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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 12-19-2023 -Draft HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of December 19, 2023 Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room I. Call to Order and Quorum Youngren, McCoy, Bremer, Simacek, Borchardt, Toppin, and Alitz Edell. Absent: Smith and Peterson Staff: Fortney II. Oath of Office A. Commissioners Toppin, McCoy, and Borchardt took the oath of office for new three year terms. III. Consider Adding Item B to the Agenda A. 320 7th Street E – New storm doors, porch roof, screened porch, and front gutters. Motion by Commissioner Borchardt to add the item (V.B.) to the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Bremer. Approved 7-0 IV. Minutes: A. November 21, 2023 Approved by Chair Toppin V. Certificate of Approval Review A. 319 2nd Street W – Shed demolition and new garage Fortney presented the demolition request. He said the shed is likely an original and historic structure. He said there is evidence from construction and its depiction on all the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. He added that it has had major alterations including siding and a concrete floor poured around all the posts. He said the floor is severely in need of replacement, which may require removal of the building. He added that the location of the shed preludes the location of a new garage on the site without plan modifications or removal of mature Oak trees and blocking the view of the house. Commissioner Borchardt said the shed doesn’t contribute to the integrity of the house. Forney said they entire parcel is designated within the West 2nd Street Historic District and there is strong evidence that it could be an early structure which would contribute to the property, even if not a principal structure. Motion by Commissioner Borchardt, second by Commissioner McCoy to approve the demolition of the shed based on the following findings of fact. Approved 7-0 - The structure has major issues with the floor being cracked and heaved. The structures posts are imbedded in or through the concrete making repairs very difficult. - The structure has little usefulness due to its size and shape, which is very small and narrow. - The structure location would not allow for placement of a functional garage. Fortney presented the proposed new garage proposal. Commissioners Simacek and Bremer questioned the reason for the two foot exposure of cement block at the lower walls. Trevor Johnson, applicant, said the site is flat and water drainage has been an issue, in addition to snowbanks being pushed up to the area from alley plowing. Commissioner Alitz Edell commented that she would prefer wood siding and double hung windows similar to the house. Fortney explained that the Design Guidelines allow alternat materials where historic materials must be removed due to damage and for new construction. The Guidelines specify that the alternate materials must replicate the original or historic appearance in texture, size and dimension. Chair Toppin questioned the proposed high awning windows on the north side and suggested double hung windows to match the garden shed. Johnson said he liked that idea for the north side but wanted to utilize high awning windows for the alley side. Motion by Commissioner Borchardt to approve the garage as proposed with the following conditions, seconded by Commissioner Youngren. Approved 6-1 nay (Alitz Edell) - The north windows to be double hung with a grid pattern to match the garden shed. B. 320 7th Street E – New storm doors, porch roof, screened porch, and front gutters. Fortney presented the staff report. Commissioner Borchardt said it is good that the proposed screen door doesn’t conceal the door. Commissioner Bremer commented that the metal roof was appropriate if it were a similar color to the main roof. Commissioner Simacek stated it was also appropriate if the standing seem were a lower of the available styles. Commissioner Alitz Edell commented that porch screens block the traditional openness of the porch. Fortney said some screen material can maintain the visibility better than others. Chair Toppin said there is photographical evidence of screening on poches going back very far. Commissioner Youngren said screens were used on the LeDuc Mansion. Motion by Simacek to approve the storm door, seconded by Commissioner Youngren. Approved 7-0. Motion by Commissioner Bremer to approve the porch screens, seconded by Commissioner Youngren. Approved 6-1 nay (Alitz Edell) Motion by Commissioner Simacek to approve the standing seam metal porch roof with a standing seem as low as possible, seconded by Commissioner Alitz Edell. Approved 7-0. Motion by Commissioner Bremer to approve the gutters, seconded by Commissioner Alitz Edell. Approved 7-0. C. 221 Sibley Street – Tabled - New window. Fortney presented the staff report and explained the Design Guidelines state windows should be repaired rather than replaced if possible. He added that these windows have a lot of rot but have also been incredibly altered, making repair very difficult. Approved 7-0 Motion by Commissioner Alitz Edell to approve the replacement window with a custom built two over two wood window as proposed, seconded by Commissioner Borchardt. Approved 7-0. D. 215 Sibley Street – Rear stairway removal. Fortney presented the staff report. Commissioners discussed the need for the stairway. Fortney explained the applicant does not intend to use the apartment and may rebuild the lower stairs. He explained the Building Safety Department will review for code compliance and any rebuilding would need to be reviewed by the HPC. Fortney added that staff has been informing the applicant to discuss the necessity of the stars with the Building Official. Commissioner Youngren asked if damage to the buildings from the demolition would need to be conditioned on approval. Fortney said it could be a condition but is already required with the demolition permit. Motion by Commissioner Youngren to approve the limited stair and ramp demolition with the following conditions, seconded by Commissioner Borchardt. Approved 7-0. - A demolition permit must be obtained from the City of Hastings Building Safety Department. - Any future construction of stairs, ramps, or window and door replacement or infill must be approved by the HPC. VI. OHDS – Original Hastings Design Standards Review VII. Business and Information VIII. Adjourn 8:27 pm Adjourned 7-0 Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney