HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Packet 08-20-2024HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Agenda for Meeting of August 20, 2024
Regular business at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Volunteer Room
I. Call to Order and Quorum
II. Minutes:
A. July 16, 2024
III. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 306 2nd St West - Landscaping Project
IV. OHDS — Original Hastings Design Standards Review
V. Business and Information
A. Mailing notification discussion
B. Update on the zoning code update
C. Upcoming State Preservation Conference opportunity
VI. Adjourn
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on September 17, 2024 at Hastings City Hall
HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of July 16, 2024
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room
I. Call to Order and Quorum Youngren, Borchardt, Peterson, McCoy, Bremer, Simacek,
and Toppin
Absent, Alitz Edell, and Smith
Staff: Fortney
II. Minutes:
A. June 18, 2024 Approved by Chair Toppin
III. Certificate of Approval Review — Public Hearing
A. 315 7th St W — Historic house demolition
Fortney presented the staff report.
Chair Toppin opened the public hearing at 7:17 pm and asked Fortney to explain the HPC's
burden of required findings for demolition from the context of other recent structures that
individuals said should be demolished but were successfully restored. Fortney explained that the
other projects had major issues that were addressed, and the structures were restored. He said the
applicant's designer, listed issues that need to be repaired and provided the opinion that the
structure should be demolished. Fortney added that the findings required to get from the structure
issues to the determination that demolition is the only safe or reasonable remedy is missing.
Michael and Amy Van Ze, neighbors at 309 7th St W commented that the house has been vacant
for 16 -years and the principal owner during that time didn't complete much work and had been
asking too much when he sold it. They added that the last two people who lived in the house did
so with a leaking roof, which was only replaced much later.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Travis Dunn with Dunn Building Solutions said he has
determined that the cost of renovation is prohibitively high because 90% the materials of
structural elements are rotted. He added that the structural elements must be completely replaced
by new ones because of that high level of rot. He said this doesn't let him place an estimate on
restoration because it can't be done. He said a total replacement cost of the structure as it exists is
$500,000.
Dunn said previous structures with even extensive damage did not have widespread materials that
were compromised.
Chair Toppin asked what the demolition history is for designated properties in the city. Fortney
said to his knowledge, the only designated structures to be approved for demolition by the HPC
were damaged by fire so severely they were unsafe to enter for repair. He added that the HPC
must report their actions to the State Historic Preservation Office, including demolitions.
Chair Toppin closed the public hearing at 7:54
Motion by Commissioner Bremer to approve the request based on the following findings of
fact, seconded by Commissioner McCoy. Approved 7-0
- No reasonable alternatives exist to the demolition because according to Tavis Dunn,
the applicant's consulted contract building official, the restoration is not possible due
to 90% of the structural materials being rotted.
- Acting as a consulted contractor, Dunn estimates the rebuilding of the structure as it
exists to be $500,000.
- The Commission finds that without any original materials left, rebuilding of the
structure would not maintain the historical significance.
- The Commission also finds the cost of rebuilding the structure is not reasonable
given the value of the structure.
B. 413 2"a St W — Relocate adjacent house as a two -car garage.
Fortney presented the staff report. Chair Toppin opened the public hearing at 7:55 pm.
Commissioner Bremer asked if the garage would be located behind the front of the house. Fred
Weiland, applicant, said it would be behind the porch but even with the front of the house.
Commissioner Simacek asked if the garage would be placed on fill to bring it up to grade.
Weiland said the site would be mostly balanced between the high and low elevations and added
that he would prefer a variance to move it slightly closer to the street. John Phelps, owner of 301
2"`' Street West spoke in favor of the request.
Chair Toppin closed the Public Hearing at 8:10 pm
Motion by Commissioner Borchardt to approve the request, seconded by Commissioner
Simacek. Approved 7-0
IV. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 215 7th St W — Porch modifications
Fortney presented the staff report. The commission discussed the porch skirting compared to
other area homes. The commission noted the subject porches foundation is solid block compared
to other homes with wooden and masonry piers. They said the skirting should highlight the
porches structural design.
Motion by Commissioner Simacek to approve the proposed flooring, seconded by
Commissioner Youngren. Approved 7-0
Motion by Commissioner Peterson to approve the proposed porch skirting, seconded by
Commissioner Youngren. Approved 7-0
Motion by Commissioner Borchardt to approve the relocation and design of the porch
stairs, seconded by Commissioner Bremer. Approved 7-0
B. 618 Ramsey St — Fencing
Fortney presented the staff report. The commission approved 7-0 without discussion.
Motion by Commissioner Simacek to approve the proposed fence panels, seconded by
Commissioner Borchardt. Approved 7-0
C. 221 Sibley St — Add 6 basement unit exhaust ports in exterior walls
Fortney presented the staff report. The commissioner Borchardt commented that none of the
proposal ideas were very appropriate, but he understood the difficulties. He added that a flat door
vent would be less conspicuous. The commission approved the applicant preferred proposal 7-0 in
the front bulkhead because it would not affect any historic material or eliminate any windows.
They added a condition that they see an example of the proposed metal awning mentioned to
cover the vents. They also recommended the owner consider some flat vents available if they are
rated and appropriate for the use.
Motion by Commissioner Borchardt to approve the applicant's preferred option in the front
of the building with the proposed flashing hood, with the following condition, seconded by
Commissioner McCoy. Approved 7-0
An example of the proposed flashing hood be shown to the HPC.
V. OHDS — Original Hastings Design Standards Review
VI. Business and Information
VII. Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner Borchardt to adjourn at 9:06 pm, seconded by
Commissioner Youngren. Approved 7-0
Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney
CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
306 2nd Street West. John Stebbings & Mellanie Walser — Hardscaping and fence
Ca. 1890, West 2nd Street Historic District- Contributing
Request:
1. Install an 8' by 8' concrete patio
2. Tiered raised garden beds, 24" in height (due to the elevation change) tumbled
concrete stone blocks.
3. Dry creek bed hardscape feature to manage runoff and drainage
4. Steps - classic -cut rockface concrete blocks
5. Extend approved fencing along Lock and Dam Road at 42" high.
Ordinance, Guidelines
Design Guidelines pg. 31 11: Fences and Walls
2. New Fences
New fences should be compatible with the architectural character, materials, and scale of
the principal building and surrounding streetscape. Fences enclosing the front yard should
be semi -transparent. Appropriate materials include wrought iron and painted wooden
pickets. In general, complete enclosure by opaque fences is not appropriate.
5. New Retaining Walls
New walls should be compatible with the architectural character and scale of the
principal building and surrounding streetscape. Masonry retaining walls should be
finished with caps and other appropriate details. Limestone, brick, and natural -color split -
face (rock -face) concrete block are appropriate materials for the construction of new
retaining walls visible from the public right-of-way. Block with a round, striated, or
polygonal profile is not appropriate. Landscape timber is not appropriate for new
retaining walls visible from the public right of way.
Pg. 32 12: Public Landscaping and Streetscape
3. Retaining walls should be compatible with traditional walls in Hastings, which were
primarily limestone, brick, and poured concrete. While splitface (rock -face) concrete
block is appropriate for the construction of new retaining walls, block with a round,
striated, or polygonal profile should be
avoided.
Staff Findings
The proposed planters, steps, and dry creek bed will presumably be at ground level at
their west and southern extents, where the ground is high. The area will be terraced lower
with the proposed improvements towards the alley and Lock and Dam Road intersection.
Additionally, the proposed plantings will further obscure the improvements. The
materials are consistent with the approved retaining wall. The proposed fence is open and
under 42 -inches (3.5') and the same style as the existing approved fence.
Proposed Changes
Type of work to be done Property hardscaping
Detailed Description of the proposed work Experiencing significant erosion on the new retaining wall area built Fall of 2023.
Worked with professional landscape designer to develop erosion control. The first phase includes patio, tiered raised garden beds (due
to the elevation change), dry creek beds to manage runoff and drainage, and the area filled with plants and bushes. This has been
designed in such a way to maintain the structural integrity of the new retaining wall and eliminate the further damage and erosion to
the site.
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Project Overview
• Project location is northwest corner of property
• Hardscaping includes:
o 8' X 8' X 3" concrete slab patio
o Block planters 24" High (pg. 2)
o Stone steps (pg. 2)
o Stone boulder dry creek bed (pg. 2)
• Extend fencing (pg. 3)
• Soft-scaping includes:
o Various plants and bushes
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o Plantings will not extend beyond property line
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Existing fencing (60" H installed 2023)
New Fencing (42" High)
Fence style same as existing
Extend Fencing
42" High
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Hastrngs
MINNESOTA
To: Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Justin Fortney, City Planner
Date: August 20, 2024
Item: Designated Property Notice
Heritage Preservation
Commission Memorandum
HPC Action Requested: Review the past HPC informational post cards sent to the owners of
designated properties and provide direction for the next communication.
Background Information:
There was some preliminary discussion last month with consensus on a postcard. Staff is
looking to finalize the wording. Below is some proposed postcard wording from the brief
discussion last month.
Heritage Preservation Commission
City of Hastings
101 4th Street East
Hastings Minnesota 55033
Dear Historic Property Owner,
Thank you for preserving your historic property for your community and future generations.
A Certificate of Approval issued by the HPC (Hastings Heritage Preservation Commission), or
staff is necessary prior to making any alterations affecting the exterior appearance of
designated properties.
Staff and the HPC can assist with project guidance. Low interest loans for historic properties
are also available. For more information, please call Justin Fortney, City Planner at (651)
480-2381 or visit www.hastingsmn.gov
Thank you for your preservation efforts!
General Layout Used in the Past
Historic Preservation Commission
101 4t Street East
Hastings Minnesota 55033
Dear Historic Property Owner,
Permits for alterations, demolitions, or moving of
residential and commercial historic properties
require a Certificate of Approval issued by the
Hastings Historic Preservation Commission or staff.
Before making any exterior improvements to your
historic property --including roofing, siding,
windows, doors, tuck -pointing, additions, fences,
retaining walls, porches, pergolas, deck, and
accessory buildings --visit the HPC website at
www.hastingsmn.gov or call Justin Fortney, City
Planner at (651) 480-2350 for information and
assistance.
Thank you for your preservation efforts!
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