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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250916 - HPC Minutes Draft HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of September 16, 2025 Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Volunteer Room I. Call to Order and Quorum Commissioners present: Bremer, Simacek, Toppin, Peterson, and McCoy Absent: Alitz Edell, Smith, Schilts-Johnson, and Borchardt Staff: Fortney Chair Bremer called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. II. Minutes: A. August 19, 2025 Approved by Chair Bremer III. Certificate of Approval Review A. 315 7th St W – New home Construction Fortney presented the staff report. He added that replacement windows of a historic house should reflect the original grid pattern. He said a new house would not have to replicate window details from a previous house. Commissioners commented that the scale of the scale of the building was appropriate for the size of the site. The commissioners were concerned that aluminum railings don’t replicate the appearance of wood like other alternate materials. Since the house is new construction and not contributing to the district, the commissioners were accepting if the railing components were thicker like typical wood railings. Motion by Commissioner McCoy to approve the request with the following conditions, seconded by Commissioner Simacek. Approved 5-0 • Window grinds must at least be on the outside of the glass. • Railing components must be close to the thickness of typical wood railing components. IV. OHDS – Original Hastings Design Standards Review A. 516 & 520 7th Street E – New twin home Commissioners commented that the proposed twin home is not a traditional design that the OHDS district was designed to achieve. However, they commented that this area was not contiguous to the rest of the district and unique. They added that this block is across the spur railroad track and Bailey St, which serves as the district boundary to the north and there are many modern infill homes like East Hastings. Commissioner Toppin cited a modern home built in 2000 across the street with the same design but with a three-car garage and a 2010 duplex next door with a low sloped roof. Commissioner McCoy said the biggest issue is the front garages. Fortney said the only mention of garage location in the ordinance is the requirement that garages access an alley when present. He added there isn’t an alley present. Jeffrey Kuhn, applicant, said the only way of altering the prominent garages would be to change the blueprints completely. Fortney said the guidelines suggest the porches be raised from the ground, which are proposed at grade. Kuhn said that would be difficult because the lot slopes down in the back and fill must already be added. He said that the entries are proposed at grade to exclude steps for health considerations. Kuhn suggested he add railings which would be an alternate way of making the porches look traditional. The Commissioners were accepting of the compromise. Chair Bremer said the windows facing the street are fewer than the guidelines suggest and that area homes have. She asked if the current ones can be enlarged. Kuhn said the front windows are in the kitchens and extend from the sink to the header and between the cabinets. He suggested adding windows to the sides of the garages which will be visible from the street. Commissioner Toppin asked if a window or something could be added to the large front gable. Kuhn said it is attic space that is divided with a fire break so no opening could be added. Fortney suggested a decorative vent or detail could be added to break up the expanse. Kuhn said he was proposing vinyl board and batten, or vinyl shakes on the gables, but he now thinks horizontal siding would be a more traditional look with less potential for future leaks. The commissioners thought that was appropriate. Motion by Commissioner Peterson to recommend approval of the request to the City Council for consideration on October 6, 2025 with the following conditions, seconded by Commissioner McCoy. Approved 5-0 • A decorative gable feature is added to at least the largest front gable. • Porch railings are included on the porches. • Windows are added to the sides of the garages. • The gables have horizontal lap siding. V. Business and Information A. Recap of State Preservation Conference Commissioner Toppin and Fortney summarized what they learned from the state preservation conference in New Ulm. Toppin said the most impressive session she attended was regarding New Ulm tourism. She said there is incredible coordination between the New Ulm Tourism Board, HPC, local historical society, downtown businesses, and local businesses that depend on tourism like August Schell Brewing Co. She said they meet regularly and piggyback on each other’s events to take advantage of the incoming tourists. Commissioners said they would like to learn more about the Hastings Tourism Board in the future. Toppin added that there could be a partnership opportunity for a new digital walking tour that other historic cities have been showcasing at recent conferences. VI. Adjourn Motion by Commissioner Peterson to adjourn at 8:51 pm, seconded by Commissioner Simacek. Approved 5-0 Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney