HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 02-15-2022
HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of February 15, 2022
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
I. Quorum: In person: Simacek, Chouman, and Peterson; remotely via Zoom Meeting:
Toppin, Sovik Siemens, Blasing, Smith, and Borchardt
Staff Present: Justin Fortney, City Planner
Chair Toppin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
II. Add Agenda Item: 707 1st Street East – New Garage Concept Review
Motion by Sovik Siemens to add the item to the agenda, seconded by Chouman; motion
approved 8-0 by roll call.
III. Swearing in of HPC Commissioners
A. Emily Chouman
IV. Minutes: January 18, 2022
Chair Toppin approved the minutes without any comment from the commission.
V. Certificate of Approval Review
A. 218 2nd Street East – New Storm Windows
Commissioner Smith asked staff how the custom-built combination storm windows would look.
Fortney said they are commercial aluminum storms with wood adhered to the exterior and would
be mounted inside the trim rather than over it. Fortney mentioned that SHPO has authorized the
proposed storm windows on projects they have reviewed. There were no public comments made.
Motion by Smith to approve the storm windows as proposed, seconded by Blasing; motion
approved 8-0 by roll call.
B. – 707 1st Street East – New garage concept proposal
Forney presented the staff report and explained that the proposed garage location would not work
due to elevation and fill requirements. He said the applicant is redrawing the location west of the
house.
Commissioner Sovik-Siemens said the garage would be out of scale with the existing home due to
the proposed garage height and elevation. She asked if the home is designated or just the
commercial building.
Fortney said that the parcels of historic buildings are designated. He added that any exterior
change to the parcel must be reviewed by the Commission. Fortney explained that the 1920 house
on the property is non-contributing as it was not the reason for the designation and constructed
after the period of significance. Fortney said the proposal to add a garage should be review to
determine any potential impacts to the historic 1859 stone building. Fortney said if the application
were to come forward he would research the designation of the property to assure the parcels
involved and any significance of the home.
Commissioners commented that the garage would be too large and tall in proportion to the
existing house. They added that the additional fill required would make this issue even more
apparent.
VI. OHDS (Original Hastings Design Standards) Project Review
A. 502 6th St E - House Addition and Detached Garage
Fortney presented the staff report.
Commissioner Blasing asked if the encroachment into the easement were an issue. Fortney said
the City Council will be considering a partial easement vacation. He added if it isn’t vacated for
the project, the applicant has agreed to move the proposal out of the easement.
The commissioners discussed the view of the proposal from the side street and the overall height
of the proposed structures. The commission was supportive of the proposed location inside or
outside of the easement. The commission found the proposal to be in line with the OHDS
guidelines in respect to both aesthetics and mass. Only the applicant spoke to the request.
Motion by Borchardt to recommend approval of the proposal as proposed, seconded by
Smith; motion approved 8-0 by roll call.
IV. Business
V. Adjourn
Motion by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 pm, seconded by Chouman; motion
approved 8-0 by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted - Justin Fortney