Historic Zoning Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes of the Historic Zoning Commission June 16, 2020 MEMBERS PRESENT: ABSENT: Jim Thompson, Chairman Gib Backlund Deborah Belcher (by phone) David Becker Bill Jakes Jeff Davis Marimae White Linda Anderson Chase Salas STAFF PRESENT: Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director Brenda Davis, Recording Assistant Katie Driver, Staff Attorney Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Roll call determined a quorum, 6 in-person and 1 by phone: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Chairman Thompson asked if there were any changes to the January 21, 2020 meeting and if not, for a motion to approve. Mr. Jakes made a motion to approve the January 21, 2020 minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Anderson and carried unanimously in favor. Mr. Salas abstained from the vote since he was not a Historic Zoning Commission Member at that time. HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Chairman Thompson welcomed a new member to the Historic Zoning Commission, Mr. Chase Salas and asked him to introduce himself. Mr. Salas said he has been a resident of Murfreesboro for 14-years, he is an independent insurance agent in Murfreesboro. He enjoys working with the City Officials and City Planning Commission. Mr. Salas said he was added to the Planning Commission about a year ago and enjoying his time there. He was looking forward to spending time with the Historic Zoning Commission. New Business: H-20-006 – 449 East College Street, Thomas Holden Jennings – Requesting review of an electric driveway gate at single-family residence. Mr. Blomeley reviewed the application and staff comments. The applicant, Mr. Thomas Jennings was present to answer any questions. Mr. Jennings came to the podium and said they have noticed a lot of foot traffic in the area. He is not trying to keep people out but rather keep his daughters in for safety sake. Ms. Anderson asked the type of material the fence will be made of. Mr. Jennings said the proposed fence will be wooden. He said they intend to let it weather and not paint or paint it white along with the fence to match the hardi-board siding on the house. Chairman Thompson said the site plan distributed to the Commission Members shows the fence on the right side. He asked if there is a fence on the back and other side of the property. Mr. Jennings said yes. Chairman Thompson asked if there is a fence section that will totally enclose the back and side yards. Mr. Jennings said yes, it closes off from the back portion of the house to the garage and all the way around to the front. Chairman Thompson asked if there will be a gate or fence on the side. Mr. Jennings said no. Chairman Thompson asked if you could walk thru the front gate to get to the back yard. 2 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Mr. Jennings said no, the fence on the left side ends at the back, left corner of the house. Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the request for an electric driveway gate at 449 East College Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. White. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: H-20-004 – 451 East College Street, Richard and Vicki Fewell – Requesting review of construction of new single-family residence. Mr. Blomeley reviewed the application and staff comments. The applicant was present to answer any questions. Mr. Terry Bates at 1705 19th Avenue South in Nashville, the Architect for this project came to the podium. He mentioned that Ms. Fewell, the applicant and Ken Watson were also present to answer questions. Mr. Bates said the applicants, Richard and Vicki Fewell asked him to do something reminiscent of some of the cottages along the street, more the romantic style, a little bit lower scaled, more 1 ½-story so that was the general concept of the property. He said the applicants requested that most of the house be on the first floor. They are looking at doing a painted brick, probably a warm gray roof which was included in the agenda package. Mr. Bates said there is some siding on the house, and they are looking at a reversed board and batten as shown on the drawing. He said that will probably be cement board for longevity. He said the color scheme will be some sort of off-white color, not a real stark white but more of a dirty kind of putty white with gray and brown tones on the outside. They are looking at windows that are more of a putty color. Ms. Anderson asked about the shingles. Mr. Bates said the shingles will be a warm gray. 3 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Chairman Thompson suggested discussing each individual portion of the house and make individual motions instead of one big motion for the whole project. He suggested talking about the design of the outside and the placement of it, then we can get into finishes. With that in mind, Chairman Thompson asked if there were any questions for Mr. Bates. Chairman Thompson appreciates that Mr. Bates broke down the massing, so it is a little smaller in the front and a little taller in the back. He referred to the parking space that is outside in front of the house asking if it would be used for guest parking or do the applicants need parking for three cars. Mr. Bates said it will be used for guest parking. Chairman Thompson said typically there are not parking places in the front within the District except for rival courts and there are very few of those in the District. Mr. Bates said the whole reason they went with the courtyard garage with the space on the front is because this lot is so narrow. He said if they had a side entry and went to the back, it was going to kill the whole back yard. Mr. Bates said it was put there because of the proportion of the lot. Chairman Thompson just wanted the