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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-06 'City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 Mission Statement Through teamwork and cooperation, the City of Farmington provides quality services that preserve our proud past and foster a promisingjitture. AGENDA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING August 22, 2006 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 1. Call to order 2. Approval of agenda 3, Approval of minutes of June 27,2006 regular meeting 4, Public Hearings - none 5. Reports - none 6. Unfinished Business -none a. Heritage Landmark Designation Project Update 7, New Business a, Feely Elevator Discussion b, New City Hall Building c. State Preservation Conference 8. Miscellaneous 9. Adjourn MINUTES HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING June 27, 2006 1. CALL TO ORDER Secretary Burke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p,m. Present: Tim Burke, Edgar Samuelson, Ken Stewart Absent: Beverly Preece Also Present: Robert Vogel, Consultant; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Kevin Carroll, Community Development Director; Hosmer Brown IV, Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Samuelson, second by Stewart to approve the agenda, APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Samuelson, second by Burke to approve the April 25, 2006 minutes, Voting for: Burke, Samuelson. Abstain: Stewart, MOTION CARRIED, 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None 5. REPORTS - None 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Heritage Landmark Designation Project The reports for six landmark designations will be brought to the August 22, 2006 meeting, 7. NEW BUSINESS a) Exchange Bank Building Renovations The Exchange Bank Building was designated as a heritage landmark in July 2003. The current owner, Mr. Hosmer Brown, has been working on some renovations, Comments on the revisions were provided from the Minnesota Historical Society and from HPC Consultant Robert Vogel. Consultant Vogel stated landmark designations should not include the interior of buildings. Renovations include the stairway on Oak Street and adding a fire escape from the second floor. The HPC was asked to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the renovations to the stairway and the fire escape stating they meet preservation standards and City code, The architect should document any work being done, Work will begin 14 days after a permit is received and will be completed this year. Consultant Vogel recommended approval subject to the following conditions: 1. The proposed work will result in minimal alteration of the building's exterior and will not remove or alter any historic material or distinctive architectural feature, HPC Minutes (Regular) June 27,2006 Page 2 2. Installation of the new door on Oak Street will retain the existing window and door openings, preserve in place the existing transom window and stoop, and install a new door that is compatible in materials, color, and texture with the historic character of the building, 3. Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and preserve original historic interior features affected by or adjacent to the proposed demolition and stair construction work. 4. Prior to any demolition or new construction work, the owner or the contractor shall record existing conditions in the work areas with good quality color photographs and a sketch plan that will be turned over to the City for archival purposes, 5. A set of as-built plans should be produced on a durable medium (vellum or mylar) and deposited with the Heritage Preservation Commission to provide a permanent record ofthe changes made to the historic building. MOTION by Samuelson, second by Burke to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness with the conditions in the staff report, APIF, MOTION CARRIED, b. McVicker Building Proposal The McVicker lot was acquired by the HRA as a tax-forfeited property. The EDA is selling the lot to Mr, Joe Heinen who is proposing a mixed-use building with retail on the first floor and apartments above, The exterior of the building will be brick and glass, HPC comments include: - The building should be flush to the sidewalk. - It should be shorter than three stories, - It should follow a traditional pattern where the dimensions of the second floor are the same as the first floor, - It should be compatible with surrounding buildings. The building needs a Certificate of Appropriateness because it is within the line of sight of historical buildings, Several drawings were presented and it was determined option B for the west elevation would be best. The walkway by the mural would require an easement and the City would maintain it or not deed the south 20 ft. of the property. The EDA will determine which option to use. Options for the stairway leading from the second floor ofthe adjacent Gossips building include: - Constructing a new staircase from the back of the building. - Keep the existing staircase and sell Gossips a strip of property, The fac;:ade of the McVicker building could be extended up to Gossips so the staircase is not visible from the front. - Have an exit from the second floor of Gossips in the McVicker building. - Construct an exterior stairway between the two buildings and branch it offto the second floor of both buildings, The EDA was leaning towards this option, Mr, Heinen was hoping a combination of options would meet a Certificate of Appropriateness, Consultant V ogelliked option B because the building looks .. HPC Minutes (Regular) June 27, 2006 Page 3 symmetrical with straight sides and roof. He did not like to have the second floor set back from the front of the building for a balcony. If there is a balcony, the parapet in front should be eliminated along with the historic details and make it look more modem. The EDA liked the balconies as an amenity to residents and could be a selling point for the apartments. After further discussion, it was determined the colored drawing meets compatibility standards. MOTION by Samuelson, second by Stewart to issue a conditional Certificate of Appropriateness for the west elevation drawing and the setback from the street, the masonry materials, and height are appropriate, APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Final drawings will be brought to the HPC. c. Liquor Store Building This building is owned by the EDA and they are looking at leasing the building. The EDA is considering uses such as the DV AC or the Historical Society for offices or display space, Member Burke suggested sharing the space with the Northern Dakota County Chamber for a local branch office, Consultant Vogel stated the building should be used for something that will attract people to the downtown that normally would not come downtown. Member Samuelson would prefer to see it used for retail space. d. Vice-Chair Appointment Due to the resignation of Danielle Stuckle, a new Vice-Chair needed to be appointed. MOTION by Samuelson, second by Burke to appoint Member Ken Stewart as Vice-Chair. APIF, MOTION CARRIED, 8. MISCELLANEOUS Consultant Vogel informed the commission that the tax credit act was not included in the final bill at the legislature. Regarding the overlay zoning for the residential area of downtown, Administrative Services Director Shadick needs to work with City Planner Smick on this. Once the six properties are designated as landmarks, then the overlay zoning should be done. Staff should request City Planner Smick have an ordinance prepared for the August 22, 2006 HPC meeting, The landmark designations will be brought to Council two at a time beginning with the September 5,2006 Council meeting, The August 22, 2006 HPC agenda should include: - Landmark designations - Draft ordinance for overlay zoning - Comprehensive Plan When the 2008 Comprehensive Plan is updated, the historic preservation portion should also be updated, HPC Minutes (Regular) ~ ' " . June 27, 2006 Page 4 9. ADJOURN MOTION by Stewart, second by Samuelson to adjourn at 8:30 p.m, APIF, MOTION CARRIED, Respectfully submitted, ~rv?~ (/ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant