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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11261991 . . . ~ ~ ~ 'f e e MINUTES Historic Preservation Commission November 26, 1991 All proceedings taped. The regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Teresa Goldsmith, chairman, at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken. Ann Landis, Liz Smith, Mike Doug and Nancy Lamy. Smith Approved unanimously. Communications Present: Christopher Carson, Teresa Goldsmith, Yawman. Absent: Pete Raab~ Guests: John Sudlow, moved and Landis seconded approval of the minutes. Sepler o~information on repair of wooden, doublehung windows. New Business Water Street Corporation, HPC 9109-01: Special valuation for historic structure. Staff review: Sepler reported that phase I documents should be received for Jack Westerman soon. The review needs to be completed by the first of the year. Public Testimony: Sudlow requested approval of expenditures on Phase I, He also requested that we lobby for an extension of the special valuation program. Commission Discussion and Conclusions: Yawman, speaking for himself and Raab, reported an excellent tuckpointing job on the brick exterior. He also noted two items on the Phase I application which should be deleted: $480 wo~th of pressed board interior doors and a $360 accoustica1 ceiling. He also requested that the window stops in one apartment be replaced with appropriate ones. Sepler will prepare a review report on Phase I for the next meeting, pointing out that both Phase I and II need to be sent together. Goldsmith offered Sudlow four old doors; then excused herself~from the upcoming vote, because of a conflict of interest. Yawman moved to accept Phase II rehabilitation expenditures totaling $67,559.52 as itemized in the staff draft findings as qualified and amended the findings to include twowindows'in Room 14, requesting that the window stops be replaced at the owner's earliest convenience. Smith seconded. Vote was unanimous with one absent and one vacant position. , ... . . . . . e e HPC Minutes - 11/26/91 - page two James G. Swan Hotel, HPC 9111-04: Signage Staff review: Sepler explained that the applicants propose to remove existing signage located adjacent to the primary entrance of the James G. Swan Hotel and also existing signage on the resident manager's office and replace it with a neon sign, 3 feet 10 inches wide by 1 foot high (including frame) at the office site. The new sign was found to not contribute to the Historic District. Sepler explained that neon signs are prohibited in the District guidelines but allowed in the Port Townsend code, but that neon signs of an historic nature or with an historic prece- dent could be approved as a special condition within the District. He did explain that small neon signs placed inside store windows but back away from the glass were exempt from review. Public testimony: Nancy Lamy noted there are seven neon signs in the District and $ix at Point Hudson. Doug requested some kind of a transitional permit, point- ing out that the manager's office will be removed when Swan II is completed. Committee report: (Yawman/tåndis) Yawman stated concern about the Guidelines for the District being in conflict with the Sign Code as concerns neon and also felt that the size of the proposed sign seems dominant, and since it is to be fac- ing south, it will have an impact on Water Street. He also felt that the SignCode did not address signs utilitarian in nature which would include vacancy signs. Landis felt that neon should be discouraged within the District. Commission Discussion and Conclusions: After much discussion of a similar nature, Smith moved and Landis seconded that the sign as proposed does not contri- bute to the Historic District. An amendment allowing the sign to be insta116~d but to experiment with diffusing its impact by Landis was not seconded and so died. A voice vote was called: three against, two for, motion denied. (1 absent, 1 vacant) It was decided that the Commission needed more information: location, p®ssible screening, list of signage to be removed, and more specifics on a possibletransi- tional period. HPC commissioners to meet Dec. 4 and review the sign on site. It was felt that HPC needs to develop guidelines that are much clearer and more specific concerning neon than the statement in the Guidelines. Lamy (Doug) suggested that he might be able to trade in the proposed sign, which he already owns, for one of smaller size. He was requested to pursue this possibility. SMith moved and Landis seconded that all commissioners will meet Dec. 4 on the site and review the situation. Vote was unanimous with one absent and one vacant position. Old Business Landis mentioned that her term of office expires at the end of 1991. Sepler will remind the mayor. Commission Discussion ~, Goldsmith read a resolution expressing support for the proposed renovation -. ~... ~,'.~ .. . . . .. e e HPC Minutes - 11/26/91 - page three and reuse of the Rose Theater and for the expeditious consideration and execution of all actions necessary to acheive this end," to be sent to Jake Thomas, Depart- ment of Community Development, Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, in Olympia, Washington. Yawman moved and Landis seconded a motion to adopt the resolution. Carson abstained. Vote was unanimous with one abstention, one absent and one vacant position. New officers need to be elected in 1992. Sepler reminded HPC that notice of the election has to be in the newspaper. It was decided to wait until there are seven commissioners in January before having an election. More discussion about fine tuning guidelines for neon...Sep1er pointed out that the new city lawyer is skilled in matters of signage legality. HPC will send him a memo, asking for assistance. It was pointed out that although the Guide- l~,~ereferenced in the Sign Code, Council did not adopt the Guidelines pertaining to signs as part of the Code. Goldsmith apointed Carson and Landis to develop neon sign guideliens. There was discussion concerning the difficulty of review "after the fact", when the applicant has already proceeded on a project. Carson moved and Landis seconded adjournment. Unanimously approved. Adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~Q~.. \\\~ Barbara S. Marseille Secretary 12/18/91 These minutes have bee corrected as stated in the minutes of the December 10 meeting. ~~'"