Heritage Preservation Commission Meetings and Work Sessions

City of Excelsior Hennepin County, Minnesota Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Tuesday, December 21, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Interim Chair Tyler called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Commissioners Present: Brabec, Brattland, Bolles, Hartwich, Tyler Commissioners Absent: Caron, Salita Also Present: Community Development Director Mullin 2. AGENDA APPROVAL Staff: item (h) 31 Water Street is continued to next meeting. Brabec moved to approve Agenda. Hartwich seconded. Motion carried 5/0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) Special HPC meeting, December 7, 2021 – continue to January 2022 HPC meeting 4. CITIZEN REPORTS OR COMMENTS 5. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) 170 Site Alteration Permit for siding (HPC No. 21-34) – continued from previous meeting Mullin presented the report. The Applicant present at the meeting. Presented revised plans Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission December 21, 2021 Page 2 of 5 based on feedback from HPC provided at 11/16/21 HPC meeting. Siding will be LP smooth horizontal lap siding with 5” reveal. Board and batten installed on front of cottage (original structure). Siding on remainder of cottage shall be 5” smooth lap siding to resemble original siding on addition. Trim will be smooth. Motion to approve SAP by Brabec. Seconded by Brattland. Approved 5/0. b) 37 Water Street Site Alteration Permit - signs (HPC. No. 21-35) Mullin presented the staff report. The Applicant not present at meeting. Sign to be mounted in the mortar. If color of door is to change, a Site Alteration Permit must be submitted to HPC. Brabec made motion to approve Site Alteration Permit. Brattland seconded. Approved 5/0. c) 301 Water Street Site Alteration Permit - restaurant (HPC No. 21-36) Mullin presented staff report. Applicant is present. Answered questions about plans. Brattland made motion to approve Site Alteration Permit. Bolles seconded. Approved 5-0. d) Commons Concessions Building – Concept Plan Review Nathan, architect and Bruce Chamberlain, landscape architect/owners representative, presented Concessions Building Plan. Comments: Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission December 21, 2021 Page 3 of 5 1. Building design: it will be similar to the pavilion and, therefore, a majority of the Commission believe it will not do harm to the character-defining elements of The Commons 2. Green Roof • Questioned whether the green roof is appropriate in the The Commons • Discussion included: Creates a “softer look” for the building; helps soften the structure visually; adds to the greenery and openness of The Commons • A majority of the members concluded that it is appropriate • Questioned whether the cost of the green roof is worth it; could that money be better spent elsewhere on the project • Want to be sure that the green roof will function over time as expected; would be useful to look at the green roof at the Arboretum to understand maintenance requirements and how it functions over the long term 3. Other Questions raised: • Is enough storage area being provided? • If one of the goals is to reduce the number of portapotties, should there be more permanent toilets? • Will the style of the furniture do harm to the character-defining elements of The Commons? • Will circulation in the plaza area and connections to sidewalk on Lake Street work well? 4. Comments • Overall, a majority of the Commisioners concluded that the plans do not harm the character- defining elements of The Commons • See The Commons as a “pearl” in Excelsior; very important resource in the City; an undeveloped, parkland area, that is unique on Lake Minnetonka Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission December 21, 2021 Page 4 of 5 e) Dock Cinema – Concept Plan Review Laura Ivey presented concept plans. Comments: Concerns with how big the marquee will be: the height; there are no neon signs in town so need to create this one with care Original marquee was longer along the building façade, but not so high Concerns with how “lit up” it will be This lit sign will be in the historic district; need to be sure the lighting is fitting Get the proportions right between the name (Dock or Tonka Cinema) and the marquee Lighting also acts as beacon, which is appropriate; draws people to this entertainment venue f) 366 Water Street Site Alteration Permit (HPC No. 21-31) – approve Resolution to approve the SAP - continued Mullin presented background. HPC approved SAP. HPC previously reviewed Resolution and had comments. Tonight, Resolution is before HPC for approval. Brattland made motion to approve Resolution. Bolles seconded. 5/0. g) 173 2nd Street Site Alteration Permit (HPC No. 21-32) – approve Resolution to deny the SAP Mullin presented changes to the Resolution that were requested by HPC at their last review. Add finding that windows that have been replaced in the second story (without a permit) may now pose a potential safety hazard because they don’t meet egress standards of Building Code. Check date of subdivision of property. Brattland made motion to approve Resolution with additional finding. Brabec seconded. 5/0. Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission December 21, 2021 Page 5 of 5 h) 31 Water Street SAP (HPC No. 21-22) – Resolution – continue to next meeting i) HPC Meeting Dates in 2022 Standing HPC Meeting Dates in 2022 will be changed. Staff will survey Commissioners. Thank you to Connie Brabec for her service and dedication to the community. 6. COMMUNICATIONS and REPORTS a) City Council Meeting – Monday, January 3, 2022 b) Next HPC Meeting – Tuesday, January 25, 2022 Staff will schedule a Special HPC meeting for review of Concessions Building plans. c) Administrative Site Alteration Approvals d) Recent City Council Actions e) Community for the Commons Updates f) Other Updates 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried 5/0. Respectfully submitted, Julia Mullin Community Development Director