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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-21 HPC MIN Page 1 of 4 HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING October 21, 2020 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Mino called the meeting to order via Zoom at 7:07 p.m. Present: Chair Mino, Commissioners Finwall, Heimdahl, Krakowski, Larson, Thueson, Walls, Council Representative Junker Absent: None Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of September 16, 2020 Meeting Motion by Commissioner Heimdahl, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2020 meeting. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Commissioner Walls abstaining. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA There were no items on the Consent Agenda. PUBLIC HEARING There were no public hearings. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2020-25: Consideration of a Design Permit for exterior façade improvements to Leo’s patio at 131 Main Street South in the Stillwater Commercial Historic District. Cory Buettner, Buettner Real Estate LLC, property owner and applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that Buettner Real Estate, owner of the structures at 127 Main and 131 Main Street South, would like to alter the design of the patio at Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop, 127 Main Street South. They are requesting approval of a Design Permit for: 1) construction of a 10.5’ wide by approximately 12’ long red brick trash enclosure; 2) redesign of the patio to include elevated seating on a black metal and wood awning. The lower level seating is proposed to have polycarbonate wall panels in the winter; 3) an accessible bathroom added onto the exterior of the building but not accessible from within the building; and 4) installation of a 10’ long by 2’ tall sign to look identical to the business’s existing sign on Chestnut Street East. Staff finds that, with certain conditions, the project is compatible with, and will ensure continued significance and integrity of, all properties within the historic district. Therefore, staff recommends approval with five conditions. Commissioner Finwall asked if the three trees will be removed. She asked if any other land use permits are required for the additional tables. Ms. Wittman replied this district does not require tree preservation. The proposal does not add tables because they already have the seasonal vending that was permitted earlier this year. The property is in the flood plain so a conditional use permit is required for the trash enclosure and bathroom addition. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 21, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Chairwoman Mino applauded the applicants on the good design and significant investment in the business. Commissioner Larson asked about the Gloria’s To Go part of the site plan. Ms. Wittman replied the property has permission to have a seasonal vendor on the site that could move off the site in the event of flooding. She added for the record that the Leo’s trailer has been approved but the Gloria’s To Go design has not been approved; it would come back before the HPC. Architect Jen Noden added they are planning on having a mobile food unit that will be able to be moved without having to be disassembled in the event of a flood. Commissioner Larson said he would like to see an example of what the green screen will look like. Ms. Noden replied it will be a trellis system with a grade-based irrigation system. The material will be consistent with the iron railings and deck. She will inform staff what the material will be. Commissioner Larson remarked that the wood band on the awning doesn’t look authentic because wood would not have been used historically. Black metal or steel beam would be more appropriate. Ms. Noden said many designs were considered. The deck started becoming a visually heavy element. They are willing to consider other materials. Commissioner Thueson asked about impacts on contributing structures surrounding the building. Ms. Wittman explained that the trash enclosure building will be freestanding. On the exterior of 131 Main Street South will be a brick bathroom added onto the single story. The two story portion of the building will not be affected. An awning will tie into the existing single story portion of the building. Motion by Chairwoman Mino, seconded by Commissioner Thueson, to approve Case No. 2020-25, Design Permit for exterior façade improvements to Leo’s patio at 131 Main Street South, with the five staff- recommended conditions, modifying Condition #3 to state that the polycarbonate panels shall be fully transparent and shall be permitted for no more than 6 months per year, and adding Condition #6, that the vegetation screening material shall be reviewed and approved by staff. All in favor. Case No. 2020-26: Consideration of a Design Permit for the partial demolition of a one-story addition to the Lowell Inn located at 102 2nd Street North in the Stillwater Commercial Historic District. 102 2nd LLC, property owner and applicant. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit for the selective removal of the multi-sided wood and window corner feature and approximately 40’ of the single-story, 10’ addition. It was found that the non-historic structure was originally a truck bed. The room was used for wine tasting and later for storage. Once demolition has occurred, the property owner would like to seek City approval to restore the south side of the building to its original state. Staff finds that, with certain conditions, the project is compatible with, and will ensure continued significance and integrity of, all properties within the historic district. Therefore, staff recommends approval with six conditions. Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve Case No. 2020-26, Design Permit for the partial demolition of a one-story addition to the Lowell Inn located at 102 2nd Street North, with the six staff-recommended conditions, adding Condition #7 stating that the Myrtle Street wall shall not be demolished. All in favor. Case No. 2020-27: Consideration of a Design Permit for rooftop improvements at 223 Main Street South in the Stillwater Commercial Historic District. Ion 4 Group, applicant. White Bear Ventures LLC, property owner. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 21, 2020 Page 3 of 4 City Planner Wittman noted the applicant was not present. She explained that Richard Farrell of White Bear Ventures LLC is renovating the third story of the building at 223 Main Street South into a single family residence. As part of the project, the owner would like to remove the existing elevator bulkhead and a stairwell access from the roof, and reconstruct the elevator access directly adjacent to an existing skylight near the northwest corner of the building. This skylight lights a three-story stairwell that would be extended to the roof. In addition to these improvements, the owner would like to add a 224 square foot area for storage. The elevator access from the third floor to the roof and the enclosed storage area will require a variance from the Planning Commission. To the date of memo development, no variance request has been submitted. The applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit for the improvements. The addition of a minimum code-compliant stairwell on the rooftop in an area of an existing opening that will tie into the three-story stairwell is appropriate. However, the 10’ tall stairwell, in combination with the 14’ elevator bulkhead, and the 224 square foot enclosed addition is not compatible with the structure and its surroundings. While it will not materially impair the structure, it will affect the structure’s integrity and the integrity of the district given it will rise above any other structure on this block. Staff recommends denial and encourages the HPC to discuss the proposed design and potential design alternatives with the applicant and/or property owner. Motion by Commissioner Thueson, seconded by Chairwoman Mino, to table Case No. 2020-27, Design Permit for rooftop improvements at 223 Main Street South, until the next meeting. Councilmember Junker commented that the dumpsters behind the site have sat idle for over 90 days. Ms. Wittman said she will look into it to see if progress is being made. Commissioner Larson recalled that when other rooftop structures have been approved it is usually because an effort was made to have as minimal impact as possible. He does not see that in this case. All in favor. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS St. Croix Riverbank Restoration and Riverwalk Project Ms. Wittman stated that since the fall of last year when the HPC approved Design Permit 2019-18 allowing for riverbank restoration and the construction of a riverwalk with three overlooks, the design around the Dock Café has changed. The City submitted the amended plans to the State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) for review. While some of the SHPO comments merely request submittal of additional materials and/or specification or treatment clarification, the SHPO does not agree with the City’s findings the river overlooks are compatible with the historic character of either the Cultural Landscape District or the Archaeological District. City staff, along with consulting engineers, preservationists, and archaeologists are preparing materials for discussion with and resubmittal to the SHPO. The original design included a soldier pile wall with precast concrete panels, a 6” curb, concrete trail and then rip rap and vegetation towards the Dock Café patio wall. Instead of rip rap along the western side of the trail, a wall is now proposed. The wall is designed to help retain private land, providing physical separation between the public trail and private land. The new wall will be soldier piled with concrete panels. The design of the wall is not proposed to be changed from the HPC’s original wall review/approval. She stated that the SHPO’s primary concern is the overlooks, as there is “is certainly no precedent for such a massive and blocky structures protruding out from the edge of the shoreline.” However, the City asserts that this area of shoreline would have had significantly sized and blocky features extending from the shoreline, as documented in the City’s historical and cultural resource assessment. The proposed project will be in conformance with previously approved Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting October 21, 2020 Page 4 of 4 plans and existing site conditions. The installation will not negatively impact historical, cultural and archaeological resources. City staff will meet with the SHPO to see if an amended design can be achieved. Commissioner Larson agreed with SHPO, saying he doesn’t recall voting in favor of the blocky design. He would prefer cantilevering the overlook per the original discussion to give it less weight. Chair Mino added that several commissioners were concerned about the bulkiness of the overlooks. Ms. Wittman said she will update the Commission in November if there is an agreement with SHPO and the City regarding the design. The City will continue to defend the design due to environmental, safety, and accessibility concerns as well as historic concerns. It is still hoped that construction will occur this year. Councilmember Junker noted that the project was already delayed a year because of a mussel that needed to be researched. The project should have been done in spring 2020. Commissioner Finwall asked if the owners of the Dock Cafe were concerned about tree removal with the trail construction because she saw a big save the trees sign installed on the fence. Ms. Wittman responded that the City is proposing to remove trees along the entire project to stabilize the river and create the riverwalk. FYI Downtown Holiday Light Display Ms. Wittman shared with the Commission a proposal submitted to the City from the downtown business community, to light building parapets and trees in the commercial core. The City Council approved the use of public dollars to help light the downtown, but no specific plan was decided on. Councilmember Junker added that the proposed lighting vendor has put lights on the Water Street Inn as an example of what is proposed for the rooftops along Main Street. Design Guideline Update Project Ms. Wittman stated that an RFP will probably go out before the next meeting in order to get a consultant on board no later than January 1 for an anticipated six-month project consolidating the guidelines. Microfilm Grant Extension Request Ms. Wittman reported that COVID shut everything down so the order still has not been sent out. The funder, Minnesota Historical Society, has approved an extension of the grant for a year. Library staff also is interested in helping scan old handwritten City engineering records and survey books from the 1800s. Other Topics Chairwoman Mino commented that the new wall on Main Street is a vast improvement over what was there. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Walls, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Amy Mino, Chair ATTEST: Abbi Wittman, City Planner