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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-02 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING February 2, 2015 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Branjord, Johnson, Krakowski, Mino and Welty, Council Representative Menikheim Absent: Commissioner Goodman Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of December 1, 2014 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve the minutes of the December 1, 2014 meeting. All in favor, 6-0. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Welty, to re-elect Commissioner Larson as Chair and Commissioner Johnson as Vice Chair. All in favor, 6-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. DESIGN PERMITS Case No. 2015-2 Design Review for new windows, balconies and a door at the Stillwater Grain Elevator (aka The Commander Mill), located at 409 Nelson Street East. Michael McGuire, property owner. City Planner Wittman explained the request. The applicant is proposing exterior modifications to accommodate a living unit to be located in the upper stories of the structure. Specifically, on the north elevation, a single 3’ wide, 6’8” tall white door and frame to replace an existing window; on the east elevation, five white wooden windows and a 10’ long, 3’ deep Juliet balcony; on the south elevation, three white wooden windows. Staff recommends approval. Mike McGuire, property owner, offered to answer questions. He stated he has no objection to extending the metal railing across to conceal the rooftop mechanical equipment. The railing would be galvanized corrugated metal, similar to the existing balcony. The eastern balcony may be wider corrugated metal with a heavier density. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting February 2, 2015 Case No. 2015-2 Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve , Design Permit for new windows, balconies and a door at the Stillwater Grain Elevator, with the following conditions: 1. The north elevation railing and railing material shall be extended to and around the north and west edge of the single story rooftop, enclosing the existing mechanical equipment on this rooftop; 2. All minor modifications to the plans shall be approved in advance by the City Planner. All major modifications shall be approved in advance by the HPC; 3. Window casings and frames shall match those of existing windows on the building; 4. The corrugated metal siding used in the balcony on the east side shall match the same amplitude and depth of the existing east side, and the metal for railing infill on the north side and around the roof shall be of narrower amplitude to match the siding on the second level. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2015-1 Design Review for new construction Dairy Queen to be located at 1240-1570 Frontage Road West, the property containing Valley Ridge Mall. Kriss Novak, property owner and Jesse Hamer, representative. City Planner Wittman stated that the applicant is proposing the construction of a new Dairy Queen DQ Grill & Chill in the southeast corner of the parcel where Valley Ridge Mall is located. 63 square feet of signage is proposed for the south elevation and 37 square feet of signage is proposed for the east elevation. The applicant also is proposing wall box signs, which would not be permitted, as only one wall sign is permitted per building face. The applicant also is proposing a single 86 square foot, 25 foot tall pylon sign containing a manual reader board, to be located ten feet off the property line. In addition to a Design Review permit, the applicant will need to obtain a Special Use Permit for the drive-through window and outside eating area and the property will need to be split for this structure to be located on a separate parcel from the mall. Staff recommends approval with 13 conditions. Jesse Hamer, applicant, stated the design was revised significantly from the DQ prototype. The wall box signs are pre-manufactured by the corporation to advertise specials, so if wall boxes are not permitted, they will not work. Commissioner Johnson said in looking at uniformity of detail around the building, there are elements on the south and west side that carry around in color, but less detail on the east and north elevation. The building stands out by itself and will be seen from all sides. Mr. Hamer responded that the design has already been dressed up significantly from the original prototype. The concern has already been addressed by carrying the banding around the building. The eyebrow doesn’t work on the east side of the building because of the finishes added to disguise the exposed cooler. On the north side, the overhang projects out above the drive-up window. The eyebrow may be wrapped around this side but would have to stop before abutting the drive-up window overhang. Chairman Larson commented that the eyebrow is an important element because the neon lighting behind it glows at night. It would feel abrupt if it didn’t extend the rest of the way on the north elevation. The Commission is trying to make the design as consistent as possible. Commissioner Johnson asked about the possibility of running the