HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-09-2018 Minutes HDC Special Meeting Colonial InnPage 1 of 3
Minutes
Historic District Commission Special Meeting
9 a.m. July 9, 2018
Town Annex Board Meeting Room, 105 E. Corbin St.
Present: Chair Reid Highley, Candice Cobb, Max Dowdle, Joe Griffin, Jill Heilman, Laura Simmons and
Virginia Smith
Staff: Public Information Specialist Cheryl Sadgrove and Planner Justin Snyder
Guests: None
Item 1: Call to order, roll call, and confirmation of quorum
Chair Reid Highley called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Planner Justin Snyder called the roll and confirmed
the presence of a quorum.
Item 2: Reading of the commission’s mission statement
Highley read the commission’s mission statement.
Item 3: Adjustments to the agenda
There was none.
Item 4: Old business
There was none.
Item 5: New Business — Review and comment on 153 W. King St. — Applicant is Allied DevCorp seeking
preliminary review of proposed modifications and additions to the building and site (Orange County PIN:
9864-96-8196). Note: This is not a public hearing item.
Highley said this is part of the joint review process for any projects in the historic district that require a special
use permit.
Highley said in reviewing the revised application, it seemed that there were four major categories discussed
previously: landscape and hardscape; massing, scale and orientation as it relates to the existing building;
fenestration/window arrangements; and lighting. Highley suggested discussing each area separately. Snyder
added streetscape as a discussion point, particularly the loading zone and sidewalk proposals.
Streetscape
Existing on-street parking on the same side of the street as the Colonial Inn would be removed because of the
proposed extended sidewalk. Additionally, five to seven on-street parking spaces across the street would be
replaced with the proposed loading zone, which would be 10 feet wide. Snyder added that the additional on-
street parking spaces would then be striped on West King Street farther to the west.
A commission member requested that it be noted that the commission wondered whether the loading zone
should be located near the handicap-accessible parking space on the same side of the street as the Inn instead
of the proposed location on the opposite side of the street from the Inn. Commission members expressed a
desire to keep the proposed handicap-accessible handrailing only by the ramp. They expressed a preference
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for a stone material for the lower portion of the sidewalk and to reuse the existing stones on a smooth surface
if possible.
Regarding the proposed brick wall extending west from the building, the commission requested the wall be as
low as possible to preserve the streetscape, preferably not more than 3 or 4 feet tall. Either brick or stone
would be appropriate. Pierced brick would be nice to get a glimpse of the landscaping. Commission Member
Laura Simmons suggested a tall brick wall with openings where planters could be placed with vegetation
flowing down. Highley said there are not many walls of that height in the district and this is a friendly block
where you can see. His preference is to allow people to see in and out. That is consistent with most of the
commercial streets in the area.
Regarding the hardscaping, brick or stone would be appropriate. Plantings are needed to soften the hardscape.
The commission would like to see a three-dimensional representation.
The commission encouraged some very large trees to be planted along the western and southern boundaries.
Regarding the newly proposed eight-foot-tall wood fence matching the existing style, the commission would
like it to be softened with shrubs. There was discussion about the existing fence being on the neighbors’
property. The commission would like to encourage the applicant to explore options for extending the fence
along the back property line or planting a vegetation border.
In general, reusing salvageable materials on the site is encouraged, including bricks from the fireplace in the
dining room (circa 1969).
Massing
Highley said the new guest wing would run east-west and would create a courtyard running east-west. Snyder
said the applicant changed the new guest wing proposal to address the commission’s previous comment that
the original building should not be obscured on the east side by this structure. It was noted that this proposal
allows the original building to stand on its own; however, several commission members expressed concern
that the proposed guest wing’s architecture looks like a 1960s motel because of its long and redundant
elevation. Varying the materials and columns would help. There was a recommendation to take inspiration
from the original building by emphasizing the porch or the double columns.
It was noted that it would be more appropriate for the new windows to be aluminum-clad wood.
Highley noted that the infill wing should not be seen from the front elevation and should be lower in height
than the front. If there is something technical driving the height of that wing, the commission needs to know.
The three-dimensional view would be very valuable for the commission’s review process.
The commission is also interested in the details of proposed doors, windows, and colors. Existing windows and
door frames are to be preserved.
Highley wondered if the porch and stairs on the south elevation of the infill building could be made bigger and
perhaps have a roof. It’s a tall elevation, so breaking it up with a roof over the porch and stairs would be good,
he noted.
East Façade
There was discussion about requesting a window and recognition that commercial kitchens do not usually have
windows.
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Highley said he is concerned about the long unbroken façade and understands that it is a kitchen and windows
are maybe not an option, so the applicant needs to find another way to articulate that façade.
Commission Member Virginia Smith noted an existing window is missing on the west elevation in the gable of
the west end. She wants to make sure it is not being removed.
Lighting
The commission requested that the applicant show all lighting, including emergency lighting.
It was agreed that Snyder would email the list of review comments to the board to double-check for accuracy
before the July 19 public hearing.
Motion: Commission Member Jill Heilman moved to send the review comments to the public hearing.
Commission Member Max Dowdle seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Item 6: Adjournment
Motion: Dowdle moved to adjourn at 11:02 a.m. Heilman seconded.
Vote: Unanimous