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HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-18-2019 HDC Minutes Special MeetingPage 1 of 8 Minutes Historic District Commission Special Meeting 10:30 a.m. July 18, 2019 Town Hall Annex Board Meeting Room, 105 E. Corbin St. Present: Candice Cobb, Vice Chair Jill Heilman, Virginia Smith and Will Spoon Absent: Max Dowdle, Chair Reid Highley and Laura Simmons Staff: Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell, Graduate Intern Richard Carey, Planning Director Margaret Hauth, Town Attorney Bob Hornik, Public Information Specialist Cheryl Sadgrove and Planner Justin Snyder Guests: Patrick Cummings, Joel Long, Bradley McClung, Jack Moore and Thomas Tellup 1. Call to order, roll call, and confirmation of quorum Vice Chair Jill Heilman called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Planner Justin Snyder called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. 2. Reading of the commission’s mission statement Heilman read the statement. 3. Adjustments to the agenda Snyder noted that the planning director planned to make staff comments under Item 8. The agenda stood as presented. 4. Minutes review and approval A. Minutes from the regular meeting June 5, 2019. Motion: Member Candice Cobb moved to approve the minutes with changes. Member Virginia Smith seconded. Vote: 4-0 Changes: On Page 4, “black door” changed to “back door.” 5. Old business There was none. 6. New business A. Certificate of Appropriateness Application: 226 S. Churton St. — Applicant Town of Hillsborough, on behalf of Knox Enterprises LLC, requests approval to have a mural painted by a local artist on the north stucco façade of the Volume Hillsborough building located at 226 S. Churton St. (PIN: 9874-05-4679). Motion: Smith moved to open the public hearing. Cobb seconded. Vote: 4-0 Heilman asked commission members whether they had any conflicts of interest regarding this application. There were none. Page 2 of 8 Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell was sworn in. Snyder reviewed the staff report for this application. Campbell said this is a public art project, which is an umbrella term, meaning this would be visible from the public right of way. It is also a public/private art partnership. Campbell said a local artist contacted her with interest in painting a mural in town. The building owners and the business inside the building are supportive of the project. Campbell shared the design, which pays tribute to Billy Strayhorn, a local jazz pianist with childhood ties to Hillsborough. Campbell pointed out that the mural also serves to recognize some of the town’s African American history. She noted that the Tourism Development Authority is funding some of this project and is anticipating that the mural will bring some tourism to town. Campbell noted that the building’s surface is already painted. Heilman asked whether anyone in the audience wished to speak for or against this project. No one did. Smith said she wanted to address with fellow commission members that the commission needs to work out a policy for murals. She said she has concerns as a citizen and as a commission member. Smith said the proposal is for this mural to be painted on an elevation that is not a character-defining elevation and she does not want murals to be approved on character-defining elevations. She read a statement she had prepared that states murals should be of relevant content — history, natural environment, or some form of the arts — and not specifically tied to the promotion of a particular business. Smith paraphrased some of Page 58 of the Hillsborough Historic District Design Guidelines that public art helps define the community’s identity and reveal the unique nature of a specific neighborhood. She does not want murals to be tied to a particular business. She is concerned a restauranteur might want a mural on a building housing a restaurant that encourages visitors to eat at the restaurant. Cobb said she appreciates Smith’s comments and noted this proposed mural shares history and is relatively close to the new historical marker about Strayhorn. That the building houses a music-related business is cool, but she thinks the mural would be appropriate even if the business inside the building was not music-related. Heilman asked Smith if she had any specific changes to suggest to the guidelines. Smith did not. Heilman suggested that parts of Smith’s statement be included in the motion for this project. Campbell was asked how the mural would be maintained. She responded that the artist would maintain it for a year and that it would be covered with a coating to help protect it from graffiti. Campbell said usually murals in historic downtowns are allowed to fade and develop a patina. The business owner or building owner has the option to paint over it. She noted that downtown Mebane has murals from the 1970s which still look great. She said that the Hillsborough Arts Council and the Tourism Development Authority are partners and that the commission could ask those entities to fund a touch-up if members thought it was eventually needed. Campbell does not anticipate the mural would look bad in the next 5 to 10 years. Snyder said the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office funds grants for the restoration of old murals and that Graham is using those funds currently to restore its murals. When asked if the mural could be painted over once the protective coating is applied, Campbell said it could be once the coating wears off. Smith reiterated she does not want murals to be proposed that are solely related to a business. Snyder said if one was proposed, ordinance language regarding signs would apply. Page 3 of 8 Campbell said it is likely that any business owner using this building would likely not mind this mural. Heilman noted there is consensus for approval and there are conditions. Motion: Cobb moved to close the public hearing. Commission Member Will Spoon seconded. Vote: 4-0 Motion: Smith moved to find as fact that the Town of Hillsborough application is in keeping with the overall character of the Historic District and complies with all relevant standards of evaluation based on the commission’s discussion of the application and the standards of evaluation in Section 3.12.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance because the plans are consistent with the Historic District Design Guidelines: Art, Exterior Walls, Paint and Exterior Color. Cobb seconded. Vote: 4-0 Motion: Smith moved to approve the application as submitted with conditions. Cobb seconded. Vote: 4-0 Conditions: 1. This mural specifically meets the overall spirit and intent of the Design Guidelines for Art, Exterior Walls, and Paint and Exterior Color. 2. This mural is not located on a character-defining elevation of a building. 3. This mural does not and shall not promote any individual business or service. 4. The content, while not subject to full review, is relevant to the history, natural environment, and artistic elements of the Town of Hillsborough and is thus appropriate. 5. The artist will take care of maintenance and repair of the mural for the first year after it is completed, and then the Tourism Development Authority and/or Hillsborough Arts Council will be responsible for necessary upkeep thereafter. B. Certificate of Appropriateness Application: 122 W. King St. — Applicant Summit Design and Engineering on behalf of 126 West King Street LLC requests approval to restore the brick façade and marquee sign and to replace and restore window and door openings at the Osbunn Theatre building at 122 W. King St. (PIN: 9874-06- 2364). Motion: Spoon moved to open the public hearing. Cobb seconded. Vote: 4-0 Heilman asked for any conflicts of interest for this application. There were none. Patrick Cummings with Summit Design and Engineering was sworn in. Snyder reviewed the staff report for this application. Heilman noted that north and south are reversed throughout the project narrative. The south façade is the front of the building. Cummings introduced the project team: He is the project manager, the architect is Bradley McClung, and the surveyor is Thomas Tellup. McClung and Tellup were sworn in. Page 4 of 8 The project team shared a three-dimensional scan of the building and briefly spoke about the usefulness of the technology that enables scanning of historic buildings downtown as they redevelop in the future. Cummings said the idea of the proposed renovations is not to capture a moment in the time of the building but rather the spirit of its entire history. The proposal pulls from the color pallete of the artist’s rendition of the Osbunn Theatre. Snyder noted there is a recess to the west of the front door on the front elevation. Heilman asked if the building would continue to house two businesses. The project team said no, just one. Cummings briefly explained how the characteristics of the rear of the building would be driven by fire code. He explained there would be rear exits for both the first floor and the mezzanine. Cummings also noted that two 2- over-2 windows would be added on the back of the building. Utilities in the back would be screened with a fence. Heilman asked if any individuals wished to speak for or against this project. No one did. Cummings said regarding the canopy, the applicant wished the canopy to be considered part of the historical restoration and not as signage. The intention is for the letters “OSBUNN” to remain on the front of the canopy no matter what business is housed in the building. Snyder asked Planning Director Margaret Hauth for clarification whether the building’s name would be considered signage. She answered no as long as the business name is different. Heilman asked how that is governed. Snyder said it would become a building feature rather than a sign. Smith said the agenda packet stated that the verbiage would be determined by the user. Cummings said that is not the intention. The intention is for “OSBUNN” to remain as part of the historical restoration. Town Attorney Bob Hornik noted that in one of the renderings “OSBUNN” is not only across the front of the marquee but also on the sides. Cummings said that is on the artist’s rendering, but the intention is for the canopy to be blank on both sides. Cobb asked if the artist’s rendering provides the only historical details the project team has. The team answered yes. Cobb asked what materials are proposed for the crowning on top of the canopy. The answer was metal. There was brief discussion that a business owner would need to follow the sign ordinance prior to hanging signage and that the business’s name would not appear on the marquee. Smith asked about windows that appear tinted on the elevation drawings. It was explained that the features where glass is shown to be darker is representative of existing conditions and the intention is to have clear glass on all windows. Spoon asked if there are any photos with “OSBUNN” on the marquee. The team said they could not find any. The artist’s rendering was done in the late 1990s or early 2000s with information from the family who owned and operated the cinema. Heilman asked for confirmation that the proposal for the 2-over-2 windows is for simulated divided-lite windows and not grilles between glass panes and that the windows would be wood. Cobb paraphrased a guideline that it is not appropriate to create a false sense of history by adding conjectural features, but she added that she thinks there is enough compatibility in the district and historical/pictorial Page 5 of 8 documentation to support these renovations. She thinks it is commendable that the applicant is trying to return the building to a contributing status. Smith agreed. Snyder told the commission that the project team has found the old bulbs that backlit the original “OSBUNN” marquee sign. If the project team is able to buy replacement bulbs (custom made), the team would like the commission’s approval to softly backlight the letters on the front of the marquee. The commission said it would be appropriate to do so. Snyder said the ordinance says no illuminated tube lighting, but that the types of bulbs to be used would not be tubing. Heilman checked that they would still want the proposed 11 custom bulbs under the canopy. The team said yes. Heilman asked the commission to review each elevation. Cummings said the project team would like for the windows on the second story of the front and the windows on the back to be aluminum-clad wood instead of wood. The store windows on the front would still be wood because they are protected by the canopy. The commission said that is acceptable. Cobb said when digging in the rear, keep in mind that there are archaeological guidelines in case anything is discovered. Cummings said the team has discussed that at length. When asked about utilities, Cummings said the intention is to bury at the back of the building utility lines that are currently attached overhead. Smith asked if the gutters would be dark bronze. The team said the stairs, light fixtures and everything would match the existing dark bronze gutters. Heilman asked for further comments or questions about the existing front elevation and the proposed demolition. The team was asked how the upstairs windows would be placed if the original locations could not be found. The team answered that the windows would be located exactly as indicated in the agenda packet and added that they would be located where those windows could be supported. Cummings said the intention is to locate the original ticket booth and include it in the front façade. The team is interested if anyone has it. Cummings said the applicant would make a new application for a Certificate of Appropriateness if the booth is found. Spoon asked the team whether they thought gas lamps like the ones proposed were used when there was a marquee. The answer was no. Smith said the style of those lamps is old-fashioned whereas the door knobs are very modern. Cummings said door hardware is governed by safety rules. The style of lamp is that used by the former King Street Bar. Snyder asked if the cables supporting the marquee that are currently painted white on the front façade would be painted black. Cummings answered they would be painted bronze or black. Smith asked if there is anything to change at the front entrance for accessibility purposes. Snyder said there is an existing slight incline in the front that helps make the front ADA accessible. Cummings said the team would apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness if the rear railings were to differ in style from what has already been approved. Page 6 of 8 There was discussion about the proposed metal louvered rooftop HVAC unit screen, which would be visible from the rear but not from the front. Snyder explained that zoning requires screening for rooftop units, as do the Guidelines. Jack Moore, a contractor on the project, said instead of louvered wood, he would like to propose that the screen be a painted corrugated metal. Heilman said the materials as well as the color must be presented for approval. Heilman said she is a little worried about the longevity/durability of the louvres. Moore said it is an aluminum structure that surrounds the unit. Snyder said based on the commission’s materials list, corrugated steel would seem to be appropriate. Cummings said the applicant could also use wood if the Commission desired. Snyder noted that the planning director had told him that the library has a similar metal structure on its roof. Snyder also displayed a photo of what the metal louvres would look like. Cummings said the metal screening structure would match the roof color. Staff was asked to note to add screening to the materials list. Motion: Smith moved to close the public hearing. Cobb seconded. Vote: 4-0 Motion: Cobb moved to find as fact that the Summit Design and Engineering application is in keeping with the overall character of the Historic District and complies with all relevant standards of evaluation based on the commission’s discussion of the application and the standards of evaluation in Section 3.12.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance because the plans are consistent with the Historic District Design Guidelines: Windows and Doors, Exterior Lighting, Utilities and Energy Retrofit, Exterior Walls, Signage, Fences and Walls, Paint and Exterior Color, Masonry, Storefronts, Accessibility and Life Safety Considerations. Spoon seconded. Vote: 4-0 Motion: Cobb moved to approve the application as submitted with conditions. Spoon seconded. Vote: 4-0 Conditions as enumerated by Vice Chair Heilman: 1. North and south elevation directions are reversed on the submitted application materials. 2. The use of “OSBUNN” on the marquee shall only be on the front, and no signage or names shall be located on the sides of the marquee. 3. The use of “OSBUNN” is approved as a reference to a historical use of the building as a permanent feature and does not constitute signage. 4. The metal to be used for the crown and art deco bars on the marquee shall be the same design and colors as shown in the artist’s rendering submitted with the application materials. 5. No signage may be located on the marquee. 6. Backlighting of the proposed metal “OSBUNN” name on the marquee using soft-lit standard bulbs without any sort of illuminated tubing shall be permitted based on historical evidence and the planning director’s interpretation that the name does not constitute a sign. 7. The 2-over-2 windows throughout the building may be either wood or aluminum-clad wood and shall be either true divided lite or simulated divided lite where muntins would be permanently affixed to the interior and exterior panes of glass. 8. Grilles-between-glass panes shall not be permitted. 9. If archaeological relics are found during excavation, the applicants shall immediately cease working and report the findings to the Hillsborough Planning Department and await further instruction. Page 7 of 8 10. Front window opening locations shall be field determined, and if no specific evidence of original window openings is found, the applicants shall install the windows in the exact location specified in the application materials. 11. If the applicants can locate the original ticket booth and wish to incorporate it into the exterior of the building, then they shall submit a new Certificate of Appropriateness application to the Historic District Commission for review. 12. Marquee support cable shall be stripped of the existing white paint and shall be either dark bronze or black in color. 13. Rear overhead utilities will be buried if feasible. If any exposed transformers, mechanical boxes or other items are needed, they shall be screened with wood fencing matching the wood screening used elsewhere on the project, meeting utility specifications for screening. 14. Rooftop HVAC screening is being permitted as corrugated metal painted to match the roof color and shall not be visible from the front. C. Certificate of Appropriateness Application: 122 N. Nash Street — Applicant Joel Long requests an after- the-fact approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a 24-foot round, above-ground titanium pool in the rear of 122 N. Nash St. (PIN: 9864-76-1870). Snyder reviewed the staff report for this application. Motion: Spoon moved to open the public hearing. Cobb seconded. Vote: 4-0 Heilman asked if there were any conflicts of interest. None was noted. The applicant, Joel Long, was not in the room, so Snyder offered to speak on his behalf and was sworn in. Snyder stated that he is staff to the Historic District Commission and also a code enforcement officer. Snyder reviewed the staff report. Long arrived and was sworn in. Long said he did not know that he needed permits. Snyder said Long very quickly came in to get the permits once he was notified. Heilman asked if anyone wanted to speak for or against the application. No one did. Cobb asked why this pool was not considered temporary. Snyder said because it would be a recurring feature every year and he did not think the applicant intended to disassemble it off-season. Long said that was correct. Heilman said the pool is visible from West Tryon Street when traveling west and wondered if the applicant would consider planting evergreens along the east boundary to help improve screening of the pool from that view. Snyder said there are plants along the boundary but not evergreens. He shared a photograph of the plantings and the visibility of the pool. Heilman suggested that Long plant low evergreens to screen the lower view of the pool. Long said he has intentions to do more plantings, likely red tip shrubs. He also has plans for a deck around the pool. Snyder informed Long that he would need a zoning permit and staff COA approval for a pool deck not attached to the house. Snyder noted that the commission wished for Long to plant three evergreen shrubs along the east side and three along the north side by December 1. Page 8 of 8 Motion: Smith moved to close the public hearing. Spoon seconded. Vote: 4-0 Motion: Spoon moved to find as fact that the Joel Long application for 122 N. Nash St. is in keeping with the overall character of the Historic District and complies with all relevant standards of evaluation based on the commission’s discussion of the application and the standards of evaluation in Section 3.12.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance because the plans are consistent with the Historic District Design Guidelines: Site Features and Plantings. Heilman seconded. Vote: 4-0 Motion: Spoon moved to approve the application with conditions. Heilman seconded. Vote: 4-0 Conditions: 1. Three large evergreen shrubs shall be planted along the northeast corner of the frontage along West Tryon Street. 2. Three large evergreen shrubs shall be planted along the eastern property line near the northeast corner between the pool and the existing vegetation. 3. All plantings shall be installed prior to Dec. 1, 2019. 4. The property owner shall notify staff once the plantings are installed. 5. The property owner shall apply for, and be approved for, both a zoning compliance permit and Certificate of Appropriateness for any other proposed structures, including a pool deck, prior to installing them on the property. 8. Staff and commission updates and comments Hauth said a couple of situations have come up with the condominium project at 401 N. Churton St. The windows that were installed are not simulated divided lites. Hauth said she reviewed the minutes, the application materials and the recording and she cannot find documentation that simulated divided lite was ever stipulated. She does not feel there is adequate evidence in the record supporting that stipulation as a condition of approval. Heilman said there is an architectural drawing calling out muntins, which is not an architectural feature unless there are divided lites. Snyder said there could be muntins between the glass. Heilman disagreed. Hauth said she does not feel there is enough evidence, and it is ultimately her call whether to pursue enforcement. Heilman said she thinks applicants for COAs should be given a grid or checklist and should mark what materials they are using. This would help hold them accountable. There was brief discussion that the materials matrix has been available on the website since late August 2018. Spoon suggested the applicant should have to certify that the materials the applicant proposes to use are in line with the matrix. Hauth also informed the commission that the magnolia tree on the corner of this lot near the parking has been evaluated by a certified arborist and is not in good condition and needs to be removed. The applicant is proposing to replant a magnolia of a different magnolia species because of the overhead utilities. Commission members asked Snyder to follow up with the applicant to be sure the paint colors on the rear portion of the building match what was approved. 7. Adjournment Motion: Smith moved to adjourn at 12:15 p.m. Spoon seconded. Vote: 4-0