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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-14 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 14, 2013 MINUTES Board Members Present: Donald Lewis III Sonia Mallar Marie Grady Robb Gordon Kay Blanchard Commission Consultant Present: Sara K. Martin City Staff Present: Jennifer Boothroyd In the absence of a chairman, Ms. Boothroyd called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Item No. 1: Election of Officers Ms. Boothroyd opened the floor to nominations for the position of Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission. Member Mallar nominated Member Donald Lewis III for the position of Chairman. Member Blanchard seconded the nomination. There being no additional nominations for the position, a vote was called by show of hands. All five members voted in favor of the nomination, and Member Lewis was elected unanimously to the position of Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission. Chairman Lewis opened the floor to nominations for the position of Vice-chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission. Member Mallar nominated Member Robb Gordon for the position of Vice-chairman. Member Blanchard seconded the nomination. There being no additional nominations for the position, Chairman Lewis called a vote by show of hands. All five members voted in favor of the nomination, and Member Gordon was elected unanimously to the position of Vice- chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission. Chairman Lewis opened the floor to nominations for the position of Secretary of the Historic Preservation Commission. Member Gordon nominated Member Kay Blanchard for the position of Secretary. Member Mallar seconded the nomination. There being no additional nominations for the 2 position, Chairman Lewis called a vote by show of hands. All five members voted in favor of the nomination, and Member Blanchard was elected unanimously to the position of Secretary of the Historic Preservation Commission. Item No. 2: Consider a request for Certificate of Appprpriateness approval to install a projecting sign, Dirigo A/E, applicant Chairman Lewis invited the applicant to step to the podium to make a presentation. Ronald Rideout spoke on behalf of Dirigo A/E. The applicant, a tenant at 128 Hammond St. wishes to install a projecting sign which would hang from a bracket, similar in size, shape, and scope to an existing sign for another commercial tenant (Massimo’s) in the building. The sign would be hung from a new bracket, and fastened to an existing column on the building. Chairman Lewis asked for questions or comments from the audience. There being none, he asked for questions from the commission members. Member Gordon inquired whether wind would be a problem, and indicated that he had seen similar signs damaged by wind in the downtown area. Mr. Rideout answered that the column to which the bracket will be attached is very sturdy, and he does not anticipate wind being an issue. Member Gordon inquired whether Massimo’s has ever had a problem with their sign in strong winds. Mr. Rideout indicated that, to his knowledge, they had not had any trouble. Member Mallar asked if the bracket will be the same as the bracket for Massimo’s sign. She also expressed concern that the sign would be high enough as proposed. Mr. Rideout stated that the bracket would be identical to Massimo’s, and that he would be amenable to raising the height of the sign. Member Mallar asked if the sign could be hung at the same height as the Massimo’s sign. Member Mr. Rideout stated that that could be possible. Member Gordon suggested that raising the sign might also deter vandalism. Mr. Rideout indicated that, in order to match the height of the Massimo’s sign, the proposed sign would need to be hung from another pillar on the building, further away from the business’ entrance. He stated that his preference is to hang the sign on the column as proposed to prevent public confusion about where in the building Dirigo A/E is located. He also stated that, for esthetic reasons, he preferred the symmetry of hanging the sign on the second column from the end, as proposed, since the Massimo’s sign is hung from the second column in on their end of the building. Commission Consultant Sara Martin indicated that hanging the sign on the second column in as proposed would maintain symmetry, and would be esthetically preferable. Member Gordon asked if the code allows the sign to be hung at a height of higher than eight feet. Consultant Martin stated that it was her understanding that yes, eight feet high is the minimum. Mr. Rideout stated that he would try to hang the sign at a height that matched the height of the Massimo’s sign, considering the grade change between the two signs. 3 Bob Kelley, owner of 128 Hammond St, approached the podium. He stated that the proposed sign, does closely match the height of the Massimo’s sign, in consideration of the grade change. He also stated that there have not been any problems with the Massimo’s sign associated with vandals or wind. There being no additional questions or comments from the commission members, Chairman Lewis asked for a motion to be made. Member Gordon made a motion to approve the project as presented in the application. Member Grady seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously, with Members Gordon, Blanchard, Grady, Mallar, and Lewis voting. Additional Discussion: Member Lewis asked for any additional items for discussion. Member Blanchard noted that the sign approved at the last meeting for Downeast Coins and Collectibles has now been installed. There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.