Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – March 13, 2012 Attending: Co-Chairmen John Solu and Dana Napurano, Members John Forte, Janet Foster, Joseph Longo, Alberta Marcy, Carmine Toto and William VanRyzin; Council Liaison Donald Links and Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Member Ron Poeter. The meeting was called to order as an open public meeting at 7:35 p.m., in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The minutes of the February 14, 2012, meeting were considered and approved as written. Follow Up: TCC applications update: Mr. Toto reported there were no new applications of concern to MHPC. For Action: Sign and Façade applications: 12-14 Main Street: Mr. Solu reported a new Sign and Façade application was submitted for 12-14 Main Street, the old YMCA building. The present sign “Allstate/Parking in Rear” will be removed. Pictures of the proposed new signage in colors of maroon and gold, with names of the buildings’ tenants, were shown and found acceptable. 18 Main Street sign application: There are new signs proposed for two new tenants at 18 Main Street. Picture of proposed new sign for Madison Insurance was reviewed and MHPC commented that the color should be more subtle and in keeping with the tone of the building, possibly in the brown or gold families. Also, MHPC was not in favor of the shadowing created by the raised letters on the sign. The proposed sign for the second new tenant at 18 Main Street, “Polished Nail Lounge,” was next reviewed. MHPC would prefer the two signs be the same size, since they are next to each other. Pictures of proposed signs for the nail salon for the door and window were acceptable. Mr. Solu will relay the above comments to the business owners. It was also noted that DDC provided funds for a new sign for Bridge Kitchen at 7 Waverly Place because the landlord was unwilling to provide a new sign. For Discussion: Friends of Bottle Hill Historic District-Speed reduction and safety concerns: Kathy Solu spoke as representative of Friends of Bottle Hill Historic District about initiatives to bring about traffic calming measures on Ridgedale Avenue and other issues involving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. One major goal of the group is to bring about reduction of the speed limit on Ridgedale Avenue to 25 miles per hour, and MHPC offered some suggestions to accomplish this goal. Other major goals were to raise the public’s level of consciousness about the historic district and to protect and preserve the streetscape. Annual Report and 2012 Initiatives: Mr. VanRyzin reported the Annual Report, which the entire Commission had opportunity to review, is complete and ready to be forwarded to the Mayor and Council and then posted on Rosenet. The present format can be used for the next Annual Report to expedite the process. Mr. VanRyzin offered to update the data for the 2012 report on a monthly basis. One goal listed in the Annual Report was to support the Bottle Hill Historic District and James Park. It was suggested a yearly agenda be established to keep the Commission focused on its goals. It was agreed an agenda item for next month’s meeting would be Initiatives for 2012. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Laurie C. Hagerich, Recording Secretary