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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-05 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING October 5, 2015 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Branjord, Krakowski, Mino, Welty, Council Representative Menikheim Absent: Commissioners Goodman and Johnson Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of September 14, 2015 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2015 meeting. All in favor, 5-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. 2015-44 Design Permit for façade change and signage to be located at 120 Main Street South. Mike Lynskey, owner and John Daly, applicant. Case No. 2015-47 Design Permit for certain façade improvements to be located at 126 Main Street North. Tim Michel, owner. City Planner Wittman requested that Case No. 2015-47 be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately for discussion. Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Welty, to adopt the Consent Agenda as amended. All in favor, 5-0. Case No. 2015-47, Design Permit for certain façade improvements to be located at 126 Main Street North. Tim Michel, owner. City Planner Wittman summarized that the applicant is requesting approval of a new storefront which would involve the replacement of two approximately 6’ side storefront windows on Main Street with four approximately 3’ wide windows. Additionally, the southern façade window would be replaced with two windows of the same size as those on Main Street. Above the storefront windows, the property owner proposes a series of five sets of three-over-three clear windows with internal muntins. They will be separated from five dark bronze tinted transom windows by an infill aluminum panel. Below the storefront windows, the property owner is proposing to cover the faux brick with a dark bronze anodized aluminum v-groove, vertical panel. As the dark bronze panels are not a traditional storefront element, the property owner has indicated two other Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 5, 2015 Page 2 of 4 options would be to paint the faux brick or install painted tongue and groove wood. However, the preference is to install the aluminum. Staff finds that the transom windows with cladding and replacement of storefront panels are consistent with guidelines; however, internal muntins and dark bronze v-groove panel for the kickplate are found to be inconsistent with the design guidelines. Staff recommends approval of windows as proposed, eliminating the muntins. Chairman Larson commented that a wood composite such as Azek would be preferable to aluminum and may be more consistent with the guidelines. He asked about the glass to be used for the transoms. Tim Michel, owner, replied the transoms will have a bronze tint to abate some of the heat. He would support staff’s suggestion to remove the muntins. Commissioner Welty suggested using an awning to abate the sunlight rather than a different type of glass. Chairman Larson expressed concern about the two tone glass and said he would prefer all windows be clear glass to be more consistent with the guidelines. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Branjord, to approve Case No. 2015-47, Design Permit for certain façade improvements to be located at 126 Main Street North, with the following conditions. 1. 1.The façade renovations are limited to the furthest north unit only. 2. Clear glass, with no muntins, shall be used for all new widnows. 3. Wood or wood composite shall be utilized for the kickplate and sign band area. Kickplate shall contain a wood banding on all sides of the kickplate. 4. All major revisions to the approved plan shall be reviewed by the HPC. All in favor, 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. 2015-45 Demolition Permit for the demolition and reconstruction of front facing roof for 1002 Fifth Street South. Denise Jones, owner. City Planner Wittman explained the request. The applicant proposes to modify the existing 1877 constructed 1.5-story home into a full two-story residence. To achieve this, the applicant proposes removing the existing approximately 12/5 pitched roof and replacing it with an approximately 12/10 pitched roof. A new two-story addition will be added onto the rear of the home. The main level of the home will encompass a new side entry door, a stairway to the second-story addition, a pantry, powder room, and eat-in kitchen area. The second- story addition will encompass a laundry room, master bedroom and master bath while preserving two bedrooms and a bathroom. Staff finds that the property is an historic resource but no feasible alternative to the proposed demolition exists. Staff recommends approval of the demolition permit for the demolition and reconstruction of the roof with conditions. Denise Jones, owner, explained her plans for renovation. There are seepage and ice dam problems on the existing west elevation which she hopes to correct with the renovation. Chairman Larson opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed. Chairman Larson asked for clarification about windows proposed for the north and south elevation, and siding proposed. Beth, Anderson Building and Remodeling, replied that L-P composite is planned for the front and vinyl for the sides and back. