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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 09-21-2021 HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting of September 21, 2021 Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall I. Quorum: Toppin, Smith, Youngren, Simacek and Sovik-Siemens Absent: Borchardt Staff Present: Justin Fortney, City Planner Chair Toppin called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. II. Minutes: July 27, 2021 Motion by Youngren for approval, seconded by Smith - motion approved 5-0. III. Certificate of Approval Review A. 208 Sibley Street – New sign Fortney presented the staff report. Lynn Hoeschen, applicant, said the sign is made out of spruce and was crafted with a chainsaw. She added that it will hang from the wall of the building. Motion by Sovik-Siemens for approval of the sign as presented, seconded by Simacek- motion approved 5-0. B. 209 Sibley Street – maintenance/ repair issue Fortney presented the staff report and explained that staff had concerns the contractor may not perform the work as they indicated on the building permit application and in discussions. The building owner said she wishes she had known that city staff had concerns with the contractor. Commissioner Simacek asked if the city can tell people that a contractor is not trustworthy or rate their work. Fortney said the city could not outright make those claims. Fortney explained the work was inspected just hours after their expected start time and a stop work order was issued as it was not in line with the permitted work, Design Guidelines, or industry standards. He said the Building Official has concerns that the completed work would have required a professional engineer’s approval. Commissioner Toppin asked what recourse the owner and city have to correct the damage. The owner said she has already paid for most of the work. Fortney said staff may be able to compel the contractor to correct the work by threat of having their contractor license revoked. Fortney added that the contractor likely is not qualified to repair the damage they caused. Fortney said another option may be to have their contractors bond or insurance policy pay for the repairs. He added that city staff will review all options after the HPC determines if the work approved by staff and work completed, were in line with the Design Guidelines. Fortney said he will keep the building owner informed of the discussions to resolved the issue. Motion by Commissioner Smith to affirm that staff’s approval was in line with the Design Guidelines, but the repairs performed were not, seconded by Youngren - motion approved 5-0. C. 119 8th Street E – New fence Fortney presented the staff report. He added that the landscaping plan includes a couple walkways and patio. Fortney said those proposed improvements are not visible from the rights-of-way and at grade. Commissioner Simacek commented that the western portion of the fence is not as labeled in the staff report. He said it looks as though it runs along the western property line. Fortney agreed with that observation. Chair Toppin said that the fence is appropriately placed and is of a style recommended in the Design Guidelines. Motion by Simacek for approval of the fence, landscaping, patio, and walkways as presented, seconded by Sovik-Siemens - motion approved 5-0. IV. Business A. Discuss Preservation Awards Chair Toppin reviewed the nominations of the preservation awards committee. The Commission discussed the three categories that include general upkeep and rehabilitation, mid-century modern, and Stewardship. Chair Toppin suggested that rather than giving away century plaques to homes turning 100, the HPC gives a wood plaque and century home plaque to three of the five award recipients. The Commissioners further discussed the properties to be awarded. Motion by Simacek for approval of the following award recipients, seconded by Smith - motion approved 5-0. General upkeep and rehabilitation: 623 Tyler Street, 320 7th Street West, 705 3rd Street West Mid-century modern: 1120 Tyler Street Stewardship: 307 Sibley Street V. Adjourn Motion by Sovik-Siemens to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm, seconded by Youngren; motion approved 5-0. Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney