Historic Preservation Commission advances downtown maintenance plans, approves signage and small demolition; tables pocket park

The Historic Preservation Commission on an evening meeting advanced minimum-maintenance plans for several downtown landmark buildings, approved a storefront signage request and a demolition-and-egress-stair proposal, and voted to table a city-funded pocket-park plan so staff can return with more design detail and measurements.

The commission prioritized work on aging roofs, rotten window trim and structural concerns at multiple properties — directing owners to bring professional inspections, material samples and phased timelines back to the next meeting. Commissioners also approved a vinyl storefront sign for a laundromat and granted a certificate of compliance to remove a non‑contributing garage and add metal egress stairs at a downtown property.

Why it matters: Commissioners said quicker repair and roof work are urgent because leaking or deferred maintenance can spread damage across attached downtown buildings. Many of the properties discussed are contributing resources in the local historic district; decisions on materials and phasing are intended to preserve character while addressing safety and durability.

Minimum-maintenance decisions and directions - Redstone Inn (206 S. Second St.): The commission accepted a detailed minimum‑maintenance plan from the owner and approved the plan with two conditions recorded in the motion: paint colors submitted with the application should be used as part of the approval, and the owner be given up to six months total to complete the work while staying in contact with planning staff. Commissioners noted the building’s roof condition and rear elevations must be addressed; staff asked the owner to provide roof inspection documentation and to keep the planning department informed of phase progress.

- Blue Bell (224 W. Harrison Ave.): Commissioners approved a minimum‑maintenance plan and set staged expectations: visible first-floor repairs (brick repointing and missing trim) and paint/trim work to be completed promptly, with staff and the applicant coordinating on timing. The panel asked the owner to return with material proposals for upper‑story windows; commission members asked that first-floor visual repairs be finished quickly and that the applicant provide periodic progress updates. The commission set a six‑month window for the overall plan while asking for specific first-floor items to be completed on a faster schedule.

- Victor Building (202 W. Harrison Ave.) and related properties owned by the same applicant: The commission tabled final action and required additional documentation. Staff and commissioners highlighted that a roofing analysis already submitted identified items that need repair; the commission asked the applicant to return with a contractor’s priority list, window-by-window inspection plans, and roof-repair proposals or bids, and recommended a structural review where warranted. The chair and staff emphasized that some roof patches already addressed active leaks but that a more complete roof plan and window‑repair sequencing are required before the commission will finalize a maintenance plan.

- Old Fire Station (111 S. Second St.): Commissioners asked the owner to bring a structural evaluation of the building and tower for the next meeting. Staff said the rear elevations and tower prompted structural concerns that should be resolved before further cosmetic approvals.

- Lehi / Lutz department store (119 W. Oklahoma Ave., “Lehi”): The commission directed the applicant to replace missing or broken windows in the alley/back of the building within three months and asked for a contractor’s inspection report for the front‑facing windows at the next meeting. Commissioners cited public‑safety concerns for exterior openings used by the public and the alley’s users.

Other approvals and actions - 208 W. Oklahoma Ave. (HPC application 25-004): The commission approved a certificate of compliance to remove a non‑contributing rear garage addition and to install metal egress stairs and a small balcony to meet fire‑egress requirements. Staff described the rear structure as a mid‑20th‑century cinder‑block garage and said the work will not alter the contributing portions of the building. The motion passed unanimously.

- 111 W. Cleveland Ave., holiday laundromat (HPC application 25-006): Commissioners approved vinyl window signage proposed to replace painted signage; staff said the vinyl will not exceed the one‑third window coverage guideline. The applicant (identified in the record as William “Will” Buck) confirmed the new signage will be vinyl and said Herzl still owns the building.

- Public Pocket Park at Wentz & Oklahoma (HPC application 25-005): The commission tabled the city’s pocket-park site plan until the May meeting and directed staff and the project leads to return with more detailed measurements and material examples. Staff noted the park will convert an existing parking lot (about 10 spaces lost) adjacent to the “shops” area, will incorporate previously approved street trees, include an activity lawn (turf was proposed), four barrel planters and four planted tree beds, and will accommodate a food‑truck pullout. The staff report disclosed a grant requirement that 10% of grant funds be spent by May 31 (approximately $5,000), and commissioners asked for specific turf product samples and clearer dimensions before approval. The tabling motion passed 5‑0 (moved by Daryl Covington; second by Phil Nichols).

Procedure and materials guidance Commissioners repeatedly asked applicants to bring contractor bids or proposals, roof inspections, material samples for window trim (including information on National Park Service–approved alternatives such as aluminum‑clad windows or approved composite claddings), and explicit timelines or phase plans for multi‑building owners. Staff said there is a recent list of approved alternative materials and offered to work with applicants to review compatibility with historic‑preservation standards.

Votes at a glance (applications on this agenda) - 25-004 (208 W. Oklahoma Ave.): Approved (certificate of compliance for demolition of non‑contributing garage; new metal egress stairs and balcony). Vote: 5‑0. - 25-005 (Public Pocket Park, Oklahoma & Wentz): Tabled to May meeting (motion by Daryl Covington; second by Phil Nichols). Vote: 5‑0. Key details: project will remove ~10 parking spaces, includes turf activity lawn, 4 barrel planters, 4 tree beds; grant requires 10% of funds spent by May 31 (~$5,000). - 25-006 (111 W. Cleveland Ave., laundromat signage): Approved (vinyl window signage replacing painted signage). Vote: 5‑0. - 25-011 (206 S. Second St., Redstone Inn — minimum‑maintenance plan): Approved with conditions (paint colors submitted to be included; up to six months for completion; applicant to coordinate with planning staff and provide roof inspection documentation). Vote recorded 4‑0 (one commissioner absent). - 25-007 (202 W. Harrison Ave., Victor Building — minimum‑maintenance plan): Tabled pending additional materials (roof proposals, contractor window inspection, sequencing and structural review). Vote: 5‑0. - 25-008 (224 W. Harrison Ave., Blue Bell — minimum‑maintenance plan): Approved; commissioners requested prioritized first‑floor repairs done promptly, material proposals for upper windows to be worked out with staff, and progress updates. Vote: 5‑0. - 25-009 (111 S. Second St., Old Fire Station — minimum‑maintenance plan): Commission requested a structural/engineer review of the building and tower and asked that report be returned at the next meeting. Motion passed 5‑0. - 25-010 (119 W. Oklahoma Ave., Lehi/Lutz department store — minimum‑maintenance plan): Commission requested immediate replacement of missing/broken back‑alley windows within three months and asked for a contractor’s inspection of front windows at the next meeting. Vote: 5‑0.

Staff and applicant next steps Commissioners repeatedly asked applicants to supply roof inspections, contractor bids, material samples (including any National Park Service or Department of the Interior guidance for alternative materials), and a prioritized sequence of work when owners bring multiple buildings. Staff said it will assemble references for contractors and engineers with historic‑building experience to help applicants obtain reliable quotes and structural reviews. The commission scheduled follow‑up reviews and asked staff to track progress and accept interim updates by staff if work is visibly progressing.

Quotation Planning staff Dan said during the pocket‑park presentation: “As you indicated, this is a city project … the site plan will have basically in each corner we’ll have the trees, with a little planter area,” noting the plan integrates previously approved street trees and includes a food‑truck lane.

Ending The commission emphasized safety and durability — especially roof and window work — as the highest priorities and asked owners to return with contractor inspections, material samples and phased timelines. Several items were continued for the commission’s May meeting so staff and applicants can provide the additional measurements, bids and material documentation commissioners requested.