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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-21 HPC MIN HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING April 21, 2021 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Mino called the meeting to order via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chair Mino, Commissioners Finwall, Heimdahl, Krakowski, Larson, Thueson, Councilmember Junker Absent: Commissioner Walls Staff: City Planner Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of March 17, 2021 Regular Meeting Motion by Commissioner Thueson, seconded by Commissioner Finwall, to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2021 meeting. Motion passed 5-0-1 with Commissioner Krakowski abstaining. Possible approval of minutes of April 6, 2021 Special Meeting Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Heimdahl, to approve the minutes of the April 6, 2021 special meeting. Motion passed 4-0-2 with Commissioners Krakowski and Larson abstaining. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA Case No. 2021-12: Consideration of a Design Permit for window reconstruction, new business signage and building painting. Property located at 210 Main St S in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the Central Business District Historic. Jenn Hovland, applicant and St. Croix Investors, LLC, property owner. Case No. 2021-15: Consideration of a Design Permit for a mural. Property located at 125 Main St S in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the Central Business District Historic. Ross Larson of Nordic LUV, LLC, property owner. Case No. 2021-16: Consideration of a Design Permit for a stationary Seasonal Food Vendor for the property located at 127/131 Main St S in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the Central Business District Historic. Buettner Real Estate, property owner. Motion by Chair Mino, seconded by Councilmember Krakowski, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. 2021-10: Consideration of a partial Demolition Permit for renovations to the home at 304 Hazel St in the Neighborhood Conservation District. Jason Ous, property owner. City Planner Wittman stated the home was constructed in the 1870s. While the structure was associated with state and local historic contexts, it was not determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register and was listed in fair condition. The current owner took possession of the home in October 2019 at which time permits for new windows, new siding, and water/sewer hookup were issued by the City. The City inspected the water/sewer connections in September 2020, but no Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting April 21, 2021 Page 2 of 7 additional inspections have occurred. On November 30, 2020 the property owner submitted a building permit application to seek approval of full interior and exterior rehabilitation. Upon review of the property, it was determined unpermitted exterior alterations including demolition, addition and façade alterations occurred without appropriate planning, zoning, and building inspection office review and approval. On December 30 and, again, on January 28, 2021 Zoning Administrator Tait sent notice to the property owner the unpermitted work would require review and approval by both the HPC and Planning Commission prior to the review of the building permit application. On March 10 the City received an HPC application for the unpermitted work. The property owner states the work occurred because the second story of the structure collapsed. The applicant is seeking approval of a Demolition Permit for the removal of the front porch improvements and portions of the front-facing roof, renovation and second story addition. While the property owner has utilized an array of building materials on all four sides, the structure lacks four-sided design. The flat roof is out of character for the residence and the neighborhood. A letter was received from Kevin Tilka, 1921 1st St. N voicing concern about the design of the house. Staff encourages the HPC to discuss potential design alterations with the applicant to see if reasonable conditions could be added. If the applicant is not favorable to the conditions of approval, staff recommends that the Commission recommend the City Council deny the Demolition Permit. Councilmember Junker asked if the two story addition has a full basement under it. Ms. Wittman said that is unclear. Commissioner Larson asked if the Commission is being asked to consider the Design and the Demolition Permit simultaneously. Ms. Wittman replied that City code standards obligate the Commission to consider the design of what would be going back in its place. If the Commission recommends denial of the Demolition Permit, it would not necessarily be considering the design. If Council upheld a recommendation for denial, the Council could order the removal of those portions of the structure that were unpermitted and obligate the owner to get a building permit in a certain number of days. Chair Mino opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chair Mino closed the public hearing. Motion by Commissioner Finwall to recommend that the Council deny the Demolition Permit. Commissioner Larson suggested that instead of recommending denial, the Commission could work with the owner on compliance; however, considering non participation by the owner