Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-1998HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 13, 1998 1. Roll. Commissioners Simacek, Warg, Schnirring, Thorsen, Coutu and Smith present; Sovik- Siemens absent. Chairman Thorsen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., following an on-site inspection of 314 W. Second. 2. 314W. Second. At the meeting of May 4, City Council tabled a motion to concur with the HPC and directed the owners, Angela W'dcox and Joe Melson, to return on May 18 with documentation of lead paint, and quotes for painting with appropriate precautions. The HPC held the special meeting to take a close look at the condition of the siding and to reconsider its original findings at the meeting of April 21. The following points were made. Proposed residing: The HPC considers scraping and painting with health precautions, and replacement of some siding, the approach most consistent with the preservation ordinance. The I-IPC observed the condition of the existing siding, considered that about 20% to 25% may need replacing, but did not find that the condition was so bad that residing with vinyl was the only alternative. The HPC understands that a FHA mortgage inspector required funds be escrowed for scraping and painting. The choice of residing to avoid scraping, replacing decayed pieces, priming and painting is not consistent with preservation objectives because it conceals problems that do not go away and cannot be monitored. "This Old House" and National Park Service preservation technicians have warned that impermeable siding or insulation applied on the outside of houses seals moisture inside the wall, which may result in rot and mold. The HPC strongly believes that applying vinyl or aluminum siding over wood clapboard houses in historic districts "adversely impairs the significance or character of the Heritage Preservation Site" in that the historic character of a site is largely established by the building's style and materials which will be concealed by residing. The HPC does not agree that manufactured siding "looks like" wood clapboard siding or duplicates the original siding in that its dimensions and surfaces are different. Ordinance and enforcement: The HPC used criteria established by the Secretary of Interior's Standards: "The Historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided." The I-IPC used guidelines for historic districts: "Buildings originally dad in wooden siding should not be resurfaced with brick...or vinyl or aluminum siding." Property owners in a historic district may have an issue if the City does not enforce the provisionsofthe preservation ordinance. Several owners in the West Second District have gone to the trouble and expense of maintaining the original materials and design of their property by scraping and painting, and even removing asbestos siding to reveal the original clapboards. Lead paint: The paint on all wooden houses built before the late 1970s and certainly all historic buildings should be treated as if it contains lead. The assumed presence of lead-based paint does not automatically require remediation. The State Department of Health recommends procedures to safely scrape and paint in order to control lead-based paint. Residential owners are not required to test, but if blood tests show elevated lead levels in children, or tests prove lead-based paint, remediation is then requked. Remediation rules apply equally to residing and repainting and raises the costs for both. Remediation means hiring licensed contractors and trained employees to remove all flaking paint and dispose of the flakes as hazardous material before siding or painting. From a preservation point of view the assumption or evidence of lead-based paint does not justify residing historic houses as long as safe procedures exist for repainting. Notification of owners: In March of this year the owners of property in aH three historic districts were advised of the building permit review process and design guidelines were provided. The former owner forwarded this mailing on to the current owners. The HPC will start immediately to establish a method for recording designation on the title of aH historic properties. Action: Mr. Smith moved and Mrs. Coutu seconded a motion to ask that the City Council confirm the denial on the grounds that residing with vinyl is not consistent with the objectives of the preservation ordinance and designation of historic districts; that this case does not involve financial hardship nor deprive the owner of reasonable use; and that residing is not the sole control of lead paint acceptable to the Health Department; motion carried, 5 ayes, 1 abstention (Simacek). 3. Jim Nolan, 121 W. 7th (Old Hastings Historic District - contributing) Application to replace shingles and repair subroof of house and garage as needed. New shingles will be the same color as the existing shingles. Mr. Schnirring moved and Ms. Coutu seconded approval. Motion carried 6-0. 4. Appointment to Commission. The Commission advertised for applications and received one. Mr. Schnirring moved and Mr. Simacek seconded recommendation to Mayor and City Council to appoint Bertrand Goderstad to the Commission for a term through January 31, 2001, to fill an existing vacancy; motion carded, 6-0. 5. Adjournment. Ms. Coutu moved and Mr. Simacek seconded to adjourn; motion carried, 6-0.