HPC Meeting Date: May 1, 2024
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Certificate of Appropriateness for Painting at 313 Division St S, Northfield News Building
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission should review and approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for repainting the southern storefront of the Northfield News Building - 313 Division St. S.
Summary Report:
The applicant, Derek Kruse, applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to repaint the southern storefront on the western façade of the historic Northfield News Building located at 313 Division St S. The historic inventory form and application materials are attached.
The applicant is not proposing to paint the stucco panels above the sign, that area will remain the existing off-white color. The applicant is proposing to leave the trim around the windows and door in the existing black or dark gray color as depicted in the attached illustrations.
The applicant is not seeking a sign permit or a COA for a new sign at this time and depictions of alternative signs in the illustrations provided are for illustrative purposes only. The applicant will apply for a COA when they have finalized their new sign design.
The Northfield city ordinances outline, in Chapter 34 - Land Development Code (LDC), Section 8.5.8, the Heritage Preservation Commission’s Certificate of Appropriateness process and approval criteria. The HPC shall consider the following in evaluating an application for a certificate of appropriateness for a zoning certificate and/or building permit. Criterion (A) below must be met and criteria (B) through (G) shall be considered:
Criteria A. For all applications, the proposed action fully complies with all applicable requirements of the LDC;
Findings: The proposed painting complies with the LDC.
Criteria B, That the proposed action is in harmony with the purpose of the H-O district for sites located in the H-O district;
Findings: The proposed action is in harmony with the intent of the H-O district. Within the LDC Section 2.5.3, Historic Overlay District (H-O) purpose is defined “(a) Safeguard the heritage of the city by preserving sites and structures which reflect elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, visual or architectural history; (b) Protect and enhance the city's appeal to residents, visitors and tourists and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry; (c) Foster civic pride in the beauty and notable accomplishments of the past; and, (d) Promote the preservation and continued use of historic sites and structures for the education and general welfare of the people of the city.”
a) The applicant is proposing maintenance and investment to preserve the building.
b) The proposed painting enhances the building’s appeal to residents and visitors.
c) The proposed painting will highlight the beauty of the building and foster more pride in the building’s history.
d) The proposed painting promotes the continued use of the historic building.
Criteria C, That the proposed action would complement other structures within the H-O district for sites located in the H-O district;
Findings: The changes will complement other structures within the H-O district.
Criteria D, That the proposed action is consistent with the Downtown Preservation Design Guidelines for sites located in the H-O district, and consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties for sites located within or outside the H-O district;
Findings: The changes are consistent with the Downtown Preservation Design Guidelines. The proposed painting is applied consistently to the storefront, the trim is proposed to be painted a contrasting color while the sashes and door will remain a color darker than the walls and trim. The building features two storefronts and a third entrance to the units upstairs, each of which features a different treatment including paint colors, the proposed painting is consistent with the existing condition. No unpainted masonry is proposed to be painted.
Criteria E, Consideration should be given to the amount and quality of original material and design remaining in the building or structure when applying criteria, guidelines and standards;
Findings: The existing storefront is not original, and the proposed painting is limited to the existing storefront.
Criteria F, For new construction, the building or addition should be compatible with: (i) scale, texture, materials, and other visual qualities of the surrounding buildings and neighborhoods; (ii) the height, width, depth, massing and setback of the surrounding buildings; and (iii) the amount of solid wall to window and door openings, and the replacement of window and door openings, should be proportional to that of the surrounding buildings and neighborhood;
Findings: Not applicable.
Criteria G, Consideration shall be given to clear cases of economic hardship or to deprivation of reasonable use of the owner's property.
Findings: Not applicable.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for the painting per the attached documentation. Attached is a resolution draft for the HPC to review. HPC members can contact staff in advance to make edits if there are any proposed changes.
Alternative Options:
The HPC could approve the COA with conditions or deny the COA. Both options would require modifying the resolution to provide additional justification and findings.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A