Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – November 12, 2013 Attending: Co-Chairman John Solu, Co-Chairman Janet Foster; Members Carmine Toto, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Members John Forte, Joseph Longo, David Luber and Alberta Marcy; and Council Liaison Robert Catalanello. The meeting was called to order as an open public meeting at 7:30 p.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The October 8, 2013, minutes were considered. By unanimous consent, the minutes were approved as written. Follow Up: TCC Applications: Ms. Foster mentioned there was an inquiry about proposed renovations to property on the Inventory but not in a historic district. It was noted that owners of property listed on the Inventory of Historic Sites are encouraged but not required to come before MHPC when making renovations. MHPC recommended the Inventory of Historic Sites be re- assembled and made public after first being reviewed. It was noted the Inventory can be accessed through the Master Plan, and it would be helpful to have the list on the MHPC website. A request will be made to Ron Poeter to put the Inventory in PDF form to facilitate posting it on the website . There were no TCC applications in the historic districts. Sign and Façade applications: Mr. Solu showed a document listing several issues that will be submitted by the Sign and Façade Commission to the DDC recommending: • Public kioscs to replace the sandwich signs throughout town; • Display of the Madison Arts & Culture Alliance’s art banners in a designated area apart from the business district to avoid competition with existing signage in the Downtown Historic District; • Work to remove non-permitted window signs at various sites; • Relocate the Madison Dental blade sign so it does not interfere with awning of On a Roll; Several new signs were shown and discussed: SKN Lab, a new skin care business in the 17 Waverly Place alleyway, which was previously approved; Madison Dental’s new sign in the rear alleyway, the size of which is being adjusted; and Biladi Grill, the Mediterranean restaurant at the former Resto site on Main Street. Mr. Solu will let S & F know that MHPC is not in favor of the kiosks and approves of the MACA art banners being placed in a designated area apart from the business district. For Action: There were no new applications to be acted upon. For Discussion: Annual Report: Mr. VanRyzin will begin compiling information for the Annual Report using the meeting minutes. Some suggestions for the cover picture were the Comstock House (to call attention to the recent loss of houses on the Inventory) or the 1921 Ahrens Fox fire engine. Attention will also be focused on MHPC’s new improved website. Historic Preservation Week 2014 – Recognition awards: There was discussion of some areas that could be highlighted, such as the Tenth Anniversary of the Bottle Hill Historic District and the pre-fab Veteran’s housing at the Lucy D. Anthony fields. Mr. Toto mentioned that the upgrades and improvements to the façade of the movie theater will be going forward, probably in the Spring, as discussed at the October meeting. New Business: Mr. Solu reported MHPC’s budget requests, including $13,000 for professional legal services, has been submitted to the Borough. MHPC members and Council Liaison will be appointed shortly, and a training session will be planned for February 2014. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary