SENECA BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW MINUTES

December 22, 2008

The Seneca Board of Architectural Review met on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Members present included Chairman Mr. John Luedeman, Mr. David Johnson, Mr. Scott Durham, and Ms. Cari Goetcheus. Also present were Mr. Ed Halbig, Director, and Ms. Tracy Smith, Administrative Assistant; and other interested persons (list in minute book). Absent was Ms. Lauren Holmes Willis. The press and public were duly notified as required by law.

Mr. Luedeman opened the meeting and reviewed the hearing process.

MOTION made by Ms. Goetcheus to approve the corrected November 24, 2008 minutes.

SECOND made by Mr. Scott Durham

AYE Mr. Scott Durham, Ms. Goetcheus, Mr. Luedeman, and Mr. Johnson

NAY none

Ms. Smith read staff report for 310 S. Depot Street.

Mr. Luedeman asked if anyone wished to speak in favor of the application.

Mr. Wilson introduced himself to the board. He referenced different items in the letter he had submitted to the board. He understood that the guidelines would be changed sometime soon in the review district. He presented a sample of vinyl siding.

Mr. Luedeman asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition of the application.

Mrs. Billie Grimes introduced herself to the board. She asked if the home was the same home that Mr. Wilson had applied for vinyl siding on two other occasions and he was told on those occasions that he could not use vinyl siding. She asked if Mr. Wilson had completed an application before he started construction and he was told that he could not use vinyl siding.

Mr. Luedeman stated yes the application has been brought to the board before, it was denied, and now he is bringing it back before the board again.

Mr. Luedeman asked if anyone else wished to speak.

Mr. Luedeman asked staff if the home was in the Design Review District and how far it was from the Historic District.

Mr. Halbig stated that was correct. The Historic District extends to one home short of the Third and Townville Streets, the home in question is at Fourth and Depot Streets, so it is essentially on the opposite corner of the block from the Historic District.

Mr. Wilson referenced the revisions that are going to be made to the guidelines. He felt that once the guidelines are rewritten he should be within them.

Ms. Debi Zungoli stated that Mr. Wilson should wait for the new guidelines to pass.

Mr. Luedeman stated that the new guidelines have to be approved by the City Council before they can be used.

Discussion ensued.

Ms. Goetcheus read Section 22 framed dwellings from the guidelines.

Mr. Halbig stated that Section 22 does apply to the home and staff has the ability to apply those guidelines as they are written, applications that are brought before the board are considered as variances request to those guidelines. He stated it is the board’s pleasure to determine whether a variance can be granted.

Mr. Luedeman asked if anyone wished to make a motion.

MOTION made by Ms. Goetcheus to deny application according to new construction guidelines.

SECOND made by Mr. Johnson

Discussion followed.

Mr. Luedeman stated his concern was allowing too many variances with vinyl siding so close to the Historic District. More freedom has been allowed the further away from the Historic District you get. He asked staff when the new guidelines would be available.

Mr. Halbig stated it would be at least another three months.

Mr. Johnson stated the home would be the nicest in the area. He stated precedence had to be established as to where the Historic District and the Design Review District meet.

Mr. Durham stated he agreed with Mr. Johnson’s comments. He asked if there was a list of acceptable material that can be used and given to property owners.

Ms. Goetcheus stated the materials are defined in the guidelines.

Mr. Wilson reiterated that most people do not want to paint their house every couple years. He stated he felt that the vinyl would be compatible with the hardi plank that is on the front of the home. He stated he wanted to work with the board and move forward on the home.

Mr. Durham asked Mr. Wilson if he had thought about using hardi plank on the rest of the home. He asked if he had completed a cost analysis between the hardi plank and vinyl.

Mr. Wilson stated that it would be more costly to paint a home then to use the vinyl siding.

Ms. Goetcheus asked Mr. Wilson if he had completed a cost analysis on the home before construction.

Mr. Wilson stated he had not.

Mr. Luedeman stated that research shows with a functioning viable Historic District property would be valued 10 to 15% above what a similar house would be outside the district.

Ms. Billie Grimes stated as a realtor she know that consumers would not prefer a vinyl home to a hardi board home.

Mr. Luedeman asked if there was any further discussion on the motion.

There being none, motion was re-read.

AYE Mr. Scott Durham, Ms. Goetcheus, Mr. Luedeman, and Mr. Johnson

NAY none

Mr. Luedeman asked if there was any old business to discuss.

There being none.

Mr. Luedeman asked if there was any new business to discuss.

Ms. Goetcheus requested that staff look into the Seneca Planning and Zoning regulations for precedence language that limits the number of times that any applicant can reapply on the same topic and insert this request into the new guidelines.

Mr. Halbig stated that with the Planning Commission there is a one year time line.

An applicant would make application, if it is denied they must wait one year for that application. If a change is made to an application, then it may be considered again.

Mr. Luedeman asked if there was any other new business to discuss.

There being none, he wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

MOTION made by Mr. Johnson to adjourn.

SECOND made by Mr. Durham

AYE Mr. Scott Durham, Ms. Goetcheus, Mr. Luedeman, and Mr. Johnson

NAY none

Meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.