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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-20 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING AMENDED June 20, 2018 7:00 P.M. Chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Goodman (arrived at 7:06 p.m.), Hadrits, Krakowski, Mino, Steinwall, Welty, Chairman Larson, Council Representative Junker Absent: None Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of May 16, 2018 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Hadrits, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2018 meeting. Motion passed 6-0. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairman Larson reported that Commissioner Mino cannot chair this year but may be interested in chairing next year. He asked for other nominations. Having accepted the Vice Chair position at the May meeting, Commissioner Hadrits asked that the election of Chair be postponed one month. Motion by Chairman Larson, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to table the nomination of Chair to the July meeting. Motion passed 6-0. OPEN FORUM Tyler Morris, 978 St. Claire, St. Paul, asked for input on a modular home he would like to build on a vacant lot immediately behind his mother’s home at 726 West Linden Street. He anticipates having native plantings instead of a lawn so it blends into the ravine. City Planner Wittman said Mr. Morris is aware that Commission input is not binding. The lot is undeveloped right-of-way that has access to a private driveway easement. It is not visible from any developed street and sits on top of a ravine. Due to the small size, 1,500 is the maximum lot coverage allowed for a house and garage. Chairman Larson said the intent is not to discourage modern style but to encourage contemporary architecture to be compatible with the historic as much as possible. He likes the scale of the proposed design and feels it is workable. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 20, 2018 Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Welty remarked that the materials to be used would make or break the project. Some variances may be required. The landscape may change so what is hidden now may not always be hidden. She expressed concern about other homeowners on less secluded lots proposing similar designs. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. PUBLIC HEARING Case No. 2018-15: Consideration of a Design Permit to build a new residence on the property located at 1203 Third Avenue South in the RB District. Wendy Gimple, property owner and Dale Muhlenpoh, applicant. City Planner Wittman stated that the applicant is requesting a permit to construct a two and a half story, single-family walkout residence at 1203 Third Avenue South. The property contains a circa 1965 home that the property owner is proposing to remove. The new house will have a single 12/12 pitch, gable roof that will run parallel to the street. A single 12/12 pitch addition with stacked gables will extend towards the street; there will also be a shed roof dormer on the front face of the home. The attached garage will be set at an approximately 45 degree angle from the home. The garage roof lines will be similar to the residence. The garage is proposed to be located in front of the home, though it will be set back 50’ from the front property line. The house will be sided with a combination of LP Smartside lap siding with a 7” exposure and LP Smartside wall shingles. The trim will also be LP Smartside; the fascia and soffit are proposed to be aluminum. This will be carried on all four sides of the home. The roof will have 30 year asphalt architectural shingles. Little to no foundation will be exposed. A concern was received from the property owner to the north that the prevailing street pattern is not being met. Staff has determined there is no prevailing street pattern on the east side of the street. Houses vary between 24 and 105 feet from lot lines and garages vary from zero to 65 feet from the property lines. Staff finds that the project substantially conforms to the guidelines and, therefore, recommends approval of HPC Case No. 2018-15 with seven conditions. Ron Derrick, builder, clarified that the proposal is for a one and a half story home. Addressing the neighbor’s concern about privacy. Ms. Gimple said the bathroom window is high and it will be inoperable. Chairman Larson opened the public hearing. There were no comments. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Welty said commented that the proposed structure seems to block the view of the property to the south. Chairman Larson noted the house can move no further west than 20 feet from where it is currently proposed. Overall, the design looks great. If the home were moved further to the west, it would fall more in line from a streetscape standpoint and lessen the impact of views and privacy concerns of the neighbors. He asked if the applicant would be willing to move it further west. Mr. Derrick replied they would lose the driveway if the house were moved more than 10’ to the west. Ms. Gimple said that would not be her preference but she would like to appease the neighbors. Motion by Chairman Larson, seconded by Commissioner Mino, to approve Case No. 2018-15, Design Permit to build a new residence on the property located at 1203 Third Avenue South, with the seven conditions Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 20, 2018 Page 3 of 5 recommended by staff and adding Condition #8 to state “the house must move 10 feet closer to the west.” All in favor, 7-0. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2018-14: Consideration of a Design Permit to build a retaining wall at the Veterans Memorial located at 103 Pine Street West in the PA District. Shawn Sanders representing the City of Stillwater, applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that due to failure of the existing retaining wall, a new retaining wall system is needed in the lower parking lot of the Veteran’s Memorial site. Three options are being considered: a piling with a concrete face similar to the wall in front of the Historic Courthouse; a cast in place concrete cantilever like the existing wall; or a recon rustic block modular wall. The existing infrastructure is not historic. Staff finds that, with certain conditions, each of the wall options would substantially conform to the intentions of the Design Review District and recommends approval with three conditions. Chairman Larson suggested the wall should look like the existing Veterans Memorial walls. Motion by Commissioner Mino, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to approve Case No. 2018-14, Design Permit for a retaining wall at the Veterans Memorial, 103 Pine Street West, with the three conditions recommended by staff, modifying Condition #2 to state “identical” rather than “similar.” Motion passed 7-0. Case No. 2018-17: Consideration of a Design Permit to replace the existing Armory retaining wall and railing on the property located at 107 Chestnut Street East in the CBD District. State of Minnesota and Washington County, property owners represented by Allan Brandt. Ms. Wittman stated that Washington County is planning upgrades and improvements to portions of CSAH 23, known as Third Street South. The plans include a reduction in the road width for wider sidewalks, curb bump-outs, new asphalt, repairing dry stacked retaining walls, and the replacement of an existing concrete faced, stone wall. The applicant is requesting consideration of the installation of a new retaining wall at the historic Armory site. Of the work proposed, the following has been determined to be a change, necessitating design review: 1. Installation of an architectural concrete textured wall in the Autumn Leaves Drystack pattern. The cut stone pattern will have faces that range between 10” and 4’11”. The wall will have a muted, multi-colored palette and anti-graffiti coating; and 2. Installation of a black pipe guardrail at the top of the wall along Third Street North. Staff finds that with certain conditions, the proposed request will conform to the intentions of the Design Review District. Staff recommends approval with three conditions. Commissioner Welty commented that the autumn leaves pattern looks like the stones are very small. Ms. Wittman said the stone size varies a lot. The stone forms are bigger at the bottom and smaller at the top. Commissioner Hadrits asked if it is feasible to reuse the railing. Ms. Wittman replied it can’t be reused for railing due to current code. The Commission may want to consider a standard condition that salvaging existing materials is strongly recommended. Motion by Commissioner Welty, seconded by Commissioner Hadrits, to approve Case No. 2018-17, Design Permit to replace the existing Armory retaining wall and railing on the property located at 107 Chestnut Street East, with the three conditions recommended by staff, adding that the findings specifically addressed permitting because the wall was not facing the public way, with the encouragement that the iron railing be salvaged. Motion passed 7-0. OTHER ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 20, 2018 Page 4 of 5 Comprehensive Plan (CP 2040) Chapter 5 (Historic Preservation) Update City Planner Wittman said comments about implementation and timelines will be taken for the next week. She asked Commissioners to submit their comments. STAFF UPDATES Planner I/Zoning Administrator Vacancy Ms. Wittman informed the Commission that Erik Olson-Williams has left City employment. Applications for the position will be accepted until the first week in July. Upcoming Meetings, Events and Conferences Ms. Wittman informed the Commission of the following: 1) June 20 Comprehensive Plan 2040 Historic Preservation Advisory Committee 2) July 18 Comprehensive Plan 2040 Historic Preservation Advisory Committee 3) July 10, 24 and 31 Summer Tuesdays - City Planning Staff will talk with the public about the Comprehensive Plan 4) July 18-22 NAPC Forum, Des Moines, IA 5) September 12-14 Preserve MN, Winona, MN 2019 Grant Cycle and HPC Work Plan Ms. Wittman said the 2019 grant cycle and work plan will be discussed at the next meeting. Council & Board/Commission Handbook Ms. Wittman provided the recently adopted handbook. The only substantial change is that missing three consecutive meetings may be grounds for asking a Commissioner to step down. Council liaison Junker added that every reapplying commissioner will be interviewed by the Chair and two Councilmembers. Ms. Wittman said there are candidates who are interested in serving on the HPC, so if any Commissioners are considering retiring, keep this in mind. Chairman Larson noted that he probably won’t be able to attend the next meeting but does not need to be present for the election of officers. Commissioners Welty and Krakowski will also be absent on July 18. Commissioner Requests Councilmember Junker reported that last night the Council voted 3-2 to approve the SUP and variances for the condominium proposal on the corner of Third and Myrtle. It will likely come before the Commission soon. The biggest concern was underground parking coming off of Myrtle Street. Ms. Wittman stated that the Planning and Downtown Parking Commissions are reluctant to approve new developments due to parking limitations downtown. Commissioner Hadrits remarked as the Commission discusses trends in the Comprehensive Plan, they should talk about limited parking. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 20, 2018 Page 5 of 5 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Larson, seconded by Commissioner Hadrits, to adjourn. All in favor, 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary