HPC Meeting Date: April 2, 2025
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Provide Comment on Loon Liquors, LLC Proposed Exterior Changes to 115 5th St. S. (adjacent to H-O District)
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission is asked to provide comments on the proposed exterior changes to the building at 115 5th St. W.
Summary Report:
Loon Liquors, LLC (Loon) has purchased the property at 115 5th St. W. from the City of Northfield. Loon is moving its microdistillery and tasting room operations to this location. The city has been working with Loon for several years to relocate their business to downtown. The Economic Development Authority has reviewed and provided loans to Loon to support their business and move. Loon will undergo site review, building permit application review and a conditional use permit to operate the microdistillery.
The site includes two joined buildings: the eastern building dates from 1920, the western from 1957 (outside the period of significance). The amount of original material in the fa?ade of the eastern building is unknown. The "front window & front entry" was remodeled in 2002 per plans by SMSQ for a total cost of $106,000, but city staff do not have those plans. Both buildings are located outside the historic district, and the 2016 survey recommendation was that these buildings were not contributing to the district.
The Statement of Charge in the Northfield Downtown Design Guidelines states: The Northfield City Council has charged the Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission with the review of any exterior changes to buildings within or abutting the downtown Historic District.
The Land Development Code (LDC) specifies in Table 3.2-5 Site Development Standards for the C-1 District that "The HPC will be asked to comment on applications but does not have authority outside of the Historic District."
The business and building owners will pre...
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