Historic Preservation Commission

Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 29, 2013 7:00 PM Council Chambers Attendance: Kurt Wahl, Julie Ginn, Scott Gilkey, Ellie Haan, Rick Schwarz Staff: Aimee Jacobsen, Jennie Peterson Dann Keiser, Historic Preservation Officer Seeing a quorum Commission President Kurt Wahl called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. Approval of Minutes Rick moved to approve the minutes from the March 25, 2013 meeting. Ellie seconded. Rick stated his name needed to be added to the attendance list and moved to amend the original motion to reflect that. Ellie seconded the amendment. The motion including the amendment passed 5-0 Committee Reports Public Relations Committee The Public Relations Committee had not met prior to the meeting. District Committee The District Committee had not met prior to the meeting. COA Committee Rick reported that the COA Committee met on April 24th and reviewed the COA for 222 North 5th Street which would be discussed under the COA Request portion of the agenda. In addition, the committee reviewed the 518B Main Street Artist Own signage request. The COA committee and Historic Preservation Commission approved the simple sign request and no further approval is required. COA Requests 222 North 5th Street (Demolition of existing brick building and canopy and installation of ATM (Salin Bank Live Teller) Steve moved to accept application and Rick seconded. The motion passed 5–0. Rick reported that the COA Committee met with Salin Bank and Smith Development. They wish to remove the existing brick building with the canopy and replace with an ATM/Salin Bank Live Teller they already own. The structure is 8 feet by 8 feet, 9.5 feet tall and it is blue. Ellie stated she was concerned that it will set precedent, and that other owners will also want to propose structures of all shapes and sizes. Dann suggested adding brick to the exterior to make it blend in better with the buildings around. This was discussed, but no conclusion was made. The owners agreed to take that proposal back to their architect to see what they could do. They were concerned that adding a brick wall around the structure might create a hiding place for a thief. Landscaping may cause the same problem. Commission members and representatives from Salin Bank discussed using the existing brick building and just removing the canopy. Commission members stated that would be less objectionable. The COA Committee voted 2-1 to not approve the proposal. Rick stated that he had researched the Secretary of Interior Standards and the standards do not recommend introducing new construction on a building site that is visually incompatible in terms of size, scale, design, materials, color and texture in terms of its relationship to the historic site. He added that the ATM proposal is not recommended based on all of those elements. He suggested getting further discussion from other Commission members and representatives from Salin Bank. Kurt thanked Rick for his comments and asked Dann to give his recommendation. Dann stated that he agreed with Rick’s comments. He stated from a historic preservation standpoint, the metal box is not a historic item, doesn't fit with the neighborhood, is not compatible, and it would be an intrusion. It would be noted as noncontributing to the district if you were just now listing the area as a historic district. He recommended that the owners make some change so that it is not just a big blue box. He stated there are a variety of things they could do to make it more compatible. He said we all understand technology is different than it was 100 years ago and technology such as ATM services are needed, but the owners need to be creative so that the new structure will add to the quality and the historic character of the district that the Commission has worked so hard to maintain. Kurt thanked Dann and asked if any of the Commissioners would like to make comments. Steve asked for clarification if the structure does require a COA. Kurt replied yes. Steve said he was concerned that we were discussing the color of the structure when the Commission does not regulating the color element. He agreed that some of the other points were valid, but the Commission has to recognize the need for the technology and we have to be open to the idea of giving them the opportunity to have an ATM. Steve asked about the Centier Bank ATM on South Street. The Commission members and staff confirmed it is not in a Local Historic District. Steve asked for clarification about the COA’s recommendation for a brick surround and the Salin Bank representative’s concern about a thief possibly hiding behind the structure near the rear access door. Rick confirmed we are not really regulating that, but we are concerned about the proposed structure. Steve reiterated that we cannot regulate color and we need to be accommodating to the technology. He did not believe he would vote against the proposal. Kurt asked for additional comments. Julie asked what the problem is to keep the existing structure. Dann stated they will gain at least one more parking spot. The owners will be concerned about the ongoing maintenance with the building. Rick countered it would require redesigning the roof, but that any building would need a certain degree of ongoing maintenance. Kurt asked for additional comments. Rick stated in regards to the site layout, it was kind of tight from the property line. Might be blocking the sidewalk if people are driving up to the ATM so close to the sidewalk. Might consider a bypass lane to prevent people from blocking the sidewalk. Kurt asked if the property owners would propose their ideas. John Risser asked if the box was painted a more neutral taupe color rather than the Salin blue. Kurt said the form of the structure was the issue. John asked if they could do something else. add a brick wainscoat to the box. Kurt asked if he liked the idea of a garden wall. John said he liked the idea. He said he does like the idea, but a masonry wall would add considerable expense. John asked Chuck if it is possible to add the brick enclosure. Chuck said the door is not a concern - the machine is front loaded. Julie said it would be better to retrofit the existing structure. Chuck said it leaks on the inside - the building has a lot of problems. Julie countered that they already have the footers. Ellie asked why they are moving the ATM. They have to lose the ATM from Carmel or lose the use of it. Steve asked if they own the parking lot. Chuck confirmed they do. They said there is a waiting list for the parking spots. Kurt asked if they would be willing to do something. Chuck said the machine is front loaded. He does not need to enter the building at all. A screen wall is no problem, it could be very close. The brick wall option they will want to retain the signage and lighting. Screening could go all the way up to the overhang. Rick said they make very light material that does not need a foundation. That sounded okay to owners. They want to get away from having to have a foundation. Option to have a screen wall, a total facade redo. Not going to get away from the ATM signage. They would not be opposed to having the brick go all the way up the side of the building rather than wainscoating. The brick would make it more compatible. Rick would like to see a rendering. Could possibly leave it up to the HPO to approve. They would like to start because they are retrofitting their other facilities at the same time. extended hours 7 to 7. It is already located in all of their facilities except this one in downtown Lafayette. Partnering with Purdue with their call center - giving students experience. Dann wants to see the details, how the joints fit, whether they can attach it to the sheet metal, quality of the materials, how long it will last. Kurt stated to expediate the request, have Dann give the final approval of the facade design. Aimee stated if the Commission wants Dann to give final approval, that is fine. The "brick" will either be on the structure, or very close around the structure. Steve asked if the sign will still be the blue. Julie brought up the issue that the sign is backlit. Ellie suggested the COA committee make the final approval rather than HPO. Kurt moved the Salin Live Teller as proposed would be conditionally approved with the amendment being that all 4 sides be covered with masonry appearance and the final design of the sign, lighting and the building, subject to final approval by the COA committee. Steve seconded. 5-0 amendment approved. 5-0 request as amended. Julie stated the backlit design of the sign vs. lights that shine on the sign that would be preferable. Ellie asked if they have our sign guidelines. Ellie asked if the demolition needed final approval. Approve demolition as separate item. Rick/Steve 5-0 John asked if they want an additional rendering that shows the masonry details. If the slab was 3 inches wider on all sides, it will give them more options on the material used for the masonry appearance. 518 B COA Committee already approved it, so needs no further discussion. The COA committee will meet on April 24th and the full Historic Preservation Commission will meet on April 29th. Staff Report Aimee stated that Commission member Carrie Janney had a baby boy on April 4th and his name is Campbell Scott Lucas. Aimee also mentioned a request to have the Public Relations Commission assist the City with positive stories and announcements related to local preservation efforts and past history. The stories and announcements would be used with the City’s social media efforts. The Public Relations committee is Carrie Janney, Steve Meyer and Kurt Wahl. Public Comments There were none. Adjournment With no further business Rick moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 pm. Julie seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 pm. The next meeting for the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, May 20, 2013 in the Council Chambers, Lafayette City Hall. Respectfully Submitted, _________________________ Aimee Jacobsen Carrie Janney, Secretary Historic Preservation Commission