HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPCMinutes-20070821HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of August 21, 2007
Hastings City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
III. Quorum: Commissioners Goderstad, Behnke, Hicks, Martin, Simacek, Warg
II. Minutes of July 17, 2007. A motion by Hicks for approval with minor changes was made and
seconded by Martin; motion carried.
III. Review of building permits or design proposals
O. 3077 1h St W re -side & new storm windows
The work will consist of replacing the aluminum siding with Hardiplank and replacing
the storm windows that had to be taken off to remove the aluminum siding. They have
removed much of the hail damaged aluminum siding to see the condition of the wood lap
siding. They have found that most of it was present, but much of it had rotted over the
years, while coved by aluminum siding. They also found some original details that were
removed or covered -up and would like to repair them. They propose to remove all of the
aluminum and wood siding and install HardiPlank.
Martin moved and Simacek seconded approval of replacing all of the aluminum and
wood siding with HardiPlank with the following conditions:
• Smooth sided hardiPlank lap siding or equivalent cement -based material.
• The exposed lap to be the same as the original.
• Existing trim on porches, overhangs, bay windows, corner and cornice boards, door
and window trim to be retained, repaired, or replicated if rotten.
• Missing original trim or features which can be documented by photos or evidence
from the building may be replicated.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
P. 200 7 th St W re -roof & re -side
The work will consist of re- roofing and replacing the aluminum siding which has covered
the home for 25 years. They are proposing to re -side with HardiPlank. The wood lap
siding presently exists underneath the aluminum siding. The applicant stated that many
holes were drilled into the clapboards to blow insulation into all of the exterior walls.
The contractor said that they would have done this every 16" to the side and every 3'
down the wall. The applicants have also stated that there was also some water damage to
the wood siding caused by poor drainage. The applicants would opt to keep the
aluminum siding on rather than try to repair the underlying wood if HardiPlank is not
appropriate.
Warg stated that he has concerns with setting a precedent by approving the replacement
of original lap siding without the HPC being able to see the condition of it.
The applicants submitted photographs taken prior to the home being wrapped in
aluminum, which showed the prior condition and detail of the lap siding. In addition,
John Fasbender stated that large holes were in fact drilled into the wood siding for
installing insulation.
Martin moved and Hicks seconded approval of replacing all of the aluminum and wood
siding with HardiPlank with the following conditions:
• Smooth sided hardiPlank lap siding or equivalent cement -based material.
• The exposed lap to be the same as the original.
• Existing trim on porches, overhangs, bay windows, corner and cornice boards, door
and window trim to be retained, repaired, or replicated if rotten.
• Missing original trim or features which can be documented by photos or evidence
from the building may be replicated.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
Q. 312 5 th St E re -roof , re -side, & replace steps
The work will consist of re- roofing, replacing the front and side steps, and replacing the
aluminum siding that has covered the home for many years. They originally wanted to re-
side the home with aluminum or vinyl, but after speaking to their contractor, they have
decided to use HardiPlank. The applicants believe the lap siding is still present, but are
unsure of its condition. The applicants are not interested in attempting to repair and refinish
the lap siding because of the future maintenance requirements and because the contractor
said there would be damage to the clapboards from the installation of the aluminum siding.
For this reason they do not wish to remove the siding to look at the clapboards incase they
choose to keep the aluminum and not reside the home.
Behnke stated that he would like to see the detail around the windows and under the soffit
and fascia.
Warg stated that he is more concerned with the condition of the original lap siding than the
ease of maintaining a particular siding. He added that he agrees with Behnke that he would
also like to see the original detail that exists under the aluminum.
Goderstad said that staff or a committee could visit the home as the aluminum is removed to
document the details.
Grossman mentioned that in the past the HPC has denied re- siding applications because the
applicants would not remove fake siding to show the condition of the underlying siding. He
added that to this day they remain covered with Aluminum, vinyl, or asbestos siding.
Martin said that to her, HardiPlank is so preferable to aluminum and vinyl that she would
rather approve it than to have the false siding remain. She added that since it looks like wood
and acts like wood, it would be appropriate.
Paul Troutman, agent, said that he has mixed HardiPlank and clapboards on the same house,
but on different walls and the two materials blend easily.
Martin said that she would be opposed to someone going from wood lap siding to
HardiPlank, but if someone wanted to go from fake siding to HardiPlank, it would follow the
spirit of the guidelines.
Simacek mentioned that HardiPlank does look like wood, but once the original wood is
removed, it cannot be replaced.
Behnke said from a streetscape perspective it would be preferable to side with HardiPlank,
rather than keep the fake siding.
Hicks agreed with Behnke.
Martin said the aluminum siding creates a hardship because it cannot be taken off and put
back on to inspect the clapboards.
Behnke added that even if the underlying wood is pristine, it will be riddled with holes from
the application of the fake siding.
Warg stated that approving a re- siding without seeing the original siding would be a major
departure from our past stance.
Troutman asked for approval of removing the aluminum soffit and fascia and replace it with
a Hardi product.
Simacek stated the he would like to see the vented soffit removed.
Troutman said that he could remove the aluminum siding one day and remove the lap siding
another day, giving time for the details to be documented by staff or a committee.
Behnke moved and Simacek seconded the replacement of the aluminum and wood siding
using HardiPlank with the following conditions and with the holding of the Certificate until
the next meeting where the steps/ railing, soffit, facial, and roof components of the request
were tabled for the applicant to gather information on the existing and proposed detail.
• Smooth sided hardiPlank lap siding or equivalent cement -based material.
• The exposed lap to be the same as the original.
• Existing trim on porches, overhangs, bay windows, corner and cornice boards, door
and window trim to be retained, repaired, or replicated if rotten.
• Missing original trim or features which can be documented by photos or evidence
from the building may be replicated.
Motion carried, 5 (Goderstad, Behnke, Hicks, Martin, Simacek) in favor and I (Warg) opposed.
R. 411 Tyler St re -roof & replace 3 doors
The work will consist of replacing the front door, storm door, sidelights and a transom. In
addition, the applicant wishes to replace the two side doors, frames, and storm doors.
Deborah Buckingham, applicant, stated that the house has settled and the doorframe,
transom, and sidelights are no longer square. She added that it is also a security and safely
issue. The glass is thin, weak, and non - tempered. There is also an issue of energy efficiency.
The brown door was installed later because there are old marks from past hinges and the door
is thin unlike an original door. None of the wood surrounding the door is original since it has
all been piecemealed together. I have tried to weather strip the door with no luck stopping
the weather penetration.
Grossman stated that the front entry configuration is such a distinguishing feature of the
home that its alteration would be detrimental to the character of the home. He added that the
door surround could be rebuilt by a carpenter.
Buckingham replied that Grossman is talking about money that she does not have, which is
ludicrous.
Martin said that she doesn't believe decorative frosted glass would be appropriate.
Grossman responded that plain or plain frosted glass would be appropriate.
Behnke told the applicant that she could buy double pane insulated glass and install it in
place of the present single glass.
Buckingham replied that would bee a good idea, but the surrounding wood is rotten and is
not square.
Simacek stated that she could install storm windows over the surround. He added that a
committee including himself and Behnke could meet with the applicant at the home to see
the entry and offer ideas.
Martin moved and Hicks seconded approval of replacing all three of the storm doors as
proposed.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
Martin moved and Warg seconded approval of replacing the white steel door and frame
subject to the following conditions:
The glass must be plain or plain frosted.
The proposed door must be shown to staff.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
Behnke moved and Hicks seconded approval of replacing the brown wood side door and
frame with the following conditions:
The glass must be plain or plain frosted.
The proposed door must be shown to staff.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
S. 602 Vermillion St repoint masonry, replace brick, clean exterior, seal exterior
The work will consist of cleaning the exterior, repainting, replacing some rotten trim, repoint
degraded mortar, replace bricks with eroded faces, and seal the exterior with a water
repellant.
Mark Baxter, agent for First Presbyterian Church, said that he had two bids to perform the
proposed work. One contractor proposed to clean with a chemical solvent and the other with
blasting water, walnut shells, and silica sand on the bricks. Baxter added that he was not
aware the contractor was planning to add silica sand to the walnut shells and water.
Baxter submitted information on the sealant (OKON W -2) that one of the contractors was
proposing to use. Grossman said that the product was an appropriate sealant for this use.
Grossman stated the staff would have to see an example of the repointing on a small section
on the rear of the building to verify that the mortar matches the original.
Warg moved and Martin seconded approval of replacing damaged brick and wood, cleaning,
repointing, and sealing the brick subject to the following conditions:
• Only a safe chemical solvent may be used to clean the bricks.
• Only OKON W -2 water repellant may be used.
• Repointing must be done to match the appearance and composition of the original mortar
and must first be demonstrated to staff.
• The replacement of brick should be limited to bricks with significant damage and the
replacement bricks must be of the same size, color, texture, and composition of the
existing bricks.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
T. 222 5 th St E. replace porch floor and columns (Tabled from July 17 th )
The work will consist of replacing the rotting tongue and groove boards of the porch floor
with the same type of tongue and groove boards.
Hicks moved and Warg seconded approval of replacing the porch floor with a similar type of
tongue and groove boards as are present.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
U. 203 2nd Street E new sign
The completed work consisted of replacing an existing sign with a new sign for Top Shelf
Athletics and Apparel.
Warg said he thinks the typeface is inappropriate, but does not believe the HPC has
jurisdiction over it.
Martin moved and Warg seconded approval of the replacement sign.
Motion carried, 6 -0.
V. 209 2nd St E. new canopy fabric - Staff approved
W. 523 Ramsey partial re -roof - Staff approved
X. 300 7 th ST W re -roof - Staff approved
Y. 615 3 St W re -roof & dryer vent in rear- Staff approved
IV. Adjourn. Behnke made a motion to adjourn and seconded by Martin; motion carried.