banding across the north side to the corner to where the lower cooler is. Mr. Hamer said he felt that would be aesthetically awkward. It should be stopped short of the corner. Chairman Larson asked about the possibility of extending the orange metal panels versus the EFIS. to the drive-up side. Page 2 of 7 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting February 2, 2015 Mr. Hamer replied that the building works the way it is. The orange panel terminates in the inside corner of the building. The concept of this band was extended by the EFIS. It’s not necessary to extend the orange panel. Chairman Larson stated he could accept the fact that it locks into a corner - a good place to end it. Commissioner Branjord remarked the east elevation looks like the back of a building. It is the side that faces Acapulco and will be seen by westbound Hwy 36 traffic. The design should be carried around. Mr. Hamer stated one possibility would be to add the red awnings above the door on the back, as well as “fake” awnings over score marks in the EFIS. Commissioner Johnson stated the building really is as visible from the back and sides as it is from the front. There are really two back sides to this building, as it is very visible from Highway 36 as well as the industrial area. Commissioner Welty agreed that the east elevation should be dressed up, perhaps with some stone elements. Chairman Larson commented that the metal panels on the east elevation would be sufficient to dress it up. Mr. Hamer replied he would be very reluctant to wrap that end with the metal panel. Commissioner Welty asked if stone could be added as a screening wall for the cooler. An awning over the door would also help. Mr. Hamer replied they could put stone around the base of one of them, and could add three awnings fairly easily. Commissioner Johnson stated that adding awnings on the east elevation would create more of a presence for the building. He acknowledged that limiting the orange to what is proposed reduces the mass of the building and denotes the public entry side. Case No. 2015-1, Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Branjord, to table Design Review for new construction Dairy Queen, and request the applicant come back with a more four sided design, depicting eastern elevation improvements, including two to three awnings the same size as awnings above the double windows on the south elevation, stone and orange metal panel and blue eyebrows carried through if possible to all four sides, depicting HVAC to be hidden behind the three foot parapet, without the window boxes, and depicting that staff-recommended conditions 8-12 are being met: 8. The pylon sign shall be set back 15 feet from the south property line; 9. All utilities shall be located underground; 10. All wall pack lighting shall be shielded; 11. Neon associated with the metal eyebrow element shall be screened from the street by the eyebrow; 12. All other wall and parking lot lights shall be downwardly directed. All minor modifications to the plans shall be approved in advance by the City Planner. All major modifications shall be approved in advance by the HPC. All in favor, 6-0. Kriss Novak, Valley Ridge Mall, stated they have already spent a lot of money changing the design, taking it beyond what corporate wanted. They will need very specific direction to come back. Page 3 of 7 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting February 2, 2015 Chairman Larson summarized that the Commission will want to see two or three additional awnings, additional either recessed panels in the EFIS or scoring that makes sense with the awnings, and additional stone if it makes sense on that east elevation; basically, a four-sided design. Commissioner Johnson asked that more detail be provided on the trash enclosure and screening of the mechanical equipment. Mr. Hamer replied that the only exposed mechanical equipment is the electrical transformer which will be on the north side. HVAC equipment is all on the roof and will be hidden by the parapet. While the prototype calls for a cedar wood fence trash enclosure, he understands that will not be acceptable and will enclose it with the EFIS finish to match the rest of the building. Commissioner Johnson summarized the applicant should come back with documents showing that mechanical equipment is screened, showing the trash enclosure and the top band on the building, illustrating what can be done with orange panels, carrying the eyebrow to the north elevation, showing awning placements on the service door, creating some window elements on the east, eliminating the window boxes from the drawings, including plans to retain existing trees, and shifting the pylon sign slightly to the north per the staff recommendation. Mr. Hamer asked if a shared trash agreement with the shopping center would be acceptable. City Planner Wittman replied yes, the City would need to see an executed agreement between the two parties. Case No. 2015-4 Design Review for multi-tenant signage plan at Stillwater Mills, 350 Main Street North. Patrick Juetten, property owner. City Planner Wittman summarized the proposal. The applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit for a multi-tenant sign plan for the front façade of the structure. A total of ten individual signs is proposed, not to exceed 28 square feet each, totaling 280 square feet of signage. Currently two signs are in place for existing tenants: RBC Wealth Management and Mid Country Mortgage. RBC Wealth Management consumes 38 square feet of signage space and Mid Country Mortgage has 23 square feet of signage. When combined with the additional signs as proposed, a total of 257 square feet of signage would exist on the building because RBC consumes two proposed sign location spaces. Staff recommends approval with conditions. Case No. 2015-4 Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve , Design Permit for multi-tenant signage plan at Stillwater Mills, with conditions recommended by staff: 1. All permanent signs shall receive a Design Review permit from the HPC and an applicable sign permit from the City prior to installation; 2. All revisions to the approved plan shall be reviewed and approved by the HPC. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2014-43 A modification request for ReMax signage to be located at Stillwater Mills, 350 Main Street North. Patrick Juetten, property owner. City Planner Wittman stated that the applicant is requesting modification to the sign for ReMax Professionals that was conditionally approved by the Commission in December 2014. A condition of approval was for the sign to be shifted to the north of the proposed location as it would then be centered on the vertical banding of the structure. Since then, the City has received a multi-tenant sign plan for the building. The location of the approved sign for ReMax would be inconsistent with the multi-tenant sign plan. As now proposed, the single 32 square foot unlit wall-mounted sign would be reduced to 28 square feet; and the sign would be located on the building in conformance with a multi-tenant sign plan. Staff recommends approval with conditions. Page 4 of 7 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting February 2, 2015 Case No. 2014-43 Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve , Design Permit for ReMax signage at Stillwater Mills, with the condition recommended by staff: 1. Removing condition #1 of the original Design Permit, issuing a new Design Permit to ReMax Professionals. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2015-3 Design Review for installation of an informational kiosk for Brown’s Creek State Trail, location TBD in Downtown Design Review District. City of Stillwater, property owner and Rachel Hintzman, DNR, applicant. City Planner Wittman informed the Commission that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a location in downtown Stillwater to place a kiosk. It will probably be placed on City property near the depot along the Brown’s Creek Trail. The kiosk would be an approximately 12’ long by 11’ wide wooden shelter painted yellow with a red steel roof. The design was chosen to “echo the look of railroad depots of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.” The kiosk will hold four panels made of high pressure laminate. Two of the panels will have DNR and City information while the other two will have interpretive/educational information. Staff recommends approval with one condition. Jess Schein, DNR, stated there are three total kiosks planned for along the trail. Chairman Larson noted the “Stillwater Connection” sign poses a great opportunity to replicate historic depot signs which usually had a heavy border and octagonal ends. He suggested the DNR try to follow that style. Ms. Schein stated the kiosk is more of a mustard color than appears in the photos. It is Glen Ridge Gold by Benjamin Moore paint. The red color is Terra Cotta by Benjamin Moore. Manufacturers of metal roofs have limited colors available. Chairman Johnson suggested Sherwin Williams Cottage Red. Chairman Larson noted the Commission is looking for more toned down colors. Also, reflecting the style of railroad depot roofs is a great place to start, but they are usually hip with a gable. The roof proposed is a gable with a gable - an unusual shape. Maybe it should look more like a freestanding shelter. A simpler roof design would make more sense. Commissioner Welty suggested the design could replicate more of a historic platform where passengers would wait, rather than roofs of the actual depots. Case No. 2015-3 Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to table , Design Permit for an informational kiosk for Brown’s Creek State Trail, to request a design more consistent with a railroad platform style, more color pallet definition and a more historic font on the end sign that identifies Stillwater Connection. All in favor, 6-0. Commissioner Welty remarked she would like to see the kiosk placed on something other than a concrete pad. City Planner Wittman explained the site design will come back before the HPC when the location is decided. OTHER BUSINESS Bergstein Reuse Study Page 5 of 7 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting February 2, 2015 City Planner Wittman stated that staff has met with John Lauber and Company, LLC, and Bob Claybaugh, Principal Investigative Partner, regarding