HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 05-21-2024HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of May 21, 2024
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room
I. Call to Order and Quorum Youngren, Bremer, Simacek, Toppin, and Smith
Absent McCoy, Borchardt, Alitz Edell, and Peterson.
Staff: Fortney
II. Minutes:
A. April 16, 2024 Approved by Chair Toppin
III. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 222 7th Street W — Replace fence and garage door trim. Fortney presented the staff
report. He explained the fence was being replaced nearly as it existed, which met
the design Guidelines. He added that the first contractor told the homeowner they
had acquired permission and a permit when they had not and were subsequently let
go by the homeowner.
Motion by Commissioner Simacek to approve the requests as presented, seconded
by Commissioner Smith. Approved 5-0
B. 615 3rd Street W — New handrail on sidewalk step. Fortney presented the staff
report. There was very little discussion.
Motion by Commissioner Smith to approve the request as presented, seconded by
Commissioner Youngren. Approved 5-0
C. 218 2nd Street E — Replace a window with a door. Fortney presented the staff
report. Commissioners discussed the historical integrity of that portion of the
building, issues with grade differentials between the inside floor and sidewalk, and
appearance of the door. Staff explained that the subject wall must have been
constructed after 1924.
Commissioner Youngren said he grew up a block away and knows the subject wall
was facing or adjoining the former adjacent building so the windows are certainly
modern.
Chair Toppin suggested that the residential corridor should be considered for
required egress if possible.
Motion by Commissioner Simacek to approve the request with the following
conditions, seconded by Commissioner Youngren. Approved 5-0
1. The proposed door must be painted to match the building.
2. Any grade differential must be accommodated on the inside of the
building, if necessary, rather than on the city sidewalk.
D. 307 6th Street E — New porch posts and floor, new fence, and adding architectural
brackets. Fortney presented the staff report. Fortney said many of these features
are new construction that the HPC approved in the early 2000's based on research.
There was very little discussion on the requests to replace the fence, porch floor,
and porch posts.
Motion by Commissioner Smith to approve fence, porch floor, and porch posts as
requested, seconded by Commissioner Youngren. Approved 5-0
The commissioners shared appreciation for the work the applicants are putting into
the house. They said the Design Guidelines require evidence from photographs or
physical markings that architectural details existed before they can be approved.
Chair Toppin said if there was any evidence they existed, similar styles from the
era could be considered. Commissioner Youngren recommended that the
applicants look for photographs from St. Bonifacius Church that was across the
street and for markings on the home's eaves that would suggest these details
existed. Chair Toppin said, many of these modest homes did not have any ornate
details. Commissioners encouraged the applicants to reapply with any of that
information.
Motion by Commissioner Bremer to deny the porch and eve ornamentation due
to lack of evidence they existence, seconded by Commissioner Youngren.
Approved 5-0
IV. OHDS — Original Hastings Design Standards Review
V. Business and Information
A. City Hall Project Update. Fortney updated the Commission on the construction
progress.
VI. Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner Bremer to adjourn at 8:13 pm, seconded by
Commissioner Smith. Approved 5-0
Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney