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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-16 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING October 16, 2019 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Mino called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present: Chairman Mino, Commissioners Finwall, Krakowski, Larson, Steinwall, Thueson, Walls Absent: Council Representative Junker Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of September 18, 2019 Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Walls, to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2019 meeting. Motion passed, 6-0-1 with Commissioner Steinwall abstaining. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. 2019-26, Consideration of a Design Permit for new business signage for the property located at 204 Third Street South in the RCM District. Dan Stoudt of Jassoy Block LLC, property owner and Gina Kazmerski of Image360-Woodbury, applicant. Case No. 2019-27, Consideration of a Design Permit for new exterior paint for the storefront located at 224 Chestnut Street East in the CBD District. Tomy O’Brien, property owner and Kathleen Schubert, applicant. Motion by Commissioner Thueson, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor, 7-0. PUBLIC HEARING Case No. 2019-24: Consideration of a Design Permit for an Infill residence at the property located at 1606 First Street North in the Neighborhood Conservation District. Zach and Meghan Hennessey, property owners. Chairwoman Mino opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chairwoman Mino closed the public hearing. City Planner Wittman explained the application. The property owners propose to construct a 2.5- story single family residence with three-car, front-loaded attached garage. The house is a modern split-level design and will be constructed into the slope of the property. The front face of the first floor will be clad in cultured stone and vertical lap siding; the remainder of the foundation will covered with 2” foam board per code and then coated with a pebble texture gray stucco. The main (second) level will be clad in 6” horizontal lap siding with smooth panel boards and 2” battens on the gabled ends. The upper level will be clad in smooth panel boards with 2” battens with shake siding on the gable ends. Two 8” horizontal bands with metal drop caps will circle the home at the floor breaks. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 16, 2019 Page 2 of 4 Concrete steps and an iron railing will be located at the entrance to the home. The main level deck and deck railing will be constructed of wood. Staff finds that with certain modifications, the design can conform to the standards set forth by City Code and the Stillwater Conversation District. The application of stone on portions of the first floor is not authentic. The commission should discuss potential design solutions for the application of stone, potentially carrying the stone around the façade. Staff recommends conditional with eight conditions. Jason Timmers, builder, stated that the top of the stone is at the top of the foundation. They were struggling with what to apply to avoid an exposed concrete foundation. He feels the stone would be considered traditional covering for a foundation. Commissioner Finwall asked if stone could be added to the north/south sides of the home. Mr. Timmers said that would be possible but is a budget concern. Due to insulation values, 2” foam must be applied to any exposed foundation. The more stone covering, the less ability to attach to foam, so it would have to be a product that would not be real stone. Commissioner Larson commented if the stone finish could be used on the front, it could be used on the sides as well. The Design Guidelines refer to four sided design and façade design consistency. He agrees with staff that the stone should be carried around the sides of the house. Mr. Timmers asked if it is necessary to use stone, or could it be exposed block foundation on all four sides? Commissioner Larson replied that exposed block on all sides would not follow some of the other guidelines but siding could be put down to grade on all sides. Commissioner Finwall asked if the proposal complies with the requirements for building on a slope. She likes how it is tucked into the slope with the front walkout. She agrees with the addition of stone on the sides to be consistent. Ms. Wittman replied there are slopes greater than 12% so a topographic survey will be required at the time of construction. Staff believes construction in this location does not compromise the slope. Mr. Timmers suggested stepping the foundation down and focusing the stone on the sides of the stairwell. He could place siding close down to grade and then stucco on the small amount of exposed foundation so it would be 6-10” of exposed stucco. The only stone on the front would be the staircase wall. Motion by Commissioner Steinwall, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to approve Case No. 2019-24, Design Permit for an Infill residence located at 1606 First Street North, with the eight conditions recommended by staff, and adding Condition #9, plans shall be modified to use lap siding in a stepped down and back fashion on the sides of the home. Exposed foundation shall be stucco or stone but consistent on all four sides. Stone shall be utilized only on the front stairway and columns if desired. Changes shall be reviewed and approved by staff prior to issuance of a building permit. All in favor, 7-0. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2019-25: Consideration of a Design Permit for an addition to the building located at 1862 Greeley Street South in the BPI District. Washington County Historical Society, property owner. Commissioner Thueson recused himself from the discussion and the vote. City Planner Wittman explained the application. The Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) is requesting approval of a Design Permit for a 570 finished square foot entrance exhibit area, façade signage, and rooftop mechanical screening associated with a new Washington County Heritage Center. Staff finds that with certain conditions, the Design Permit application request can conform to Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 16, 2019 Page 3 of 4 the standards set forth for Design Permitting as well as the West Stillwater Business Park district guidelines. Therefore, staff recommends approval with seven conditions. Brent Peterson, Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society, explained that the window openings proposed are the only windows that will be in the building. Windows will not be in storage areas or exhibit areas because light is damaging to artifacts. Emily Kopp, MSR Design, explained that the reason for difference in window depth is that entering the front space, the lobby should feel as if it’s outside. The sills of the other windows will be in the gift shop and will tie into shelves. She added that the screening will be high enough to cover the mechanical units. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Steinwall, to approve Case No. 2019-25, Design Permit for an addition to the building located at 1862 Greeley Street South, with the seven staff- recommended conditions. All in favor, 6-0. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS 2020 Preserve MN Conference Committee Ms. Wittman stated that she and Chairwoman Mino met with State Historic Preservation Office staff to discuss roles and responsibilities for hosting the conference, which will draw 200 people. A planning committee will be formed that will include the Commission. Volunteers will be used heavily. There will be some costs to the host community. Donors will be sought. She added that she has discussed the potential for a homeowner workshop(s) with Rethos, formerly Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, which hosts place- based classes. She would like Commissioners to help define what homeowner workshops may generate interest among community members. Chairwoman Mino offered to serve as the liaison with Rethos. Update on 2019-2020 Grant Projects Ms. Wittman said the 2020 Preserve MN Conference is a grant-funded project but it will still need additional funding. A grant was received to complete a historic structure report for the Lowell Park gazebo and levee wall. Though not a grant, the City funded development of a business plan for the Bergstein buildings. The Council has petitioned the legislature for state bonding to help rehabilitate the buildings. A facilitator will be sought to help develop the business use plan, based on agreements with various agencies that may be interested in co-locating in the buildings. FYI HPC and CC Special Joint Meeting Minutes Ms. Wittman provided the joint meeting minutes. She reported that the Council enacted a one year moratorium on demolition of historic resources. HPC Enabling Ordinance Amendment Request for Proposals Ms. Wittman informed the Commission that the City’s request for proposals for development of amendments to the HPC Enabling Ordinance has been issued and proposals are due November 1. She reviewed the qualifications. 515 Third Street South Ms. Wittman reported that a stop work order was placed on this structure, a triplex that the owner would like to convert into a single family residence. The owner received a building permit but the work was not being done to planner specs. The owner had removed a large amount of bracing dirt foundation and compromised the structure’s integrity. The structure is in poor condition. The building official will meet with a company to discuss an emergency order to stabilize and secure the structure. ADJOURNMENT Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 16, 2019 Page 4 of 4 Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Walls, to adjourn. All in favor, 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kink, Recording Secretary