HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 03-21-2023
HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of March 21, 2023
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room
I. Quorum: Commissioners: Youngren, Peterson, Simacek, Smith, McCoy, Toppin,
Borchardt, Bremer and Alitz Edell (7:03)
Councilmember: Pemble
Staff: City Planner Fortney
II. Oath of Office
A. Patricia Bremer
III. Minutes: January 17, 2023
A. Chair Toppin approved the minutes with a spelling correction.
IV. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 214 7th St E – Rebuild garage (Committee Approved) Chair Toppin presented
that the Committee approved the proposal to replace the damaged structure as it presently
exists, which was consistent with the Design Guidelines.
Motion by Commissioner Smith to approve the committee decision, seconded by Youngren;
motion approved 9-0
B. 205 2nd St E – New sign Fortney presented the proposal for a new sign. He said it
is made of a similar material and design of other signs that the HPC has approved. Fortney
noted that the sign has a faint background graphic of a generic downtown streetscape. He said
that is not something seen with other signs and not a historic sign feature. The commission
reviewed the Design Guidelines and found nothing specific about such graphics. Fortney said
there is a contrast requirement in the zoning ordinance, which would be applicable. The
commission was slightly split on the interpretation of Design Guidelines and sign ordinance
language. Commissioner Alitz Edell quoted that the Design Guidelines state that a sign should
be reflective of the building design and age.
Fortney explained that the Commission has been more lenient in the past regarding signage
because they are not permanent changes affecting the buildings, subjective, and often change
regularly. Fortney said the commission may review the sign guidelines in the future if they
wish.
Motion by Commissioner Smith to approve the committee decision, seconded by Peterson;
motion approved 8-1 (Nay - Alitz Edell)
IV. Business
A. Preservation Awards Committee An awards committee was formed with
commissioners Bremer, Alitz Edell, Peterson, and Toppin. The committee will
report at the next HPC meeting
V. Adjourn
Motion by Simacek to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm, seconded by Borchardt; motion
approved 9-0.
Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney