HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 05-16-2023
HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of May 16, 2023
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room
I. Quorum: Commissioners: Youngren, Peterson, McCoy, Toppin, Bremer, Simacek,
Smith, Borchardt, and Alitz Edell (electronically)
Councilmember: Pemble
Staff: City Planner Fortney
II. Minutes: April 18, 2023
A. Chair Toppin approved the minutes
III. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 600 Tyler Street (SEAS Catholic School) – Mural Staff explained that the
proposal fits the City definition of a sign due to the wording and messaging of the proposal.
He added that this determination doesn’t appear to change the review criteria other than the
submission of a sign permit application. Staff added that the proposal appears to meet all sign
requirements of the zoning ordinance. The commission discussed the proposal to paint a
mural on the Tyler side of the building. Staff explained the principal considerations for a
contributing property are what effect the mural could physically have on the historic
materials and follow the Design Guidelines related to paining of masonry. Staff added that
according to general guidelines researched the mural theme should also be consistent with
that of the historic building. Staff said the primary consideration or any proposal to a
noncontributing property are what impact the proposal has to the district and streetscape.
Commissioner McCoy said the neighbors facing the mural may want to comment on a final
draft of the proposal.
Commissioner Youngren said it has become very common to paint murals on movable wood
boards that can be painted anywhere and installed or relocated as needed. He added that
painting a mural directly on a brick wall is difficult because the surface is very rough.
Commissioner Alitz Edell said it doesn’t see appropriate for the HPC to approve painting of
bricks on some buildings and not others, if it is bad for them. Fortney said none of the Design
Guidelines directed at preserving historical fabric of buildings apply to non-contributing
properties. Fortney added that he is planning on informing the applicant that painting directly
on the bricks is not in best practice for the long-term care of masonry.
Chair Toppin said the content of the proposal is not a major consideration, but they would
need to review a final proposal before they could provide approval.
Motion by Commissioner Smith to table the proposal until a final draft is submitted,
seconded by Youngren; motion approved 8-0-1 by rollcall (Peterson Abstained).
IV. Business
A. Preservation Awards Committee Chair Toppin updated the Commission on the
Preservation Awards ceremony at the City Council meeting the previous night.
V. Adjourn
Motion by Borchardt to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 pm, seconded by Bremer; motion
approved 9-0 by rollcall.
Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney