HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Packet 04-15-2025 updated 4-14-25HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Agenda for Meeting of April 15, 2025
Regular business at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Volunteer Room
I. Call to Order and Quorum
II. Minutes:
A. March 11, 2025
III. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 413 2nd Street W – Move garage to property
B. 113 2nd Street E – New sign
C. 301 2nd Street W – Repairs, windows, porch, porch railings, foundation
IV. OHDS – Original Hastings Design Standards Review
V. Business and Information
A. Preservation Awards Committee Presentation
VI. Adjourn
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on May 20, 2025 at Hastings City Hall
HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of March 19, 2024
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room
I. Oath of Office
A. The following commissioners took the oath of office
• Mark Simacek
• Krista Peterson
• Wendi Schilts-Johnson
II. Elect Chair and Vice Chair
A. Motion by Commissioner Toppin to appoint Commissioner Bremer as the
Commission Chair, seconded by Commissioner Alitz Edell. Approved 7-0
B. Motion by Commissioner Toppin to appoint Commissioner Peterson as the
Commission Vice Chair, seconded by Commissioner Simacek. Approved 7-0
III. Call to Order and Quorum
A. Commissioners: Toppin, McCoy, Peterson, Bremer, Simacek, Alitz Edell, and
Schilts-Johnson
B. Absent: Borchardt and Smith
C. Staff: Fortney
IV. Minutes:
A. November 19, 2024 Approved by Chair Bremer with minor changes
V. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 700 618 Ramsey St – Chicken coop
Fortney presented the staff report. The commissioners commented that the proposed chicken coop
was relatively small and not visible from the street. Commissioner Toppin said she was surprised
to read in the staff report that a chicken coop is not required to be removed if a resident stops
keeping chickens. Fortney said the license is for keeping chickens and the zoning ordinance
allows accessory buildings. He added that chicken coops can be an investment, and a resident
might just take some time off for keeping chickens or convert their coop to or back to another use,
like a garden shed.
Motion by Commissioner Peterson to approve the coop as proposed, seconded by
Commissioner Simacek. Approved 7-0
B. 312 2nd St W – Replace and expand deck
Fortney presented the staff report. The commissioners commented that the deck is in the rear
yard and not very visible. They said there would be little effect to the historic fabric of the home
and the railings are not as noticeable as the existing ones.
Motion by Commissioner Toppin to approve the proposed deck, seconded by Commissioner
Alitz Edell. Approved 7-0
VI. OHDS – Original Hastings Design Standards Review
VII. Business and Information
A. Century Plaque Request – 1105 Maple St.
Fortney presented the application. The commission reviewed and approved the application to
purchase a century home plaque. They commented that the very old home was well maintained
and uniquely far from the city core. Approved 7-0
B. Review proposed changes to the OHDS regulations
Fortney presented the staff report to the commission. He said these proposed changes are in draft
form and are related to additional design criteria in module two, which will be reviewed by staff
soon. Fortney said he is looking for general feedback to determine if the proposed OHDS
regulations are on the correct track. Commissioners discussed the proposal and made the
following comments:
• The maximum segment width of 35-feet should not cause design issues with homes that
are narrow. Commissioners understand that module two will provide details on this and
other topics.
• There was apprehension to require that corner lots must place garages onto side streets.
• Proposed regulations should achieve necessary design controls without reducing infill
development.
C. Form Preservation Awards Committee
Commissioner Toppin explained how past preservation awards were chosen and presented. The
following commissioners volunteered to help with the review: Toppin, Alitz Edell, and Schilts-
Johnson.
D. Discuss HPC goals for 2025
Commissioners discussed performing a historic resource survey. They wanted to begin planning a
project scope this spring.
Motion by Commissioner Toppin for the HPC to plan for a historic resource survey project
in 2026, seconded by Commissioner Peterson. Approved 7-0
Commissioner Peterson left at 9:00 pm.
VIII. Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner McCoy to adjourn at 9:05 pm, seconded by Commissioner Alitz
Edell. Approved 7-0
Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL APPLICATION 4-2025
413 2nd Street West – Fred Weiland
Ca. 1875, 2nd Street West Historic District, NR
Request: The HPC approved a similar request of the applicant in July to move a home onto the lot
and convert it to a detached garage. That home (32’6” x 24’4” or 800 SF), which he owns is on an
adjacent lot. Since that approval, he has rented out the home again. He has now found another home
to move onto the lot and convert it to a garage. The proposed home comes from the Rosemount area
and is longer and narrower than the former proposed house (46’4” x 21”4” or 1,000 SF).
The proposed garage must be 10-feet from the side property line along a street, including Forest
Street. Forest only serves three homes, which are all owned by the applicant. The applicant would
like to explore a setback variance to create less impact to the trees on the site.
Design Guidelines - Residential Guideline 10: Garages and Accessory Structures – Pg. 30
2. Locate new garages in locations compatible with the main structure of the site and existing
traditional garages in the surrounding area. New garages should not be attached to the front or street
sides of a historic house.
Staff findings:
The Design Guidelines for a new garage should be applied to the proposal review. The Guidelines
state that garages should be in locations compatible with the main structure. Most historic properties
with garages have them located towards the back of the property. The proposed location is even with
the front of the house, like the approved proposal. The garage doors would still be in the rear of the
garage. The lot is large, and the site elevation is lower than the home. These reasons were cited by
commissioners that contributed to the compatibility of the garage location in relation to the house.
More information would be required to approve specific details like garage doors and other
improvements.
An approval should be conditioned on any required maintenance of the structure as it is installed.
The original request was held at a public hearing. A PH was not ordered by staff for this request
because it was similar the previous request, which is still active. The Commission may table this
proposal and order a PH if deemed appropriate.
Front view
Formrly approved plans
Staff layout based on site plan and dimensions
Justin, The size is 46’4” X 21’4”. The building will be used as an auxiliary garage.
The exterior will have window and siding repairs, paint. The cross gable would become the North facing
side with the wall removed that faces the street and incorporate a built in porch front with Gingerbread
Trim giving it an 1880s look. The length of the building will require that it aligns with the main structure
of the Pringle House and this would be in keeping with the other houses on the block that have their
street facing fronts aligned.
Regards, Fred Weiland
NORTH
CERTIFICATE APPLICATION 4-2025
113 2nd Street E #101 Jill Ragan-Scully – New sign
Ca. 1863, East 2nd Street Historic District- Contributing, NR
Request:
The applicant is asking for approval of a hanging sign. The sign is 30” long by 24” tall
and will hang from a metal arm attached to wood on the building. The sign will hang
between the minimum 8-feet and 11-feet. Sign materials are still unknown.
Most of the vinyl window graphics will be removed.
Ordinance, Guidelines
1. Sign
Design Guidelines (Page 39) 5: Historic Commercial Buildings: General Guidelines
8. Signs, Awnings, and Lighting
• a. Signs and awnings should follow regulations subject to provisions of the city’s zoning
ordinance.
• Wherever possible, signs should be placed in traditional sign locations…
• Signs should be appropriately sized… traditional materials such as wood and metal.
• Signs should not conceal architectural details or features and materials should be
compatible with the materials of the building to which they are attached.
• No part of the historic facade should be irreversibly damaged or altered in the installation
of signs and awnings. Limit drilling new holes into masonry. Sign hardware should be
attached to the building with holes drilled into mortar joints, if possible.
Zoning Code § 155.08 SIGNS
7. Projecting signs must conform to the following.
a. Minimum height above grade is 8 feet. Maximum height above grade is 11 feet
for the sign, and 12 feet for the bracket.
b. Sign may not project more than 2 and 1/2 feet from the face of the building.
c. Total sign face may not exceed 6 square feet.
d. Materials must be wood and/or metal. Plastic signs are not permitted.
e. Projecting signs may not be lit, internally or externally.
f. Plans must be submitted to show how the sign will be anchored to the building
and masonry.
g. Only 1 projecting sign permitted per business.
h. Signs must be advertising a specific business name, not a generic product
i. The sign area of the projecting sign comes off the total signage allowed for the
building under these requirements.
Staff findings:
The proposed projecting sign is an allowable size and mounted height. More details will
be provided on the materials and hanging arm.
Staff rendering
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL APPLICATION 4-2025
301 2nd Street West – John and Lori Phelps
Ca. 1857, 2nd Street West Historic District, NR (National Register)
Request: The applicants have been performing some extensive repairs to the home. Some of these
repairs have an impact on the exterior.
1. Replace missing siding, as shown on photographs. Much of this is from repair of rotten
support beam replacement.
2. Repair windowsills on east/ south side of back addition.
3. Window repair and possibly replacement. (not enough information provided)
Other concerns:
1. The front porch stairs were replaced without review or permit. A required railing has not yet
been installed. (Former railing is included in photos.) This item was not included on their
HPC application or Building permit application but is a required feature that also needs HPC
approval. No application or plans have been submitted. Staff included it on the agenda incase
they submit the information. A building permit cannot be issued until the HPC has approved
the work.
2. South building area foundation replacement of a deteriorating limestone wall with 8”x16”
cement blocks. May not require HPC approval if the blocks are not visible. They are visible
in photos provided but is likely due to excavation.
Design Guidelines - Residential Guidelines 1 (Page 18) Wood siding and shingles
1. Repair
Wood siding should be maintained with paint or stain. Deteriorated wooden siding should be
replaced with new wood siding resembling the original in width, thickness and profile, and texture.
New siding should be installed with the weather (exposed surface) identical to the original.
Design Guidelines - Residential Guidelines 4 (Page 21) Windows
1. Maintain and conserve - Wherever feasible, historic windows and sash should be repaired rather
than replaced, especially on principal elevations.
2. New Sash: Size and shape - Whenever possible, choose new units of wood. Existing window
openings should be retained. Window openings should not be enlarged or reduced to fit new units.
New window openings should not be introduced into principal elevations. New windows should be
compatible with previous or existing historic units. Replacement window details should have very
similar size, reveal, proportions, and profile to the original windows.
From the applicant
I appreciate your feedback and information. The steps and railings on the front were a separate
project from the back addition, so I thought a different application was needed for that portion.
The current application is for the back addition, east and south outside wall. The original wood
frame and glass from the windows will be reused, the sill will be remanufactured with same material,
rotted siding that is missing will be cedar lap siding primed and painted to match.
Foundation work/footing is 100% below grade and was never visible in the past from the outside of
the house. Therefore it would not fall under HPC review. However, the underground limestone wall
foundation is being replaced with standard footing and cement block per building inspector. Once
completed, it will be below grade.
The building permit submitted is for interior work only. No outside work was included in the
application so it would be greatly appreciated if the permit could be forwarded to building
department for approval.
Regards
John and Lori Phelps
We're not making any major changes to the outside. The railing on the deck and stairs should be
made to confirm to code but the stairs will be the sane. The post on the west stairs has an ornate
inset, the front post was plain. Photos attached if existing staircase for reference.
Siding will be put on to match existing. The windows will be same width but may the height should
be made to code regarding distance from floor to sill. The windows will be possibly rebuilt on the
east, but south side windows were rotted beyond repair.
We will drop the application at your office around 9:00 tomorrow morning.
Regards,
John and Lori Phelps
Staff findings:
It is very exciting to see the repairs happening to this impressive home. It is important to have the
work reviewed by the city to assure conformance with building codes and Historic Design
Guidelines. Historical integrity is often loss from extensive repairs.
Repair and replacement of damaged wood does not necessarily need HPC approval. Staff can
approve this work when it is part of routine maintenance. The Design Guidelines state that siding
should be replaced with new wood siding resembling the original in width, thickness and profile, and
texture. New siding should be installed with the weather (exposed surface) identical to the original.
Window repairs can be made with staff approval. Replacement or changing of the opening size
requires HPC approval. Although it could certainly be justifiable, staff has not received any required
documentation for window replacement that should include photos of windows to be replaced and
specifications for replacement windows.
The porch steps were replaced without HPC review or a building permit. An HPC application is
required for acceptance and to finish the installation of the railing. This information has not been
submitted.
Former steps and railing
Applicant provided photos
File photos
Former steps and railing
Photo of current steps and missing railing Foundation repair
4/14/2025 update
DECK STAIR REPKACEMENT
If the original design can be authorized by the city the deck parts that are needed are stocked locally.
The stringers are already cut, Need correct width treads and risers, Posts and rail.
Deck Handrail 2 piece
AC2® 2 x 4 x 12' Green Pressure Treated Handrail
AC2® 2 x 6 with a 12 degree Beveled top edge
2x2 posts 2 per step on octagon, 1 per step on addition.
7-inch x 7 1/4-inch Handrail post mounted to lower step, so length of lowest step plus posts equals 102
inches (same as remaining steps).
Handrail post inner frame 5 ½ inch x 5 ¾ inch and outer ¾ inch board layer (7 x 7)
(Ornamental design on addition posts only.)
Decorative extrusion 1 inch below solid square cap.
Stair tread 12 1/2 x 102 inches Front Steps
Est time to complete, 2 weeks.
SIDING/WINDOWS
Smaller window, bottom East, is in ok condition. Installed storm window.
Larger window on East side: Installed. Works ok. Storm window needs repair before install.
South window Both sashes and Storm OK. Repairing casement and sill.
1 x 12 sheathing is replaced on east wall so the siding is ready to be installed.
Regards
John and Lori Phelps