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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-19 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING July 19, 2017 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Larson, Commissioners Goodman, Krakowski, Mino, Steinwall, Welty, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioner Hadrits Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of June 21, 2017 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2017 meeting. All in favor, 6-0. 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. 2017-21: Design Permit for an addition to and rehab of the property at 419 Second Street South. Brian Brosdahl, property owner. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant has submitted a Design Permit application for alterations to the structure located at 419 2nd Street South, a residential structure located halfway up Chilikoot Hill and accessed off the driveway on the top of the Main Street stairs. The request includes: removal of an existing, non-historic deck from the north face of the structure and replacing it with a two-story porch; removal of a circa 1970 two-stall garage and replacement with an attached two-story garage on a similar footprint; removal of a rear addition and reconstruction for a full two-story improvement; new James Hardi lap siding and Anderson “A” Series double hung windows throughout the structure. Staff recommends approval with six conditions. Applicant Brian Brosdahl stated he is maintaining the current footprint of the house, built around 1868. The house currently has steel siding and vinyl windows and he would like to restore it to Italianate design. The Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting July 19, 2017 Page 2 of 5 garage was built in 1970 and is rickety. He explained two garage designs. He would prefer the regular gabled roof for the garage rather than a clipped hip design. Commissioner Welty remarked that the garage as proposed is really a craftsman style. She provided examples of more Italianate style garages. Chairman Larson suggested a two-story hip roof garage would be more in character with the rest of the house. City Planner Wittman said because the garage sits on the property lines, fire code prohibits window openings on the south or east side. The design was chosen to utilize more window space for natural light in the front. Mr. Brosdahl said he would consider redesigning the garage in a more Italianate style to match the house. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve Case No. 2017-21, Design Permit for an addition to and rehab of the property at 419 Second Street South, with six staff-recommended conditions and an additional condition being a two-story hip roofed garage, to be reviewed by staff. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2017-22: Design Permit to install business signage at 450 Main Street North. Ann Mozey, representing Mozey Family Law Services, applicant. City Planner Wittman reviewed the request. The applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit to install a flat wall sign at 450 Main Street North. The sign will measure 90” in length and 24” tall. The 15 square foot, aluminum sign board will have vinyl letters that will read “Ann M.I. Mozey, P.L.L.C.” with secondary information that indicates “ Family Law Services.” This sign will replace the previous “Welsh Management Group” sign. While the applicant has indicated the owner prefers to have the sign in a southerly location, the applicant’s preference is to place the sign centered underneath the three northerly bay windows. Staff recommends approval with four conditions noted, amended to address the location, requirements for multi-tenant sign plan, and the materials, if necessary. Ann Mozey, applicant, said she doesn’t have a preference for location and would defer to the property owner. There is a shadow where a prior sign was for about six years. If put where the owner prefers, it would cover up that shadow and the holes. Motion by Chairman Larson, seconded by Commissioner Welty, to approve Case No. 2017-22, Design Permit to install business signage at 450 Main Street North, with the four conditions recommended by staff, at the same location as the previous sign on the south end of the building. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2017-23: Design Permit for the site alteration of the structure located at 402 Main Street South. Corey Burstad, Elevage Development Group, representing Stillwater Caves LLC, property owner. City Planner Wittman summarized that in August 2013 the applicant obtained a Design Permit for façade improvements and additions to the property, a contributing structure in the Commercial Historic District. The applicant gained HPC design review approval in July 2016, for exterior modifications. Now, at the time of building permitting, the applicant is requesting another amendment to the exterior façade of the structure. The applicant is proposing the following: 1. A reduction in the balcony width of the third story centered portion of the building, from the previously-approved 10’ deep balcony to 4’-8”, extending the full width of the opening. 2. Rather than retaining the existing metal railing, a new (under 24”) railing to be installed, which will meet the building code when combined with the parapet height. 3. Modifying the design to include a new aluminum clad storefront design with floor to ceiling windows with a rolled steel sign band area above the windows. Staff recommends approval with seven conditions. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting July 19, 2017 Page 3 of 5 Christine Pecard, Elness Swenson Graham Architects, and developer Corey Burstad explained the changes are due to space needs for rooms in the upstairs of the center portion. They feel the more storefront-like entrance will provide better visual connection from the street. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve Case No. 2017-23, Design Permit for the site alteration of the structure located at 402 Main Street South, with the seven conditions recommended by staff. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2017-24: Design Permit to install business signage and to paint the structure located at 229 Main Street South. Christopher Hagen, representing Loome Booksellers, applicant. City Planner Wittman stated that the applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit to install a flat wall sign and to paint the wood frame of the storefront at 229 Main Street North. The painted wooden storefront, including the diagonal wood portion covering the area that traditionally contained transom windows and the historic sign band, would be done in Sherwin Williams Turkish Tile color. The black aluminum composite sign board with raised plastic individually cut cream colored lettering would have a background in Sherwin Williams Psoporus and have cream colored lettering that would read “Loome Booksellers.” The sign would contain the business logo. The lettering would be 12 square feet and the logo would be approximately three square feet, making the total square footage approximately 15 square feet. Staff recommends approval with three conditions. Christopher Hagen, applicant, explained the request. Commissioner Welty and Chairman Larson suggested making the columns by the door, the windows and the frames the same color to match the aluminum of the sign frame. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve Case No. 2017-24, Design Permit to install business signage and to paint the structure located at 229 Main Street South, with the three conditions recommended by staff and the additional conditions that the entire storefront be all the same dark metal color, that the final design match the design presented at the meeting, and that the dimensional lettering be non-glossy. All in favor, 6-0. OLD BUSINESS Case No. 2017-17: Design Permit for an awning and associated signage at 223 Main Street South. Pete Sampair, owner and Mai Vue Vang, representing Mai Little Cakes, applicant. City Planner Wittman stated that at the last meeting, the Commission tabled a request from Mai Little Cakes for the installation of an awning and associated business signage due to the following concerns: 1) question about the accuracy of the drawing’s dimensions; 2) there may not be enough contrast in the colors of the sign; and 3) the overall size of the sign must be reduced in size; and 4) there were no materials named in the application submission. Staff met with representatives of the business on July 13 to discuss the Downtown Design Review District guidelines and the concerns of the HPC. At that time the applicant indicated they would not like to modify their design but that they would look at alternatives and be in touch with staff. They understand the size of the sign would need to be reduced. To date, staff has not received updated plans from the applicant. Ms. Wittman presented the options available to the Commission: automatic approval due to passage of the 60-day review period, extending the 60 day review period, establishing a date by which to take action, or adding conditions of approval so the sign conforms with the design standards. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting July 19, 2017 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Steinwall noted that the design guidelines state that graphics should be simple and bold. The font submitted doesn’t seem simple due to the embellishments. Chairman Larson recognized that determining whether a font is bold and simple can be a subjective decision. City Planner Wittman acknowledged that script these days could be put into a machine and carved. She asked if it is more important that the sign be three dimensional. Commissioner Welty noted that in keeping with the aesthetic of the streetscape, font may be further down on the priority list. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve Case No. 2017-17, Design Permit for an awning and associated signage at 223 Main Street South, with the eight conditions recommended by staff and a ninth condition that the applicant submit to staff for review, sign specifications indicating the three dimensional nature of the sign. Motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner Steinwall voting nay. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Main Street Stairs Beautification Project and Informational/Interpretive Signage City Planner Wittman introduced Sara Jespersen, who received a Stillwater Area Foundation Great Ideas Grant to beautify the Main Street stairs. She explained that the grant will help repair concrete, clean up invasive species, install courtyard seating and planters, and benches at the top. The HPC is being asked to review the proposed interpretive sign. She remarked that the City has not done traditional interpretive panels such as this previously; the HPC may want to set a future agenda item to develop guidelines for downtown interpretive signage. Ms. Jespersen explained that the proposed informational sign will be placed at the bottom of the stairs at a yet to be determined location. The sign would be similar to the ones on Brown’s Creek Trail: an 18” X 24” poly-resin UV-protected panel that would contain information about the stairs. The contractor will be leveling out the bottom area for a small courtyard and is willing to include stamped concrete. City Planner Wittman led discussion of the text, photo, design and location of the sign. Commission consensus was that an 18” X 24” sign with a photo as proposed will be appropriate as long as it can be viewed from wheelchairs, and the angled panel and post-mounted style is sufficient until there is a more comprehensive interpretive sign plan for downtown; and that if there is going to be stamped concrete, it should be kept to a minimum and similar to the hexagon pattern existing on downtown sidewalks. 2018 Certified Local Government Anniversary Discussion City Planner Wittman reminded the Commission that the City will celebrate its 30th anniversary as a Certified Local Government in January. She asked that the Commissioners keep thinking about ideas on ways to commemorate this and educate the public on the role of the HPC. 2017 Preserve Minnesota Statewide Historic Preservation Conference Ms. Wittman stated that the annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference, Preserve Minnesota, will be held September 13-15, 2017 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She asked Commissioners to inform her if they are able to attend. Hersey Bean Planing Mill Foundation Wall Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting July 19, 2017 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Wittman led discussion of options for stabilizing deteriorating stone wall at Bridgeview Park, an area known as Stillwater South Main Street Archaeological District. The District contains many ruins associated with the milling industry that was a substantial part of Stillwater and the St. Croix River Valley’s logging operations during the 1800s. There are two options: reinstall wire mesh on the top 1/3 portion of the wall, anchoring the cabling and shackles further into the bedrock; or deconstruct a portion of the wall for preservation of the lowest and most intact portion. Staff recommends deconstruction of the wall to an elevation 4-5’ above the existing grade. If the Commission concurs, staff will notify the Office of the State Archaeologist and the Minnesota Historical Society, and work with Engineering and Public Works staff to move forward with deconstruction, stock piling the rock for use on other publicly-owned resource projects. Commissioners agreed with the staff recommendation. STAFF UPDATES 2040 Comprehensive Plan Grants, Scoping Documents and future RFPs City Planner Wittman stated that as previously discussed with the HPC, staff hopes that a consultant will be retained to help the HPC and the community update the Historic Resources chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. Certified Local Government (CLG) and Legacy grants are being sought to fund the position. Staff will continue to update the Commission on the progress of grant applications and proposal requests. St. Croix Crossing Bridge Opening/Closing Events Ms. Wittman stated there will be an historic lift bridge conversion open house July 20. The new bridge opening ceremony will be August 2, followed by speakers at the lift bridge and an event that evening. On August 12 there will be a Polka Party celebrating the official closure of the lift bridge. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to adjourn. All in favor, 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary