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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-20 HPC MIN4kater IN I NT NF LA CE Of NI NNEI@TA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING May 20, 2020 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Mino called the meeting to order via Zoom at 7:06 p.m. Present: Chairwoman Mino, Commissioners Finwall, Heimdahl, Larson, Thueson, Walls. Council Representative Junker Absent: Commissioner Krakowski Staff. City Planner Wittman, City Clerk Wolf Chairwoman Mino welcomed new Commissioner Fitzie Heimdahl. She acknowledged the contribution of Commissioner Steinwall who stepped down and joined the Planning Commission. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to reappoint Mino as Chair. All in favor. Motion by Commissioner Larson. seconded by Chairwoman Mino, to appoint Thueson as Vice Chair. All in favor. Commissioner Finwall requested that staff notify the Commission annually the month previous to elections to put everyone on notice to think about these positions. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of aril 15 2020 MeetinU Motion by Commissioner Thueson, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2020 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. 2020-15: Consideration of a Design Permit for business signage at 223 Main St N, located in the Downtown Design Review District. Chris Siedow, property owner and Christie Wanderer, applicant. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Walls, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARING There were no public hearings. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. OLD BUSINESS Hamilton LLC apnlicant Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 20, Ms. Wittman stated that at the last meeting the Commission approved a Design Permit for fa�a0de renovations for the Lucky's Station with the condition that the design conform to the 1990s approved design. The 1990s design included painting the building facade band and pump canopies black. This condition of approval has not been accepted by the owner and affiliates, citing that Amoco no longer uses black as part of its branding scheme. Additionally, it is argued this condition of approval considerably altered the proposed design. Thus, the owner is requesting a reconsideration of the original request. The applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit to: paint the building's black sign band area in white; replace the existing "Lucky's Station" wall signs with new, 52" unlit signs to read "To Go" in white lettering on red; change the gas pump canopies to white with red and orange and contrasting blue stripes with black channel letters to read "AMOCO" where the "Gulf" logo currently is; change the existing, free-standing "Lucky's Station" sign to an approximately 64 square foot unlit sign to read "AMOCO"; and change all existing pump canopy fluorescent lights to 3000- 3500K LED lights. Building lights behind the sign fascia band would be 3500K. There are a few changes from the last request. The applicant is no longer interested in painting any brick nor installing interior -lit signage. Staff realizes there is concern that white would stand out from the surrounding environment and historic context. Staff asserts the proposed signage would not create a traffic hazard and is in harmony with adjacent development. Staff recommends approval of all proposed signage with eight conditions. Staff is recommending the Commission determine if changing the pump canopy and building fascia to white will be in conformance with the Architectural Character standards set forth in City Code. Jim Hamilton, the property owner's representative, stated via phone that after the last HPC meeting, he went back to Amoco with the black fascia and Amoco denied it, so he is coming back with the original proposal because there is no other option. Amoco is aware that the building is in the middle of an historic district. Councilmember Junker asked, what about the freestanding pylon sign? City Planner Wittman reviewed the design proposed for the freestanding sign. It is proposed to be a 50 square foot white square sign with the Amoco logo centered in it. It will be in compliance. Any lighting would need to be external and the applicant is aware of this. Commissioner Finwall asked if the City requires photometrics for the new lighting. Ms. Wittman replied photometrics are required only in larger land use development projects but not in the design permit process. Ms. Finwall said photometrics might help ensure the lights don't cause nuisance to surrounding properties. She asked if this could be a condition of approval. Ms. Wittman replied it would be hard because there are not specific guidelines for photometrics. Commissioner Heimdahl asked, will the lighting be a cool light or warm light? Ms. Wittman replied it was determined that the max of 3500K has a more orange glow and would be more acceptable downtown than a higher intensity light. Commissioner Larson said the heart of the issue is corporate design standards versus City design standards. There is nothing in the City guidelines requiring the HPC to accept something because something else was there that was also unacceptable. He has an issue with the colors of blue, orange and red. According to the design manual, trademark building design is not a good enough reason to approve something simply because it is a corporate design standard. He feels Amoco is showing inflexibility. Other franchises have been able to adapt to historic locations with subdued signs. Page 2 of 5 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 20, 2020 Commissioner Thueson referenced the design guidelines stating that trademark or logo signs may not be acceptable if the color or character of the sign is not in keeping with the historic character of the area. There are about six ways in which this application doesn't meet the guidelines. Commissioner Finwall agreed the biggest concern is the canopy with blue and orange. She shares the concern about the applicant's lack of flexibility. Councilmember Junker suggested the applicant convert the canopy to solid white or white with red which would not stick out as much as blue and orange. A white canopy cleans up the look. Ms. Wittman responded that a plain white canopy has challenges as well. Both options were before the HPC last month but the applicant indicated their preferred design is the red, white and blue. Mr. Hamilton said he thinks Amoco approved of the white canopy. However if there is no red band on the building there cannot be the "To Go" logo. Joe (no last name given), the lessor of the property, said they are trying to make the place look nice. Chairwoman Mino clarified that the Commission is not asking for removal of the "To Go" logo on the building. She is more comfortable with the white canopy. Commissioners Larson, Walls and Finwall agreed white is better than red and blue for the canopy. Ms. Wittman summarized that most Commissioners feel a black brand name on a white canopy is in substantial conformance with design guidelines, as is the white fascia band on the building. There is the question of whether "To Go" conforms with design guidelines. Commissioner Finwall asked if the applicant would be willing to have a black band on the building. Mr. Hamilton said he will check with Amoco to see if they would approve a white canopy and white fascia on the building. If they put a black band on building, he does not think they can also put "To Go" there. If they do not have the red band they cannot use the "To Go" logo. He thinks Amoco probably would not allow the black band because it goes against their color schemes but he will verify. They may agree to an all white fascia band. Either the business name or an Amoco decal like on the canopy would probably be used. Joe said his actual business name is "To Go Amoco." Ms. Wittman summarized that a white pump canopy and white building fascia are more in conformance with the neighborhood character and the HPC would recommend approval of white canopy with black Amoco on pump and black lettering for the business name. Motion by Larson seconded by Finwall to approve the originally submitted design with the following changes: the pump canopy shall be white, the building fascia shall be solid white (the red accent band shall not be permitted on the building fascia). The motion includes that it could be a black band or no band, all white. One conforming sign on each street -facing side of the building would be acceptable. Commissioner Thueson said the white is closer than red and blue but the guidelines say subdued color and dark tones, and he does not think it fits that guideline. The same corporation has compromised before and he is surprised they are not being more flexible to work within the guidelines. Mr. Hamilton stated Amoco wants to be a good neighbor. They want to try to keep their identity without completely changing all their colors. He thinks they will agree to the white with black decals. Motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner Thueson voting nay. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS Page 3 of 5 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Chestnut Street Plaza Project May 20, 2020 Ms. Wittman introduced the Project Team working on the Chestnut Street Plaza. Kathleen Anglo, TKDA, explained that this project came out of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. This is a $2 million joint project with funding split between the City of Stillwater and MnDOT. The City has signed a lease agreement with MnDOT. MnDOT has stipulations on what may and may not happen on Chestnut Street. She showed a map of the project, which will not include the circular area at the end of the lift bridge. Some of the things it will involve are managing the intersections, considering bicycle and pedestrian traffic, considering bumpouts, signal modifications, and additional pedestrian safety enhancements at Mulberry, Myrtle, Olive and Nelson Streets. Vehicular traffic across Chestnut at Water will have to be accommodated and she believes the City plans to make Water Street a one-way but that will be a subsequent project. The project schedule includes community engagement and design May -November, with conceptual design going before the City Council in late July and bidding in early 2021 for construction in spring/summer 2021. Councilmember Junker suggested that the Gartner Studios building that runs from Main Street to Water Street on the south side may be a good place for a unique mural. Commissioner Larson said he is excited about this project, especially looking at bumpouts and other ways to make the area more pedestrian friendly. Circulation of vehicles, bikes and pedestrians will drive the design. He also is interested in knowing what will be programmed there, if the City will try to accommodate anything other than casual seating, such as events. He hopes it ends up being a place that feels like it"s people first, not cars. He would like to see vehicular traffic on Water Street discouraged. Commissioner Thueson remarked it would be interesting to ask the community if the vista from the top of Chestnut down to the bridge is important to them. He is aware of some pedestrian plazas that are not successful i.e. Seventh Street Place in St. Paul. It seems like a lot of these places live and die with the vitality of the businesses beside them. He is also interested in whatever can be done to beautify the blank wall of the former drugstore. Commissioner Walls said biggest thing for him is being consistent with the public spaces that the City has already designed i.e. the pedestrian plaza. Councilmember Junker added that the City has not been good at making lighting consistent and attractive. He would like to see attractive lighting that actually lights for safety from Main Street to the bridge. Commissioner Finwall said this plaza presents a great opportunity for decorative trash and recycling containers, native landscaping, seating for current and future restaurants. The design should take into account all the flooding that happens there and utilize some sustainable designs such as pervious pavement and other sustainable elements reflective of Stillwater being a GreenStep City. Commissioner Heimdahl pointed out that really successful cities have vibrant public spaces designed for people not cars. He would like to incorporate outdoor seating into more long term city planning to make downtown more pedestrian friendly. Regarding the sustainability aspect, he would like to see landscaping like trees and native plants, and acknowledgement that all the water eventually runs to the river. He offered a personal plug for a project he has been working on with local artists wrapping and painting utility boxes. He would like to see this project incorporate public art. Chairwoman Mino added it would be good to include things that help facilitate other pedestrian related activities like dog walking. She thanked the presenters for sharing the information on the project. IntMretation Planning Ms. Wittman said she was approached by residents Lowell Thompson and Judy Gulden about doing more interpretation of historic sites via plaques, display panels, etc. Now may be the time that the City consider an ad hoc committee to work on developing an interpretation plan for downtown. She asked if the HPC has interest in forming a small committee to work on this. Page 4 of 5 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting May 20, 2020 Commissioner Heimdahl noted that he coordinates Wisconsin's historic marker program. It's important to recognize the indigenous people who lived in the valley before the European settlements and incorporate that history as well, and to look at the full and complete picture of the community, past, present and future. Commissioner Finwall asked if there is a budget for this work. Ms. Wittman replied that the HPC has a S5,000 annual budget that is usually used for matching grants. There are some funds remaining. Commissioners Thueson, Larson and Finwall voiced support for the concept. Commissioner Finwall recognized that staff is already very busy. Ms. Wittman said perhaps in the fall or winter staff could look for some funding for this. Maybe one Commission member wants to facilitate the formation of a committee. Commissioner Heimdahl-said he would not mind helping in some way. 2020 Preservation Awards Ms. Wittman stated that the Council has not opened up meetings to the public yet. She will keep the 2020 Preservation Awards in the `'to be discussed" file until in -person meetings resume. FYI Miscellaneous Development Projects Ms. Wittman informed the Commission that the consultant has assessed the Lowell Park Pavilion and is developing recommendations with the goal of completing a draft plan within the next month. The Council has postponed some capital improvement projects including the sunken garden and Bergstein buildings. The North Main stairs by Warden's House museum still are on schedule to be repaired this year. Design modifications are still being considered for the South Main Street wall. Ms. Wittman also said Commissioner Thueson alerted her to a grant opportunity through the Minnesota Digital Library to obtain funding to scan historic surveyor records that the City has. There are about 118 surveyor field books dating back to 1854. This could be a phased project over time. She will submit a grant application and is hopeful of receiving funding. HPC Ordinance Ms. Wittman stated she anticipates having something for review at the next meeting. 2020 Preserve MN Conference Ms. Wittman stated that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) staff still has not cancelled nor confirmed whether the 2020 conference will occur. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Walls, seconded by Commissioner Heimdahl, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. ATTEST: //myi , Chairwoman Abbi Wittman, City Planner Page 5 of 5