to date and tonight, that path may not yield the desired results either. Chair Mino voiced concern that despite part of the structure having collapsed, the images appear to show no foundation work has been done. Councilmember Junker noted there is no indication of the owner’s willingness to work with the City after-the-fact. He is very concerned about the foundation, given the difference between the foundation needed for a porch versus a two story addition. There could be major complications. Commissioner Larson said he was inclined to second the motion for denial after hearing other Commissioners’ comments. Commissioner Finwall pointed out this situation puts the HPC in a position of code enforcement which goes beyond guiding the City on design elements. The applicant seems unwilling to work with the City on alternatives. Her motion is still on the table. The motion to recommend denial of the demolition was seconded by Commissioner Larson. All in favor. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting April 21, 2021 Page 3 of 7 Case No. 2021-17: Consideration of a partial Demolition Permit for the structure located at 1008 5th St S in the Neighborhood Conservation District. Sofie Cohen and Spencer Middleton, property owners. Ms. Wittman said the home at 1008 5th Street South was reportedly constructed in 1906 and little history of the property is known. The structure is not eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, its construction era falls within local and state contexts. The applicant is proposing to: 1) remove an existing one-story addition from the back of the home; 2) remove the existing roof; and 3) add an approximately 1,800 square foot single-story addition with two car garage. The existing home and its addition will be clad in horizontal lap siding. Corner, trim, soffit and fascia boards will be utilized on all four sides. Windows in similar sizes and with similar details are proposed on all four sides. Overall staff finds the proposed project fits with Stillwater’s traditional neighborhood design and substantially conforms to the Neighborhood Conservation District guidelines. Therefore, staff recommends approval with six conditions. Chair Mino opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed. Chair Mino asked what lead to the demolition request. Applicant Spencer Middleton explained that they expected only to add a bathroom but they discovered that some of the floor joists were sitting in dirt and the wood was rotting. Commissioner Larson asked about the materials being used. Gim Middleton, 1117 Broadway St N, representing the applicants, said they plan to replace the existing lap siding with a 4” LP siding and add a two-piece frieze board, skirt board and drip edge. Commissioner Larson said he has no issue with the demolition or the addition. There are other places in Stillwater where ramblers sit beside Victorian houses. Now that it will no longer be the front door, he asked if they considered putting a hip roof on the porch as well, integrating it more into the house. Gim Middleton said they considered a hip roof but felt it adds nothing to the house. They will add new windows and siding and soften the streetfront with landscaping. They will put a hip roof on the back to reduce the mass. Commissioner Heimdahl asked if the applicants considered recycling or salvaging materials. Commissioner Finwall asked if a front porch could be added near the front door. Putting some thought into the design of the garage door could make it more compatible with the neighborhood. Gim Middleton said offsetting the garage would put them over the allowable square footage. There will be some sort of porch at the front door but its rooflines have not been determined yet. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Thueson, to approve Case No. 2021-17, partial Demolition Permit for the structure located at 1008 5th St S, with the six staff-recommended conditions, noting that minor modifications would need to be approved in advance by the City Planner, and adding Condition #7, the applicants should explore reuse/recycle/salvage options; Condition #8, the applicants are encouraged to explore enhanced garage door design; and Condition #9, the applicants are encouraged to explore front porch options at the entrance to the home. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting April 21, 2021 Page 4 of 7 Case No. 2021-11: Consideration of a Design Permit for an exterior Canopy. Property located at 218 Main St N in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the Central Business District Historic. Dariush Moslemi, applicant and Mike Lynskey, property owner. Ms. Wittman stated that in 2020, the HPC approved a patio to be added to the front of the building which is currently being renovated for restaurant use. Applicant Dar Moslemi has requested a Design Permit to construct a 45.5’ wide by 12’ deep metal roof over that portion of the future front patio. Though the structure is not located in the Stillwater Commercial Historic District, the proposed alteration impacts the character and nature of the historic core and is not compatible with the site and its surroundings. Therefore, staff recommends denial. Staff recognizes there are some covered patios in the Central Business District as pointed out by the applicant, however there are none on Main Street. Dar Moslemi, applicant, explained that he is open to design alterations such as a flat roof or a suspended overhang. Ms. Wittman noted a portion of the patio and overhang is over the property line because the building sits on the north property line. Councilmember Junker asked if the patio will be enclosed. Mr. Moslemi replied there will not be any walls but it will have electric heaters designed for outdoors. Commissioner Thueson asked if the patio could be built on the parking lot on the south side instead. Ms. Wittman replied that would eliminate all the parking. Accessibility from sidewalk to parking area must be maintained per building code. Commissioner Heimdahl said he feels there is precedent set by surrounding buildings. This structure is unadorned already so he sees the addition as a potential benefit. He suggested a flat roof instead of a hip roof. Chair Mino asked, what is material of the roof? Mr. Moslemi replied the roof will be corrugated steel like the brewery across the street, or a similar black material. He prefers a flat roof. It was the architect who suggested a hip roof. Commissioner Finwall asked the date of the building. Ms. Wittman said it may have been built in the 1940s. Commissioner Finwall commented that with the front stoop and stairway being original, having a porch is not out of character for the building. A zero lot line encourages a walkable community. Commissioner Larson noted that many commercial buildings sit on the property line. He agreed with the staff finding that the project would have a big impact on the downtown character. He understands this is an unadorned building but the proposal feels like something foreign to the building. Extending past the building out to the parking lot is jarring and contrary to Design Guidelines. Mr. Moslemi said the deck sticks out from the side of building on one side due to accessibility and fire code. Corrugated steel is everywhere in Stillwater. It will look like it has always been there. Commissioner Larson said if this were a more shallow metal canopy without the posts, perhaps 8 feet out, it would feel more like it belongs to the building. Mr. Moslemi responded that he initially looked into a less deep patio but if he doesn’t keep the present size, umbrellas for the tables will not fit and it would be a waste of time. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting April 21, 2021 Page 5 of 7 Commissioner Larson suggested shortening the roof at least to the length of building and pushing the columns back slightly from the edge of the overhang to de-emphasize the roof and columns. Water from the roof dumping onto Main Street sidewalk must also be considered. Mr. Moslemi answered he has already talked with the Building Inspector about a gutter system needed for a flat vs. hipped roof. Commissioner Larson noted the discussion has touched on a lot of things that aren’t on the drawings, like colors and final materials. He is open to the idea of a flat roof if he can see what it looks like. Mr. Moslemi said he could ask the architect to make a new drawing but it would cost a significant amount of money. He would rather have conditions built into the Design Permit. He would like to build it soon. Commissioner Larson remarked at some point there are too many modifications to feel comfortable without knowing what it would look like. Commissioner Thueson agreed. He cannot support the design as proposed. Chair Mino agreed there is not enough detail to approve it tonight. She would prefer a flat roof and finished metal. The Commission can either table it or ask the applicant to bring back an updated design. Councilmember Junker pointed out that when the Crosby was originally proposed, their steel outdoor patios were not patios, but just bars, and the Council approved the extended steel patios on the front. He would suggest moving in the direction of a flat porch roof going from the north end of the building to the south end of building, keeping it similar with the Crosby. Motion by Commissioner Finwall, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to table Case No. 2021-11, Design Permit for an exterior canopy located at 218 Main St N, requesting an updated design showing a flat roof with overhang extensions removed from the north and south building edges, that materials and colors be shown, and that the railing and edge of the roof be set back. All in favor. Case No. 2021-13: Consideration of a Design Permit for home remodel. Property located at 516 2nd St N in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the neighborhood Conservation District. Ron Brenner of Ron Brenner Architects, applicant and Brad and Tiffany Vick, property owners. Ms. Wittman stated that the applicant is seeking Design Permit approval for a front porch alteration and second story side/rear addition to this single family residence. There are some existing add-on elements that are not necessarily in keeping with the structure. The Vicks would like to remove the existing deck and covered portico and build a new two-story front porch filling in some of the two- story area. Overall, staff finds that with certain conditions, the project substantially conforms to the standards set forth in City Code as well as the applicable guidelines and therefore recommends approval with seven conditions. Commissioner Thueson asked if Sanborn maps showing the home are available. Ron Brenner, applicant, replied they tried to research the history of the house without success. They have tried to make the alterations look historic. The design will remove the awkward deck that is not historic to the home and make the second story more balanced and set back from Laurel Street proportional to the house. Ms. Wittman reviewed the Sanborn maps from 1888, 1891 and 1924 showing various additions made to the house over the years resulting in an awkward configuration in the front. Chair Mino commented that the design seems to fit the Design Permit guidelines and the mass and alterations seem to fit the street rhythm. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting April 21, 2021 Page 6 of 7 Commissioner Larson noted that the second story railing is eye-catching. It will look like it has always been there. The back of the house is well designed and will look more complete with the renovations. Motion by Chair Mino, seconded by Commissioner Krakowski, to approve Case No. 2021-13, Design Permit for home remodel at 516 2nd St N, with the seven staff-recommended conditions. All in favor. Case No. 2021-14: Consideration of a Design Permit for exterior modifications to the business located at 225 Main St N in the Downtown Stillwater Design Review District and the Central Business District Historic. Sara Imhoff of Imprint Architecture and Design, LLC, applicant and Brian Carlson, property owner. Ms. Wittman explained the application. Sara Imhoff of Imprint Architecture and Design has submitted a Design Permit application on behalf of Brian Carlson who intends to convert Maple Island Brewing into River Siren Brewing Company. As part of the conversion, a patio remodel and expansion, new entryway door, and other façade improvements, including painting, are proposed. The applicant is requesting a Design Permit for exterior façade improvements, including patio expansion, awning replacement, and installation of planter boxes on Main Street. The proposed modifications will not alter the character of the building and its surroundings. The addition of patio space in the downtown area helps increase the pedestrian scale of the site. While the patio expansion will result in a loss of onsite parking consistent with the design of adjacent buildings, staff finds the project substantially conforms to the adopted standards and guidelines and recommends approval with four conditions. Sara Imhoff, Imprint Architecture, said they are trying to enhance the pedestrian experience without incurring too many costs for the property owner. Interior configuration is limited by existing stills and sinks. The front door will still be accessible but the changes will guide customers into a larger side entrance that leads into the taproom. Jeremy Imhoff added that they will add onto the east and west ends of the canopy on the north side of the building to allow better connection to the streets. Councilmember Junker asked, what is the new decking material? Ms. Imhoff said it will be grey trex low maintenance decking. Commissioner Finwall asked if the patio will require a setback variance from the Planning Commission. Ms. Wittman answered yes. Commissioner Larson said this is a huge improvement, increasing the pedestrian feel. Councilmember Junker commended the applicants on the design of the east and north sides. Chair Mino pointed out a pedestrian friendly approach to Water Street will enhance the area. Commissioner Thueson asked if a trash enclosure is proposed. Ms. Imhoff replied there is currently a trash enclosure on Water Street shared with Forge & Foundry. Ms. Wittman suggested the Commission may want to add a fifth condition to enclose the trash. Scott Kragness, realtor, said the trash enclosure is part of an easement on Forge & Foundry property. Commissioner Thueson suggested another condition of approval requiring standard warm color temperature of lighting. Motion by Chair Mino, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to approve Case No. 2021-14, Design Permit for exterior modifications to the business located at 225 Main St N, with the four conditions recommended by staff, adding Condition #5 stating exterior lighting shall not exceed 3,500 K; Condition Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting April 21, 2021 Page 7 of 7 #6 stating all exterior lighting shall be submitted to staff for review and approval; and Condition #7 stating the property owner shall explore trash enclosure options with the adjacent neighbor. All in favor. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS Design Guideline Consolidation and Update Ms. Wittman provided the first draft of the updated Design Guidelines, preliminarily titled Stillwater Design Guidelines Manual. She asked that Commissioners forward their comments. Statewide Historic Preservation Conference Ms. Wittman stated that there are no updates from the State. Election of Officers Discussion Ms. Wittman reminded the Commission that elections of Chair and Vice Chair will be held in May. Commissioner Krakowski’s term is expiring in May and he is not applying for reappointment. Awards Discussion The consensus of the Commission was to postpone the presentation of Historic Preservation Awards for this year again because in-person awards are not possible at this time due to COVID. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Krakowski, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 p.m. Amy Mino, Chair ATTEST: Abbi Wittman, City Planner