The meeting was called to order at 6:36 P.M., by acting Chairman Tom Stelling. A quorum was needed and the Committee had to wait until a fourth member arrived.

Roll Call: Present were: Commissioners Peter Girolamo, Al Schvetz, Judy Stone and Acting Chairman Tom Stelling. Also present were Francesca Bumpurs of RCEDC and Pat Scherrer, Building Inspector for the City of Burlington. Absent and excused: Chairman Frank Cannella, Commissioners Joe Busch and Susan Kott.

Citizen's Comments: Judith Schulz stated how good the downtown area looks and what an excellent standard the HPC Committee has set. She suggested for historic purposes that she felt windows should not be divided when replacing. She also brought up newspaper boxes, which Acting Chairman Stelling stated the issues had gone back before the DET and at the current time was not the jurisdiction of the HPC.

Approval of November 25, 2003 Minutes: Acting Chairman Stelling entertained a motion for approval of the November 25, 2003 Minutes. Commissioner Stone motioned for approval, seconded by Commissioner Girolamo. All voted aye and the motion carried.

Mr. Norm Scherrer represented Mr. Aranda to answer any questions the Commission members may have. Mr. Aranda's Certificate of Appropriateness Application requested windows to be replaced with wooden metal clad windows with the same size currently installed. Mr. Scherrer indicated that Mr. Aranda was open for suggestions regarding colors. Mr. Aranda's window cladding color options were white, rustic or beige from Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Inc.

There was lengthy discussion regarding which color would be historically appropriate. Commissioner Schvetz suggested the possibility of other colors being used. Commissioner Giralomo motioned to recommend approval of Mr. Aranda's Certificate of Appropriateness Application as presented. There was no second of the motion. After additional discussion, Commissioner Girolamo dropped his motion.

The Commissioners determined that the color choice could be done through a Response Team visit. Acting Chairman Stelling indicated they could visit the site within the next few days. Mr. Scherrer stated that Mr. Aranda was out of town, and that no construction would begin prior to his return.

Commissioner Schvetz motioned to recommend approval to Mr. Aranda for his Certificate of Appropriateness as presented, with the color being determined by a Response Team visit. Seconded by Commissioner Giralomo. There was no further discussion, all voted aye, and the motion carried.

Mr. Aranda's Façade Improvement Grant Application was presented for replacement of windows, tuck pointing and painting. Mr. Aranda provided a quote for work to be performed by his chosen contractor in the amount of $10,200.00.

The Commissioners discussed that $500 had previously been awarded to the property at 241 E. Chestnut St., and therefore eligibility would be for $4500.00. Commissioner Schvetz motioned to recommend approval of the Façade Improvement Grant Application to Mr. Aranda in the amount of $4500.00. Seconded by Commissioner Stone. There was no further discussion, all voted aye and the motion carried. A Roll Call Vote was taken. Voting Aye: Commissioner Girolamo, Commissioner Schvetz, Commissioner Stone and Acting Chairman Stelling. Nays: None.

Ms. Patterson came before the HPC to present her Sign Permit Application for 588 N. Pine Street. The sign presented was a hanging sign made out of PVC, a plywood- like material, with vinyl lettering. The height of the letters spelling Vazcom would be 12". The sign would be suspended from beneath the overhanging window by two brackets.

The Commissioners discussed the shape of the sign, and felt the shape was appropriate. There was some question as to the size of the sign. One drawing presented showed the sign as 3 ft. and another showed 30". The color for the word Nextel would be yellow, which is a corporate color. The Vazcom lettering and the address presented to be black. The background of the sign would be putty, and burgundy would be used for the outline. The Commissioners discussed lettering of the word Vazcom and determined it would be more appropriate if the letters were all the same size. When asked, Ms.Patterson indicated the banners would be removed from the windows once their sign has been installed.

After much discussion, Acting Chairman Stelling entertained a motion for approval. Commissioner Schvetz motioned to recommend approval of the Sign Permit Application to Ms. Patterson for her project at 588 N. Pine Street. The sign to contain black lettering for the word Vazcom and the address and the lettering to be uniform block style. The word Nextel to be in yellow, the background of the sign painted in putty and the outline of the sign burgundy. All banners to be removed from the windows when the sign has been installed. The sign to be installed with brackets as presented in the picture rendering. Seconded by Commissioner Girolamo. There was no further discussion, all voted aye and the motion carried.

Mr. Graves was present to present the Sign Permit Application for Bank One. Bank One proposed replacing the existing projecting signs at the corner of East Chestnut and North Pine Streets with a 3'X2" acrylic projecting sign in the corporate colors blue and white to be illuminated with two gooseneck lights, presented in drawings.

Also proposed was the addition of two 12" X 8" façade signs - one on the second story of the side of the building facing East Chestnut Street and one above the first floor windows on East Chestnut Street. The signs would consist of 12" white non-illuminated plate letters, to be illuminated with two gooseneck lights.

In addition, they proposed to replace a number of panel signs posted in the parking lot. The proposed signs to be the same size as currently exist, but will be updated with the corporate colors of blue and white. Drawings indicating sign size and placement were distributed.

The Commissioners discussed acrylic signs and their inappropriateness in the HPC District, whether they have illuminated lighting or not. All were in agreement that the logo could remain, but the material type used for the signs would have to be changed.

Mr. Graves indicated that these signs were being used for all Bank One buildings, but if the HPC Commissioners did not feel they were appropriate he would go back to Bank One and advise them of the Commissioners determination.

Mr. Graves asked for direction of what would be appropriate. After much discussion, the Commissioners expressed that the lettering style would have to be HPC appropriate in a serif font, and the materials used for the signs would need to be something other than acrylic. It would also be necessary for the size of the signs to be according to the City of Burlington sign ordinance.

Commissioner Schvetz motioned to recommend denying the Sign Permit Application for Bank One as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Stone. There was not further discussion, and the Sign Permit Application for Bank One was denied.

The Commissioners recommended to Mr. Graves to notify Bank One of the recommended changes, and then to come back to the HPC Commission for review once they have made the necessary changes.

• Bobby Holland/Jack David, 501 Milwaukee Ave.-door style and paint

Pat Scherrer, City of Burlington Building Inspector has had limited contact with Mr. David. He did however, ask him to attend the HPC, as the color for the door needed to be determined. Commissioner Stone suggested the Commissioners do a Response Team visit to the site the same time they visit Mr. Aranda's project. The Commissioners agreed they would do so.

• Shawn Murphy, 489 Milwaukee Ave. - façade and window sign

• Matt Daniels, 425 N. Pine St. - painting

• Janey Hoerneman, 209 & 221 E. Chestnut St. - gate

• Larry Fritz, 216 E. Washington St. - ducts

• Tom Niccolai & Maria Veronico Ventura & Loretta Jackson, 336 Pine St.

Francesca Bumpurs of RCEDC stated she had sent them a letter regarding the painting. The Commissioners discussed sign placement for the project at 336 Pine St., but nothing has come before the HPC.

• James Wallace, 124-126 W. Chestnut Street

• Justin Skrzynecki, 101 W. Chestnut St. - sign

• Ilaz Imeri, 180 E. Chestnut St. - sign - Completed

• Karen Renee, 140 Chestnut St. - sign

• HPC Grant Funding #2 - $33,000.00
• Total Approved: $8958.72
• Total Improvement Amount Proposed: $24,834.03
• Total Disbursed: $562.70
• Returned to Program:
• David Berlin, 316-332 N. Pine Street, $3850.00/$1925.00
• David Berlin, 336-344 N. Pine Street, $4024.00/2012.50
• Pending Approval: $4500.00 (Aranda 241 E. Chestnut Street)

There were questions regarding paper covering the windows on businesses. Pat Scherrer, Building Inspector stated that if remodeling was going on, it was preferable to have the windows covered.

Judith Schulz came forward and stated that she felt the idea of putting together a booklet showing various HPC appropriate styles of signs would be useful for future use. Acting Chairman Stelling asked that the item be placed on the February Agenda for further discussion.

Ms. Schulz also stated that the City of Burlington loop area was featured in the beginning of Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Ms. Schulz had a tape available for anyone wishing to review it. Acting Chairman Stelling suggested a copy be placed at the Library.

Minutes Respectfully submitted by:

Deb Rintamaki
Department of Public Works