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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 20090120 HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of January 20, 2009 Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall I. Quorum : Goderstad, Behnke, Dahl, Hellie, Martin, and Sovik-Siemens present. Staff: Fortney and Grossman; Chairman Goderstad called the meeting to order. II. Minutes December 16, 2008. A. A motion by Martin for approval was made and seconded by Sovik-Siemens; motion carried. III. Review of building permits or design proposals A.715 Vermillion St – New doors Fortney gave the staff report. This application was heard in December and the HPC approved the rear door, but wanted the applicant to come back in January with a proposed front door that better matched the Guidelines. The applicant found a proposed door that has 6 raised panels. The applicant would rather have a window in the door, but was not able to find one that also met the Guidelines. Commissioner Dahl asked if it was a steel door. Fortney said it was. Commissioner Martin said the HPC has allowed steel doors that look appropriate. Renee Marzitelli, applicant said she can put the old door back on. Martin said the old door was not approved by the HPC and would not meet the guidelines because of the multiple light divisions. Motion by Martin, second by Behnke to approve the proposed door; motion carried. B.103 Sibley St – Relocate Sign th Fortney gave the staff report. The applicant’s business, Lilypad Day spa is moving from 110 4 St E to 103 Sibley St. The applicant wishes to move the existing wooden hanging sign to the new building. The existing iron bracket will also be reused. There are currently anchor bolts in the building that will be utilized for anchoring. Should the existing bolts not be used, new bolts should be installed in the mortar rather than the bricks. th Chair Goderstad said the sign was never officially approved at 110 4 St E. Behnke said the sign looks appropriate. Motion by Martin, second by Behnke to approve the proposed hanging sign with the following condition; motion carried. If the existing bolts on the building cannot be used, new ones must be installed in the mortar rather than the bricks. IV. Business A.Consult and compare the Hastings HPC practices with those of Red Wing’s Three Commissioners from Red Wing introduced themselves as Dag Riseng, Lisbeth Butler, and Dave Hallstrom. They explained how their two historic districts and their large conservation areas work and what type of historic resources are included in them. They talked about how preservation is received in the community and by the Red Wing City Council. They explained what past and ongoing projects they have had in Red Wing. They gave the Hastings HPC copies of their Sesquicentennial Portable History Book that was developed with a grant. They also provide their Walking Tour, 2009 work plan, 2008 end of the year report, and their ordinance. Dahl inquired about what type of activities and outreach the Red Wing HPC has done in its community. The Red Wing commissioners explained that they have some preservation month activities including preservation awards, barn bluff clean up day, scavenger hunt, and work shops. Fortney asked what kinds of workshops they have. Hallstrom said they have had one with the Red Wing Realtors. Fortney explained the Hastings HRA low interest loan program for owners of designated properties. Butler said she was surprised that the Hastings HPC does not regulate colors. Grossman said that was due to a recommendation by a consultant at the time, who recommended the City’s HPC not regulate color for various reasons. It is often the most contentious review aspect. He added that any quality paint, regardless of color will protect the historic materials just as well. Color is a personal preference rather than a best practice and a poorly colored house is better protected than an appropriately colored house with pealing paint. He ended by saying that paint color is not permanent. Commissioner Hellie asked how the HPC and City Building Department work together to stop and deal with non-approved work. The Red Wing Commissioners said it is not a real problem but with the help from Steve Kohn, their staff liaison, the non-approved work is usually stopped and brought in for HPC approval. They added that the most common work that is done without approval is commercial signage. Fortney said that is also true of Hastings with non-approved residential work being a close second. Hellie said that code enforcement has increased significantly in the past year or so, due to staffing and coordination. B.Discuss meeting with the Council Committee for Historic Preservation The Commissioners would like to discuss this issue at their next meeting when Warg can attend. V.Information and Reports A.OHDS (Original Hastings Design Standards) ordinance amendment regarding demolition. Fortney said that the Planning Commission stated that it is the HPC’s role to preserve structures and they themselves do not have the authority to stop someone from demolishing a structure. They added that if a structure needs to be protected it should be placed on the designation list. Since that time staff has researched the OHDS demolition further and found that the City does not have the authority to stop a property owner from demolishing a structure. The only exception is for designated properties of Certified Local Governments with an HPC. The Council is meeting on this issue tonight and it is doubtful that the Council will adopt reviewing demolitions that are not of designated properties given the legal issues that could arise. Given this information, staff recommended that the City Council adds the following provision to the OHDS Ordinance regarding demolitions: The HPC shall have 10 days to visually record a structure after an application is submitted to demolish a structure that is over 50 years old within the OHDS. If a formal designation study has already been completed for the property, the HPC shall have up to 6 weeks to request that the City Council begin a designation process as outlined in chapter 30.10 (D). If the City Council initiates the designation process, the demolition application must be handled in accordance with chapter section 30.10 (D). Staff believes this provision is as strict as state statutes and our preservation ordinance would allow. The times stated were chosen because they are as long as necessary to complete the tasks. HPC members were disappointed with the information, but were relieved that the there was a provision proposed that would allow for the designation of fully studied properties. Although limited in number, those properties would likely be the most significant. B.Staff is seeking ideas for the annual newsletter in spring Fortney said past letters had great information regarding preservation sites, but was most likely already known by the owners. Additionally, the letters lacked creativity and could be better utilized as a tool to promote preservation. Martin suggested providing some photographs of preservation in action like a before and after a proper renovation. Fortney asked the commissioners to contact him with any other ideas they could think of. C.Future HPC activities to promote preservation The Commission discussed activities that the HPC could conduct in the future to help historic homeowners and promote preservation. Some suggestions included seminars, workshops, and clinics. V. Adjourn. Motion by Martin, second by Hellie to adjourn; motion carried. – 9:29 P.M.