. All exposed lumber shall be stained to match the existing structure; 2) additions to the design, such as support posts, shall be permitted by the Community Development Director. Additions shall be consistent with approved materials; 3) all major revisions to the approved plan, such as the construction of support walls, shall be reviewed and approved by the HPC. Randy Nelson, applicant, stated a preference for the exposed lumber to be stained to match the gray weathered look of the existing wood. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brach, to approve as conditioned with a slight modification to condition one stating that exposed lumber should be stained to be a medium to dark gray, as well as the facia on the roof of the garage or shed. All in favor, 6-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. DEM/2013-56. A demolition request for a garage and a partial demolition request (greater than 50 percent of primary structure) of a rear addition and screen porch located at 657 Broadway Street South in the RB, Two Family Residential District and the NCD, Neighborhood Conservation District. Howard Theis, representing Trevor and Julie Cronk, applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant is requesting a demolition permit for a garage, rear yard addition and rear yard screened porch. Howard Theis, Wooden Dreams, representing the applicants, stated the intent is to preserve the original part of the house, remove additions that were poorly built, and rebuild them to complement the original look of the house. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Welty, to approve the demolition request on the basis that the additions proposed to be removed are not part of the original historic structure nor do they complement the historic structure. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. DR/2012-34. A modification request for a previously approved infill design review of a single family home located at 317 William Street North in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Shannon Mulvehill, applicant. City Planner Wittman reviewed the request. Items that are inconsistent with the previously approved permit are: a scissor truss was placed where an arched truss should have been located; the front elevation triangular windows were not represented on the submitted drawings; there are fewer columns on the structure and they are not located in the proposed place; the north elevation window sizes, number and location are not consistent with the original design permit; and a frieze board was depicted on horizontal trim around the exterior locations. Shannon Mulvehill, applicant, responded that there is a frieze board around the entire house. Her understanding of the number of columns on the drawings is that it was not within code and she thought this was discussed; the columns are not done yet. She thought she had made it clear that she didn’t want the three windows as the architect had drawn. She recalled one Commissioner asking what she was thinking of doing and she replied that she would add landscaping to cover the siding. Regarding the front gable, she Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 3 of 6 stated there has been one complication after another of things ordered wrong. She recalled that former City Planner Pogge verbally told her that it was not a major difference to go from a point to an arch so she felt she was compliant. She has gone through a lot physically, emotionally and financially to get the house to this point. Chairman Larson reminded the Commission that in the neighborhood conservation district, it must enforce infill design guidelines. He feels the front gable is the biggest appearance issue, as a scissor truss is not something typically seen on older houses. Commissioner Johnson explained the intent of the original design element requirements and said the house has a very different look than what was originally proposed. Ms. Mulvehill reiterated that former City Planner Pogge verbally told her the design was fine. Chairman Larson said he believed it was intended for the horizontal frieze board to be at the soffit line wrapping around the house. The widows and doors across the front are also completely different than the approved design. William Finney, 315 Owens Street North, stated he does not see the house as offensive; it is a complement to the neighborhood. Tom Eichten, 125 Owens Street North, said he has watched the house under construction, it is a beautiful home and it complements the neighborhood. He hopes the Commission will approve the changes. Kelly Mattingly, 316 William Street North, voiced support for the applicant; he has no problem with the changes, the home is beautiful and fits the neighborhood. Joe Schmidt, who lives on the corner of Linden and Owens Streets, remarked the previous home was pure trash and this home is beautiful and he has no problem with it. Steve Salmonson, 317 North Owens Street, said the house is beautiful. He urged the Commission to approve the changes and allow the property owner to move in. Kathleen Hill, 317 Owens Street North, stated the house is an improvement for the neighborhood and she supports it. Clarice Auluck-Wilson, 308 Williams Street North, said she is completely fine with the house as built. Council Representative Menikheim asked if anybody has talked to former City Planner Pogge. City Planner Wittman said she has not talked with him but there is no correspondence noted in the file on the issue of the design changes. Chairman Larson thanked the neighbors for coming and sharing their thoughts. Commissioner Johnson commented that the columns look like they need more mass to support the heavy truss, and the north elevation frieze board should be at the gable line rather than halfway up the gable. Commissioner Welty suggested tabling the issue to talk with Mr. Pogge. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 4 of 6 Ms. Mulvehill stated she doesn’t have the funds to change the building elements and she has to get moved in. Commissioner Welty said she is uncomfortable with the precedent being set. City Planner Wittman told Ms. Mulvehill she needs to discuss occupancy with the building official; there are other building code requirements in addition to the exterior improvements from the design review permit which need to be met in order to grant occupancy. Ms. Mulvehill responded that the building official has signed off on everything so she assumes nothing is lacking to grant occupancy. Chairman Larson agreed it would be up to the building official to decide whether temporary occupancy could be granted. Motion by Commissioner Brach, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the modifications with two conditions: to modify the front gable to bring it straight across at the bottom and to increase the mass of the three columns including the one proposed for the north end. Commissioner Johnson suggested amending the motion to require the frieze board on the north end be brought back to where it is supposed to be, to line up with the porch overhang. Ms. Mulvehill told the Commission she can’t make the required changes, as she has no money left and needs to move into the house. She begged the Commission to approve the modifications and let her move in. Steve Salmonson stated he walks around the neighborhood every day and feels Ms. Mulvehill has one of the most beautiful houses in a four block area and she can’t move into it because of bureaucracy. Commissioner Brach withdrew the motion. City Planner Wittman stated she has the document signed by former City Planner Pogge and Ms. Mulvehill agreeing to the terms of the design review permit. She would hope any agreement to change those terms would be in writing. She can call Mr. Pogge but cannot guarantee he will know if there was an agreement approving the changes. Commissioner Johnson pointed out there were originally some very rough concepts put forward; the applicant came back with changes and somewhere along the line the costs increased and he is not sure how the changes transpired. There were several building inspections along the way. He is concerned that the building is nearly 100% done and the discrepancies were not found when there were framing permit, insulation, electrical interim inspections. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Goodman, to approve the gable as built with the exception that the columns be boxed out to approximate 12” square dimension on the two corners of the front gable and the north edge of the overhang porch for a total of three columns. All in favor, 6-0. NEW BUSINESS Downtown City Banners - John Kraemer Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 5 of 6 City Planner Wittman stated John Kraemer has requested the HPC review the appropriateness of the City's approximately 100 downtown banners. The Commission should discuss whether or not the banners help fulfill the purposes of the HPC and whether or not they are appropriate for downtown Stillwater. Chairman Larson explained that Mr. Kraemer’s biggest concern seems to be that there are seven stars on the banners and the Confederate Flag had seven stars for two years. In Chairman Larson’s opinion the two year period is a minor footnote and he is not sure that many people would know the symbolism. He doesn’t see a need to act. Commissioner Johnson commented that he doesn’t feel there are any symbolism issues which affect the aesthetic character of the banners. City Planner Wittman will inform Mr. Kraemer that there was no action and he may bring the concern to City Council if desired. Commercial Walking Tour - Dan Hoisington City Planner Wittman said a public showing of a portion of the downtown tour will be held at 7 p.m. on October 23 at the historic courthouse. All HPC members are encouraged to attend. Chairman Larson agreed to introduce the meeting. Residential Walking Tour - Dan Hoisington Mr. Hoisington led a discussion of the 17 residences proposed to be included in the tour. He will work on draft scripts for 17 residences and get them to the Commission by the December meeting. Commissioners felt that the 17 selected residences represent a good mix of architectural diversity representative of the area. Pre-Approval for Qualified Historian Professional Services City Planner Wittman reviewed that the City requested proposals from qualified historians who would be able to develop designation studies for the City as part of the demolition ordinance. One proposal was received, from Summit Envirosolutions, Inc. (SEI), indicating a cost per study of $5,000 which is the exact amount of the City's escrow. Motion by Commissioner Brach, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to recommend that the Council award the contract to Summit Envirosolutions, Inc. All in favor, 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS New Member Inquiries City Planner Wittman stated that Scott Zahren is interested in serving. Other interested candidates should be encouraged to submit applications. Broadway Demolition Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 6 of 6 Council Representative Menikheim expressed concern with the sign that is in front of the house at 657 Broadway Street South. He has received complaints about it. City Planner Wittman replied that the City is required to post the demolition information in a conspicuous place. She will work on a smaller sign to use for this purpose. Boutique Hotel Council Representative Menikheim asked what is next step in the approval process, adding he is concerned about following the prescribed review and approval process. City Planner WIttman replied that the exterior façade was approved but modifications may become necessary since the developers took the proposal to the State Historic Preservation Office. The applicant is aware of the processes that they must go through. Winter Slide Commissioner Johnson provided an article about a slide that went through town in 1885 as part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival event. Review Process Commissioner Brach expressed concern about the process for ensuring design review compliance. He suggested a good time for the HPC to check in may be at the time of the framing inspection. Chairman Larson said perhaps it should be at the time of issuance of the building permit. City Planner Wittman indicated is trying to facilitate more communication between the City departments. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:49 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary