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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-17 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING January 17, 2018 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Hadrits, Mino, Steinwall, Chairman Larson, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioners Krakowski, Goodman and Welty Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of December 20, 2017 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2017 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 Case No. 2017-40: Design Review Permit to construct a single family structure on the property located at XXX Linden Street in the RB District. Jessica Bostrom, property owner and Paul Bruggeman, applicant. City Planner Wittman reviewed the request. The applicant is requesting a permit to construct a two and a half story, two-family residence at XXX Linden Street West. The lot was recently split from the property to the west. The proposed house will measure approximately 22’ wide by 48’ deep and will contain a 6’ deep front porch and an attached 20X28’ garage. While a 12’ deep deck is proposed for the rear of the property, the applicant was unable to secure a variance to the Rear Yard Setback for the construction of this improvement. A 6/12 gable will run parallel with the front lot line. It will contain a 10/12 pitch projection that will not rise to the primary gable. The front gable area will contain a 6’ porch with a 4/12 pitch roof. LP lap siding, to extend to the grade level, and aluminum soffit and fascia is proposed on all four sides; LP board and batten will be located on the front of the home, above the porch, to add visual interest. Double hung windows are proposed for the front and sides of the home; the rear of the home will have slightly wider windows, stacked one over the other on all stories. All windows and trim boards will be 1X4” LP Smart Siding. Asphalt shingles are proposed. Staff finds Case No. 2017-40 is in substantial conformance with the Neighborhood Conservation District guidelines and recommends approval with nine conditions. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting January 17, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Paul Bruggeman, Bruggeman Builders, stated that the two windows shown on the second story will not be built. The bedrooms are small and they are trying to preserve wall space. Chairman Larson explained the purpose of the conservation district guidelines is to ensure that what is built is consistent with existing neighborhood character. He complimented the front elevation but noted that having no windows on the sides of the house is not consistent with the conservation district. Commissioners Mino and Hadrits agreed they would like to see more windows. Mr. Bruggeman said he has no problem adding windows but there is not a lot of wall space in this home due to the compact floor plan. He discussed with Chairman Larson where windows may be added that would not conflict with the interior floor plan. Chairman Larson suggested the application be tabled to request revised drawings, possibly to include rake board on the sides and corner trim to make the sides more consistent with the front. City Planner Wittman summarized that the Commission would like to see more windows with a more uniform design, and is favorable to smaller sets of windows above interior elements if they are fairly symmetrical, stacked when possible. Chairman Larson also requested that the new drawings show the proposed window trim. Chairman Larson noted that because there was only one other person in the audience, he did not open the public hearing. Motion by Chairman Larson, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to table Case No. 2017-40, Design Review Permit to construct a single family structure on the property located at XXX Linden Street in the RB District, to request revisions of exterior detailing, windows and trim as discussed to include where the tree will be planted. All in favor, 4-0. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2017-36: Design Review Permit to operate a Segway tour business from 204 Main Street North in the CBD District. Steve Gnan, property owner and James Linden, applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that the Planning Commission conditionally approved a Special Use Permit for Stillwater Segway Tours to operate a season recreational business from 204 Main Street North. A condition of approval includes obtaining a Design Permit for certain temporary (April 1 - October 31) improvements at the associated property. The applicant is requesting a Design Permit for a temporary structure and associated signage. The applicant originally submitted a proposal for a 10X12, steel frame and polyester sided gazebo to be used as a sales kiosk but has since revised the plan to instead use a steel framed shed. The proposal includes: 1) a steel framed, steel sided “tuff shed”; and 2) a 38” by 20” sign located on the shed, along with a six square foot sidewalk sign. The applicant also is proposing to have a 9x12’ aluminum trailer onsite. It will be stationary and parked in a location that is not visible from Main Street. The trailer will be used to store and recharge the segways when not in use. Staff finds that with certain conditions, the signage can conform to the standards for Design Permits and the Downtown Design Review District guidelines. Staff recommends approval with six conditions. James Linden, applicant, said the gazebo originally submitted was his first choice because it has served his business well for the past three years, but since meeting with the City Council and staff, he came up with the idea for the steel structure that is a bit more substantial. A third choice might be to use the steel structure as a frame and put a wood façade around it. The structure provides a space where customers can sit down and sign a form. The segways would be stored in the trailer in the back. There are seven segways. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting January 17, 2018 Page 3 of 6 City Planner Wittman added that the kiosk structure and the trailer will be kept on site all season. The trailer will be located behind Let There Be Light building. Councilmember Junker commented that seven months is a long time for a temporary building. He likes the wooden structure better than the steel shed, which is not appropriate for Main Street. Commissioner Hadrits and Mino agreed. City Planner Wittman noted that if the public is allowed into the space it could trigger building code requirements, for instance head height. Chairman Larson acknowledged resistance to allowing tent-like structures around town. He suggested perhaps an open wood gazebo structure would be appropriate. Motion by Commissioner Hadrits, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to table Case No. 2017-36, Design Review Permit to operate a Segway tour business from 204 Main Street North in the CBD District, directing the applicant to explore more traditional designs for a temporary building that fits the downtown district including wood as a base. All in favor, 4-0. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Development Application Timelines and HPC Review City Planner Wittman informed the Commission that an unintended consequence of the HPC meeting being the 3rd Wednesday of the month is that the HPC’s review of an application now occurs after the Planning Commission (CPC) meeting. This has created a challenge when reviewing development proposals. While the CPC customarily gives approvals based on the HPC’s actions, it often gives an applicant the perception that the design is acceptable. This is compounded when requests for variances are granted. One way to reduce this conflict is for the City to adopt a policy that development review must start with the HPC. However, this does not eliminate the fact that the HPC’s monthly meeting is after the CPCs. One potential solution would be for the HPC to switch their monthly meeting date prior to the CPC’s monthly meeting date. If this were acceptable to the HPC, the 1st Wednesdays and Thursdays of each month would not pose a conflict with the City’s meeting schedule. Commissioner Steinwall commented that the current system appears to be too flexible - for instance, concept review stage should not last for years. Variances should not be approved prior to design review. Chairman Larson stated Commissioners should recognize that any comment they make in informally discussing a project concept may be understood to carry the same weight as final approval. Ms. Wittman summarized that concept review, requiring a vote and carrying some sort of weight, should take place prior to a project obtaining use permits or variances and that it should have some sort of expiration. She will work with the City Attorney, Community Development Director and Council and research what other cities are doing regarding concept approvals/reviews. STAFF UPDATES Water Street Inn Appeal City Planner Wittman stated that the HPC’s recommendation was overturned by the City Council. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting January 17, 2018 Page 4 of 4 Small Wireless Zoning Text Amendment Ms. Wittman stated she is working with the City of Excelsior on stock language that cities with historic districts could use to regulate small wireless zoning. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Historic Resources Chapter RFP City Planner Wittman stated that the request for proposals has gone out. Staff would like to have a small volunteer committee to help the HPC update the chapter. She was directed to put out a call for volunteers. MnDOT St. Croix River Crossing - Lift Bridge Book Ms. Wittman stated that the final copy of the book will be out in the next few months. Demolition Studies Pre-Approval List City Planner Wittman presented a new pre-approval list of firms interested in doing demolition studies. 2017 HPC Case Report Ms. Wittman provided the annual case report. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Larson, seconded by Commissioner Hadrits, to adjourn. All in favor, 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary