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HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of January 19, 2010
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
I.Quorum
: Goderstad, Martin, Dahl, Sovik-Siemens, LaBreck, Hellie, and Wittgenstein
present. Staff: Fortney; Chairman Goderstad called the meeting to order.
II.Elect Chair and Vice Chair
A motion by Martin to nominate Commissioner Goderstad as chair of the HPC, seconded
by Sovik-Siemens; motion carried.
A motion by Sovik-Siemens to nominate Commissioner Martin as vice chair of the HPC,
seconded by Wittgenstein; motion carried.
III. Minutes
A.October 20, 2009. A motion by LaBreck for approval was made and seconded by
Martin; motion carried.
IV. Review of building permits or design proposals
A.1629 Vermillion St- LeDuc- chicken coop
After the publishing of the agenda, the applicants asked the HPC to pull the item from the
agenda to allow them more time to complete their plans.
A motion by LaBreck to remove the item from the agenda, seconded by Martin; motion
carried.
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B.307 7 St West – review concept proposal for partial demolition and addition
Sherry Holtmeyer, property owner said she is planning to demolish the homes addition and
rebuild one in its place along with making some other modifications to the home. She added
that she would like to pose her rough ideas to the HPC for feedback prior to working with an
architect or applying to the HPC for a certificate of approval. The proposal she showed the
Commission included a plan to rebuild partially or entirely the front porch and realigning the
sidewalk, installing additional windows on the west side, removing the siding and better
insulating the house. Some Commissioners brought-up concerns over some aspects of the
proposals. Fortney said at this point we should be looking at the major changes planed
including the proposed demolition of the rear addition and it reconstruction.
Holtmeyer explained and showed pictures of the rear additions many issues, which has led
her to want to demolish it. Perhaps its worst issue she stated is a rotten sill above a cracking
foundation. Secondly there are problems with the roof.
A few Commissioners expressed openness the idea of demolishing the addition.
Commissioner Sovik-Siemens stated that she is opposed to the demolition of the rear
addition because of its age and the fact that despite it issues it is not too far-gone.
Fortney said regarding demolition the ordinance reads: “Destruction, demolition, or removal.
Before approving a certificate that involves destruction or removal, in whole or in part, of
any site or property within a district or nominated property, the Commission shall make
findings that the destruction is necessary to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition on the
property, or that there are no reasonable alternatives to the destruction. In determining
whether reasonable alternatives exist, the Commission shall consider the integrity of the
property and the economic value or usefulness of the existing structure, including its current
use, costs of renovation and feasible alternative uses.” Fortney added that before approval
could be granted to demolish a structure, the Commission would have to make those findings
and notify surrounding property owners.
Holtmeyer said the proposed addition would be about 480 Sq Ft rather than the current ones
442 Sq Ft. She added that the new one would be wider and shorter than the existing
addition.
Martin said some aspects of the proposed addition don’t seem compatible with the
guidelines. She added that the scale is too large, there were no 4-car garages historically,
additionally, it seem like a large square with out any relief like the main structure has.
Holtmeyer said there will be an apartment for her mother in the addition.
Fortney said that as a side note the zoning ordinance does not allow two units on this
property.
Commissioner Dahl said that most of the homes in the area have detached garages.
Fortney said that the OHDS regulations require all new garages to use alley access where
available. He added that this is probably not a legal requirement of designated properties that
are even in the OHDS area, but the HPC should also use those requirements as their
guidelines.
Martin said a new addition would be appropriate because it had one and I am not sure if an
attached garage is appropriate, but a 4-car garage is not compatible.
Sovik-Siemens said the mass and scale of the proposed addition is too large and not
appropriate. She added that she opposes the demolition of the addition.
Commissioner LaBreck said he likes the stable look of the addition, but it is way too large.
He added that he is very happy that someone bought this house who is interested in saving it.
Commissioner Hellie said it is difficult to repair the sill without spending an obscene amount
of money. He added that is why I am in favor of the demolition of it. He said that garages
are supposed to be accessory structures and not attached to the house. He said the gambrel or
barn style of the roof does not match the style of the house.
Commissioner Wittgenstein said she supports the replacement of the addition, but the
proposed addition is much larger than the existing and not consistent.
Chair Goderstad said he is favor of the addition replacement, but he would not support a 4-
car garage.
Fortney said he could continue working with Holtmeyer as she amends her proposal to
become more inline with the guidelines.
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C.306 2 St West - John Stebbings - review concept proposal for rear addition
John Stebbings, homeowner said he would like to build an addition onto the back of his
home with one or two garage stalls. He added that he drew-up two proposals, one with the
garages facing Lock and Dam Road and one with the doors facing the rear property line,
which would still access Lock and dam Road because there is no alley access. He also said
they would like to build a wrap around porch. He added that the house was relocated there
from Ashland. Fortney said the Sanborn maps show a different house there as late as 1924.
Hellie said he is more in favor of the “L” shaped addition with the garage doors facing the
rear of the property.
Martin said there seems to be a precedent in the area for an attached garage. She added that
research should be done to determine what the house had for a porch.
Fortney said he would keep working with Stebbings on his proposal and researching the
property.
V. Business
A.Discuss Commissioner LaBreck’s discussion points
A motion by LeBreck to table the discussion until the next meeting, seconded by Sovik-
Siemens; motion carried.
VI.Information and Reports.
A.Update on Realtor workshop
B.Update on 906 Vermillion Street
C.Update on Mississippi Belle Sign
VII.Adjourn.
Motion by Martin, second by Dahl to adjourn; motion carried. – 9:42 P.M.