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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-04 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING January 4, 2017 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Hadrits, Johnson, Krakowski, Mino, Welty, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioner Goodman Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of December 5, 2016 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Welty, to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2016 meeting. All in favor, 6-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2016-29: Design Permit for site alteration of the structure located at 233 Main Street South. Bridgeview, LLC. Peter Sampair, property owner and Building Assets, Nate Fluegge, Mai Little Cakes, applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant is requesting a Design Permit to install an air intake vent and an air exhaust vent on the Water Street side of the structure located at 233 Main Street South. The two 16” square aluminum vents are proposed to be coated in a herring bone color to match the stone façade. The installation of the vents is to accommodate Mai Little Cakes, a new bakery. Ms. Wittman explained that in retrofitting older buildings to allow for the air in and out that is required by building and health codes, the distance from the property line dictates where the vents must be placed. Staff suggests the Commission consider requiring a metal that is consistent with the existing metal of the façade so as to complement, not mimic, the stonework. Chairman Larson remarked that the stonework was done later and is an altered part of the building. Commissioners Welty and Johnson noted that placing the two vents at different elevations looks random; it would look better if they were the same height. Chairman Larson supposed that the placement relates to location of existing inside ductwork. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting January 4, 2017 Page 2 of 3 City Planner Wittman said the applicant indicated they opted to locate the vents where they could minimize the cutting of the stone. Chairman Larson suggested that the applicant be asked to place both vents at the same height, preferably the higher height if possible. Commissioner Johnson said the vents would be less obvious if their color more closely matched the stone rather than the metal. Chairman Larson said he was conflicted on that because the chances of a color match are slim, but he would be OK if the majority of Commission prefers a lighter color over a darker color. Councilmember Junker said it was noted in discussions of the downtown plan update that these are not just the backs of buildings anymore; in the future, the City should look at this as a “front” entrance because Water Street will be an extremely visible route in the new downtown plan. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve Case No. 2016-29, Design Permit for site alteration of the structure located at 233 Main Street South, with modifications to the staff- recommended conditions as follows: 1) The designs shall be consistent with those on file in the Community Development Department and dated December 27, 2016. 2) A building permit shall be obtained prior to the commencement of the exterior alterations. The installation shall be to manufacturer’s installation specifications. 3) While attempting to minimize the amount of stone removal as possible, intrusions shall be the same height off of the sidewalk or distance from the first floor upper banding, preferably at the height of the highest. 4) 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. Determination of the distinction between “major” and “minor” is defined by the Zoning Ordinance. 5) The cut stone shall be salvaged and retained to utilize in future infill. All in favor, 6-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Stillwater Commercial Historic District Public Information Panels (Stillwater CVB) City Planner Wittman explained that the Convention and Visitors Bureau (“CVB”), has been working with City staff and MNDOT to eventually place a historical and cultural sign (a “brown sign”) near the HWY 36 and 95 interchange, which will direct visitors to the Stillwater Commercial Historic District. This requires that historic district interpretation must be available in the district at a self-serve kiosk or a welcome center. The CVB has designed a draft public information panel with assistance from staff. Ms. Wittman reviewed the draft text of the historic district information sign and asked members of the HPC for comments. Comments will be compiled and distributed to the CVB by January 6 to allow the CVB to have the panels printed and installed prior to Hockey Day Minnesota, January 21. It was the consensus of the Commission that there is too much text on the sign. The Commission agreed on the following changes: 1) In the first paragraph, the word “proceeding” should be changed to “preceding” (“preceding Minneapolis by years”). 2) In the “Stillwater Commercial Historic District” section, the map should be centered, the street names should be darker, and a “You Are here” point should be added to the map. In the last paragraph of this section, the phrase, “use of the national resources of an area” should be changed to “use of the natural resources of an area.” Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting January 4, 2017 Page 3 of 3 3) In the “Historic Downtown Stillwater Walking Tours” section, “Brunswich” should be “Brunswick,” the word “Historic” should be added to “Post Office,” “South Hill Walking Tour” should be changed to “Residential Walking Tour,” the words “cold blooded (murder)” should be omitted, and a notation should be added stating that the tour starts at the Washington County Historic Courthouse. Preservation Planning 2017 City Planner Wittman led discussion of potential projects for the upcoming grant cycle. Grant applications will be due in April or May while she is on leave. She suggested the Commission consider the potential for grants to update the historic resources chapter of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Commission will be asked to take the lead in working through a community input process to expand on or develop a new chapter, specifically Chapter 5 of the Comprehensive Plan on historic resources. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Hadrits, to direct staff to write a grant for the hiring of a consultant for 2017-2018 to help update references to historic resources in the Comprehensive Plan, noting that the work would be more broad reaching than just the update of Chapter 5 of the Comprehensive Plan, but it would be thoroughly integrated into the Plan. All in favor, 5-0 (Commissioner Mino had gone). STAFF UPDATES City Planner Wittman informed the Commission that the City is looking at hiring consulting staff to serve as staff for the HPC during her maternity leave over the next few months. New Zoning Administrator Erik Olson- Williams will do basic permitting and code enforcement but probably will not be the staff member leading the HPC meetings. Council Representative Junker reported that he will be the Commission’s Council Representative again for 2017. He informed the Commission that there was discussion at the City Council meeting regarding all Commissions, particularly Planning, to bring back voting rights to the Council Representatives, which were removed in 2007. During the Council meeting, City Staff was directed to bring back more information on this subject. Chairman Larson recommended a book by two Minnesota architects about reviewing design. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Larson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to adjourn. All in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary