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Home My WebLink About2025-02-27 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes �; N: � e �� I� � �TC�I�.I� P"FF�E� � �V�TI�� '� ��.I �� S I�� .� .� c�T� �� . HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 2025, 7:00 P.M. PENOBSCOT ROOM, PENQUIS CAP 262 HARLOW STREET MEETING MINUTES Commission Members Present: Edmund Chernesky Peter Keebler (voting due to absence of Liam Reardon) Nathaniel King (via Zoom) Rebecca Krupke (via Zoom) Anne Marie Quin (via Zoom) Matthew Weitkamp (voting due to absence of Liam Reardon) Citv Staff Present: Anja Collette, Planning Officer Chair Chernesky called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. New Business: 1. Desiqn Review— 16 Union Plaza — Map-Lot 042-066 — Banqor Center Revitalization Area —Applicant/Owner: Mark Greenleaf - Approval requested for Design Review to add two windows, replace four windows, and add four fire escape platforms. The property is located at Map-Lot 042-066, in the Bangor Center Revitalization Area. Applicant not present for meeting —Associate Member Weitkamp recommended postponing application review until next meeting when applicant can be present. Commissioners expressed agreement. Associate Member Weitkamp moved to postpone application review until March 13th meeting, seconded by Commissioner Krupke. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. 2. Certificate of Appropriateness -218 Ohio St - Map-Lot 032-089- Thomas Hill Historic District — Owner: Banqor Children's Home (Hilltop Preschool) - Applicant: DP Porter Contractors Inc./CEM Maine - Approval requested for Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish existing cellar access doghouse and reconstruct with in kind roof, exterior woodwork, siding, and potentially exterior door, approximating original features. The property is located at Map-Lot 032-089, in the Thomas Hill Historic District. 73 I IA�.L�C3'W' STF�EET. �,Af�1C_,��, �vtE s�41C�1. ,.1"EL�C'1:9C)N�. (�C}7) �)�2-4��Q FA.�: (�C37� `745-��"� t�'V'W W.��A N�;C��f�h.��N E.C�C7 V Historic Preservation Commission — Meeting Minutes February 27t", 2025 Chair Chernesky introduced the agenda item. John Gerald, DP Porter Contractors, presented to the Commission via Zoom and gave an overview of the application. Chair Chernesky read HPC Consultant Mike Pullen's written comments on the application. Gerald confirmed that the repairs would be made in kind. Associate Member Weitkamp asked about the roofing materials —Gerald responded that he was not sure, but could confirm that the new material would be the same as the existing material. Chernesky read the applicant's written response to Pullen's comments. Weitkamp also asked for clarification regarding the plan if the door ends up not being salvageable— Gerald responded that the door would be replaced in kind. Commissioner Quin asked for clarification regarding the term "in kind" —Gerald responded and clarified. Gerald also stated that he would try to get an answer regarding the condition of the door. A member of the public asked about installing posts to protect the doghouse—Weitkamp confirmed that this would have to be proposed by the applicant. Weitkamp also asked whether rough-cut lumber and clapboard siding would be used —Gerald confirmed that they would. Gerald confirmed that the door would be repaired in kind or replaced in kind, depending on its condition. Associate Member Keebler moved that the Commission find that the application was deemed complete on February 27, 2025, the applicant paid all applicable fees, and the proposed project is a Certificate of Appropriateness. Seconded by Commissioner Krupke. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Chair Chernesky opened the public comments. A member of the public asked for clarification regarding the process for proposing amendments to the application— Chair Chernesky responded and clarified. Chair Chernesky closed the public comments. Associate Member Keebler moved that the Commission find that, based on Exhibits 2, 4, and 6, the application satisfied Historic Preservation Code §148-9A requiring that any alternation, construction, movement, or demolition will preserve or enhance its historical and architectural character. Seconded by Commissioner Krupke. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Planning Officer Anja Collette provided clarification regarding a proposed approval condition for the repair/replacement of the door. Associate Member Keebler moved that the Commission find that, based on Exhibits 2, 4, and 6 the application satisfies Historic Preservation Code § 148-9B(2)(b) requiring that rehabilitation work does not destroy the distinguishing qualities nor character of the structure and its environment. Seconded by Commissioner Quin. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Associate Member Weitkamp moved that the Commission find that, based on Exhibits 2, 4, and 6, the application satisfies Historic Preservation Code § 148-9B(2)(c) requiring that, while repair is preferable to replacement, in the event that replacement of deteriorated architectural features is necessary, the new material should match the material being replaced in composition, design, texture and finish, with the condition that rough-cut lumber should be used if this is the existing material, and that the door should be replaced with materials in kind if it needs to be replaced. Seconded by Commissioner Quin. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Historic Preservation Commission — Meeting Minutes February 27t", 2025 Associate Member Weitkamp moved that the Commission find that, based on Exhibits 2, 4, and 6, the application satisfies Historic Preservation Code § 148-9B(2)(d) requiring that distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize historic structures is not damaged or destroyed, wherever possible. Seconded by Commissioner Quin. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Associate Member Keebler moved that the Commission find that, based on Exhibits 2, 4, and 6, the application satisfies Historic Preservation Code § 148-9B(2)(e) requiring that the changes which have taken place in the course of time have acquired historic significance in their own right are retained and preserved wherever possible. Seconded by Commissioner Krupke. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Associate Member Weitkamp moved that the Commission find that, based on Exhibits 2, 4, and 6, the application satisfies Historic Preservation Code § 148-9B(2)(f) requiring that alterations to an historic building to create an earlier appearance have not be undertaken, except when qualifying as restoration under the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Restoration. Seconded by Commissioner King. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Associate Member Weitkamp moved that the Commission find that the project meets the requirements for Certificate of Appropriateness and therefore grants a Certificate of Appropriateness permit for the proposed Project, with the condition noted previously. Seconded by Commissioner Quin. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Other Business: � Proposed Banqor Liqhted Siqn — Request for Commission Comments — Conversation about a proposed installation of large internally lit lettering spelling out Bangor at the intersection of State and Harlow Street. The proposed location is within the Great Fire of 1911 Historic District. Chair Chernesky presented the agenda item and noted that the presentation will be postponed until the March 13th meeting. Member of the public Justin Cartier presented to the podium and expressed opposition to the proposed project due to concerns over its presence in a historic district and the cost of the project. Member of the public Ray Dubois presented to the podium and expressed opposition to the proposed project due to concerns over it being a new installation within a historic area. Also expressed concern over not using a local contractor for the work. Member of the public Suzette Furrow presented to the podium and expressed opposition to the proposed project due to concerns over it being distracting at a busy intersection. Also expressed that she would rather see a focus on infrastructure improvements. Member of the public Mike Furrow presented to the podium and expressed opposition to the proposed project due to concerns over it not fitting into the surrounding historic area, and echoed Suzette Furrow's concerns over traffic distraction. Also expressed that he would rather see a focus on screening utility items such as electrical boxes. Planning Officer Anja Collette provided clarification regarding the approval process for this project, Historic Preservation Commission — Meeting Minutes February 27t", 2025 noting that the Historic Preservation Commission would not be taking a vote on this item and this was simply an opportunity to receive their feedback on the proposal. Collette stated that this is considered public art and therefore goes before the Cultural Commission for a recommendation, and then to City Council for final approval. Associate Member Keebler asked for additional clarification regarding the Commission's authority for art installations within historic districts — Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. Commissioner Krupke asked for clarification regarding the policy for neon signs on businesses in historic districts — Planning Officer Collette responded, and Chair Chernesky confirmed that this should be asked when presentation is made by Development Director Anne Krieg at next meeting. Member of the public Irvin Masters presented to the podium and expressed some concerns over the proposed project, but noted that he would be interested in seeing the full presentation. Planning Officer Collette provided clarification regarding the rescheduling of the presentation and availability of the materials showing the project in the Commission's packet online. Member of the public Karen Masters presented to the podium and expressed opposition over the proposed project due to the aesthetics and the cost. Member of the public Hilari Simmons presented to the Commission via Zoom and expressed concern over the installation being treated as art rather than a sign. Also expressed concerns over the potential use of colored lights to celebrate certain groups and not others. Planning Officer Collette and Chair Chernesky provided clarification regarding the definition of the installation as art. Various members of the public expressed concern over this. Member of the public Suzette Furrow presented to the podium again and asked for clarification regarding the approval process — Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. City Councilor Wayne Mallar presented to the Commission over Zoom and expressed opposition to the proposed project over costs, both for installation and maintenance. Associate Member Keebler moved that the agenda item be continued to the March 13th meeting, seconded by Commissioner Krupke. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. 4. Correspondence: Staff Testimony on LD 146 — Historic Tax Credit —An update on testimony staff have submitted on pending legislation Chair Chernesky presented the agenda item and noted that the presentation will be postponed until the March 13th meeting. Associate Member Weitkamp moved that the agenda item be postponed to the March 13th meeting, seconded by Commissioner Quin. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. � Meetinq Minutes — November 12, 2024 (Revised) and January 9, 2025 Associate Member Weitkamp moved to approve the revised November 12th meeting minutes. Commissioner King seconded. All voting members in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. Associate Member Keebler moved to approve the January 9th meeting minutes. Commissioner Krupke seconded. All voting members in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. Historic Preservation Commission — Meeting Minutes February 27t", 2025 Member of the public Ray Dubois presented to the podium and asked that updates to the Commission's responsibilities be made on the City's website. Member of the public Irvin Masters requested additional clarification regarding the LD146 agenda item — Chair Chernesky and Planning Officer Anja Collette responded and clarified. Dubois added that it would be helpful to have presentations made over Zoom if staff is unable to attend the next meeting in-person. � Adiournment Meeting adjourned at 8:01 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Maquillan Development Assistant Planning Division