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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-17 HPC MINlllwater 1XE EIXEXILX CE OF smww�IMX EEO tX HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING March 17, 2021 HPC DESIGN GUIDELINE WORKSHOP MEETING 6:00 P.M. Chairwoman Mino called the workshop to order via Zoom at 6:00 p.m. Present: Chair Mino, Commissioners Finwall (arrived at 6:15 p.m.), Heimdahl, Larson (arrived at 6:15 p.m.), Thueson (arrived at 6:15 p.m.), Walls, Councilmember Junker Absent: None Staff: City Planner Wittman Members of the Commission met with Jeff Miller of HKGi and Carol Zellie of Landscape Research to discuss their analysis of the City's current design guidelines. The consultants discussed the project's process, outlining tasks to be completed by the July 2021 project end date. The consultants walked through the foundations of the project, reviewed the historic and overlay districts map, presented their design guidelines analysis key findings, reviewed the table of contents, and presented manual format options. They asked the commission members present to identify any challenges with their use of the guidelines. Commissioners expressed using more images of good/bad examples will be key in the update guideline document. They stating placing emphasis on the relationship to the street and incorporation of walls and stairs was important. They noted some discussion on alternative materials, lighting intensity and color, signage, as well as rooftop improvements and screening were items the Commission has most recently been challenged with. The consultants indicated they would be bringing additional items back to the Commission including a schedule for public input. REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Mino called the meeting to order via Zoom at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chair Mino, Commissioners Finwall, Heimdahl, Larson, Thueson, Walls (left at 8:10 p.m.), Councilmember Junker Absent: None Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of February 17 2021 Meeting Motion by Commissioner Thueson, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2021 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. 2021-05: Consideration of a Design Permit for new business signage. Property located at 220 Commercial St E in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the Central Business District Historic. Lisa Bevens, applicant and Steven Gnan Living Trust, property owner. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting March 17, 2021 Case No. 2021-06: Consideration of a Design Permit for new business signage and sign plan. Property located at 423 Main St S in the Downtown Design Review District. Spectrum Sign Systems, Inc., Rick Ferraro, applicant and Michael McGuire, property owner. Commissioner Thueson asked that Case No. 2021-05 be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Councilmember Walls, to adopt the Consent Agenda as amended. All in favor. Regarding Case No. 2021-05, Commissioner Thueson suggested adding a condition of approval that the sign will not be internally illuminated. Ms. Wittman responded that no illumination is indicated on the application and that a condition of approval is appropriate to ensure that the sign is not lit in the future. Commissioner Larson said the polycarbonate should have a matte finish so it is not shiny white. Lisa Bevens, applicant, explained they are attempting to use existing signage and would be happy to ensure it is not a high gloss finish. The white background is consistent with the business model. Motion by Commissioner Thueson, seconded by Commissioner Walls, to approve a Design Permit for new business signage at 220 Commercial St E, Case No. 2021-05, with the six conditions recommended by staff, adding Condition #7 stating that the wall sign will not be internally illuminated. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARING Case No. 2021-08: Consideration of a Demolition Permit for renovations to the home at 501 Greeley St N in the Neighborhood Conservation District. John Comb. representing Custom Craft Builders, applicant and Jon and Julianne Summers, property owners. City Planner Wittman announced that the applicant changed plans and the demolition application is no longer required. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Case No. 2021-09: Consideration of a Design Permit for an outdoor patio. Property located at 102 2nd Street North in the Stillwater Commercial Historic District. Amy Estenson. representing 102 Second LLC. property owner. City Planner Wittman stated that at the Commission's last regularly -scheduled meeting the Commission was briefed on a two -tiered patio redesign proposed for the Lowell Inn. At that time, the Commission elected to review the outstanding request, of window replacement and door installation, and consider the patio improvements at a later date. The applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit for a two -tiered patio system intended to clean up the outdoor area that was previously covered by the single story building addition. The patio will be poured concrete on top of concrete blocks that will be faced with brick to match the building. The patio will have a fence installed around it; the fence will either be black metal or white painted wood. The upper portion of the patio will be accessed from the interior conference room. Though there will be a gate for egress, this portion of the patio is intended to only be used in conjunction with the conference room space. A sloped walkway will connect the remaining single story addition to the Myrtle Street sidewalk. That remaining single story addition will be clad in brick to match the existing building. The property owner is proposing at - grade improvements to carry the existing design of the patio around the building. Staff finds that, with certain conditions, the project is substantially compatible with, and will ensure continued significance and integrity of, this property and all properties within the historic district. Therefore, staff recommends approval with three conditions. Page 2 of 5 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting March 17, 2021 Chair Mino asked Ms. Wittman for additional clarification on the patio materials and the structure of the two tiers. Commissioner Larson suggested that the new concrete on the upper tier be tinted so it will not stand out as much. He feels the metal fence should be black rather than white, so it recedes. Bobby Anderson, representing the applicant, said the metal fence will be black. They will try to match the new concrete with the tint of the existing concrete. Commissioner Finwall asked for clarification whether wood or metal fencing will be used. Ms. Wittman said if a fall -rail is required by building code, it will be black metal. The existing white painted wood gates will be reused where possible. Commissioner Finwall asked if the patio will be lit. Mr. Anderson answered no additional lighting is planned. Motion by Commissioner Heimdahl, seconded by Commissioner Walls, to approve Case No. 2021-09, Design Permit for an outdoor patio located at 102 2nd Street North, with the three staff -recommended conditions. All in favor. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 2021-07: Consideration of a Design Permit for outdoor storage. Property located at 127 Main St S in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the Central Business District Historic. Buettner Real Estate, property owner. Ms. Wittman stated that the applicant is requesting a Special Use Permit from the Planning Commission for outside storage of a walk-in cooler. The cooler is proposed to be located on top of the approved trash enclosure. Though City Code Section 31-325 requires screening for all outside storage in the Central Business District, the applicant is not proposing to screen the cooler, citing it is similar to other mechanical improvements visible from street level. The applicant is requesting approval of a Design Permit for an 8' by 6', 67' tall, stucco embossed galvanized aluminum walk-in cooler to be located on top of the future trash enclosure. 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. A recommended condition is that the cooler be screened on all four sides. The Commission should discuss screening requirements and materials and, if a consensus on screening can be reached, move to approve with four conditions. Jeri Noden, representing the applicant, stated the cooler will be specifically placed in this spot to not block the windows of the adjacent building. It will be galvanized with a non -reflective ripple finish and will sit 42" below the parapet. The building itself will screen the unit from Water Street. Chairwoman Mino said the finish may still be reflective even with the mottled texture. She asked how much of the top of the cooler will be visible from the seating area. Ms. Noden said just over three feet of the cooler will be visible above the stairwall. Chairwoman Mino asked if the applicant would consider screening to reduce potential glare. Ms. Noden said wraps can be applied to reduce any glare. The only visibility is on the south side. Commissioner Heimdahl said to a customer on the patio it may appear reflective. Commissioner Larson shared concern about reflectivity. He would like to know if a dark wrap would be allowed by warranty. From the south it will be visible. He would like consideration of screening. Commissioner Walls remarked that screening should be considered on three sides. Page 3 of 5 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting March 17, 2021 Ms. Noden stated there is no public visibility from the west side. If screened far enough along the stairwall, the unit would not be visible. A dark colored wood composite outdoor privacy fence could be used. Commissioners Larson, Walls and Chairwoman Mino agreed that would meet the intent of screening. Commissioner Finwall asked if the screening would block the windows of the building to the north. Ms. Noden answered the screen would rise about 6" above the line of the bottom of the window. Commissioner Larson pointed out the screening would allow for some privacy for the second floor tenants but would not affect their long views. Commissioner Finwall asked if landscaped screening could be considered. Ms. Noden said maintaining landscaping on the second floor deck might be an issue. Commissioner Finwall said there could be glare from the top of the freezer. She feels screening of some type should be required. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Heimdahl, to approve Case No. 2021-07, Design Permit for outdoor storage located at 127 Main Street South, with the four staff -recommended conditions, replacing Condition #2 with the language, "a design -complementary screen wall, to the height of the cooler, shall be added the entire length of the stairway wall." Commissioner Finwall asked if wording could be open-ended to allow for a creative solution to not block the views from the windows. Commissioner Larson said he would prefer the motion as stated, though he appreciates Commissioner Finwall's concern about the windows of the next building. All in favor. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS Rethos Classes Commissioner Heimdahl explained he has been working with Rethos to plan a local history and preservation conference in Wisconsin. He feels an HPC-sponsored Rethos class or event maybe appropriate for Stillwater in 2022. There is potential for collaboration with the Washington County Historical Society and the Warden's House Museum. Possible topics include masonry, windows, rotted wood, historic homes and other preservation topics. Statewide Historic Preservation Conference Ms. Wittman stated that the State is ready to resume planning for an in -person conference in Stillwater this September, depending on pandemic restrictions. She has checked with the previously scheduled venues and most are likely available. She asked if the Commission is ready to help plan a 2021 Conference. Commissioner Heimdahl said he will check with Rethos regarding whether they have a plan for transitioning back to in -person workshops. He noted that some health requirements associated with indoor events will likely remain in force Perhaps some of the events could be held outdoors. Commissioner Finwall said given the uncertainties of pandemic restrictions, and the amount of planning required for a statewide conference, it seems too late to move forward with the statewide conference planning for this year. She supports the idea of having some Rethos classes. Commissioner Thueson agreed that considering the amount of effort required, if a good turnout cannot be expected in 2021, it would be preferable to wait and host the statewide conference in 2022 Page 4 of 5 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting March 17, 2021 or 2023. He also would love to have the Rethos classes whether or not the conference is held in Stillwater. Ms. Wittman said she will inform the State that the City is probably interested in some type of event but there may not be good turnout for a statewide conference due to coming out of the pandemic. She will need to discuss the funding commitments with the State and the City Council. Commissioner Walls commented that, based on turnover in the Community Development Department including Community Development Director Turnblad's retirement June 1, it may not be worth the effort to hold the statewide conference this year, if it will not be a solid event to showcase the area. Councilmember Junker acknowledged that hosting the conference would be great but the timeframe for planning is too short for a September 2021 conference. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Heimdahl, seconded by Commissioner Finwa djourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. , 4myin hair ATTEST: / Abbi Wittman, City Planner Page 5 of 5