Meeting Date: September 2, 2020
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Certificate of Appropriateness for the Replacement of Façade Windows on the Street Level of the Central Block - 401 Division St. S.
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission is asked to approve a new window system for the Central Block building only for the windows associated with the Rare Pair business.
Summary Report:
The applicant presented to the HPC at their August 5, 2020 meeting. At this meeting, the applicant stated the building owner would like to replace the existing windows in front of the Rare Pair business because they fog up during the winter months.
The window system would be the same used for the Monarch business just south of the Rare Pair and as part of the same building.
At the August 5 meeting, the HPC stated they would like a subcommittee to meet with Commissioner Meehan present. The subcommittee met on Friday, August 21, 2020. The subcommittee consisted of Vice Chair Evans, Commissioner Meehan and Commissioner Thomas. Northfield City Planner Mikayla Schmidt, Chris Kennelly and Craig Vold were also present.
The main item of concern for the group was preserving a cast iron column on the west wall, south of the Rare Pair entrance. Mr. Kennelly and Mr. Vold agreed to keep the column exposed and to juxtapose the window frames to meet up with the column sides, thus leaving the column exposed to the exterior elements.
All HPC members and staff agreed this was the best way preserve the column and to have new windows for the business.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
Enclosing the column would be more cost effective for the applicant.
Tentative Timelines:
The applicant plans to replace the windows before winter this year.