ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

MINUTES OF MEETING OF NOVEMBER 3, 2005

 

CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

 

Mrs. Moots called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Mrs. Nuspl, Mr. Griffin, Mrs. Hawkins, Mrs. Moots.  Mr. Draughn absent.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Tammy Penhorwood, Barb McCoy, Liz Meeder, Karen Page, Bruce Limes, Chris Huffman, Dave Cook, Ron Jones

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  October 6, 2005

 

Mrs. Nuspl made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Mrs. Hawkins seconded the motion.  Voice vote was unanimous.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS:  None

 

AGENDA ITEMS:

1.  To consider a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of a 1-story residence in order to construct two lanes for drive-up banking for Fifth Third, located at 120 North Court Street; filed by Chris Humphrey.

 

Mr. Griffin stated he had a couple of questions for Mr. Limes.  He stated he went and looked at the property today with Mr. Limes and Mrs. Meeder.  Mr. Griffin stated he told Mr. Limes he needed to demonstrate to the board that the building has not historical value per 1136.09 (1) or demonstrate one of the points in 1136.09 (2) or (3).  Mr. Griffin stated he doesn’t feel Mr. Limes had demonstrated any of these. 

 

Mr. Limes stated the house has been on the market for almost 2 years and he questions the ability to market the home because of the Union County Building Code.  The code requires that the structure be updated to current code for any new use.  Mr. Griffin stated he is not sure he would be able to vote on this request today because he does not have enough information.  The burden of proof is on the applicant.

 

Mr. Limes asked how I prove a structures historical value.  He stated he doesn’t know where to start.  Mrs. Nuspl asked what the age of the building is.  Mr. Limes stated he has heard different opinions.  Some say it goes back to the civil war, but it has been remodeled.  He stated there are no significant architectural features.  As far as 1136.09 (2), this building has been for sale, rent and lease for almost 2 years and there have been no takers because of the amount of work that would have to be done to bring it up to code. 

 

Mr. Chris Huffman stated he is the architect for the project.  He stated the building is nice but it just looks to be built in the early 20th century.  When a new business moves into a residential site, there is a whole different set of criteria.  They have to comply with ADA requirements which mean widening doors, bathrooms, ramps etc.  This in turns means a lot of money.  The cost is too significant. 

 

Mr. Griffin stated he would like to have things quantified.  You stated the cost is too significant, but what is that.  I don’t want to make a decision on this without having all of the information.

 

Mr. Limes stated the problem with getting figures is without knowing what type of business is going in there we can’t determine the cost.  There are different requirements for each use.  Mr. Griffin stated they should pick a practical use and give the figures on that.  Mrs. Nuspl stated a practical use would be a small office with 5 or less employees.  You should be able to come up with figures for that.

 

Mr. Limes stated when it was going to go from office to retail it was significant.  Mrs. Nuspl stated they need to start with something practical.  Retail is not a practical use, but an office is.

 

Mrs. Meeder stated herself and Karen Page is here on the historical significance of the structure.  She stated she got this information from the Historical Society.  The building originated around 1909, which makes it approximately 100 years old.  She continued to read the information on the building.  She stated that Marysville used to have a lot of these cottages which were doctor’s offices and now this is the only one left.

 

Mrs. Page stated with the Carnagie Library, the architect came into our office after it was all said and done and told us he had done two previous adaptive uses on libraries and they turned out really nice.  Mrs. Page stated she asked why he didn’t say something before, and then said well I guess you base your argument on who pays you.  Mrs. Page stated she is not sure how valid the architects opinion is on this because he is getting paid to say what they need him to say.

 

Mr. Limes stated he would like to have the board follow the code which states the structure has no historical significant use.  It’s based on the structure not who owned the building. 

 

Mrs. Moots stated the code specifies historical significance. 

 

Mrs. Meeder stated Dr. McIvor was one of the best people in Marysville.

 

Mr. Limes asked when it is turned into a beauty shop later, what historic value will it have then.

 

Mrs. Moots stated she doesn’t feel there will be a decision made on this today.  The board does not have enough information.  You need to address the items in 1136.09 specifically.

 

Mrs. Page stated if the building is designated historic, then it wouldn’t have to meet all of the codes, there would be some leeway.  Mr. Humphrey stated not all of the codes. 

 

Mrs. Nuspl asked if Fifth Third has looked at expanding where it currently is.  Mr. Jones stated they did a study and the main concern was for pedestrian safety through the parking lot.  He stated they want to keep the parking area close to the building. 

 

Mrs. Hawkins stated she is a customer and she doesn’t think tearing the building is worth the financial gain.

 

Mrs. Nuspl stated if it was to get approved to tear down the existing building, the drive-thru itself would probably not get approved.  It doesn’t fit in the area.

 

Mr. Limes stated it is too much work to get the figures the board is asking them to provide.

 

Mrs. Hawkins made a motion to table this item until the December meeting.  Voice vote was unanimous.

 

Mrs. Moots suggested Mr. Humphreys come up with the figures.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Meeting was adjourned at 12:40