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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-04 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING November 4, 2013 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Johnson (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Brach, Goodman, Krakowski, Welty, Council Representative Menikheim Absent: None Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of October 7, 2013 meeting minutes Commissioner Welty pointed out that on page 4, the vote for Case No. DR/2012-34 should be corrected to 5-1 with Commissioner Welty opposed. Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2013 meeting as corrected. All in favor, 5-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. DP/2013-58. Design permit for the site alteration of replacement of 2nd story windows and trim located at 221 Chestnut Street East in the CBD, Central Business District. Michael Hafner, applicant. Motion by Commissioner Brach, seconded by Commissioner Goodman, to approve the Consent Agenda. All in favor, 6-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. DEM/2013-57. A demolition request for a single family residence located 705 Holcombe Street South in the RB, Two Family Residential District. Peter and Ermgaart Guenther, applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant is requesting a demolition permit for a single family residence in order to construct a new single family residence on the two lots. In 2002 the structure was noted as having excellent integrity and condition. Upon a recent site visit, staff determined it is one of the only remaining intact turn-of-the-century homes in this neighborhood. Emails opposing the demolition were received from Melanie Ebertz, 1924 North First Street, and Allan LaValier, 707 West Maple Street. Staff Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting November 4, 2013 Page 2 of 5 recommends denial of the demolition permit based on the fact that there is not enough supporting documentation to warrant the demolition. Staff also recommends that the Commission direct the Community Development Director to prepare a designation study of the property. Chairman Larson recused himself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest. Vice Chairman Johnson opened the public hearing. Brent Peterson, 502 West Churchill Street, spoke against the demolition, stating the structure’s value is not only architectural but also stems from its former residents, including well-known taxidermist George Kutz. Kellie Cottrill, 817 Seventh Street South, spoke against the demolition, saying the house is a great example of a typical laborer’s house significant to the history of the area. Terry O’Brien, 1220 Fourth Avenue South, said he admires the house’s simplicity and opposes demolition. Roger Tomten, 718 South Fifth Street, said he opposes the demolition. He feels the applicant’s preference for an open modern floor plan is not a rational reason to demolish the house. Michelle Baggott, the current homeowner, stated there is a lot of damage that may not be apparent from the street, for instance, major beams in the basement are about three-quarters gone. She has tried unsuccessfully to sell the house. Repairs would cost over $200,000. Chairman Johnson closed the public hearing. Doug Danks, architect representing the applicant, stated the applicants are looking for guidance on their options. Due to the significant cost of working within the existing structure, they would like to build a new home on the site. Chairman Johnson observed that the house is a very good example of mid-level houses in Stillwater. Even if historic features are incorporated, a new house is still not historic. He believes the house has good bones and there is no hardship because the applicants do not yet own the house. Commissioner Goodman noted that the reasons given for demolishing the house would apply to almost all pre-1900 houses in Stillwater including his own. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Goodman, to follow the staff recommendation to deny the demolition request based on the determination that the structure is an historic resource and there are alternatives to demolition, and to direct the Community Development Director to prepare a designation study of the property. All in favor, 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS 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. City Planner Wittman reported that the applicant is requesting consideration of a modification to the previously approved design for the posts, to provide for posts with a 12” square base that are stepped back to a no less than 8” square post. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 3 of 5 Shannon Mulvehill, applicant, asked for clarification of the previous approval regarding the design of the posts. She would like to use the double-step design and would like to know if the Commission likes that look. Commissioner Johnson responded that the posts need to be fairly massive to visually support the roof. He agreed that a 12” square column from bottom to top would not look good either. Commissioner Welty asked for clarification on the different designs presented, pointing out they do not seem to be drawn to scale. Chairman Larson noted the objective is to get a column that is approximately 9-12”. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to approve the modification request incorporating an 8” minimum for the primary part of the post, allowing at the bottom and the top, a one or two- staged step to 12”, and that the trim under the frieze be brought to the inside of the column so the column will appear to support the roof, and that the capital be smaller under the soffit, and that the applicant submit a drawing to scale. All in favor, 6-0. NEW BUSINESS CLG Grant Projects (Downtown Stillwater Video Tour Discussion, Proposed Churchill, Nelson, Slaughter Residential Historic District). City Planner Wittman showed the walking tour web page in progress. She is working on getting the map embedded. She will apply for a CLG grant to reproduce DVDs of Dan Hoisington’s videos for free distribution to schools and other organizations. To date there have been 3,539 views on YouTube. The most viewed videos are the Lift Bridge (646) and Lowell Park (496). There are 25 subscribers. City Planner Wittman asked what the next steps are for designation of the Churchill, Nelson, Slaughter Addition as a local residential historic district. This would be the first residential district to be so designated in Stillwater. It contains the highest number of contributing residential properties to a district in the City. Documentation is lacking on what has been done to this point. Councilmember Menikheim suggested there should be an effort to include residents in the process. Commissioner Welty asked what is the goal of designation? Commissioner Johnson responded that designation would enable the design guidelines to be applied to additions and modifications proposed for the homes. City Planner Wittman outlined the process for designation. The HPC would hold a public hearing, the Planning Commission would have to comment, local and state historical societies would have to be notified, and then the City Council would have to hold a public hearing. Councilmember Menikheim remarked that the Commission should be careful about the perception of being able to control what people can do with their homes. Commissioner Johnson noted there would be benefits to residents of the district, such as opportunities for restoration grants; the Commission ought to promote designation as a mechanism providing tools to Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting November 4, 2013 Page 4 of 5 encourage restoration and preservation of homes. It should decide clearly what those benefits are and be ready to implement them, such as design help for renovations, or a plaque to display. Commissioner Welty agreed that designation of the district should be portrayed as a positive rather than a negative. Councilmember Menikheim expressed concern about the future Council response. The Commission will have to prove that establishment of the district will be good for the City as a whole. City Planner Wittman agreed to consult Dan Hoisington and other communities for suggestions, and asked that Commissioners keep thinking about ways to proactively promote the designation. HPC Year-End Report and 2013-2014 Work Plan City Planner Wittman noted the Commission must report to the State Historic Preservation Office on activities conducted throughout the year. She presented the report and requested feedback. Chairman Larson pointed out that of 58 applications, the Commission denied five, indicating a very low percentage of cases is denied. Commissioner Welty said she would like to include a sled run festival in the 2013-2014 Work Plan. HPC Vacancy Discussion City Planner Wittman stated two applications were submitted, in addition to two applications previously on file. City Clerk Ward has reminded her that the interview process should be followed. Action must be taken on all applications that have been received in the past year. Interviews with qualified candidates will be scheduled. Preservation Awards Commissioner Johnson said these are usually awarded in May during National Preservation Month. He suggested the windows at the Masonic Lodge, Mike Haf’s infill building at Main and Olive Streets, and 220 Chestnut Street (residential). City Planner Wittman will look back on the past year’s projects for additional ideas. Former Post Office Demolition City Planner Wittman stated the building is proposed to be demolished by Trinity Church but she has not seen any plans yet. Water Street Trash Enclosure Responding to a question from Commissioner Johnson, City Planner Wittman said she has not heard anything more on this project. The Council gave concept approval encouraging a shared location between the Water Street Inn and Lucky’s Gas Station but to date no design has been submitted. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 5 of 5 Pedestrian Plaza Lighting City Planner Wittman stated she has no update on this. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Goodman, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary