Historic District Commission

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting Minutes March 13, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Mr. Jim Hopkins, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Daniel Buscher Mike Troutman Jim Hopkins Kim Tuck Bruce Phillips John Paul Wilson Kaytee Faris (City Commission Liaison) Excused: Patrick Barnett Staff Present: Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney Glenn Perian, Senior Planner Leona Parrish, Admin. Assistant, Planning Dept. ADDITIONS / DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: MOTION MADE BY MR. MIKE TROUTMAN TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 13, 2017 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING, SECONDED BY MR. DAN BUSCHER. ALL IN FAVOR; NONE OPPOSED; MINUTES APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: A.) 203 Capital Avenue, N.E. - Request from Armor Sign Studios, Inc., Mr. Tom H Amor, on behalf of owner Living Solutions Center for new signage. Mr. Glenn Perian, Senior Planner, stated the petition was filed by Armor Sign Studios on behalf of Living Solutions Center for the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage. Said the proposal is to place a sign at the corner of Fremont St. and Capital Avenue, N.E. and they do not see any problems with the request and are recommending approval. Ms. Dan Namowitz, Living Solution Centers, said that Living Solution Centers was born out of this building and what they do there is help people who are in recovery that are already working and need support with communication, study skills and life solutions, etc. Said it has been working out well and have done it quietly and has been successful; the idea is that they have created a non-profit Living Solutions Centers and once it has been formalized and documented what they have done they will share it with other people. Said the people that come there suggested their name and has been 1 a great time; and you would be surprised at the number of persons who have kept their jobs with support. Mr. Jim Hopkins asked if he had any information to share regarding the sign. Mr. Namowitz stated the sign is a celebration for them that they have arrived and will allow other people to come into town to help them to tutor children, etc. and this would help to identify their location for the services they provide. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked regarding the bottom of the sign having a space for what a phone number. Mr. Namowitz stated yes, they do not have a public phone number yet; but will at some point. Mr. Phillips asked if this was a lighted sign. Mr. Namowitz stated no it does not light up. Commissioner Faris stated she wished to give a recommendation; as part of their deliberation, they are to look at and consider the relationship with this structure and the historic value of the properties surrounding area. Said this being a non-contributing building but surrounded by historically significant buildings; they need to pay attention to that and item (i) under our local ordinance contemporary designs stating we should not alter or destroy significantly historical stuff around it, etc. Stated she looked at the other signs in the area and this sign seems to be much taller than the others are and the commission might want to consider; also, many of the signs are wooden construction, which would be historically appropriate to the area. Stated this is a non-contributing building and they would not want to take them back to an area previous to this building; but would be something to consider regarding not matching the other signs in the area. Commissioner Faris stated this body did not approve the other illuminated signs in that are along Capital Avenue. Mr. Troutman stated this sign request is not illuminated. Commissioner Faris stated yes, she was aware. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked regarding the other illuminated signs that are in the Historic District. Commissioner Faris stated the Potter House has a new sign that should have come through them; also, 238 Capital Ave., N.E. also has an illuminated sign that was currently broken which is an apartment complex. Commissioner Faris asked that the height is something that should be considered as it relates to the other signs in the area. With no others wishing to speak, Chairperson Mr. Hopkins closed the public hearing and asked commissioners for a motion. MOTION MADE BY MR. MIKE TROUTMAN TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A NEW SIGN BASED ON THE STAFF REPORT AND DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: 203 CAPITAL AVENUE, N.E., AS THEY MEET THE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA OUTLINED IN CHAPTER 1470.09(e); SECONDED BY MR. DANIEL BUSCHER. Discussion: Mr. Bruce Phillips asked Mr. Tom Amor, Amor Sign if the sign in the window with white vinyl lettering and a green logo was proposed as well. Mr. Amor stated yes it is in the window that faces west on Fremont St. 2 Commissioner Faris asked if it was on the interior of the building. Mr. Amor stated its exterior on the side of the door that is shown on the photo. Mr. Bruce Phillips stated he sees in the drawing it is approximately 2 ft. off the deck. Mr. Amor stated yes, they call it a skirt or a pole cover. Mr. Phillips asked if it could be lowered one foot. Mr. Amor stated he believed the owner would be fine with it being lower, as it is meant for automobile traffic. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked if they would consider modifying the height of the sign and if the city would accept the modification for it to be lowered having the platform being 2 ft. in height. Mr. Perian stated it would still meet the code. MOTION AMENDMENT MADE BY MR. MIKE TROUTMAN TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A NEW SIGN TO HAVE A BASE OF TWO FEET IN HEIGHT WITH AN OVERALL HEIGHT OF SIGN TO BE SIX FEET; BASED ON THE STAFF REPORT AND DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: 203 CAPITAL AVENUE, N.E., AS THEY MEET THE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA OUTLINED IN CHAPTER 1470.09(e); SECONDED BY MR. DANIEL BUSCHER. Mr. Daniel Buscher asked Mr. Perian what the permissible maximum height allowed. Mr. Perian stated he believed it was twelve (12) feet in height. Mr. Jim Hopkins asked Mr. Amor what was intended to be on the sign in the area where it is noted “Additional Copy”. Mr. Amor stated they anticipate additional information to be added such as a phone number and or web site information added in the future. Mr. Jim Hopkins asked how large does that area have to be, and is there a way to reduce the size. Mr. Amor stated it comes down to the size of lettering being a readable size. Mr. Bruce Phillips asked if they needed to vote on the Amendment. Mr. John Paul Wilson stated he would be abstaining from vote on this request, as he is not in support of what their organization represents. VOTE TO AMEND MOTION: FIVE (5) IN FAVOR (BUSCHER, HOPKINS, PHILLIPS, TROUTMAN AND TUCK); ONE (1) ABSTAINED (WILSON); AND NONE OPPOSED; MOTION CARRIED. VOTE ON MOTION AS AMENDED: FIVE (5) IN FAVOR (BUSCHER, HOPKINS, PHILLIPS, TROUTMAN AND TUCK); ONE (1) ABSTAINED (WILSON); AND NONE OPPOSED; MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Mr. Jim Hopkins asked Commissioner Faris regarding her concerns. Commissioner Faris stated that in general in looking at the downtown projection signs and the standard style we have promoted. Said while driving down N.E. Capital Avenue, there is not any rhyme or reason to the signage as 3 far as being in a Historic District; as some are illuminated and some not, wood, and plastic. Said if we are to promote that area as a place of interest as a Historic District, they need to regulate it to have an even standard for size and material along that corridor, as it would add value to that entire area. Commissioner Faris stated she was not aware that twelve-foot signage was allowed. Mr. Glenn Perian stated that was the height allowed for that zoning district. Commissioner Faris asked in order to change that zoning regulation just within that Historic District, can this body put in a request to do so, or what would be the best way to proceed. Mr. Bruce Phillips stated that the Maple Street Historic District was established after many of those signs were in place except for the Potter House. Said to legislate height on this side of town, they would need to go the Zoning Board of Appeals as another entity of the city and then go to the City Commission; asked Mr. Perian for confirmation of process. Mr. Glenn Perian stated it may be done as an overlay where the signs may be restricted in that district for a certain height, and style; and if so, Ms. Zuzga would need to submit to Planning Commission and City Commission for approval. Mr. Troutman asked how far east does the Historic District go. Mr. Perian stated it ends just past Merritt St. on the south side, and one block west on the north side. Commissioner Faris she is thinking in particular the region that is actually within the National Registry. Mr. Perian stated if it is in the National Registry, we do not regulate them. Commissioner Faris stated on the overlay map it is within the orange area boundary. Mr. Troutman asked if MDOT would have any say regarding signage. Mr. Hopkins stated they should look at the height of twelve (12) ft. that is currently allowed. Mr. Perian asked if they are looking at only allowing six (6) ft. for this area. Board agreed to have Ms. Christine Zuzga review for change in the Historic District Overlay area. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Jim Hopkins, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4:23 P.M. Submitted by: Leona A. Parrish, Administrative Assistant, Planning Department 4