Commission to note there is a parking space in front. He said they frequently become a permanent parking place. He used an example of buying a boat and then a car goes into the parking space permanently. His concern was having cars in people’s very small front yards. Chairman Thompson referred to a structure in the back of the house but is not visible. He questioned if you looked from the right-of-way, in front of the Jennings house and the other neighbor on the other side, could you see it. He expressed interest in seeing some proof from the right-of-way that you cannot see the structure. Chairman Thompson said if the structure is visible, even from the front of the neighboring housing, the Commission needs to review it. Mr. Bates said they will be glad to bring that back to the Commission whenever it is designed. The reason he hasn’t design it yet is because the applicants don’t know what functions it is going to have. He said the applicants have two grandchildren in town and they are looking to do some kind of play area for them in the back. The applicants will need some storage and they are also bouncing around the idea of a pool and understand they will come back and discuss at a later date. Mr. Bates said until they figure out what the function of the backyard will be, it seems like a waste of time to discuss this now. Chairman Thompson said when this comes back to the Commission, he would like to see the site line from the neighbor’s perspective, and can you see it from the road. 4 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Ms. Anderson asked for explanation of the two different exterior finishes. Mr. Bates showed sample photos of the proposed finishes adding they are looking at a painted brick. He also showed photos of the proposed roofing material to be used. Mr. Salas asked the square footage of the garage. He was asking because the square footage of the garage is sometimes not big enough and the extra parking space becomes a permanent parking place to utilize more room in the garage. Mr. Bates was not certain but said it is about 550-square feet, 24’ X 23’. He said two cars will comfortably fit inside this garage. Ms. Anderson agreed with Chairman Thompson with concerns regarding the front courtyard being a permanent driveway. She is happy to have Mr. and Mr. Fewell in the neighborhood. Ms. Anderson says she lives on the block adding it has always been the worst block on East College Street because of all the rental property and the slum lords who ran those rental properties. She said it is wonderful to have you and Mr. Jennings wanting to help with the neighborhood. It has taken a long time to get away from cars in front yards and that is why she has a concern. Ms. Vicki Fewell, the applicant, came to the podium stating they do not have a boat or any recreational vehicles. She said they have two cars which will be in the garage and that will be an arrival area. She said it is that way because the lot is so narrow, and they didn’t have much choice. Chairman Thompson asked if there is on-street parking in front of her house. Ms. Anderson said there is on-street parking. Chairman Thompson suggested guests park on the street, therefore grass or flowers could be planted in the front yard instead of a parking space. Ms. Fewell said they did not know parking on the street was an option, so she needs to discuss that with her husband. She said they have adult children that live here, and their cars would be the only ones there anyway. Mr. Davis asked Chairman Thompson if the Commission could go back to the front elevation. Once the elevations were up on the screen, Mr. Davis asked the type of driveway material. Chairman Thompson said he planned to go over the driveway material, paint colors and all of that stuff later. He is now looking at hard architecture currently. He said there are so many different finishes and didn’t want to get too far into it right now. 5 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Mr. Davis said he was trying to visualize what this will look like if the parking space portion is removed. He asked if it is a right turn into the carriage garage and the parking space extends beyond the garage. Chairman Thompson said when you pull into the driveway, you would make a sharp right into the garage or into the guest parking space. He said there is a little bit more of a back-up space behind the garage doors toward the Jennings property for them to back into and make a hard right to get out. Mr. Bates said if they take the parking space out the garage still works. They assumed it would be safer to have a parking space there for guests rather than have it on the street but understands the Commission’s concerns. He mentioned the Fewell’s will only be in residence part of the year at this location, so they are not looking at having lots of people at this location. Ms. White reminded the Commission there are houses in the Historic District that have circular driveways in the front of houses that people stop and park. Some have garages and some do not. Mr. Davis added this proposed house is such an improvement over what was there that he is inclined to not get upset about the parking space. Mr. Jakes said when the Commission discussed the demolition of the houses previously at these locations, one of his concerns was the parking with the narrowness of the lots. He said they try to keep street parking to a minimum. He said down the street, closer to Ms. Anderson’s house there is a rental property where someone parks on the street. Mr. Jakes found out recently, they have had their car hit three times from their neighbors backing out. Mr. Jakes said this parking space projects a need for the Fewell’s to accomplish their goal and to have the enjoyment of their property. He said he would rather see a car parked on their property than on the street. Chairman Thompson asked if there were any other questions for the applicant and if not, the Chair asked for a motion on the architecture of the house. Mr. Jakes made a motion to approve the architecture of the house. The motion was seconded by Mr. Davis. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White 6 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Nay: Chairman Thompson directed the Commission to discussing finishes. He realized there were quite a few cut-sheets on garage doors to the point, he wasn’t sure which one was picked. He said the finishes had a range as it was going to be an off-white color but not sure the exact color. Chairman Thompson suggested Staff approve a range administratively. Paved Surfaces Chairman Thompson noticed one of the plans showed what looked to be stamped concrete right outside the garage doors / backing out area. He asked if that area was stamped concrete. Mr. Bates said they want to make the pavers on the garage court feel like a courtyard and be a little more upscale, so they are looking at using a concrete cobblestone-look paver there. They are looking at using a broom-swept concrete for the rest of the drive. He referred to the lower left-hand corner of the page where there is driveway parking, they are playing with the idea of broom-sweeping it in two directions to give a little bit of a pattern to it. Mr. Bates then referred to the picture to the right is deck pavers for the porches which is the same product as the pavers for the motor court, it is just a different scale. He said it will be the same color and the same concrete, it’s just larger pieces. Chairman Thompson asked if they were individual paver tiles or something. Mr. Bates said it is exactly what is on the photo, taken from their website. Chairman Thompson verified it is not a stamped concrete. Mr. Bates said it is not stamped concrete, it is cast concrete pavers and paving blocks. Chairman Thompson verified it is in the area outside the garage and in the guest parking area. He then asked what the driveway portion is up to outside the garage. Mr. Bates said concrete. Chairman Thompson asked if it were regular concrete. Mr. Bates referred to the photo on the lower left stating they are looking a doing a broom-swept pattern to dress it up a little bit, so it doesn’t look so plain. Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Davis if that answered his question. 7 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Mr. Davis said yes. Chairman Thompson asked if anyone else on the Commission had any additional questions regarding any paved surfaces you can see from the right-of-way. Mr. Bates said the whole idea is to make this look like it is cut limestone. Chairman Thompson said this is the first time they have had anything like this in the Historic Zoning District and that is the reason for the questions. Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the front drive and parking areas as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Anderson. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Garage Doors and Man Doors Chairman Thompson referred to the garage doors asking the design and materials to be used. Mr. Bates showed a photo of the style of garage doors proposed with windows at the top and wood panels. He said instead of having the wood panels, they plan to paint the doors a dark gray color that will be used on the other exterior of the house. He also showed a photo of the color. Chairman Thompson asked the proposed design and materials of the man doors on the outside of the house. Mr. Bates showed a photo of the style of the front door and doors on the back patio. He added they plan to use the dark gray color. Chairman Thompson asked if the doors will be painted or stained. Mr. Bates said they will probably stain the front door because those doors will be a custom mahogany door. He said the doors on the back of the house will probably be painted. 8 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Chairman Thompson asked what the materials were for the garage doors. Mr. Bates said metal cladding and will be painted. Chairman Thompson said the Commission has not approved metal doors and asked the Builder to come to the podium. The Builder came to the podium and said they priced metal doors with a cladding but there are several other options they could pick. He said this option is paintable or you can get a standard color, depending on what color is selected. Chairman Thompson asked if it is metal door. The Builder said it is a metal-clad door and what you see is metal. Chairman Thompson asked if the door was metal-clad to what. The Builder was not sure what the material was but said it is more of a wood door, like a clad window. Chairman Thompson asked if it were a metal-clad wood door. The Builder agreed. Ms. White verified the finish looks like wood. The Builder said that option is available. Chairman Thompson verified the garage doors would be a dark gray. The Builder said yes. Ms. White verified the garage doors would have a wood texture. The Builder agreed. Mr. Bates said there were two different versions available and wasn’t sure what the company that priced that so that is why he asked the Builder to come to the podium. Mr. Bates said some have the wood texture and they would paint the doors. This is already finished with that stained gray look. He said it will be one version or the other. 9 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Ms. White said it sounds like it will be very tasteful. Chairman Thompson asked for questions from the Commission regarding the garage doors and man doors. Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the proposed garage door and man doors. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salas. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Chairman Thompson made it known the Commission reviews new homes differently and give more latitude than they do on historic houses. He said he is a little more cautious in setting a precedence. Windows Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Bates to describe the make-up of the windows. Mr. Ken Watson, the builder with Mullins Watson Builders LLC at 3134 West College Street in Murfreesboro came to the podium. Mr. Watson said they plan to install a double-hung, clad windows by Marvin, they are an elevate line of window that comes in several colors. These windows are proposed to be gray or off-white in color. Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Watson to describe, in more detail, the windows. He asked if the windows would have muntin’s. If there are muntin’s on the sash, are they on the outside only or are they on the outside and inside and is there a shadow bar between the two glasses. Mr. Watson said it is on both sides. Chairman Thompson asked what the windows are clad with, adding it looks like an extrusion. Mr. Watson said it is an extrusion. 10 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Chairman Thompson asked if it is fiberglass, metal, or aluminum. Mr. Watson said it is metal. Ms. Anderson ask for the photo of the windows be displayed on the screen. Chairman Thompson asked Ms. Anderson if she wants to see the cut sheets or the elevations. Ms. Anderson said the cut sheet. Mr. Bates showed the photo of a window they are proposing to use stating it is a Marvin wood window with aluminum cladding on the outside. He said it has fixed grids inside and out with a spacer bar. Chairman Thompson asked the Commission has any other questions regarding the proposed windows. Mr. Jakes made a motion to approve the proposed Marvin wood window with aluminum cladding on the outside, fixed grids inside and out with a space bar. The motion was seconded by Ms. Anderson. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Soffit, Gutter Board, Gutters, Roof Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Bates to explain Pavlownia for a gutter board. Mr. Bates said Pavlownia is a tropical wood that has gotten popular lately and is affordable. The wood is treated for insects and rot. Chairman Thompson said a motion is not necessary for this by expressed appreciation for Mr. Bates looking for decay resistant material. 11 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Chairman Thompson asked the Commission if they have any questions regarding the roof and/or gutters. Mr. Jakes asked if the shingles would be an architectural shingle. Mr. Bates said yes. Chairman Thompson noticed the gutters were one piece and asked if they have a coupling at the corners inside and outside or is there like a little cap, or are they fixed together. Mr. Bates said that has not been discussed yet. He said they planned to use a standard aluminum gutter with round downspouts. He was planning to use a bronze color or a dark gray on the gutter itself and using an off-white on the downspouts. Ms. White made a motion to approve the proposed gutters and roof. The motion was seconded by Ms. Belcher. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Gas Lights and Fencing Chairman Thompson asked where the gas lights will be used. Mr. Bates said the gas lights will be located by the front door. Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Bates to describe the proposed materials for the fencing. The Commission does not review paint but would like to know if the fencing will be stained, painted or left natural. Mr. Bates said the fence will be either cedar or cypress. Chairman Thompson asked if they would let it gray naturally or are you planning to stain or paint the fence. 12 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Mr. Bates said their preference is to let it gray naturally, however it doesn’t always gray well so they may need to put a gray coat over it but the whole idea is for it to be grayed out eventually. Ms. Anderson asked if the fence will connect at the back of the house on both sides. Chairman Thompson asked if the plot plan showed the location of the fence. Mr. Bates displayed the plot plan photo for the Commission to view the location of the fence. Chairman Thompson asked how much of the back yard is proposed to be fenced. Mr. Bates guessed about half. Mr. Jakes said there is an existing fence to the rear of this lot and asked if the applicant proposes to install new fencing in front or leave the existing fence. Mr. Bates said they have had some discussion and said if the existing fence is in good repair, they will leave it and if it is not, they will replace it. Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the proposed gas lights and fencing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salas. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Chairman Thompson said there are still a lot of items in play. The garage door hasn’t been selected exactly as there are several manufactures you are looking at, the window range, the color range. He feels there should be something that finalizes everything that the applicant ultimately selects so the Commission knows that is what they have approved today and what was presented was within that range. Mr. Bates said he will send that to the Commission when the final selections are made. He asked if the Staff could look at it to make sure it meets approvals today. 13 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Chairman Thompson agreed Staff can approve the selections administratively. He asked for cut sheets of everything selected so Staff can give administrative approval by Staff that it is exactly what the Commission understood they were approving. Mr. Bates said they would rather not nail down a color on the front end because once they get some of the finishes they can’t control the color on, they would prefer to be able to match wall colors and some of that so they can mix the paints. He said that is one reason for not giving an absolute on colors today. Chairman Thompson understood. Mr. Bates asked if that is acceptable when they are ready to order, they send it to the Commission to say yes before continuing. Chairman Thompson recommended obtaining final administrative approval from the Staff right before placing the orders. Mr. Blomeley came to the podium and said if it is ok with Ms. Driver and the Commission, he asked that you consider a separate motion that specifies the outstanding issues and then give Staff the latitude to review and approve and if Staff has any discomfort with any of the items to bring it back to the Historic Zoning Commission for your consideration. Chairman Thompson asked if a specific motion is needed for which outstanding items. Mr. Blomeley said to list the specific items that the Commission would like Staff to review. That way there is a little bit of specificity as far as what Staff needs to have the applicant provide before the permit is issued. Chairman Thompson said that is what he was hoping not to do and asked if anyone would like to attempt a motion. He suggested final paving, roofing, garage doors, man doors, windows, fencing. Mr. Bates referred to the doors and windows and does not think they need to resubmit that because they are using the Marvin windows and doors submitted today. He said the only thing they need to do is give the Commission the final color selection. Chairman Thompson said Ms. White reminded him the Commission does not review color. Mr. Bates said the windows and doors will be Marvin except for the front door which will be custom, mahogany door. 14 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Chairman Thompson agreed the windows were approved today and do not need to be brought back for approval. Mr. Blomeley suggested the motion contain the following information: The applicant shall submit final details of paving, roofing, garage doors, man doors, and fencing for Staff level review and approval and if the Staff has any discomfort with any of the issues that it should be brought back to the Historic Zoning Commission for consideration. Chairman Thompson agreed with Mr. Blomeley’ s suggested motion. Mr. Davis made a motion the applicant shall submit final details of paving, roofing, garage doors, man doors, and fencing for Staff level review and approval and if the Staff has any discomfort with any of the issues that it should be brought back to the Historic Zoning Commission for consideration. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salas. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: H-20-005 – 324 East College Street, Bill Jakes – Requesting review of new privacy fence along rear lot line of existing single-family residence. Mr. Blomeley reviewed the application and staff comments. The applicant, Mr. Bill Jakes was present to answer any questions. Mr. Jakes recused himself from the Commission for this application. Mr. Bill Jakes came to the podium stating he lives at 224 North Maney Avenue. Mr. Jakes is renovating the house at 324 East College Street and proposes to install is a fence matching the neighbor at 331 East Main Street existing fence. He said the fence on the subject property has been the biggest pushback he has had with this property because it bounds a commercial property is not desirable to most people. Ms. White asked Mr. Jakes if he owns this property. 15 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Mr. Jakes said yes, he purchased this property in December 2019. Mr. Salas asked if the fence would only be across the back of the property. Mr. Jakes said yes, adding it is a 70-foot span on the rear property line. Ms. Anderson said it is a great idea. Chairman Thompson asked if the pretty side of the fence will face the back of the house and not the ugly side. Mr. Jakes agreed, adding they would not be able to construct it with the pretty side against the chain-link fence. Mr. Jakes shared some research on this home stating the house was built by a doctor before there was a hospital in Murfreesboro. The house has two front doors, one on the side porch and one in the main. He feels certain that the side porch was the doctor’s office. He said there was a Montessori school for over twenty years in this house. Chairman Thompson said it is a big improvement to the neighborhood. Mr. Salas made a motion to approve the proposed privacy fence on the rear of the property at 324 East College Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. Belcher. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Mr. Jakes recused himself from the vote. Other Business Chairman Thompson asked if the Guidelines were handed out for any particular reason. 16 HZC Minutes June 16, 2020 Mr. Blomeley said yes, there are two new members on the Commission and thought it would be a good idea to pass the information along to everyone for information. Chairman Thompson agreed and thanked Mr. Blomeley. Chairman Thompson said Mr. Backlund, who is not with us today, would like to request some additional training sessions on what the intent of these guidelines are and how the Commission can help to enforce them and work within the range they present. He suggested setting something up every quarter or 3-4 months especially with the new members on board. Mr. Blomeley said he will look into that. Ms. Anderson made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Salas. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Linda Anderson Deborah Belcher Jeff Davis Bill Jakes Chase Salas Jim Thompson Marimae White Nay: Meeting adjourned at 4:45 P.M. _____________________________________ ____________________________________ CHAIRMAN SECRETARY 17