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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-30-1992HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of November 30, 1992 1. Roll Commissioners Smith, Coutu, Goderstand and Simacek present; Commissioners Fuchs, Thorsen and Malm absent. Staff: John Grossman of the City and Carole Zellie of Landscape Research. Citizens: Jacqueline McNamara, Dick Darsow and Bob Olson. 2. Minutes of Meeting of September 16, 1992 Mr Smith moved and Mr Goderstad seconded approval of the minutes of September 16 as printed. Motion carried, 4-0. 3. Review proposed work plan for context study for approval. The Commissioners and Ms Zellie were introduced. She reviewed her experience with context studies, surveys and preservation plans and described the research and writing process she will follow, as shown in the attached outline. The Commissioners accepted the plan. Ms Zellie told the commission that she will want their direction regarding what needs to be done in the different areas of preservation in Hastings. The context study is the first in a three steps to improve the preservation process. She suggested the HPC has an immediate need for an inexpensive and brief explanation of what and why the HPC is and does. 4. Consider proposed chimney on garage at 409 2nd St. W. (Mairs House, W Second Historic District) Mr. and Mrs. Coutu wish to install a wood-burning stove in the garage they built this summer. They propose a metal chimney through the back wall and then vertically to eave height. on back (west side) of the garage. The issues considered by the HPC included whether the material or design or location detract significantly from the character of the historic district. They have considered brick, but the cost of a brick chimney is prohibitive for them at this time. Mrs Coutu, a member of the commission, declared that there may be a conflict of interest in this case because she and her husband own the property, and thereafter only answered questions on this subject. Mr Smith moved and Mr Goderstad seconded tabling the proposal to allow the owners to consider options. Motion carried, 3-0. The Coutus will consider boxing a class A metal chimney and finishing the box with siding or with a veneer brick such as used on River Rose B&B, or bringing the chimney through the roof, or a metal simulation of a brick chimney through the roof. The Coutus will be getting back to the building department with their plan. A permit for a class A chimney through the roof is approved. Other options will have to be reviewed as soon as possible by the HPC after receiving a plan for review so they can proceed yet this year. Consider proposed window replacement at 724 Ashland (Ignatius Eckert House, Nil) Mrs. Jacquelin McNamara proposed to replace the windows with the double hung, full frame, white vinyl windows as shown by brochures provided by Twin City Sash. These windows are all vinyl, not vinyl-clad wood. As shown, installation includes a new frame which fits inside the existing frame. This narrows the window opening slightly. A vertical strip could be installed between the two panes in each sash in the factory, but it does not actually divide the sash into two panes and does not extend outside the panes as a muntin which is a structural part of the sash. Mr Smith moved and Mrs Coutu seconded that the HPC will approve replacement windows which meet the standards described below, as taken from the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Historic Rehabilitation, without recommending a specific type and brand of replacment windows. Motion carried, 4-0. The HPC also recommended that Mrs McNamara look at a broader variety of replacement windows before making application for a building permit. In order to know if the replacement does meet the standards, dimensioned drawings in both plan and cross-section must be provided to the HPC with the meeting notice. a. The sashes must fill the entire frame without reducing the sizes of sash pieces (rails) and glass panes. No panels shall be installed in lieu of windows. b. The windows must be operating double hung with the meeting rails exactly half way from top to bottom. Designs which do not operate but duplicate the appearance will be considered. The dimensions of the window parts shall not exceed the existing or original designs. c. There may be one (or two if double glazed) pane in each sash, or two panes divided by a vertical muntin (mullion), provided that the muntins have traditional dimensions outside the panes. d. If pre-finished, white is the only pre-approved color. All other colors must be approved by the HPC. e. Building and safety code issues, such as the size of the window for bedroom egress, and the operation of the window, such as double hung or casement, must be worked out at the staff level. In almost all local 19th century residences, casement windows are not historically accurate. 6. Code violation at 401 W Second St (W Second Residential Historic District). Among other codes and ordinances, the owners violated the preservation ordinance by building without a permit and the consequent review. City staff has initiated enforcement action. No HPC action on subject. 7. Mississippi Natural River Recreation Area. The HPC was copied by the State Historic Preservation Office regarding the MNRRA draft plan review. The SHPO criticised the plan because historic resources have not been given very much attention. Staff noted that the HPC, HRA and Parks Commission have a policy to preserve the waterfront as public open space, but that the city list of protected areas does not include the riverfront as yet. The commissioners considered adding the levee to the city's list protected areas. Mrs Coutu moved and Mr Smith seconded a motion declaring the HPC's intent to seek preservation of the public-owned levee area upriver from the railroad bridge by researching and preparing a nomination for council consideration. Motion carded, 4-0. 8. Presentation of house history by Dick Darsow. Mr Goderstad introduced Mr Darsow who presented a copy of his work on his house at 314 7th Street W to the Commission for their collections. The Commission thanked Mr Darsow, and directed staff to write a letter of thanks and acknowledgement. 9. Grant application for 1993-1994. The Minnesota Historical Society announced the availablity of NPS funds for CLG grants. Mrs Coutu moved and Mr Goderstad seconded that the HPC will apply for a grant for the second step of the planning process, the survey. Motion carried, 4-0. 10. Repainting the courtroom in the Court House/City Hall. Staff explained that the City has hired Ray Brooks to research and redecorate the interior of the dome, hails and rotunda to their 1912 appearance. The question of repainting the second floor main courtroom dating from the 1912 remodeling was referred to the HPC because the room was repainted by the court system in around 1985. Mr Smith moved and Mr Goderstad seconded that the courtroom be repainted consistently with the other public spaces to be repainted by Mr Brooks, with the reservation that the seal of Minnesota be preserved if possible. Motion carried, 4-0. 11. Adjournment. Mr Smith moved and Mr Goderstad moved adjournment. Motion carried, 4-0.