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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090523 HPC MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: Sept. 5, 2023 Time: 3:00 pm Location: City Hall Council Chambers, and virtually via GoToMeeting webinar Members Present: Richard Berg (Chair), Craig Britton (Vice -Chair), Kathleen Knoblock; Kathleen Croston. Walter Galitzki, Michael D'Alessandro, City Council member/HPC liaison Monica MickHager Members Absent (excused): None. Staff Present: John McDonagh, Senior Planner Guests: Sean Hegstead representing Haven Design Workshop; Michael D'Alessandro (while recused) representing The Rose Theater; one member of the public, Josh Kout. Topic Public Comment with Motions, Recommendations and/or Action Call to Order Chair Berg called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. He began by acknowledging the recent passing of HPC member George Randels. Chair Berg noted Randels long service to the city including time on the Planning Commission, the City Council and HPC as well as other community organizations. Other HPC members echoed Chair Berg's comments, expressing gratitude for Randels' experience, his keen observations and wry sense of humor. All members commented that Randels' presence will be missed. Page 1 of 5 Topic Public Comment with Motions, Recommendations and/or Action Approval of Aug. 1, 2023 Minutes Motion to approve the minutes as amended by Britton, 2nd by Galitzki. Amendments were minor but include clarity that SDL windows be part of the Port's pre -approved window types. All in favor 5-0. Council Liaison MickHager asked about filling of Randels vacancy. Members agreed that it should be done, either by existing person who's expressed interest or by opening the invitation to the community. Monica will discuss with Clerk on how best to proceed. Approval of the Agenda Britton asked about Guidelines letter he drafted & why it was not part of Correspondence. McDonagh noted that given the formal applications on the Agenda and the tight timeline. Correspondence/Attachments: The Alliance Review magazine of the NAPC. Appearance of Fairness: Michael D'Alessandro said he would recuse himself in acting as applicant for HPC23-018. Public Comment (for any non -Agenda items) None at the time. No virtual hands up per McDonagh. Old Business A. HPC23-014, 1136 Water Street Hotel — Demo Sanderling Building and construct new Moved for conditional approval of the 4 -story hotel with on-site surface parking; Review of revised window and siding treatment. revised elevations by Britton, 2nd by Galitzki. Motion is for Applicant to work Applicant Presentation: Agents Sean Hegstead, Architect and Douglas Green with Haven with staff on revisions to the ground floor Design Workshop presented further building revisions based on HPC's 8-1-23 meeting windows to bring more symmetry to them. comments on windows and exterior siding. As revised, building elevations now show paired Ground floor window changes can be Page 2 of 5 Topic Public Comment with Motions, Recommendations and/or Action upper floor single -hung windows. Siding changes include a combination of narrow (4") approved by staff, along with final light horizontal lap siding alternating with wider (10") horizontal lap siding. This treatment is in fixtures and other exterior design details lieu of wider siding alternating with board -and -batten. The proposed first floor exterior and including, but not limited to, materials and overall color scheme remain unchanged (i.e., brick veneer first floor; light blue and pale design for the rear retaining wall; the yellow upper floors). Sample exterior light fixtures were also offered for discussion and recycling/refuse enclosure; exterior awnings were slightly raised to meet code required separation from sidewalk. lighting. other exterior design details including, but not limited to, materials and Committee: Members agreed the window and siding revisions are more appropriate and design for the rear retaining wall and compatible with existing nearby buildings. Some, but not all, members suggested the ground recycling/refuse enclosure; exterior floor windows be more similar in their light pattern. Members advised light fixtures be fully lighting. Staff is authorized, if needed, to shielded and downward pointing. bring back these details to HPC for further review and recommendation. Applicant Response: Sean explained revisions as summarized above. Answered member questions about transom windows being covered by awnings. Sean noted that some light A separate motion by Britton with 2nd by will still enter first floor even with awnings (which are fixed). Croston was made to: a) Approve demolition of the existing building as soing Staff: McDonagh recommended approval of the revisions as presented with a couple of so is not detrimental to the character of the possible revisions to ground floor windows (i.e., making them more similar in light pattern), historic district; b) That changes that allow using fully shielded exterior lights and the possible use of hardi-panel alternating with the improvements such as elevators to exceed wider horizontal siding. McDonagh noted that HPC still needed to make a formal height limits be explored, and, c) that recommendation on demolition of the existing building and on how to approach remaining remaining design details (e.g., door design details (e.g., the north property line retaining wall, mechanical equipment screening, hardware, exterior lighting, etc.) be exterior light fixtures, recycling/refuse enclosure materials/design, signage, etc.). Staff also delegated to staff for review and approval. noted to Applicant that final refuse/recycling enclosure will need some form of arbor to deter Staff is authorized, if needed, to bring back wildlife from getting into the enclosure. these details to HPC for further review and recommendation. Public Comment: Josh Kout — Admittedly not well versed in historic preservation matters, the speaker discussed his experience and appreciation for 2 buildings in other communities All in favor, 5-0. (Fairhaven & Ruston). He also asked about authenticity requirements and general historic preservation regulations in effect for Pt. Townsend. Staff and the Chair briefly described the HPC's use of adopted Guidelines in their review of proposals. Page 3 of 5 Topic Public Comment with Motions, Recommendations and/or Action New Business A. HPC23-018 — New backlit LED movie poster signs for the Rose Theater Moved by Croston to approve as presented. No formal 2nd was made. Applicant Presentation: Michael D'Alessandro, owner of The Rose Theater, presented their proposal for installing backlit LED movie poster signs in the theater. Michael explained that Motion by Knoblock was that HPC more and more of the film studios are moving away from paper posters in favor of recommend approval of the sign code changeable LED signs. The image on each would remain static while movie was part of the departure for the proposal as presented. theater schedule. ....... 2nd by Croston. All in favor, 4-0 with 1 abstention. Committee: One member asked clarifying questions (e.g., confirm the new signs are backlit and produce no sound) and suggested some possible conditions which could include a limit on brightness (i.e., lumen output) and specify the sign image will remain statics (or least remain so for a period of time). Another member countered that efforts to assign a lumen maximum without additional research would be difficult to quantify as part of the current application and doing so may be overly subjective. HPC's Council liaison suggested Guidelines for these types of signs be sought for development in the 2024 or 2025 Workplan. Two members felt this type of signage would become more prevalent and the City and HPC needed to accept it as more of the norm. One member also stated the sign code departure process was useful for dealing with this case as well as others in the near term until more specific Guidelines can be developed. Staff: No further comment. Public Comment: The speaker felt that an appropriate lumen level can be determined and to consider future requests for similar signage. The existing integrity of the Rose Theater needs to be maintained. Other Business/Announcements: B. HPC Recommendations for 2024 Workplan Galitzki asked if the 2nd letter be sent to Britton described initial Workplan letter presented to Council at their July retreat, which Council and that an ad hoc committee to Page 4 of 5 Topic Public Comment with Motions, Recommendations and/or Action repeated Workplan requests from years past. Britton had prep'd a supplemental letter review approved items and/or finish draft outlining 4 additional Workplan items (at least 2 of which that are not currently within HPC's Guidelines. Britton suggests that all existing purview, specifically better coordination on Public Art installations and better coordination Guidelines undergo ad hoc committee with Main Street on grant opportunities they pursue, even considering a survey of residents review in addition to the new 4 draft and owners on possible projects). Another proposed Workplan addition was development of Guidelines. All members in favor, 5-0. Chair a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with State Parks regarding projects that occur at Ft. Berg asked that this topic be put on the next Worden. State Parks would continue having final decision-making authority on proposed Agenda to further clarify Workplan items projects but HPC would be consulted. Lastly of the 4 additional items is to work on the and transmission to Counci. Historic Housing Inventory, perhaps revisit the 2010 work done within the NHLD but perhaps more importantly is continuing inventory work for areas outside the NHLD. Members clarified for Council liaison Mich -Hagar that Britton's supplement letter had not be shared with Council yet; however, McDonagh indicated the 4 new items were inserted into the matrix done for Council's consideration. One member noted that HPC's role in Public Art was not in the staff prepared Council matrix. Chair Berg suggested he sign the supplement letter & send to Council. If not incorporated into the 2024 Workplan, it may be sought again in the 2025 Workplan. Another member suggested that there may not be time to complete the approved Workplan. Mick -Hager stated that staffing levels are being increased which will hopefully make more time available to focus on Workplans. Next Scheduled Meeting: Tuesday, October 3. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Page 5 of 5