the reuse study for the Shoddy Mill Warehouse structure. She introduced Mr. Lauber and Mr. Claybaugh to discuss the findings of a field day conditions assessment. Dan Hoisington was also present. Mr. Lauber explained that the team has been to the site three times. The structures are very simple and are on new foundations. The warehouse building was used as an auto shop for a number of years. The most serious change that was made was removal of a major supporting column replaced with an interesting truss to hold up the second story. There is sag in the second floor. The sliding doors on the east and west appear to be original. There is a lot of rot above the new studs that were installed for moving the building, requiring remedial work. Basically the structure is OK. There are lots of possibilities. Any use of the upstairs would require analysis of the floor structure. Mr. Lauber went on to explain the role of the consultants is to pick the brains of the Commission and the citizens, after a condition assessment. A series of interviews will be done with those who may have an interest in using the building, as well as local officials and business people. Chairman Larson emphasized the team should work with SRF, the firm working on design of the park. Mr. Lauber replied that SRF will be on the interview list. They will select one or two possible reuses and do cost estimates and phasing scenarios. They also will look at viability and possible revenue streams. It will be very schematic. The purpose will not be to design the use. It will be to give a clear idea of what some of the possibilities will be. John Commers, another team member, will do a financing analysis and look at development prospects. Mr. Lauber continued that the stone mill building appears to have been repeatedly modified. There may have been upper levels, walls may have been moved, and so on. The east side appears to have some structural damage which may have resulted from the move. This would have to be analyzed. His next task will be to create a schedule matrix with time slots for interviews over three days. A public meeting/information gathering session will be held near the end of March. 2015-2016 Grants City Planner Wittman informed the Commission that she discovered there are no funding sources available for the stairs because they are not listed as historic sites. There are four sets of stairs: near the Oasis, probably in the worst condition; the Mulberry stairs next to Warden’s House; the stairs coming down from Chestnut Street; and the stairs coming down to Main Street. A study could be done to determine if the City would want to amend the historic district boundary to include the Chestnut and Main Street sets of stairs, but first there would have to be a study to see if they are eligible for inclusion. The cost estimate for such a study is around $4,500. If lumped together with studies of other structures, such as other sets of stairs, limestone retaining walls and fences, possibly even brick-lined storm drain systems, perhaps a public infrastructure district could be created that includes all this antiquated structure. She has not yet looked into costs for a study of this scope. Evaluating all these antiquated structures would cost much more than $4,500. Chairman Larson remarked he would hesitate to include historic drains as they would probably be replaced with concrete, not restored to an historic state. That would probably not be under the purview of the HPC, unless they are larger and very visibly connected to a public space. City Planner Wittman said another option would be to proceed with the listing of the Stillwater Cultural Landscape District, which was a MnDOT mitigation project. A draft has been created including 275 sites or properties - many are private properties. The public sites would not be able to be separated out. The other Page 6 of 7 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting February 2, 2015 item that keeps surfacing is lighting. The Commission may want to look into updating the Downtown Design Guidelines. She asked for direction on her work with this. Also, at the request of the State Historic Preservation Office staff, she submitted a preliminary Legacy Heritage Partnership Program Grant application to participate in developing statewide HPC training under a partnership with Eden Prairie and Mankato. She explained the program. Commissioner Johnson noted that public use of stairs seems to be increasing, so focusing on them is timely. Commissioner Welty suggested going forward with evaluating the two stairs most likely to be included (Chestnut and Main Street) and trying to get them added to the historic district. City Planner Wittman summarized that Commission consensus seems to be to explore the above ground antiquated infrastructure to see if some funding can be found. She will keep the Commission updated. Boom Site Meeting Invite City Planner Wittman reminded Commissioners of the Boom Site public meeting on February 24. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Branjord, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to adjourn. All in favor, 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 7 of 7