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 5, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Chairman Larson expressed concern that changing from L-P siding to vinyl siding is inconsistent with the four-sided design required in the Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD). He acknowledged that full demolitions must follow the design guidelines, but this being a partial demolition, it is a bit of a gray area. Beth with Anderson Building and Remodeling, representing the property owner, stated they have the option of leaving the roof pitch at 5/12 without Commission approval, but that would result in a far less aesthetically pleasing look. They stated they want to move forward before cool weather and are open to recommendations. City Planner Wittman reviewed the demolition ordinance, stating that no review would be triggered if the applicant were just constructing the addition or maintaining the same roof pitch. She said this is a very unique circumstance. Commissioner Mino reminded the Commission that first it should be decided whether the home is an historic resource. Commissioners agreed that it is. Chairman Larson reiterated that the front façade looks good; the north elevation is the one that is most inconsistent with design guidelines. Commissioner Welty suggested that the Commission deny the demolition permit on the basis there is a feasible alternative. Motion by Commissioner Branjord, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to grant the demolition permit based on the finding that the structure is an historic resource and that there is no feasible alternative to demolition, with the following conditions. 1. Plans shall be substantially similar to those on file with Case No. 2015-45. 2. All major revisions to the approved plans shall be reviewed by the HPC. Motion passed, 4-1, with Commissioner Welty voting nay. The Commission noted that, because the design does not fit well within the NCD, the property owner is encouraged to look at consistency of four-sided design of materials and window trim. OLD BUSINESS Case No. 2015-42 Design Review of a future home to be located at 911 Abbott Street, a vacant property located in the Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD). Dale Tennison and Sandi Millar, owners and Steve West, applicant. City Planner Wittman reviewed the case. At the last HPC meeting, the HPC found that the submitted design did not substantially conform to the NCD guidelines and tabled the application, directing the applicant to submit a new design which minimizes the the garage-forward nature of the design and the garage size, dominance and impact to the street. A new design has been submitted placing the garage in the back corner. Staff recommends approval with conditions. Motion by Commissioner Branjord, seconded by Commissioner Mino to approve Case No. 2015-42, Design Permit for a future home to be located at 911 Abbott Street, with the following conditions. 1. Plans shall be consistent with those submitted to the Community Development Department and reviewed by the HPC on October 5, 2015. 2. 18 square feet of other impervious surface area shall be removed from the plans. 3. A building permit shall be obtained prior to the construction of the home. 4. A grading permit, with plans showing the replacement of the significant ash tree with at least one 2” diameter deciduous tree, shall be obtained prior to the construction of the home. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 5, 2015 Page 4 of 4 5. Exterior lighting shall be submitted for approval prior to the issuance of a building permit. 6. 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, 5-0. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Review of Case No. 2015-23 Cultural Landscape Field Guide City Planner Wittman explained that as part of the mitigation for the St. Croix River Crossing, MnDOT was charged with creating a field guide to the area. MnDOT has revised this guide based on comments from the HPC. She provided the revised guide for review. MnDOT is asking for any final revisions needed. There were no comments from the Commission. Council Representative Menikheim emphasized the importance of outreach and community education efforts. He explained the Medallion program and noted that the Chamber returned the $5,000 grant money to the Stillwater Area Foundation. He would like to know if there is a way to re-grant that money to the City. City Planner Wittman said she has considered the Stillwater Area Foundation as a possible source for grant money for downtown projects. She will speak with City Administrator McCarty about this possibility. Staff Updates - Statewide Preservation Conference Update City Planner Wittman and Council Representative Menikheim gave their impressions on attending this conference. City Planner Wittman mentioned that she has been considering creating postcards to send to homeowners as an acknowledgement of thanks from the HPC for doing small historic preservation projects such as painting their home or replacing vinyl siding with wood. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Branjord, seconded by Chairman Larson, to adjourn. All in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary