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

Citizen's Comments: None

Chairman Cannella asked that any person(s) having comments during Committee discussion should raise their hand and be recognized by the Chair before speaking out and interrupting Committee discussion.

Approval of June 24, 2004 Minutes: Chairman Cannella entertained a motion for approval of the June 24, 2004 Minutes. Commissioner Busch motioned for approval, seconded by Commissioner Stone. All voted aye and the motion carried.

Certificate of Appropriateness Application
532 N. Pine Street - Linda Simion/La Vie en Rose & Forum
Ms. Simion presented her Certificate of Appropriateness Application for 532 N. Pine Street, requesting the installation of an eye-level marquee with a hinged Plexiglas frame in the area east of the main doors. A picture rendering with colors was presented.

Chairman Cannella had corresponded with Pat Meehan, paid HPC Consultant for the City of Burlington. Chairman Cannella asked what rulings were done in the past or what type of precedent HPC would be setting by allowing a sign board (case type) marquee. Mr. Meehan concluded flush mounted exterior signs below the transom area are against City of Burlington code ordinance.

Ms. Simion asked what step could be taken to allow for the marquee. Chairman Cannella stated and Pat Scherrer, Building Inspector confirmed the only way a marquee such as being proposed by Ms. Simion would be allowed is a text amendment changing the ordinance, or by an appeal.

The Commissioners discussed the possibility of Ms. Simion putting a sign in the window. Chairman Cannella stated that a window sign would be allowed. Chairman Cannella stated flush mounted signs are not allowed in the HPC. A flush mounted sign is a separate sign mounted below the transom. Signs placed below the transoms in the windows are considered window signs and allowable.

Commissioner Busch thought perhaps some type of sign on a sandwich board could be used. Chairman Cannella stated that the issue of sandwich boards was on the Agenda for later in the meeting.

Chairman Cannella reiterated to the Commissioners that as the Ordinance currently is written, the type of marquee Ms. Simion wanted to install was not allowed. Ms. Simion then demanded that all sandwich boards be immediately removed from every business in Burlington. Chairman Cannella indicated sandwich boards were on the agenda and would be discussed at that time. After a display of anger towards the Commissioners, Ms. Simion left the meeting.

After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Busch motioned to recommend denial of Ms. Simion's Certificate of Application as presented because it was against City code.

Seconded by Commissioner Kott. There was no further discussion, all voted aye and the motion carried to deny recommendation.

Ms. Simion returned and interrupted the meeting after discussion had ceased regarding her project. She was asked to please sit down and wait until she was recognized by the Chair to speak. Commissioner Girolamo also asked Ms. Simion to please be quiet as they were trying to conduct a meeting.

Before exiting the meeting again, she gave a note to Commissioner Kott and told her to give the note to Chairman Cannella.

Certificate of Appropriateness Application
240 E. Chestnut Street - Mary Mahoney/Nancy's Hairs the Shop
Ms. Mahoney was present for her Certificate of Appropriateness Application for her building at 240 E. Chestnut Street. Her application requested painting the front and rear façade of the building Montpellier Ashlar Gray and the trim in Montpellier Madison White. Ms. Mahoney was also requesting to redo the singles on the façade overhang, which she provided a sample of. She had a model of the building and had presented picture renderings representing work she was requesting to do.

After some discussion, Commissioner Busch motioned to recommend approval to the Plan Commission for Ms. Mahoney on her Certificate of Appropriateness Application as presented, with cedar shake shingles on the exterior front overhang. Seconded by Commissioner Girolamo. All voted aye and the motion carried.

Commissioner Schvetz inquired if Ms.Mahoney would be interested in opening the transoms that are under the current overhang, which would make her eligible to apply for grant monies. She stated that she was not interested at this time.

Ms. Mahoney asked the Committee if painting of the front and back doors would be allowed. After some discussion, Commissioner Kott motioned to amend the original recommendation to include painting the front and rear doors black. Seconded by Commissioner Girolamo. A voice vote was taken. Voting aye: Commissioners Busch, Kott, Girolamo, Schvetz, Stelling, Stone and Chairman Cannella. All voted aye and the motion carried. Nays: None.

Certificate of Appropriateness Application
481 Milwaukee Avenue - Harry Bigelow
Mr. Bigelow was not present but had spoken to Chairman Cannella prior to the meeting and indicated he would be open for suggestions regarding door style to be installed. His Certificate of Appropriateness Application requested replacing the temporary front white steel door of the building, with an appropriate style door and color.

The Commissioners discussed the wood trim around the door and weather or not a coordinating color should be used. After some discussion, Commissioner Busch motioned to recommend approval to the Plan Commission for Mr. Bigelow's Certificate of Appropriateness Application for a door replacement with the color being the same color as the second story shutters with style similar to Western Building Projects, Inc. style W595CLR, with 2/3 glass to include painting of trim around the door to be similar to the lower façade of the building. Seconded by Commissioner Kott. There was no further discussion, all voted aye and the motion carried.

Sign Permit Application
448 Milwaukee Avenue - Kevin Alvarez/Plaza Theater
Mr. Dennis Spankowski of Burlington Signs was present as representative for Mr. Alvarez. Mr. Alvarez's Sign Permit Application was to repair and make changes to the sign as indicated on drawing presented.

Mr. Spankowski stated they were proposing to repair and replace the under side of the sign and replace the damaged portion with a flush bottom and two rows of neon lighting to hang approximately 6" down. Mr. Spankowski indicated in addition to damage recently done by a semi, there was also some question regarding damage to the electrical sockets inside the sign.

Commissioner Stelling stated the sign had historical significance and felt it should be preserved if possible. He suggested finding and repairing the nature of the problem to keep the sign historically accurate. Commissioner Stelling indicated strip bulbs would not be expensive to replace. Mr. Spankowski stated they would not know the extent of the damage until the bottom portion was removed. Commissioner Schvetz thought perhaps once the sign were opened up it may be cost prohibitive to replace electrical elements. Commissioner Busch stated perhaps a Response Team visit could be made at that point.

Chairman Cannella indicated that this was actually a portion on the façade of the building and Mr. Alvarez was actually doing maintenance on the building. After some discussion, the Commissioners were in agreement that this actually was the façade and if Mr. Alvarez replaced the items that were originally in place, then it would be maintenance to the façade portion. He also would qualify to apply for grant monies.

Commissioner Stelling motioned to recommend approval of maintenance of replacing light bulbs on the sides and front in addition to repairing the continuous flow neon lighting as originally installed. Seconded by Commissioner Kott. There was no further discussion, all voted aye and the motion carried.

Chairman Cannella asked Mr. Spankowski to notify Mr. Alvarez his option of picking up a grant application from Pat Scherrer's office located at City Hall.

Certificate of Appropriate Application
Façade Improvement Grant Application
100/112 E. Chestnut Street - Dave Oldenburg/Oldenburg Insurance
Dennis Spankowski was present as representative for Dave Oldenburg of Oldenburg Insurance. Mr. Oldenburg's Certificate of Appropriateness Application requested adding seven awnings: one long one across the two facades on Chestnut Street and six smaller ones above the lower windows and doors on the Milwaukee Avenue side. A picture rendering was presented.

The Commissioners discussed the proposed long awning. They felt the awning would obstruct the pillar and not be historically accurate. They also discussed the proposed colors of burgundy. Mr. Spankowski stated Mr. Oldenburg was open for suggestions.

After some discussion, Commissioner Busch motioned to recommend to the Plan Commission approval for Dave Oldenburg's Certificate of Appropriate Application to include two #112 Gray awnings in place of one large one, with scallops and the corporate logo done in the corporate logo color on the scalloped portion, with a minimum of 7 1/2' above the sidewalk and six smaller awnings in same color above the lower windows as presented. Seconded by Commission Kott. All voted aye and the motion carried.

Façade Improvement Grant Application
100/112 E. Chestnut Street - Dave Oldenburg/Oldenburg Insurance
Mr. Oldenburg's Façade Improvement Grant Application was for two addresses. The Commissioner discussed that in the past, two addresses have always been eligible for two grant applications. All were in agreement.

Previous usage left of up to $150.00 would be available for 100 E. Chestnut Street and up to a maximum of $5000.00 for 112 E. Chestnut Street. The Commissioners discussed that they could reserve the amounts requested and table Mr. Oldenburg's Façade Improvement Grant Application until Mr. Spankowski reapplied with separate addresses.

Commissioner Busch motioned to table Mr. Oldenburg's Façade Improvement Grant for 100/112 E. Chestnut Street and place the dollar amounts of $150.00 and $5000.00 on reserve until Mr. Spankowski resubmits separate quotations for each address. Seconded by Commissioner Stelling. A Roll Call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Commissioner Busch, Girolamo, Kott, Schvetz, Stelling, Stone and Chairman Cannella. Nays: None.

There being no further discussion, the motion carried.

Sign Permit Application
Façade Improvement Grant Application (for awning)
336 N. Pine Street - Maria Veronico Ventura/Veronico's
Ms. Veronico was not at the meeting to present her Sign Permit Application. Ms. Veronico's application requested painting the Veronico's logo on the upper portion of her front window with the logo would be 3' across with lettering no higher than 12". The style and colors of the sign to be the same as the sign on the front door.

After some discussion and concern regarding size per area it was determined that Pat Scherrer, City of Burlington Building Inspector would check to see if the sign met City of Burlington code ordinances.

Chairman Cannella entertained a motion to recommend approval subject to staff review and code requirements. Commissioner Busch motioned to recommend to the Plan Commissioner approval of Ms. Veronico's Sign Permit Application as presented, subject to staff review and code requirements. Seconded by Commissioner Kott. There was no further discussion, all voted aye and the motion carried.

Façade Improvement Grant Application (for awning)
336 N. Pine Street - Maria Veronico Ventura/Veronico's
Ms. Veronico's Façade Improvement Grant Application included a breakdown of all costs for her project for eligible expenses for the awning that has been completed. Previous awarded grant money was paid of $4250.00, leaving a grant eligibility amount of $750.00.

Commissioner Stelling motioned to recommend to the Plan Commission to award Ms. Veronico's Façade Improvement Grant Application in the amount of $750.00. Seconded by Commissioner Girolamo. There was no further discussion and a Roll Call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Commissioner Busch, Girolamo, Kott, Schvetz, Stelling, Stone and Chairman Cannella. Nays: None. There being no further discussion, the motion carried.

Notice of Violation from Building Inspector (for information only)
501 Milwaukee Avenue - Jack David
Pat Scherrer, Building Inspector for the City of Burlington sent a Notice of Violation for Mr. Jack David for several code violations. The next process will be to impose fines for each day Mr. David remains non-compliant. Mr. Scherrer will keep the HPC Committee informed of future action.

• Jack David, 501 Milwaukee Ave. – door style and paint

• Shawn Murphy, 489 Milwaukee Ave. – façade sign

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

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

The wooden door to be removed. Not HPC appropriate. Pat Scherrer will contact Ms. Hoerneman to notify her door must be removed.

• James Wallace, 124-126 W. Chestnut Street – façade improvements

• Jean Smith, Cingular/Places Collectible, 400 N. Pine Street – tuckpointing

• Daniel Tenuta, 324 N. Pine Street – rear door; façade improvements

• David Berlin , 581 N. Pine Street – front door

Discussion regarding wall-mounted sign boxes in the Historic Preservation Overlay District.
Correspondence from Mr. Pat Meehan regarding wall mounted sign boxes was presented.

Mr. Meehan stated the Commissioners should proceed with caution regarding recommending any changes to the current HPC City ordinance.

If the ordinance is changed, future requests would have to be allowed. After a lengthy discussion, the Commissioners concluded that at the current time there were not enough requests to consider changing the ordinance. They determined the subject would be revisited at a future date should there be additional interest.

Discussion on sidewalk sandwich boards and revisions to the current ordinance.
Commissioner Girolamo abstained from discussion due to conflict of interest.

Chairman Cannella opened for discussion the subject of sandwich boards that are appearing in front of businesses in several locations in and outside of the HPC District.

Chairman Cannella stated plastic sandwich boards of any type are prohibited in the HPO per the ordinance. The Commissioners discussed possibly sending out letters, or choosing the option of having Pat Scherrer, Building Inspector enforce the ordinance currently in place.

Mr. Scherrer explained this type of item was difficult for him to monitor due to the fact he has other responsibilities as Building Inspector that have higher priorities.

The Commissioners estimated there are currently 20 sandwich boards. They discussed the possibility of having letters mailed to businesses in violation notifying them of the violation and what correct requirements are.

Chairman Cannella asked Pat Scherrer, Building Inspector to inspect the HPC District for plastic sandwich boards, and notify the owners they have 30 days to comply for removal of the plastic sandwich boards.

Review of Approved Projects and Grant Funding Status.
Chairman Cannella stated that an additional $17,000 has been added to the Grant Fund.

HPC Grant Funding #1 - $180,000

Total Improvement Amount: $564,721.48

Total Grant Amounts Approved: $187,696.12

Balance: 0

HPC Grant Funding #2 - $50,000

Total Improvement Amount: $35,034.03

Total Grant Amounts Approved: $13,458.72

Balance: $35,791.28

Questions and Comments concerning potential/future projects.
The subject of satellite dishes was brought up for discussion. Chairman Cannella stated FCC regulations enter into this issue. However, the number of dishes are limited. The issue is now before the City Council and an ordinance is pending..

There being no further items for discussion, Chairman Cannella entertained a motion for adjournment. Commissioner Busch motioned for adjournment, seconded by Commissioner Stelling. All voted aye and Chairman Cannella adjourned the meeting at 7:57 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:
Deb Rintamaki
Department of Public Works