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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-02 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING December 2, 2013 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Johnson, Brach, Goodman, Krakowski Absent: Commissioner Welty, Council Representative Menikheim Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of November 4, 2013 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2013 meeting. All in favor, 5-0. OPEN FORUM Historian Donald Empson, 1206 North Second Street, reminded the Commission of the six neighborhood histories he has done for areas of the City. He provided each Commissioner with a copy of the Holcomb’s Addition history. He requested acknowledgement and credit for his research in the house history videos being done by Dan Hoisington. City Planner Wittman noted that there is a link to Mr. Empson’s histories from the HPC web page. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. DP/2013-61. Design review of replacement signage for PETCO located at 2080 Market Drive in the BP-C, Business Park Commercial District. Signcrafters, Mike Lawrence, applicant. Case No. DP/2013-62. Design review of a master sign plan for a multi-tenant commercial building located at 102 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Demars signs, Chauncey Peterson, applicant. Case No. DP/2013-63. Design review of signage for Forget Me Not located at 102 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Demars Signs, Chauncey Peterson, applicant. Chairman Larson removed Case No. DP/2013-62 and Case No. DP/2013-63 from the Consent Agenda for discussion. Motion by Commissioner Brach, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. All in favor, 5-0. Case No. DP/2013-62. Design review of a master sign plan for a multi-tenant commercial building located at 102 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Demars signs, Chauncey Peterson, applicant. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting December 2, 2013 Page 2 of 6 Case No. DP/2013-63. Design review of signage for Forget Me Not located at 102 Main Street North in the CBD, Central Business District. Demars Signs, Chauncey Peterson, applicant. City Planner Wittman noted that in regard to both applications, the applicant requested the addition of two directional signs, one at each entrance to the building, no greater than six square feet each. Staff would like to add this as condition of approval for Case No. DP/2013-62 and Case No. DP/2013-63. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to approve Case No. DP/2013-62, master sign plan for a multi-tenant commercial building located at 102 Main Street North, as conditioned. All in favor, 5-0. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve Case No. DP/2013-63, signage for Forget Me Not located at 102 Main Street North, as conditioned. All in favor, 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. DR/2013-59. Infill Design Review for the construction of a single family home located at 115 Willow Street East in the RA, Single Family Residential District and the NCD, Neighborhood Conservation District. Amaris Custom Homes, representing Kari Branjord, applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant is requesting design review for a proposed 2,200 square foot Italianate style single family residence to be constructed on an undeveloped lot. Setback, slope and height variances were approved by the Planning Commission for the structure to be placed in a specific location on the site. Staff recommends approval with two conditions: a) all minor modifications to the plans shall be approved in advance by the City Planner and all major modifications shall be approved in advance by the HPC; and b) a plan for exterior lighting shall be submitted for approval prior to the issuance of a building permit. Ray Pruban, Amaris Custom Homes, representing the applicant, explained that the site drove the design of the home, to accommodate the steep slope to the south and preserve as many trees as possible. Chairman Larson opened the public hearing. Dale Shaller, 1819 Fourth Street North, who lives west and above the proposed site, expressed concerns about the impact on his view. He would like minimal disruption to the character and aesthetics of the neighborhood. He appreciates the work being done to accommodate those concerns. Jon Skaalen, 1900 Third Street North, commented he will lose his view of the river when the house is built. He feels the height will be higher than most of the houses in the neighborhood. Chairman Larson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson remarked that the Italianate style works well for the site and the neighborhood. Also, the distance from the street helps make the size and scale of the house less imposing. Chairman Larson suggested using the color scheme to break up the massing. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brach, to approve Case No. DR/2013-59, infill design for the construction of a single family home located at 115 Willow Street East as conditioned, adding a third condition requiring the applicant to work with City staff on landscaping and tree replacement. All in favor, 5-0. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting December 2, 2013 Page 3 of 5 DESIGN PERMITS Case No. DP/2013-60. Design review of the proposed extension adding approximately 14,000 square feet on two levels to the existing Trinity Lutheran Church located at 115 Fourth Street North in the PA, Public Administration District. BTR Architects, Randy Moe, applicant. City Planner Wittman reported that the applicant is requesting design review for a 14,000 square foot addition to the existing structure. Once completed, the addition will incorporate an open courtyard where the building currently at 102 Fourth Street North will be demolished. Staff recommends approval with six conditions: a) that all add-alternates are approved and shall be used, to include the thin brick cladding on the east and west buildings shall be of a color similar to that of the historic church; b) architectural precast shall be scored to break up the individual mass of the panels, with a scoring design to be submitted to the HPC prior to installation; c) individual parcels shall be combined as one tax parcel prior to building permit application; d) a coordinated lighting plan shall be submitted for review; e) all mechanical equipment and waste receptacles shall be screened from view; and f) a landscape plan, if modified from the conceptual plan, shall be submitted. Commissioner Johnson asked for clarification on add-alternates. Bob Eiselt, representing the applicant, stated there are three add-alternates that apply to the exterior: a balcony on the southeast elevation, an entry canopy above the east and west entry, and the thin brick on the precast panels. Also, there will be some hardscaping (benches). He clarified the materials to be used as shown by renderings. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve Case No. DP/2013-60, design of an approximately 14,000 square foot extension to the existing Trinity Lutheran Church located at 115 Fourth Street North, with modification to Condition A, stating that all add-alternatives are approved and may be used at the discretion of the applicant with the exception of the thin brick cladding which is required. All in favor, 5-0. NEW BUSINESS Preliminary review of an addition to the Water Street Inn. Roger Tomten, Archnet. City Planner Wittman showed the preliminary plans for the proposed addition, which will encompass the existing patio area and create a new primary entrance to the hotel off Myrtle Street. Because this is not a full design review, the applicant is only asking for comments and suggestions on the conceptual plan. Roger Tomten, Archnet, explained the conceptual plan and reviewed the history of the site. The idea of a tower component for the northwest corner was based on the tower of the historic depot that once occupied the site. As proposed, the tower would be set back about five feet from the property line, which would be where the depot tower originally was, between the curb line and the beginning of the patio. This would further narrow the street which he stated is actually parking access. The base of the new building would be native limestone transitioning to brick above, with metal details on the tower and building, incorporating a transparent safety wall for the roof patio area. Second floor balconies would be the roof of the first floor below, so the building would step back from the river. Suspended balconies would be on the third floor. No balconies would be proposed on the Water Street side. The building height would be around 46 feet to keep the floor elevations matching. There could be some overage on the tower. He presented options for tower designs, including one option to recreate the tower as an open iron frame that would be transparent and lit at night. They would like to bring the tower clocks back. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting December 2, 2013 Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Johnson noted there is storm and sanitary sewer that come straight down Myrtle. Chairman Larson said it’s evident that the tower is the most important element of the project. The site is one of the most prominent in Stillwater. Depending on the density of the ironwork, it could look like something got lopped off. Commissioner Johnson pointed out that the fact that the original tower foundation remains would likely factor into discussion of the setbacks required. It will be important to maintain the classic public building look and let the architecture speak as a welcoming public space. He likes the tower element but is a bit concerned about the entry on the north. He would like to avoid a lot of signage or indications that it is a private hotel. Chairman Larson questioned the effect of pushing the building toward the street. Commissioner Johnson brought up concerns about garbage enclosure for the site. He is aware of the plan to build a common trash enclosure with Lucky’s Station. The trash issue will have to be resolved before this project goes much further. Property Owner Chuck Dougherty responded that Lucky’s owner has agreed in principle to constructing a common trash enclosure, but he has been difficult to reach to finalize plans. Other nearby businesses have expressed interest in being part of cooperative trash storage. Commissioner Johnson noted that he was pleased that the hotel will finally achieve the finished look that was originally planned in 1994 but was scaled back, which at the time was a disappointment to the City and the Commission. City Planner Wittman reminded the Commission that no action is required at this point. OTHER BUSINESS Grants City Planner Wittman informed the Commission of grant applications due in January: Legacy Grant and pre-application for a CLG Grant. She identified municipal projects that have been discussed for potential grant programs and asked for direction. Projects that may be candidates for grants are: brochures for the South Hill Residential Walking Tour; the reuse study for the Bergstein Warehouse/Shoddy Mill; surveying the four neighborhood districts identified by the comprehensive plan; making Neighborhood Conservation District guidelines applicable to renovations and home repairs; historic district designation; a North Hill Walking Tour; installing plaques on pillars on the pedestrian plaza displaying historic images or small narratives; and creation of more map brochures and a commercial DVD for the downtown walking tour. Commissioner Brach brought up the idea of providing workshops to educate residents who live in historic homes on issues like options for replacing windows. Chairman Larson remarked that workshops for homeowners could be conducted through continuing education and sponsored by the City or the HPC. City Planner Wittman agreed to contact the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office to see if there are resources for such educational opportunities. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting December 2, 2013 Page 5 of 5 Chairman Larson commented that some cities provide low cost loans to homeowners as an incentive for renovating their property. He asked how the City might leverage grant money for a similar program. City Planner Wittman replied that sort of funding would probably have to come from private funders. She has started looking for private foundations that might help create a revolving loan program. Commissioner Johnson suggested seeking grant money to complete the remaining neighborhood studies. City Planner Wittman stated she will be applying for two scholarships to attend historic preservation conferences in 2014. She agreed to focus the January grant application on funding for South Hill Brochures. She also will research existing educational opportunities (workshops for residents) that the City might tie into, and would like to start planning for the Bergstein Warehouse/Shoddy Mill buildings. Demolition Ordinance Chairman Larson remarked that email from Council Representative Menikheim got him thinking about the demolition ordinance. He feels the ordinance needs to be revised to more clearly convey what can be demolished and what can’t - under what circumstances could a house in fair condition be demolished? If under no circumstances, then that should be made clear in the ordinance. Commissioner Johnson responded that the primary object of the ordinance should be preservation - to demolish a house with no other intended use for the space isn’t consistent with the HPC’s objectives. If the structure is still livable, it should be determined what can be done so it can remain a livable, useable property. City Planner Wittman stated she informs applicants that the process is designed to make them really think about tearing down a structure. She agreed that the ordinance may need refinement to help staff administer it. Commissioner Goodman commented that often, demolition is proposed by someone from out of town who wants to tear down an old house to construct a new house that doesn’t fit the neighborhood. The question is, do you interpret your ordinances for the people who live in town now or those who might move into town and want to build a fancier new house? ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to adjourn. All in favor., 5-0 The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary