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Home My WebLink About2021-08-12 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2021 - 7:00 P.M. City Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES Commission Members Present: Edmond Chernesky Anne Marie Quin Karen Rand Liam Riordan Mike Pullen, Consultant City Staff Present: Melissa Bickford, Development Asst. Anja Collette, Planning Analyst Anne Krieg, Planning Officer Jeff LaBree, Housing Rehab. Coord. Acting Chair Riordan called the meeting to order at 7:08 P.M. Commissioner Chernesky moved to nominate Commissioner Riordan as Acting Chair, seconded by Commissioner Quin. All members in favor. Associate Members willbe needed as regular members tonight, all will vote. New Business: 1.Certificate of Appropriateness & Design Review - 40 & 44 Main Street - Map-Lot 042-137 - Façade Review District & West Market Square Historical District - Applicant/Property Owner -ChrisRuhlin - Approval requested for replacement of existing entrance door, and replacement of retail display window at property located at 40 & 44 Main Street, Map-Lot 042-137, in the Façade Review District & West Market Square Historical District. Chris Ruhlin, applicant/property owner, presented the item and provided the following in part and in substance: Appreciates the buildings history, architecture Rehabbed building after purchasing Grew up in Bangor, fond memories of downtown, privilegeto take care of this property Recently just painted it, first phase, hopeful to restore all residential windows Unsure of significance of center divider on window, feels that having a single pane is more inviting than trying to peer into little windows Second item, more important to him – commercial door installation o Existing wooden doors are not sturdy or safe, nor ADA accessible Historic Preservation Commission – Meeting Minutes August 12, 2021 Rear door of business is ADA accessible, but often difficult instructing customers how to access the door One retail establishment sees a lot of traffic, wood door will not hold up, will encounter same problems as now Have attempted to repair and maintain existing Recent Exchange Street renovations inspired applicant to seek commercial doors to go with the material/finish that will work in harmony with building Applicant provided the HPC with several photographs of local examples of similar storefronts. HPC reviewed sample of door from vendor, of actual finish that applicant wishes to use. Consultant Pullen disclosed that he was involved with the work in some of the projects shown. Consultant Pullen then reviewed his report with the Historical Preservation Commission: The doors presented indicate “narrow style,” “medium style,” and “wide style.” Applicant wishes to use the “medium style,” black aluminum door. Consultant sees no issues with the door or frame, points on the width of the door, commercial grade. Google map image helps to show the building a bit clearer – approximately10-year- old photo, building restored to that façade in the 1980s. Transom lights, panels above display windows, bring light further into the business. The pattern is a cross where the window is broken up by frame member. Pattern of 4 glass panels per opening is fairly consistent. The Commission, Consultant and Applicant discussed the glass replacement of the store-front windows. Ultimately, it was decided that changing the windows would change the look of the building, as well as the Applicant amending the application. Applicant wishes to remove the window portion from the application. Determined that this would become part of the record. Applicant will only do door replacement, keeping existing transom windows in place above each new door. Acting Chair Riordan recapped the discussion, nothing that there was a sense of importance in dividing lines, maintaining design of the façade, and maintaining historic design. Commissioner Chernesky motions approval of Design Review, to maintain the window divisions, but accept the doors as proposed –medium style as discussed. Commissioner Quin seconded. All members in favor. Motion carries. Commissioner Chernesky motions approval of Certificate of Appropriateness for project as discussed. Commissioner Rand seconded. All members in favor. Motion carries. Historic Preservation Commission – Meeting Minutes August 12, 2021 2.Certificate of Appropriateness -97 Broadway -Map-Lot 048-177 - Broadway Historical District - Applicant; Maine Real Estate Management o/b/o Paul Cook, Owner Richway Associates -Approval requested for right rear chimney at property located at 97 Broadway, Map-Lot 048-177, in the Broadway Historical District. Sarah Osborne, Property Manager for Maine Real Estate Management, acting on behalf of the owner, Richway Associates presented the application and provided the following in part and in substance: Multiple roof leaks at 97 Broadway property, roofer replaced asphalt shingles o Flashing was removed from around chimney o Concerned about chimney falling over Roofer proposed removal of top portion of chimney, capping it and shingling over The Commission inquired about alternatives to removal of the chimney, as it was a striking, dramatic feature of the building, sense of balance would be lost. Applicant indicated that she did not have a sense if it was able to be stabilized, states that she was advised it was “too far beyond repair.” Consultant Pullen reviewed his report to the Commission: 1834 House at 97-99 Broadway o Earliest period of development on Broadway o Several in the district dating from 1833, 1834 and 1835 Significant historical building in Bangor, one of the most Over time, due to lack of maintenance, chimney was allowed to deteriorate, more-so than the others on the house – appearing to be 8 remaining chimneys Quite visible in Bangor, building extends into an “L” shape to Pine Street o Pine Street façade is just as prominent as the other sides (Broadway and Somerset Street) Balance of façade would change if chimney was lost A good mason can rebuild anything, might have to take it down to the roofline and build it back up, this is done all the time Very important feature of this property, Commission needs to consider the importance in balance and look Removal of original material has potential to destroy the property o Advises Commission to review 2b. Standard regarding “removal or alteration of any historical material or features shall be avoided wherever possible” o Not clear that standard has been met, striking feature, encourage owners to preserve, maintain and rebuild Suggesting applicant do more research and could be productive in terms of saving this gem from the 1830’s, not many of them left in this style/quality Historic Preservation Commission – Meeting Minutes August 12, 2021 This particular owner might not be as keen on preservation as potential future owner o Don’t allow it to get worse o Future owner might understand significance o Recommend materials be maintained so brick could continue on top of brick o Replace in kind when possible Acting Chair Riordan inquired if the applicant wanted the Commission to act on the motion, or if she wanted to withdraw the application and return. Applicant wishes to withdraw the application at this time and return. 3.City of Bangor Comprehensive Plan -Listening Session with City Planner Anne Krieg City Planner Anne Krieg held a listening session with the Historic Preservation Commission and asked the question, “Why Bangor?” 4.July 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Chernesky motioned for approval of the meeting minutes of July 8, 2021 with no changes/revisions. Seconded by Commissioner Rand. All members in approval. Motion carries. 5.Note of Interest The architectural survey of the Broadway Historical District and Tree Street Study area has been completed. Information will be presented at an upcoming HPC meeting. 6.Adjournment – Meeting was adjourned at 8:26 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Melissa L. Bickford Development Assistant Planning Department