Historic Review Board

MINUTES TOWN OF FORT MILL HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD July 10, 2018 Council Chambers – 112 Confederate Street 4:30 PM Present: Chairman Louis Roman, LeAnne Burnett Morse, Carolyn Blair, Chip Heemsoth, Planning Director Chris Pettit, Senior Planner Alex Moore Absent: David Booth, Michael Hirsch, Melissa White Guests: Will Bigham, Emili McMakin, Deborah Whitsett CALL TO ORDER Chairman Roman called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chip Heemsoth made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 10, 2018, meeting as presented. Carolyn Blair seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 4-0. NEW BUSINESS 1. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – 135 Confederate Street Planning Director Pettit introduced the request, the purpose of which was to approve an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to convert an existing residential property to an office at 135 Confederate Street. Planning Director Pettit noted in his introduction of the project that a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for 135 Confederate Street originally came before the Historic Review Board (HRB) in February of 2017. Planning Director Pettit further stated that the design of that request was slightly different from the current application and that it received an approval in concept from the HRB in February 2017. While this initial project fell through, the current iteration represents the desire of the new, prospective tenant to redesign the structure. Planning Director Pettit noted the revised changes in the respective portions of the structure since the plan which was presented to the HRB in February 2017. All proposed building materials will remain identical to the previous plan. The applicant was represented by Ms. Emili McMakin of Vinyet Architecture. Ms. McMakin echoed the comments of Planning Director Pettit about the proposed changes. Chairman Roman noted the staff findings as presented within the HRB Agenda and asked if any of the members had questions regarding the report. He noted that the current plans were consistent with the Historic District Design Guidelines. Chairman Roman asked if a color palette had ever been adopted by the HRB. Planning Director Pettit noted that a color palette had not been adopted thus far and reminded the Board that they requested the project come back for final color palette selection. Chairman Roman noted that the adoption of a color palette by the HRB might streamline some of the requests that typically come before the board by allowing staff to approve proposed color changes administratively. Ms. Blair interjected that the plan would not have to come back for color palette approval if it remained unchanged from what is existing. Chairman Roman did not see this as being an issue. Chairman Roman and Ms. Blair then discussed the front porch and indicated that it would remain in compliance with this project as would the proposed new porch on the right elevation of the structure. Chairman Roman noted the left elevation proposals including the ramp and parking. Ms. Blair noted that she agreed with the staff recommendation that additional screening be provided within this area. Planning Director Pettit then noted that the current Google Street-View indicated that the shudders were black. He stated that the board recommendation could be that the approved shudder color remain consistent with what was most recently existing on the structure. This would allow the project to proceed without a color palette being resubmitted to the HRB. Chairman Roman agreed with this sentiment and indicated that it would also not bind the potential tenant to this color in that they could make a change with future HRB review and approval. Chairman Roman then entertained a motion. Ms. Blair made a motion to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted with the condition that the color palette is to remain the same (unless the applicant comes back for color changes to the HRB) and with the condition that landscaping be added as needed to appropriately screen the Monroe-White side of the project. Mr. Heemsoth seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0. 2. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – 229 Main Street and 231/233 Main Street Chairman Roman introduced the request, the purpose of which was to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new projecting sign, new awning, new paint and color change of some trim, a trompe-l’oeil, and minor repairs at 229 Main Street and 231/233 Main Street. Chairman Roman then invited the applicant, Ms. Deborah Whitsett, the owner of Olive’s Mud Puddle, to come forward and describe her request for the COA. Ms. Whitsett discussed the specifics of her COA request involving painting the building and the awning. She noted that the whole point of the request was to make her business and the buildings more attractive and inviting. Ms. Morse asked if the awning would be yellow and white. Ms. Whitsett noted that it was termed yellow and white but that the yellow was more like a pale yellow. Chairman Roman noted that he liked the color selection. Ms. Whitsett then discussed the particulars of the projecting sign. Ms. Morse asked about the color of the sign. Ms. Whitsett noted the color scheme could consist of whatever was required, but that it was her intention that the colors be as presented which includes a blue/green-patinaed finish. Ms. Whitsett also noted that she intended to place the logo of her business on the front doors. Chairman Roman thanked Ms. Whitsett for the information and asked if there were any additional questions from the board. Mr. Heemsoth stated that he was not enamored with the yellow color of the awning. Ms. Blair stated that she believed the color and design were very much in keeping with the type of business. Chairman Roman then briefly discussed the findings within the staff report. He then noted that if there were no other comments from the board that he would entertain a motion. Ms. Blair made a motion to approve the COA request as presented. Ms. Morse seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0. 3. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – 204 Main Street Chairman Roman introduced the request, the purpose of which was to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new projecting sign and a new wall sign. These signs would serve the proposed new barbeque restaurant at this location, “The Improper Pig.” Will Bigham, owner of The Improper Pig, presented his signage package for this location. He noted that the sign company, Sign Systems, Inc., had previously submitted schematics for both proposed signs. Chairman Roman and Ms. Blair had some general questions about the design of each sign. In response, Mr. Bigham described the specifics on the design of each sign. Planning Director Pettit noted that the projecting sign needed to be reconfigured to fit the parameters of the zoning ordinance.  Ms. Blair asked about the gooseneck lighting which was also shown on the schematics. Alex Moore, Senior Planner, noted that the schematics indicated the lighting would be “provided by others,” and thus not part of this application for a COA. Ms. Blair then made a motion to approve the COA application with the stipulation that all signage meet the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance. Mr. Heemsoth seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0. 4. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – 100 Block of Main Street Chairman Roman introduced the request, the purpose of which was to approve an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness submitted by the Town of Fort Mill for railing to be placed adjacent to the wall, along the sidewalk, within the 100 Block of Main Street. Planning Director Pettit gave an overview of the proposal and presented the railing design to the Board. He noted that the Town of Fort Mill prefers that the railing consist of vertical design rather than horizontal. Board members had some questions about the design and location of the railing. Planning Director Pettit noted that the primary goal of the railing is to provide safety for pedestrians on the sidewalk. After general discussion about vertical railing design versus horizontal railing design, Chairman Roman then entertained a motion. Mr. Heemsoth noted that there needed to be clarification that the railing should include the entire block. Planning Director Pettit stated that the approval motion needed to include a provision that the railing be vertical in design and that the railing extend the entire length of the 100 Block. Ms. Blair made a motion to approve the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness with condition that the railing consist of a vertical design and that it extend the entire length of the 100 Block of Main Street. Ms. Morse seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 4- 0. Chairman Roman then asked if there was any other business that the Board needed to undertake. Planning Director Pettit noted that there would be a new member joining the Board at their next meeting. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:16 PM. Respectfully submitted, Alex Moore, AICP Senior Planner July 3, 2018