Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Date: April 23, 2026
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Certificate of Appropriateness for Façade Reconstruction at 319 Division St. S. - the Clark Building.
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is asked to review and approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for reconstruction of the upper story at 319 Division St. S. - the Clark Building.
Summary Report:
The applicant, Schmidt Homes, is seeking approval to reconstruct the upper story of the front façade and replace two exterior doors of the Clark Building, located at 319 Division St. S. a detailed description of the scope of work is attached. The Clark Building is listed as a non-contributing building in the district because of the loss of integrity. The entire front façade was reconstructed in 1986, and based on architectural plans from that time, it appears nearly the entire building was reconstructed, including the floor and roof joists.
The masonry on the façade is not original, nor are the doors or windows. The masonry on the front façade has deteriorated and cannot be repaired due to water intrusion behind the masonry. Therefore, a new masonry cladding is proposed. The existing protruding metal window frames will be removed and replaced with windows set into the façade, the dimensions and configuration of the windows is not proposed to be changed.
Because of the loss of integrity, and lack of documentation of the historic configuration, and because the changes are less than 50 years old and have not taken on a historic significance in their own right, the standards for New Downtown Construction (pages 29 - 32) of the Downtown Design Guidelines have been applied in the attached Findings of Fact.
The applicant is finalizing the selection of the proposed masonry, and the final proposed selection will be provided at or before the April 23, 2026 HPC meeting.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work at 319 Division St. S. - the Clark Building.
City Plans & Policies Relevance:
Approval of the project is consistent with the City’s plans. The Comprehensive Plan identifies the following strategies that would be advanced by this project:
Access:
Strategy 2: Develop in a compact, sustainable, and fiscally responsible pattern
Strategy 6: Design for resiliency and sustainability
Sustainable Economic Future:
Strategy 1: Strengthen Northfield’s Downtown Core
Resilient Infrastructure:
Strategy 5: Reduce solid waste through diversion, recycling, and reuse
Alternative Options:
The HPC could approve the COA with conditions, or deny the COA. Both options require modifying the resolution to provide justification and findings.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A