Heritage Preservation Commission Meetings and Work Sessions

City of Excelsior Hennepin County, Minnesota Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Tuesday, September 27, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Tyler called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Commissioners Present: Bolles, Brattland, Caron, Noll, O’Hanlon, Tyler, Salita Commissioners Absent: Also Present: City Attorney/Assistant City Manager Staunton 2. AGENDA APPROVAL Salita moved to approve the agenda as drafted. Brattland seconded. Motion passed 7/0. 3. CONSENT AGENDA a) August 23, 2022 Minutes. Caron moved to remove the item from consent to for a minor typographical correction. Tyler and Bolles also had edits to the minutes. Bolles also asked that a reference to the six historic photos of the Blue Line Ticket Booth should be attached to the report in item 3(b). Caron moved to approve the edits to the August 23, 2022 minutes, Brattland seconded. Motion passed 7/0. b) Approval of Revised Bylaws. Caron moved to approve the Revised Bylaws. Noll seconded. Motion passed 7/0. c) Approval of Supplemental Review and Recommendations on The Commons Concession Building Proposal. Tyler had comments about recommendations given to City Council at the City Council Meeting on September 19. After discussion of the issues he raised, a motion was made by Caron to approve, Brattland seconded. Motion passed 7/0. Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission September 27, 2022 Page 2 of 4 4. CITIZEN REPORTS OR COMMENTS Resident Peter Hartwich, 186 George Street, shared a portion of an article written by Chris Farrell of Minnesota Public Radio regarding the wisdom of “embracing frugality.” 5. NEW BUSINESS a) Site Alteration Permit Application -- 201 Second Street (HPC No. 22-26). Staunton provided the staff report. Caron proposed changes to paragraphs 3 and 4 of the draft findings clarifying that the railings would be anchored into the aggregate surface and not into the structure and that the railings were designed to minimize the impact on the historic character of the site. Brattland moved approval of Resolution No. 2022-15 with the amendments proposed by Caron. Noll seconded. The motion passed 7/0. b) Site Alteration Permit Application – 287 Water Street (HPC No. 22-27). Staunton provided the staff report. A discussion ensued that included a presentation by the applicant. Commissioners expressed various concerns regarding the proposed change in color of the building and the proposed “ghost” sign on the south wall of the building. There was also discussion regarding the importance of the site as a gateway to the Commercial Historic District despite the fact that it is non-contributing. The discussion also focused on the applicant’s need to be able to remove the lower levels (“knee walls”) of the window openings to facilitate future entrances in the front of the building. Salita moved to give conceptual support to removal of the awnings and ironwork and addition of two doors on the right side of the façade subject to more detailed plans being submitted before work commences. Bratland seconded. Motion passed 7/0. c) Site Alteration Permit Application (Supplemental) -- 429 Second Street (HPC No. 22-28). Staunton provided the staff report. After discussion, Salita moved approval of Resolution 22-16 with the addition of permission to take necessary steps to restore the portions of the columns on the front of the building that are not rotted. Caron seconded. Motion passed 7/0. d) Site Alteration Permit Application (Amended) -- 301 Water Street (HPC No. 22-29). Staunton provided the staff report focusing on a request to change the trim color from red to blue. The applicant explained that there are historical instances of each color being used. In addition, the applicant requested that he be permitted to make a sight modification to the plan for the windows on the side of the building that would replace all three rather than trying to retain two of them. After discussion of the non-contributing nature of the structure and the fact that the window grill pattern would remain the same, Brattland moved approval of the requested changes to the plan. O’Hanlon seconded. Motion passed 7/0. Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission September 27, 2022 Page 3 of 4 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) 173 Second Street Update. Staunton provided an update on the status and requested the appointment of a subcommittee to try to work to solve the continuing issues with the property. After discussion, the commission agreed to appoint Chair Tyler and Member Noll as the subcommittee. b) 366 Water Street Update. Staunton provided an update on the status of the work on the property, noting that the roof that was too high was in the process of being lowered to the level permitted in the December 2021. He also described the other modifications that have been made to the December 2021 approved plans relating to windows in the rear and on the rear sides of the building and additions of lighting fixtures and indicated that the property owner will return to the commission to seek approval of those changes. Commissioner Caron noted that, when the applicant returns, they should also demonstrate that the other conditions on the December 2021 approval have been completed. c) 262 Lake Street Update. Staunton provided an update on the subcommittee’s efforts to work with the applicant and with SHPO to find outside contractors or other parties that could help to determine with credibility what is possible in the rehabilitation process. Brattland reported that the applicant had contacted him to discuss his experience with his home and its restoration. The Commission decided to have Member Caron coordinate a visit with Member Brattland. d) 463 Second Street Follow Up. Staunton reported that he has had discussions Karen Koehnen regarding the “fan window” on the structure and its status. The commission agreed to provide some information to Staunton that he could pass along to her. 7. COMMUNICATIONS and REPORTS a) Next City Council Meeting – October 3, 2022 b) Next HPC Meeting – October 25, 2022 c) Administrative Permits Issued – Staunton reported that an administrative permit was issued for a replacement sign on the Brandow Building at 404 Second Street. d) Recent City Council Actions. Staunton reported briefly on recent City Council actions. • Preservation Minnesota 2022 Conference – Staunton and Members Brattland and Bolles shared their impressions from their attendance at the annual conference. • Caron reported on the status of the downtown sign project. Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission September 27, 2022 Page 4 of 4 • Staunton discussed the schedule for November and December meetings. • Heritage Month Planning Committee – Commissioners O’Hanlon, Noll, and Brattland reported on the continuing efforts of the committee to plan for an event in May of 2023. O’Hanlon reported that the city website was available to provide information about the event but that the city’s social media was not. • Chair Tyler reported that there may be an opportunity to move the historic bell that is currently located in front of city hall to the elementary school. • Commissioner Salita was recognized by the commission for his service for many years on the commission. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – Staunton reported that he planned to have the city clerk attend a future meeting to discuss website issues and that the City-Owned sites designation process would be brought to the commission at a future meeting. He also mentioned that there would be an effort to complete an inventory of designated sites and their recording as well as revisions to the design manual at future meetings. 9. ADJOURNMENT – Salita moved to adjourn. Caron seconded. Motion passed 7/0. The meeting was concluded at 9:06 PM. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Staunton City Attorney/Assistant City Manager