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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-19 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING June 19, 2019 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Mino called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Mino, Commissioners Finwall, Krakowski, Larson, Steinwall, Thueson, Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioner Walls Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of May 15, 2019 Commissioner Steinwall asked that the page numbers be corrected. Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2019 meeting with the page numbers corrected. All in favor, 6-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. 2019-15: Consideration of a Design Permit for new business signage for the property located at 405 Main Street North in the CBD district. Monty Brine, property owner and Paulette Wentlaff, applicant. The item was pulled from the Consent Agenda and moved to New Business for discussion. PUBLIC HEARING There were no public hearings. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2019-15: Consideration of a Design Permit for new business signage for the property located at 405 Main Street North in the CBD district. Monty Brine, property owner and Paulette Wentlaff, applicant. Paulette Wentlaff, applicant, stated the proposed site alteration involves the installation of two signs: a) A 27 square foot, wood framed, metal storefront sign to read Magnolias; and b) a 5 square foot, hanging, metal sign to read Magnolias with four lines listing the products and services offered. She explained how she measured for the signs. City Planner Wittman explained the existing sign plan for the building equates to 17 square feet for each tenant. Any excess square footage would require the property owner to apply for a variance. It is unclear whether the South Hill Vintage sign is non-conforming or whether it was permitted. Ms. Wentlaff told the Commission that the current Magnolias sign is temporary. The sign she is proposing is about eight inches narrower but seven inches deeper than the existing sign. She added that she didn’t know about the 17 square foot per-tenant limit when she applied for the permit. The sign without the frame would have been 100 x 24” (about 16.5 square feet). Commissioner Finwall asked how signs are measured. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 19, 2019 Page 2 of 5 Ms. Wittman replied the area visually framed by the sign is considered. In this case that would be to the outside edges of the white frame. Councilmember Junker noted that it is important to maintain consistency in a building like this with multiple tenants, otherwise everyone will request bigger and bigger signs. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve a Design Permit for new business signage for the property located at 405 Main Street North, with the five staff-recommended conditions, including limiting the size of the sign to 17 square feet following the sign plan for the building. All in favor, 6- 0. Case No. 2019-12: Consideration of a Design Permit for an exterior remodel. Property located at 1435 Curve Crest Boulevard in the BP-I district. Packard Properties, LLC, property owner and Stiglich Construction, Inc., applicant. Ms. Wittman stated the applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit for a 5,812 square foot addition faced in EIFS to match the existing painted rock face block building. With certain conditions, the proposed addition meets the City’s site layout, lighting and drainage standards, however the application design is inconsistent with the design guidelines, as two different exterior materials are proposed. The HPC should discuss with the applicant alternative design options, including painted rock face construction or the installation of EIFS on the primary portion of the building. If approved, the HPC should add a condition of approval specifically pertaining to the materials to be used. Robert Stiglich, Stiglich Construction, stated this is a very small addition on a very small building. To go to all rock face or all EIFS would add a significant cost that would make the project not feasible. The EIFS will have a clean look and will be on the back of the building. The addition will allow the trash enclosure, which is now outside, to be inside. They had to do additional improvements to meet Watershed District requirements, which added to the cost. Commissioner Larson asked about the colors proposed to be used. Mr. Stiglich replied the accent band will be a lighter color than the other surfaces. Commissioner Larson remarked that depending on the sun angle, the difference in texture may not be noticeable. His initial reaction was that the building should be all in EIFS or all rock face. But considering that the addition will not be significantly visible from the street, if a reveal could set off the two materials and separate the two surfaces, it may be something the Commission could potentially accept. Commissioner Finwall said she likes the fact that the addition will help with issues of exterior storage and trash containers. It would not be very visible from the public right of way. She has no concerns with an extension of EIFS and feels it would match up OK particularly since it’s in the back. Chairwoman Mino agreed that she could support the proposal if it includes a reveal joining the two surfaces. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to approve a Design Permit for an exterior remodel of property located at 1435 Curve Crest Boulevard with the five staff-recommended conditions, approving the materials as proposed by the applicant, adding Condition #6 stating, “there shall be a reveal between the two materials, to be reviewed by the City Planner.” All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2019-13: Consideration of a Design Permit amendment for the property located at 232 Main Street South in the Downtown Review District. Yaniv Abotbul of Happy Bridge, property owner. Ms. Wittman stated that Yanni Abotbul has submitted a Design Permit application for the installation of four, eight-foot 6000K LED lights to be installed under the existing awning. The lights have been installed. Staff has determined this to be a major modification to the original Design Permit. The existing, 6000K LED lights are a hazard to pedestrians and motorists and their appearance is not in harmony with adjacent development. Therefore, the application does not conform to the Downtown Design Review District guidelines nor the standards set forth in City Code. However, if the property owner is willing to reduce the Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 19, 2019 Page 3 of 5 bulb temperature to 3500K and place the light fixtures higher up into the awning, then the lighting may conform to the guidelines and standards. Chairwoman Mino asked if the applicant has indicated they need this lighting for safety reasons. Ms. Wittman responded they have not indicated that. Commissioner Larson commented that glowing awnings are not in harmony with existing guidelines. Councilmember Junker said no matter what kind of bulb is used, the lighting under the awning would still be nonconforming. Commissioner Finwall recognized that the applicant is not here to explain the situation. The lighting as proposed/installed does not look attractive nor does it meet historical guidelines. The applicant has the opportunity for lighting inside the store. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to deny a Design Permit amendment for the property located at 232 Main Street South on the basis that the installed lighting is contrary to the requirements of City Code, is a hazard to vehicles and pedestrians, and is not in harmony with adjacent development. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2019-14: Consideration of a Design Permit for a home remodel for the property located at 515 Third Street South in the Neighborhood Conservation District. ELIN Marco Group, property owner and Patrick Schmeichel, applicant. Ms. Wittman stated that the property has historically been utilized as a three-unit property; it is the new property owner’s intention to rehabilitate the house into a single family dwelling prior to selling the home. While the exact construction year is not known, the structure appears on the 1884 Sanborn map. The structure once contained a full-width front porch. As noted in the 1996 City of Stillwater Architectural- History Inventory Form, the house was a Queen Anne with open porches on the front, which “have been removed or have become a part of the house itself...the house has window changes and little historical physical integrity.” The specific request is a front porch addition, façade improvements, side alteration, a small five foot addition in the rear of the home, and the addition of a garage. With certain conditions, the project conforms to the standards set forth in City Code as well as the applicable Conservation District guidelines. Staff recommends approval with seven conditions. Commissioner Steinwall asked what material would be used for the top gable. Patrick Schmeichel, applicant, replied they will try to use materials that are as authentic as possible and hope to use wood shakes. Commissioner Larson asked what would be done with the foundation. Mr. Schmeichel replied they will try to use existing stone where possible. In places the wood siding will be brought all the way down over existing standard masonry block, they will try to mate the two surfaces. Commissioner Finwall asked if the corner board on the sides and around the windows will all match. Mr. Schmeichel responded they will try to use a white, teal and black palette with different color trim around the windows. The roof and all windows will need to be replaced. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Thueson, to approve a Design Permit for a home remodel for the property located at 515 Third Street South, with the seven conditions recommended by staff. All in favor, 6-0. Case No. 2019-16: Consideration of a Design Permit for new windows and solar panels on south roof. Property located at 107 Chestnut Street East in the Downtown Review District. Matt Wolf, property owner. Commissioner Larson recused himself from the discussion and vote due to a business relationship with the applicant. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 19, 2019 Page 4 of 5 Ms. Wittman reviewed the case. Matt Wolf of CVII Holdings purchased the historic armory in 2018 and plans to rehabilitate the structure into rental units, office space and commercial area. The building is in reparable condition but many of the systems and components are failing. He submitted a design permit for structural alterations, including replacing all windows except some windows on the back of the building, and the installation of 100 solar panels on the southern roof of the building. The solar panels will be visible from the Third Street right of way for less than a half block. They will not be visible from the front façade. Staff recommends approval with eight conditions. Chairwoman Mino asked if there is glare from the solar panels. Mr. Wolf replied the panels will have as matt a finish as possible. They are pursuing tax credits for the project so if either of these elements harms the tax credits they will be changed. He provided a sample of the window to be used. Commissioner Finwall noted it is important to help businesses become more economically resilient. She commended Mr. Wolf for trying to match the panels as much as possible to blend in. Mr. Wolf stated the tax credits help bridge the financing gap. Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to approve a Design Permit for new windows and solar panels on the property located at 107 Chestnut Street East, with the eight conditions recommended by staff. All in favor, 5-0. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS HPC Ordinances Amendment Ms. Wittman stated that the City has been awarded two grants for 2019-2020 projects and events. She explained the anticipated timelines and associated work. One of the grants will allow the City to hire a consultant to assist with updating the HPC ordinances. Prior to starting the project, staff will work with the HPC and the City Council to rewrite the demolition ordinance. This project will start in July. Statewide Historic Preservation Conference Ms. Wittman stated that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has approved a grant for Stillwater to host the annual statewide historic preservation conference in September 2020. The City will work directly with the SHPO to choose the location, breakout sessions, tours, etc. The Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Independent Business Association, and the Stillwater Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) have committed to being a partner or a consulting partner to this conference. Staff would like at least a few members of the Commission to participate on the steering committee. FYI 116 Harriet Street North Ms. Wittman stated the City Council upheld the denial of a demolition permit and authorized a designation study. Last night Councilmember Weidner asked the Council to reconsider this decision. The Council will reconsider the authorization of the study at its July 2 meeting. Councilmember Junker said he believes the main reason for reconsidering the authorization was spending $5,000 on a study of a garage. 615 Broadway Street South Ms. Wittman stated the 106 Group demolition designation study has been completed. It found that the structure is not historically significant. The Council voted to reject the findings of the study. City code says if the Council does not approve the designation study within 180 days of the denial, the demolition permit is automatically approved. The Code also says if the Council does not designate the structure after the preparation of a designation study then the demolition permit may be approved. If the Council would like to move forward with local designation of the structure, public hearings with the HPC and with the City Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting June 19, 2019 Page 5 of 5 Council would need to be held. She has sent the issue to the State Historic Preservation Office and the Minnesota Historical Society per code requirement. She also will consult the Planning Commission in July, to review it for conformance to the Comprehensive Plan. She reviewed the study findings which basically state that because the house does not meet any of the preservation site criteria as an individual property, it is not recommended for individual designation as a heritage preservation site. She will send the study to the Commissioners. This issue will be placed on the July meeting agenda but may run up against a notification deadline, so she may have to ask the Council to clarify their intention in rejecting the study. Bergstein Warehouse and Shoddy Mill Ms. Wittman informed the Commission that the Council directed City Administrator McCarty to prepare a State Capital Budget funding request to help rehabilitate the Bergstein Warehouse and Shoddy Mill buildings. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Finwall to adjourn. All in favor, 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary