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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 05/05/1993Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes May 5, 1993 Council Liaison: Gerry Horak Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Commission voted to accept the proposed color scheme for repainting 229-243 Jefferson Street. A motion to write a letter to the Jefferson Street Coalition, supporting moving truck traffic off Jefferson Street, passed unanimously. The Commission voted unanimously to approve a proposal for exploratory demolition of the 222 Walnut Street facade, with the condition that the applicant return with a plan when he has determined what cleaning and repairs will be necessary. The Commission approved a proposal to add a window and door to the side of the house at 103 North Sherwood. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Chair Jennifer Carpenter called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., 281 North College Avenue. Secretary Charlotte Plaut was absent. Staff member Carol Tunner called the roll. Commission members Richard Hill, Kirk Jensen, James Tanner and Ruth Weatherford were present. Bud Frick was absent. Carol Tunner represented staff. GUESTS: Mitch Busteed, owner of 229-235 Jefferson Street, Wally Walberg, owner of 237-243 Jefferson Street, Tom Moore, owner of 222 Walnut Street, Rich Lea, owner of 103 North Sherwood, and Rheba Massey, Local Historian, were guests AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner announced that the Preservation Mixer will be held on Friday, May 7. She asked members of the LPC to attend and act as hosts for the event. Ms. Tunner explained that the City has received an offer from a private brewery operation to purchase the Trolley Barn. The Commission expressed an interest in learning more details about the project, and the applicant will be invited to the next work session to make a presentation. Ms. Weatherford asked if the barn was sold to a private party, then could the proceeds of the sale be earmarked for other historic preservation projects. Landmark Preservation Commission May 5, 1993 Page 2 MEMBERS' REPORTS: Ms. Carpenter announced that Mayor Ann Azari delivered the proclamation for Historic Preservation Week at the Council meeting last night. Ms. Carpenter represented the LPC. CURRENT REVIEW: Ms. Tunner introduced a proposal to paint four buildings on Jefferson Street. She provided the Commission with photos and slides of the buildings and color chips of the proposed paint. She note that the wood trim on the buildings is currently all different colors. Ms. Tunner pointed out that there is a lot of light blue on the buildings at the present time. The applicants do not plan on painting any of the brick surfaces that are not already painted. Ms. Tunner stated that the proposal conforms to Guideline #12, recommending a color scheme that coordinates facade elements, Guideline #13, recommending a maximum of three colors for facades and Guideline #14, recommending that colors be consistent within separated buildings or several attached buildings. Staff recommends the proposed color scheme. Mr. Tanner noted that the light blue is already on the building. Mr. Busteed agreed, but stated that the proposed color is a more of a blue -gray. He explained that diesel dust dulls the colors and a brighter color is better. There was no public comment. Ms. Weatherford moved to accept the proposed color scheme for 229-235 and 237-243 Jefferson Street. Mr. Jensen seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Hill, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Ms. Carpenter asked if the applicants had any questions or comments. Mr. Busteed discussed his understanding of the Commission's purview and mission to protect the integrity of Old Town and the federal and local historic district. He discussed the problems of truck traffic and the lack of support to protect the buildings. Mr. Busteed provided photos of damage to his buildings. He noted the Commission sent a letter of support to City Council to remove the traffic, but did not attend the last Council hearing on moving the truck traffic off Jefferson Street. Landmark Preservation Commission May 5, 1993 Page 3 Ms. Carpenter assured Mr. Busteed that the Commission had attended several Council meetings and genuinely supports moving the truck traffic off Jefferson. Mr. Busteed asked the Commission for a strong letter of support on this matter. He stated that allowing the truck traffic to continue is a direct violation of the Landmark Ordinance. Mr. Jensen noted that the Commission does not have the power to enforce moving truck traffic off Jefferson, but strongly supports moving the traffic. Ms. Weatherford asked Mr. Busteed to inform the Commission if he plans any meetings that the LPC should attend. Mr. Busteed noted that these are federally (National Register) protected buildings and asked why the damage continues. Ms. Carpenter explained that the buildings are protected only if a federal agency is directly impacting the structures. She recommended that Mr. Busteed work with the new City Council on this matter. Mr. Tanner commented that the Commission does not have the power to force people to change existing traffic. Ms. Carpenter agreed that the Commission does not have the power to move traffic, but assured Mr. Busteed that the Commission will provide all the support they can. Ms. Tunner noted that this district now has a new Council representative, Ms. Janett, who is a transportation planner. Ms. Tunner suggested that Ms. Janett may be able to help Mr. Busteed. Ms. Weatherford moved that the Commission write a very strong letter to the Jefferson Street Coalition, supporting moving truck traffic on Jefferson Street. W. Tanner seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Hill, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Mr. Hill told Mr. Busteed that he has the Commission's attention and interest. He suggested that the LPC could form a subcommittee to attend to this problem. Ms. Tuner explained that Antiques Affinity, 222 Walnut has gone out of business. She stated that Tom Moore, the owner, proposes to remove the facade (covering the wood and brick) that was applied to 222 Walnut Street during the 1950s or 60s. Ms. Tunner provided pictures of the Landmark Preservation Commission May 5, 1993 Page 4 original 1880/1883 facade of the historic Peter Anderson Mercantile Company building. The applicant plans to clean and repair the building as needed. Ms. Tunner stated that staff recommends exploratory demolition of the 1960s facade. She cited Guideline #1, recommending reconstruction of original buildings if accurate documentation exists, Guideline #10, recommending the use of new materials that have similar texture and color to those in the original, and Guideline #11, discouraging sandblasting or strong chemicals to clean facades. Staff recommended approval with the condition that the applicant return to the Commission after the exploratory demolition is complete and present a plan for rehabilitating the building as evidenced by photo documentation, and that cleaning and repairing should follow Guideline #11. Mr. Moore explained that he is on a short time frame between tenants. He said that the building has been a hardware store since the 1920s and has been owned by the Moore family. Mr. Hill asked the applicant about the condition of the windows. Mr. Moore responded that they are covered with sheet rock and are all in place. He stated that he does not anticipate making very many changes. He asked for approval for demolition, repairing and patching. Mr. Moore stated that if changes are required, he will return to the Commission. Mr. Hill complimented Mr. Moore on the proposal. Mr. Tanner moved to approve the exploratory demolition with the condition recommended by staff. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. The motion passed, 5-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Hill, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Ms. Tunner provided drawings of the proposed door and window addition. She explained that the applicant proposes replacing a first floor window on the north elevation of the house with an exterior door and stoop for safety and convenience and adding a window (above that new door) in the second story for light to the interior. Ms. Tunner explained that the first floor windows are taller so it cannot be moved up to the second floor. Mr Rich Lea, the owner, explained that the window is not in good shape anyway. Mr. Lea stated that he plans to install a 32" x 78" wide metal door on that north elevation. Landmark Preservation Commission May 5, 1993 Page 5 Ms. Weatherford inquired why the applicant had chosen a metal door. Mr. Lea responded that the choice was made for ease of maintenance and security. Once it is painted, a metal frame will not look much different than a wood frame. He noted that the proposed changes will be hidden by a large stand of evergreens and will be visible only to the tenant. Ms. Tuner noted that the door is a reversible change. Ms. Weatherford moved to accept the application, as presented. Mr. Tanner seconded the motion. The motion passed, 5-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Hill, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Mr. Lea voiced his formal support and recommendation for the HRPP Executive Summary. He especially encouraged promulgation and promotion of the City sates tax rebate program. He stated the rebate would be a great incentive to help an owner up front and save 6 percent on construction materials. Mr. Lea said that the rebate, as a city -implemented program, would be easier to do because it would be done locally and would avoid the long bureaucratic delays involved in the state tax credit. Mr. Lea requested that staff inform him when City Council will consider the rebate, so that he can attend the meeting. Mr. Hill excused himself from the meeting due to illness. DISCUSSION - HRPP: The Commission spent the remainder of the meeting discussing the HRPP. A decision was made to postpone the scheduled May 25 City Council worksession on the HRPP. Ms. Carpenter agreed to invite new Council Liaison Gerry Horak to an LPC meeting in order to get his input on the direction the LPC is taking with the HRPP. ADJOURN: Ms. Carpenter adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Submitted by Charlotte Plaut, Secretary.