Roll Call: Present: Commissioners Peter Girolamo, Susan Kott, Al Schvetz, Tom Stelling, Judy Stone and Chairman Frank Cannella. Absent: Joe Busch. Also present were Francesca Bumpurs of RCEDC and Pat Scherrer, City of Burlington Building Inspector. Commissioner Busch arrived at 6:34 P.M.

Citizen Comments: Judith Schulz presented correspondence regarding the proposed Dumpster Ordinance being considered by the City Council. She felt the HPC should recommend to the Council various items.

Chairman Cannella entertained a motion for approval of the January 17, 2005 Minutes. Commissioner Girolamo motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Schvetz. All voted aye and the motion carried.

Commissioner Stone removed herself from discussion due to conflict of interest and took a seat in the gallery. Dennis Spankowski presented the Sign Permit Application for Do-Big LLC/Chocolate Museum. The Commissioners discussed the size of the signs and Pat Scherrer, City of Burlington Building Inspector stated the signs conforms to less than 30% of total window area. A color rendering was presented.

After some discussion, Commissioner Busch motioned to recommend approval of the Sign Permit Application for Do-Big LLC/Chocolate Museum as presented, providing the lettering is no bigger than 12". Seconded by Commissioner Stelling. There was no further discussion, all voted aye and the motion carried. Commissioner Stone returned from the gallery.

Mr. Bob Hacker presented the Sign Permit Application for Bank One, which is being changed from Bank One to Chase Bank. Mr. Hacker stated the Chase Bank letters are smaller than the letters of the Bank One sign. He also indicated that these signs would be transitional because within a year, Chase Bank will be changing its name.

Mr. Hacker stated the signs being requested by Chase Bank would be internally lit. Chairman Cannella informed Mr. Hacker that internally illuminated signs are not HPC appropriate. Chairman Cannella also stated that the logo for Chase Bank was not something the HPC Committee would change and that their concern was with lighting and material type being used for the signs.

The Commissioners discussed the historically inappropriate material that currently is being used on the signs at Bank One, and all felt that this would be a chance to correct what was previously there.

Mr. Hacker stated the signs being requested by Chase Bank would be in the same places as currently being occupied by the Bank One signs, and colors would be blue and white, approximately the same coloring as Bank One.

The Commissioners discussed with Mr. Hacker the historical inappropriateness of internally illuminated signs, but would prefer a type of gooseneck lighting. Chairman Cannella stated a copy of the Sign portion of the Main Street Book could be faxed to Mr. Hacker, and that he could also contact the State Historical Society that could offer several types of signs that would be HPC appropriate.

Mr. Hacker agreed and stated he would come back to the March meeting with specifics of the signs being presented for Chase Bank. Chairman Cannella informed Mr. Hacker that after it comes back to HPC in March; it would then proceed to the Common Council for approval.

Commissioner Stelling motioned to table the Sign Permit Application for Chase Bank until the March HPC meeting, seconded by Commissioner Girolamo. All voted aye and the motion carried.

Dennis Spankowski presented the proposed sign for Johnson Bank at 101-105 W. Chestnut Street. Chairman Cannella stated he had consulted with the City of Burlington's Engineering firm and it had been determined if the proposed sign were to be installed on the corner of the building, it would be hung out far enough to be hit by semi's turning the corner should they jump the curb.

The Commissioners discussed in depth the placement of the sign. They felt the best placement choice would be on either side of the building, past the point where the light posts currently are (as shown on drawing presented), but not within the radius of the corner. It was also noted City of Burlington ordinance states signs can not be placed above the top edge of the second floor window.

Mr. Spankowski indicated he understood the problems with placement of the sign in the corner radius, but it was not his decision as to which Street side the owners would prefer. After some discussion, Chairman Cannella entertained a motion to accept the Sign as presented, with no internal lighting. He also stated a Response Team could make a visit to help determine the location for the sign and Mr. Spankowski agreed.

Commissioner Girolamo motioned to recommend approving the Sign Permit Application for Johnson Financial as presented, but without being internally lit, and for a Response Team visit to be scheduled to determine placement other than the corner radius. Seconded by Commissioner Busch. There was no further discussion, all voted aye, with the exception of Commissioner Stelling who abstained from discussion or voting due to conflict of interest.

The motion carried.

Mr. Rizzo came before the HPC regarding the color choices previously approved to be painted on the doors of his project. He stated he did not want the two tone painted colors, but was requesting the have the door all metal in a deep bronze, to match between the windows.

He indicated he had brought his door plan to a Glazier and had the Model 550 modified to include a panel in the bottom with a solid piece of beveled glass. He indicated that the beveling would be 1 1/8 beveled, the door would be made out of 040 gauge and the door handles would be old time pull handles. The doors would be for both buildings in addition to the door leading upstairs.

There was along discussion regarding the proposed material for the door and various other areas where the proposed metal door had been used for security purposes. He also stated it would be an added cost to have the metal doors painted in the two tone colors, and he felt the solid bronze would conform to the look of the completed building better than a wood door. Chairman Cannella stated there was no picture rendering for the door handles being proposed.

After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Busch motioned to recommend amending the original Certificate of Appropriateness Application to Mr. Rizzo for 115 Commerce Street and 549 Milwaukee Avenue as presented for a bronze metal door with beveled glass and bottom panel. Seconded by Commissioner Kott. There was no further discussion. Voting Aye: Commissioners Busch, Kott, Stelling and Stone. Voting Nay: Commissioner Girolamo, Commissioner Schvetz and Chairman Cannella. Four (4) Ayes, three (3) Nays, motion carried.

Item presented for discussion proposing tearing down building located at 117-121 W. Chestnut Street by property owner and then using it as a private parking lot. The Commissioners discussed the building in question and the if this could be allowed in the HPC District, without the building being beyond restorable condition.

After some discussion, the Commissioners agreed that the owner of the building could apply for grant monies to do façade work that may need to be completed and it was the consensus of the Commissioners that HPC Committee would not make a recommendation to tear the building down.

Minutes Respectfully submitted by:

Deb Rintamaki
Department of Public Works