Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 8:00 a.m.
Historic Preservation Commission
City Commission Room, Fargo City Hall
Agenda
1. Approve Minutes – February 19 meeting
2. Storefront Rehab Review
A. 121/123 Broadway
B. 117/119 Broadway
C. 115 Broadway
D. 113 Broadway ($3000 Rehab Grant in 1999)
E. 109/111 Broadway
Note: Projects A – E are combined
F. 216/218 Broadway
G. 214 Broadway
H. 515 3 Ave N
I. 301 Broadway
Note: Projects H & I are combined
J. 14 8 St S
K. 610 Main Ave
L. 608 Main Ave
Note: Projects K & L are combined
M. 417 Main Ave ($41,083 Rehab Grant in 2000)
N. 317 Robert’s St ($21,720 Rehab Grant in 2002)
3. Other Business
4. Liaison Reports
• Planning Commission – Christine Kloubec
• Board of Adjustment – Paul Gleye
• House Moving Board – Paul Gleye
• Housing Rehab – David Shultz
• Renaissance Zone Authority – Peter Moynihan
5. Next Meeting – May 20, 2008
Regular Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 8:00 a.m.
City Commission Room, Fargo City Hall
Present: Andrew Nielsen, Claire Strom, David Shultz, Melissa Sobolik, Paul Gleye, Peter Moynihan, Christine Kloubec
Absent: None
Chair Claire Strom called the meeting to order.
Item 1. Approve Minutes of the February 19, 2008 meeting
(8:00 a.m.) David Shultz moved to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2008 meeting as presented. Second by Melissa Sobolik. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Storefront Rehab Review
a. 121/123 Broadway
(8:00 a.m.) Dawn Mayo introduced the first applicant. She stated this project will make a big difference in the downtown area.
Brian Berg, architect and representative for Swanson Properties, presented the project. He explained the proposed scope of work for 121/123 Broadway is to clean and repair the brick, to restore the masonry to its natural state, and completely replace the storefront windows and second floor windows, with the exception of the north side windows that have been bricked in. He stated the storefront frames will be painted aluminum and the existing canopy will be replaced with a non-retractable canvas awning on a metal frame as based on original photos. He continued, stating the areas previously covered with EIFS, Exterior Insulation Finishing System, will be refinished with tile work. He said the current business owner is also discussing whether to install an elevator to access the skyway. He stated this would be a separate structure, but the proposed work would facilitate this.
In answer to concerns David Shultz had regarding the base of the storefront, Mr. Berg clarified that the storefront paneling will go all the way to the bottom instead of glass to prevent damage during snow removal.
Paul Gleye commented that the tile work would not be historical and realigning the mullions below the storefront does not give the building a large amount of historic character.
Mr. Berg stated that more physical investigation can be done regarding this.
Mr. Gleye reiterated that it is known what a typical 1898 façade would look like and stated it would be appropriate to recapture that scale.
Paul Gleye moved to deny the application for 121/123 Broadway. Second by Christine Kloubec.
Dawn Mayo cited her concern that if the Historic Preservation Commission denies this application the storefront owner will have control to make changes without taking into consideration the historical character.
On call of the roll Members Nielson, Strom, Shultz, Sobolik, Gleye, Moynihan, and Kloubec voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
b. 117/119 Broadway
(8:26 a.m.) Brian Berg, Swanson Properties representative, stated currently, the two street front buildings are vacant and 14 rental housing units are occupied in the upper floor. He explained the proposed scope of work is to renovate the stone detail; remove the paint using a chemical stripping product so that no damage to the brick occurs; repaint the brick to its original condition; replace the windows; repair the sills; and extend the storefront glazing to the signage band. He stated the intent is to use patterned glass in the transom area, based on historical photos.
Paul Gleye confirmed that ribbed, patterned glass in a grid pattern was used in the original transom. He stated that using extendable glass in the transom as proposed, would be appropriate.
David Shultz questioned whether a restoration could be done on the 2nd floor windows instead of replacing them. He noted that the recommendation according to the Secretary of Standards would be to not take them out.
Peter Moynihan asked what the difference in cost would be to restore the windows rather than replace them.
Brian Berg stated the windows would need to be taken apart, weights would need to be taken out, and the windows would need to be re-assembled. He said the owner would rather not invest in restoring them.
Peter Moynihan stated the quality of original windows is generally better.
Mr. Berg also noted a storm sash would need to be installed.
Paul Gleye reiterated that if the original windows are in favorable condition there might be alternatives to replacing the windows.
Christine Kloubec moved to continue this item until the other Swanson Properties applications have been presented. Second by Melissa Sobolik. All Members present voted aye except David Shultz and Paul Gleye who voted nay. The motion was declared carried.
(8:56 a.m.) After hearing item c. 115 Broadway, item d. 113 Broadway, and item e. 109/111 Broadway, the Commission continued the 117/119 Broadway item.
After discussion, the Members agreed this application could be approved if alternatives to window replacement could be discussed.
Paul Gleye moved to approve the application subject to a meeting with Swanson Properties’ owner, David Shultz, Brian Berg, and himself to discuss the windows. Second by Andrew Nielsen. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
c. 115 Broadway
(8:41 a.m.) Brian Berg presented the application and stated the proposed scope of work is to strip, repair, and repaint the building; repair or replace damaged stone; remove existing vertical siding with tile and brick; and restore lintel and storefront. He stated the windows are double clad hung windows.
Brian Berg answered Mr. Gleye’s question by stating that the bulkhead material on the storefront base would probably be a metal panel with frame.
Peter Moynihan moved to approve the 115 Broadway storefront application. Second by Paul Gleye. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
d. 113 Broadway
(8:46 a.m.) Brian Berg presented the application and stated the proposed scope of work is to retain the original upper windows; to strip and repaint the building, if feasible; to repair or replace damaged stone; to remove the existing signage band and install something more historically accurate; and to replace the ground level storefront.
David Shultz moved to approve the 113 Broadway application with the understanding that the second floor windows would not be replaced. Second by Peter Moynihan. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
e. 109/111 Broadway
(8:50 a.m.) Brian Berg presented the application and stated the proposed scope of work for 109/111 Broadway is to repair or replace the building name block in the parapet; to remove and repaint the brick and stonework; to remove EIFS from the storefront; to replace the ground level storefront with a glazing system which better represents the original design of the building; to replace the windows; and to repair the cornices.
Paul Gleye mentioned that he could go with the applicant to look at the windows, and perhaps suggest alternate options rather than replacing the windows.
Brian Berg stated the windows are not original.
David Shultz asked if the windows were clad wood, fixed center windows, and if they had a sash appearance.
In response, Brian Berg answered they are fixed center windows and they would have a sash.
Dawn Mayo asked if the original decorative metal stamped panels under the window hoods would be repaired and painted.
Brian Berg confirmed that the stamped panels would be repaired and painted.
Peter Moynihan moved to accept the 109/111 Broadway application. Second by David Shultz. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
David Shultz excused himself from the table to present the next application.
(8:58 a.m.) A recess was taken at this time.
f. 216/218 Broadway
(9:01 a.m.) David Shultz presented the information for 216/218 Broadway on behalf of Johnson Block 1900, LLC. He said the work being proposed is primarily in the upper façade and will consist of: rehabilitating the upper façade; repairing the masonry tuckpointing; restoring the upper windows to make them operational; prepare and paint the original wood trim; replace the Palladian windows to original round-top condition with new wood sash and repair and paint double hung window sash; install new painted wood storms in all windows; tuckpoint the entire upper portion in areas of deterioration; repair storefront beam; and repair grade-level storefront.
Chair Strom asked if any work is planned for the parapet.
Mr. Shultz answered saying the parapet will be repaired and the transom windows will remain.
Paul Gleye moved to approve the project as submitted. Second by Christine Kloubec. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
g. 214 Broadway
(9:08 a.m.) Joe Levie, representing Hanson Properties, LLC. handed out information showing detail on the 214 Broadway application. He stated the proposed work is to make the transom windows operable without having to use air conditioning on the lower level and to replace the windows on the second floor. He stated the owner would like to put in a new storefront and experiment with natural ventilation, remove paint, and do tuckpointing.
Paul Gleye stated he appreciates the efforts in using natural light and ventilation. He said original buildings were very sophisticated in these things and it’s nice to see them being practiced today.
Paul Gleye moved to approve the 214 Broadway application as submitted. Second by Melissa Sobolik. All members in favor voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
h. 515 3 Ave N
(9:18 a.m.) The applicant was not present and the item was not heard.
i. 301 Broadway
(9:18 a.m.) The applicant was not present and the item was not heard.
Paul Gleye moved that items h. and i. not be considered until representation was present. Second by Peter Moynihan. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
j. 14 8 St S
(9:19 a.m.) Donald Kounovsky presented the application. He stated the proposed scope of work is to replace the sign band and possibly use granite on the base of the storefront. He said the sign band will be painted metal panels. He mentioned the doors and windows have previously been replaced and the storefront will remain as is.
David Shultz questioned whether there is more trim and detail on the sign band. He stated the work that covers the sign area is marginal but the historic detail is not there.
Paul Gleye moved to approve the application as presented. Second by Christine Kloubec. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
k. 610 Main Ave
(9:26 a.m.) The applicant was not present and the item was not heard.
l. 608 Main Ave
(9:27 a.m.) The applicant was not present and the item was not heard.
m. 417 Main Ave
(9:28 a.m.) The applicant was not present and the item was not heard.
n. 317 Roberts Street
(9:29 a.m.) The applicant was not present and the item was not heard.
Item 3. Other Business
(9:30 a.m.) Dawn Mayo stated the CLG (Certified Local Government) funding has been received so the Oak Grove area survey can be started.
Chair Strom noted she was appointed to the committee to review proposals for the Detention Center. She added the individual who purchased the property is keeping it for condos or rentals. She stated she is happy the Commission got involved in the Detention Center early and that the property was saved.
Dawn Mayo mentioned that the owner is filing for a Zoning Change.
Item 4. Liaison Reports
(9:33 a.m.) David Shultz announced that 3 Housing Rehab applications have been submitted and are approved.
5. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2008. The time at adjournment was 9:34 a.m.
