Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-02 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING November 2, 2015 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Goodman, Johnson, Krakowski, Welty (arrived at 7:03 p.m.), Council Representative Menikheim Absent: Commissioners Branjord and Mino Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of October 5, 2015 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Chairman Larson, to approve the minutes of the October 5, 2015 meeting. All in favor, 4-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2015-48 Design Review for a stationary food trailer to be located at 225 Main Street North. Frank Fabio, owner. City Planner Wittman reviewed the case. The applicant proposes a red utility trailer that has been retrofitted to prepare products to be consumed. The Planning Commission granted conditional approval of the trailer for use as a drive-through coffee business in late 2013. At that time, the property owner had not obtained the trailer. Staff finds the utility trailer to be consistent with the guidelines. However, because permanent structures in this district are held to a higher design standard, this trailer could detract from the character of the downtown historic district. Staff recommends that the Commission discuss with the property owner alternatives for exterior design improvements and continue consideration of the Design Permit until exterior improvements have been developed and submitted. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting November 2, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Stephanie Reese, representing Mr. Fabio and Maple Island Brewing, informed the Commission the trailer will be open from 5-10 am in the center parking aisle, after which it will be moved behind the brewery for business hours. It will operate year-round selling coffee and pre-packaged pastries. She presented a mock-up design. Chairman Larson commented there is a Minnesota Food Truck Association which advocates identifiable trailers to distinguish them from service trailers. He commended the applicant on the design sketches. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve Case No. 2015-48, Design Permit for a stationary food trailer to be located at 225 Main Street North, with conditions recommended by staff, based on concept sketches submitted in the meeting. All in favor, 5-0. Case No. 2015-49 Design Review for signage for front of building to be located at 126 Main Street North. Tim Michael, owner and Meg DiMercurio, applicant. City Planner Wittman summarized the request. The applicant is requesting a Design Permit to install a new wall sign. The 15 square foot, matte block, lightweight aluminum sign is proposed to run the length of the unit and read “ModernRoots” with “Natural Soaps & Body Care” underneath. The sign is proposed to be located in the sign band area, consistent with other commercial space in the building. Staff recommends approval with four conditions. Renee Nelson, assistant store manager representing the applicant, offered to answer any questions. Commissioners Welty and Johnson suggested the secondary information would be easier to read if placed on the window instead of the sign, allowing the letters “ModernRoots” to be larger. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski to approve Case No. 2015-49, Design Permit for signage for front of building to be located at 126 Main Street North, with conditions recommended by staff, allowing for the option for applicant to remove secondary information from sign. All in favor, 5-0. Case No. 2015-50 Modification to Case No. 2014-42 for the exterior façade renovation and a multi-tenant sign plan for the structure located at 275 Third Street South. Grady Erickson, owner and Matt Frisbie, applicant. City Planner Wittman stated that in December 2014, the HPC approved a Design Permit for exterior façade renovations including shiplap cedar siding, hardi-panel vertical siding and anodized aluminum awnings on all four sides. The applicant is proposing changes to the approved Design Permit, consisting of using fiber cement siding with a wood grain appearance instead of the originally permitted cedar shiplap, as well as smaller than originally approved fiber cement panels. There are other proposed changes deemed by staff to be less substantial. In addition, the property owner is proposing to install new, 32 square foot tenant signage in the front of the building that will have a similar look and feel as the newly designed structure. Staff finds the application to be sufficiently consistent with the guidelines and recommends approval with conditions. Matt Frisbie, designer with Ayres Associates, offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Johnson noted the pedestrian level as proposed has more detail with the wood grain. Chairman Larson said the panels may look better with a little more pattern. Commissioner Welty expressed preference for the smaller division of palette and suggested exploring the addition of landscaping below the sign area. Chairman Larson complimented the applicant on the proposed improvements. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 5, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Welty, to approve Case No. 2015-50, Modification to Case No. 2014-42 for the exterior façade renovation and a multi-tenant sign plan for the structure located at 275 Third Street South, with conditions recommended by staff, with Condition #2 modified to read “sign shall not exceed 6’ in height from ground grade” and adding the condition that landscaping or other features shall be placed underneath the sign base. All in favor, 5-0. Case No. 2015-51 Comments to St. Croix River Crossing MOA modifications for the Stillwater Lift Bridge conversion - MnDOT. City Planner Wittman shared that as part of the St. Croix River Crossing project, the Stillwater Lift Bridge Advisory Council developed a Lift Bridge Management Plan for the future use of the historic bridge as a pedestrian and bicycle pathway in 2019 and beyond. MnDOT is seeking comments on changes to the plan. One change is in the type of bulb in the lighting units on the bridge and concourses. She noted that she understands that the fixture will not be visible, it will be set up in the span, and that there are no changes proposed to the fixtures themselves, just to the bulbs. Existing fixtures will be replicated. Commissioner Johnson said there will still be three fixtures in each span mounted on the structure in the center of the roadway area. Chairman Larson stated he would want to maintain a similar intensity to the current lighting to reduce glare. City Planner Wittman reminded the Commission that reducing the amount of light could compromise safety. The 4,000 Kelvin is the industry standard, accounting for the proposed lighting. Commissioner Johnson said he had asked about the acorn lights for the approach area and learned they also are available in 3,500 or 3,000 which would be a warmer light. The acorn lights will go in each pier along the sidewalk. There are not lights there now. He would want to have the same temperature in both lights so the color would be consistent. Chairman Larson said the warmer the better, 3,500 is better than 4,000. Council Representative Menikheim recalled a previous discussion about some type of illumination of the bridge structure itself. The question about illuminating the bridge in some way remains. Chairman Larson acknowledged that lighting of the bridge would have to be carefully done; there will be a range of opinion on how to approach lighting the bridge and the HPC would like to be part of the process. He noted concern about not increasing the glare in both the acorn fixtures and the new fixtures. He understands they will have to meet minimum standards but would want to keep the lighting as low as possible. Also, there may be a more aesthetically appropriate fixture available than proposed. Commissioner Johnson noted the 4,000 Kelvin is still a fairly bluish light and if there is an option to reduce it to 3,000-3,500 that would be an improvement. Also the acorn lights should have the same temperature as the overhead lights to be consistent. He suggested mounting a demonstration fixture on the bridge to see what it would look like before a decision is made. It would be desirable to dim the lights off-peak hours. City Planner Wittman was directed to draft a letter for Chairman Larson to sign and send, based on suggestions voiced in the discussion about glare, source of light, intensity, type of fixture, and consistency among lighting temperatures, as well as a request for a field test of the overhead lights if possible. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting November 2, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Discussion of Postcard Recognition Program The Commission discussed possible text for postcards acknowledging property owners who are visibly supporting the goals of the HPC, such as those who are maintaining their homes in an historically accurate way. Commissioner Welty will work on some generic statements and possible images for the postcards. Council Representative Menikheim suggested also recognizing property owners on the City website or in a “thumbs up” in the newspaper. There were concerns about the possible privacy and permission issues. The postcard could request permission for further recognition in the media. STAFF UPDATES HPC Training Program Grant City Planner Wittman noted that the statewide training program for HPC commissioners is in draft form and an RFP will be sent in the next month or so. Comprehensive Plan 2016-2018 Updates City Planner Wittman reported that an RFP was just released for the updating of the downtown chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. A committee including an HPC commissioner will be formed. The historic resources chapter of the Plan will be reviewed with the HPC at a half-day workshop to be scheduled. Chairman Larson brought up the idea of an HPC commissioner reporting to the Council annually about the work of the Commission. He also stated it would be nice if the Council Representative position rotated to educate more Councilmembers on the work of the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Chairman Larson, to adjourn. All in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary