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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 01-17-2023 HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of January 17, 2023 Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room I. Quorum: Commissioners: Youngren, Peterson, Simacek, Smith, Alitz Edell, McCoy, and Toppin. Absent: Borchardt and Bremer Staff: City Planner Fortney II. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Motion by Smith to reelect Commissioner Toppin as Chair of the HPC, seconded by Simacek; motion approved 7-0 Motion by Simacek to reelect Commissioner Smith as Vice Chair of the HPC, seconded by McCoy; motion approved 7-0 III. Minutes: December 20, 2022 Chair Toppin approved the minutes without any corrections. IV. Certificate of Approval Review A. 108 2nd St E – New Sign Fortney presented the staff report. Randy Stenger, Applicant, thanked the Commission for placing the request on the agenda so quickly because they hope to open during the first part of February. Commissioner Alitz Edell asked how the Commission approved similar signs that don’t appear to meet the Design Guidelines. Fortney said the signs generally do meet the intent of the Design Guidelines and historic district sign regulations in the Zoning Ordinance. the typical signs used downtown are made of a composite sign boards with a thick rigid material including marine plywood or synthetics resembling wood when painted. They are bonded to a metal face of aluminum, which is also painted. Both wood and metal are listed as accepted materials. Synthetics with the appearance of a listed material are also acceptable. The graphics are die cut adhesive vinyl lettering and graphics, which the Commission has accepted as being similar to painted lettering and graphics. Slowly the sign industry largely lost the ability to paint signs. The last few painted wood board and wood block lettering signs experienced failure in a short amount of time. Commissioner Simacek added that the signs are not historic, not permanent, and generally are replaced often. Fortney added that some HPC’s have very strict sign control and require uniform signs with adopted design, color scheme, and font. He added that it may look nice, but it doesn’t relate to preservation and historically signage was as varied as it is today. Fortney said it could be an overreach for a preservation commission to regulate something not related to preservation. Motion by Commissioner Smith to approve the request with the following condition, seconded by Youngren; motion approved 7-0 - The sign must be anchored to wood or mortar joints rather than brick. IV. Business A. Commissioner Youngren updated the Commission on the progress at 523 Ramsey Street. The house is being rehabilitated due to fire. He added that the apartment conversion at 321 6th Street East has been on hold for some time, due to material costs. V. Adjourn Motion by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 pm, seconded by Alitz Edell; motion approved 8-0. Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney