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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/25 ARB Minutes/ Minutes Town of Pulaski Architectural Review Board January 27, 2025 Council Chambers Members Present: Cathy Stripling, Kevin Meyer, Braxton Cox, John White Members Absent: Janet Hanks Town Staff: Carla Hodge, Code Enforcement Officer, Olivia Hale, Clerk of Council Guests: Alex Babikain and Victoria Pickering Call to Order Mr. Meyer called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Roll Call The roll was taken by Ms. Hale and a quorum was determined with four members present. Adoption of Minutes December 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes The motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Ms. Striping to adopt the minutes as written. The motion passed unanimously. Certificate of Appropriateness Applications Alex Babikian – 184 West Main St. Façade alteration due to installation of HVAC Mr. Babikian reported he would like to install PTAC units for the upstairs apartments located at 184 West Main Street. He would like to install them underneath the window, through the block, he could position them in the window but the unit would have to be positioned above the window if he was not able to go through the block. Mr. Meyer asked if the applicant had considered other types of HVAC units, such as a mini-split. Mr. Babikian stated he didn’t need that type of unit. Mr. Cox recited the guidelines stating ‘to place equipment on non-visible rooftop locations in the rear of the building or in other locations that are not visible from the street.’ He stated that was one of the boards concerns, that it would be visible from the street if the unit is install on the side. Mr. Babikian questioned putting the air conditioning unit through the window, stating it would be the same thing as installing window ac units, like what was there previously. He would like to put it through the block, for a more appealing look, but would install it in the window if he had to. Ms. Striping stated it wouldn’t alter the building in a permanent way by installing window AC units. Mr. White asked what the expense would be for Mr. Babikian to install the unit through the window. Mr. Babikian stated it would increase his budget because he would have to buy new windows and do capping on the outside. He would also have to frame it, install it, trim and paint it and having it below the window opposed it above, the tenant would be able to access it better. Mr. Babikian presented the board photos of the existing units and windows and explained the process of the apartment window unit that has previously been completed. There were discussions between the board members of what windows were facing which direction, which windows in each unit needed to be altered, and the egress. Mr. White asked if there were plans for the downstairs retail space. Mr. Babikian stated he was going to clean the area up, but no plans currently and there were no plans to make it residential. Mr. Meyer asked the board if Mr. Babikian were to install a standard heat pump, with the duct work in the building, the compressor outside, blower inside, would he need permission from the board to install that unit. Ms. Striping stated he wouldn’t be altering the building in any way. Mr. Cox stated as long as he were to put a hole through it, and puts the units in the back of the building. Mr. Meyer stated to put a current HVAC unit into the building, there’s going to be something outside, on the back of the building or on the roof. Mr. Cox recommended a mini-split where it wouldn’t be on the outside, you would run the condensation lines up the back, through the attic space and down into a unit. Mr. White stated the board has been handed down these guidelines and at some point, they need to be flexible to let money come in to Main Street. Mr. Meyer stated the building has been sitting abandoned for decades and if someone is interest and willing to spend the money on it to make it a useful, contributing structure in the town, he would like the board to be able to work with the contractor and find a solution that works for the town, the applicant, and the board. Ms. Stripling stated her preference would be not to change the window, not the change the historic opening, even if it changed the type of window. There were discussions between the applicant and the board regarding the historical guidelines to painting the building, but determined that would be a different meeting with the board. There were also discussions regarding the contributing and noncontributing buildings and the boundaries of the historical district. Mr. White asked Ms. Stripling to elaborate on the concern of making the window, that this unit goes into, larger to accommodate it. Ms. Stripling stated once you’ve poked another hole in the building, the building already doesn’t have a whole lot of historical character to it, but it does have asymmetry of the windows with the header and footer, but once you add another hole, before you can patch the hole later, but it will always look like a patch once you’ve broken an extra hole. Mr. Babikian stated he wouldn’t be doing this unit like the other one, he’s going to fit within the opening of the window. Ms. Stripling stated according to the guidelines, the board should also not be allowing that kind of change to the window but she is more willing to concede as long as it doesn’t change the hole in the side of the building or add an extra hole to the side of the building. Mr. Meyer stated there were a lot of different windows in the building already and asked Mr. Babikian how many of those windows did he install. Mr. Babikian stated he only installed the windows in the back of the building. Ms. Striping stated she was more concerned about changing the size of the openings inside the building or the placement of the openings inside the building. Mr. White stated it would be fantastic to have people in the building, and he hates to see buildings that are unused. Ms. Stripling asked what Mr. White proposed. Mr. White stated that the window itself stays the same, and if the HVAC unit is installed, the board should accept it, without making another hole in the building. Discussions were held regarding when Mr. Babikian would return to address the board regarding the changes to the front of the building, the storefront portion. The motion was made by Mr. Cox that a HVAC unit can be installed on the window on the back of the building, in the existing window openings, without changing the size of the existing window. Ms. Stripling seconded the vote. Ms. Striping- Aye Mr. Cox- Aye Mr. Myer- Aye Mr. White- Aye Mr. Cox recommended Mr. Babikian should do an HVAC unit that has a compression unit in the back, like a split system or a mini split system for the other unit and is not visible from the street. Mr. Meyer stated he his preference would be to give a little leeway for this building to be functional and contributing to the town. Ms. Stripling questioned what would happen if the other historical buildings on Main Street wanted to put in AC/HVAC window units. Mr. Meyer stated a lot of other buildings on Main Street would be less favorable but this building is on the far western end of the historic district, the unit would be the western side of the building, and it’s not facing the historic district. Mr. White stated we could have an empty building or a habited building that is back on the tax rolls and is making money for the town, and as a previous Economic Developer, that made sense to him. Mr. White made the motion for Mr. Babikian be allowed a certificate of appropriateness for the addition of PTAC, not to exceed the existing size of the opening and the placement of this building at the end of the historic district does not establish a precedent for anything else. Ms. Stripling seconded the motion. Mr. Meyer summarized the motion stating ‘to allow a PTAC unit on the side of the building in an existing window opening that will not be enlarged and it’s not going to set a precedent for the rest of the district’. Ms. Striping- Aye Mr. Cox- Nay Mr. Myer- Aye Mr. White- Aye Other Business Voting in Officers 2025 Mr. White nominated Ms. Stripling for Chairperson. With no further nominations, Mr. Meyer closed the nominations. The nomination passed unanimously for Ms. Stripling to be Chairperson. Mr. Cox nominated Mr. White for Vice-Chairperson. With no further nominations, Mr. Meyer closed the nominations. The nomination passed unanimously for Mr. White to be Vice-Chair person. Ms. Stripling nominated Ms. Hale for secretary. With no further nominations, Mr. Meyer closed the nominations. The nomination passed unanimously for Ms. Hale to be Secretary. Adjournment With no further business, the motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Ms. Stripling to adjourn the meeting at 5:09 p.m.