Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-05 HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of September 20, 2005 I. Quorum: Goderstad, Simacek, Hellie, Sovik-Siemens, Martin present. St. James, Warg absent. Staff: Grossman, Schrader. II. Minutes of August 16, 2005. Motion by Simacek, second by Sovik- Siemens to approve the minutes as presented by Staff. Motion passed, 5-0. III. Review of building permits or design proposals A.215 West 7 Street. th (Old Hastings Historic District) The owner, Greg Lesch, explained his proposal to add a low-level cedar deck to the rear and east side of the property. The owner explained that the deck would extend approximately 5 feet from the east side of the building. This th portion would be seen from 7 Street. The Commissioners discussed the specific location of the proposed deck and the proposed cedar decking material. The Commissioners concluded that the proposed deck as designed would be compatible with the house and meets the design guidelines. The Commissioners discussed the proposed deck railing. They decided that a railing is unnecessary because of the low height of the deck (8”) and commented that many historic buildings of that time period with decks did not have railings. The Commissioners stated that any proposed railings should be as simple as possible to fit the character of the building. The owner will bring a specific railing design to the next meeting if he chooses to install deck railings. Motion by Martin, second by Simacek to approve the deck as proposed without spindles and railings. Motion passed, 5-0. B.312 East 4 Street. th(Individually Designated) Tom Bates explained his proposal to re-roof the house with Decra steel shingles, add skylights to the east and west sides of the roof, install gutters and downspouts, and add a chimney to his property. The Commissioners first discussed the proposed steel shingle roofing material. The Commissioners stated that the proposed material is not consistent with the design guideline that states, “new roofing material should be appropriate to the character of the building in composition, size, shape and texture.” The Commissioners observed that the Decra sample the applicant provided was not a convincing simulation of appropriate materials such as asphalt or wood shingles. Motion by Martin, second by Simacek to deny the applicant’s request to install Decra steel shingles. Motion passed, 5-0. Motion by Simacek, second by Sovik-Siemens to approve the installation of asphalt shingles. Motion passed, 5-0. The Commissioners discussed the applicant’s proposal to add skylights to the east and west sides of the roof. The applicant explained that he would like to install a loft and needs the skylights for light and ventilation. The Commissioners stated that the design guidelines do not allow for the installation of skylights on the front roof plane, and that they did not believe skylights were appropriate in a location that would be at all visible from the front of the building. The Commissioners stated that this standard – preserving the original design as seen from the street by limiting contemporary modifications to the less visible parts of the property – is found in other guidelines for chimneys, sliding doors, decks and additions. The applicant stated that he thought that the HPC would allow for some variation from the guidelines for alterations to the sides of the home. The applicant asked whether the HPC would allow skylights on the rear 1/3 of the roof, but the Commissioners did not believe this would be appropriate. The Commissioners discussed whether the addition of dormers instead of skylights would follow the design guidelines, but they concluded that dormers would not be acceptable because they would alter the roof shape. Motion by Hellie, second by Martin to deny the applicant’s request to install skylights on the east and west sides of the roof. Motion passed, 5- 0. The Commissioners discussed the applicant’s proposal to install 4” half-round gutters and 4” downspouts. The Commissioners stated that the proposal is consistent with the design guidelines. The Commissioners stated that copper or galvanized steel would be appropriate building materials. Motion by Martin, second by Sovik-Siemens to approve the applicant’s request to install copper or galvanized steel 4” half-round gutters and 4” downspouts. Motion passed, 5-0. The Commissioners discussed the applicant’s proposal to install a chimney towards the front of the roof. The Commissioners stated that the design guidelines explicitly prohibit the installation of chimneys on the front roof plane. The Commissioners suggested moving the chimney to the middle or rear portion of the roof, but the applicant stated that the front of the roof is the only feasible location for the chimney. The applicant left the meeting before the discussion was completed and no action was taken on the proposal to install the chimney. C. 321 East 5 Street. th(Old Hastings Historic District) The applicant, Chris Worthington, proposed to modify the existing stoop on the east side of his property to meet HPC design guidelines. The applicant had submitted three possible spindle designs for the stoop railing. The Commissioners discussed the proposed spindle designs and selected spindle design #1. The Commissioners proceeded to discuss the modifications to the stoop other than the railing. Commissioner Hellie provided a sketch of a slightly revised stoop design that he believed would make the stoop more historically appropriate for the house. Motion by Martin, second by Hellie to approve spindle design #1 and the modifications to the east stoop with the condition that the stoop design follows Commissioner Hellie’s sketch. Motion passed, 5-0. D. 213 East 2 Street. nd nd(East 2 Street District) The applicant, Karen Jung, proposed to add a new sign to the front of the property that would advertise her new business, “The Emporium.” The Commissioners discussed the proposed sign and concluded that it meets the design guidelines and is appropriate for a historic commercial building. The Commissioners stated that the sign should not touch the window sills above the proposed location or the belt course below the proposed location in order to allow for proper air circulation around the sign. Motion by Hellie, second by Martin to approve the sign as proposed by the applicant with the condition that the sign is placed to allow proper air circulation between the sign and the adjacent building material. Motion passed, 5-0. IV. Information & Reports th A. Preserve Minnesota. 26 Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference. Commissioner St. James attended the conference and will report her experience at the next meeting. B. The Commissioners discussed the new draft of the Application for Certificate of Approval presented by Staff. The new draft is intended to streamline the approval process and ensure that no changes are made to historically designated properties other than those explicitly approved by the HPC in writing. Motion by Martin, second by Simacek to approve the revised Application for Certificate of Approval as presented by Staff with the addition of “in writing” to the statement to be signed by the applicant. Motion passed, 5-0. thnd C. August 29 Committee Meeting. 221 East 2 Street – Approval to install nd new concrete steps and railings. 213 East 2 Street – Approval to remove the existing siding, repair the wall, install a new foundation and finish the wall with stucco. D. Mr. Grossman discussed a letter the HPC received from the Hastings Old Neighborhood Network asking the HPC to exercise its authority in the Design Review Process of the Conservation Area. Mr. Grossman stated the issue was outside of HPC jurisdiction. The Commissioners directed Staff to write a letter in response that stated the Conservation District was not an HPC matter. The Commissioners expressed their support for the establishment of the Conservation District. nd E. 108 East 2 Street. Replacement of eroded brick on façade approved by Staff. nd F. 207 West 2 Street. Strauss House. Installation of 10”x10” gas stove ventilation cap on east side of roof approved by Staff. The cap is painted dark to blend with the shingles and is not visible from the street. nd G. 212 East 2 Street. Replacement of existing roofing approved by Staff. H. 503 Ramsey Street. Replacement of roofing on porch overhang approved by Staff. I. The Commissioners congratulated Commissioner Amy Martin about the publication of her new book, “House of Spirits and Whispers.” V. Adjournment. Motion by Simacek, second by Goderstad to adjourn; motion passed, 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.