Attachment

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA THURSDAY, May 19, 2016 - 3:00 P.M. City Hall – Conference Room ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING on April 21, 2016 COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS 1. Summary of 2016 Activity a. Summary of Applications 2015 and 2016 b. Summary of Architectural Review Certifications for 2016 2. Department of Planning & Inspections Update NEW BUSINESS 1. Review of Permits Referred to Commission a. HI-15-04 Sign Permit #16-611: Signage for The Depot at 595 Forest Street– Referral by the City Planner to the Historic District Commission for Review of Architectural Review Certification for Sign Permit application #16-611 for a wall sign including LED electronic message center. The property is zoned C-2A (Limited Central Commercial Zone) and is subject to the H (Historic District Zone). The property is located on the north side of Forest Street between South West Street and South Kirkwood Street. The owner of record is the Lakshya, LLC. Addresses: 585-595 Forest Street and 111 S. West Street. Tax Parcel: ED-05-076.12-02-46.00-000. NEW APPLICATIONS OLD BUSINESS 1. Certified Local Government (CLG) Program – a. Update on Application for Grant Funding for FFY2016 ADJOURN THE AGENDA ITEMS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSION. Agenda Posted: May 11, 2016

 MINUTES of Historic District Commission Meeting Of April 21, 2016 o The Meeting Minutes of the April 21, 2016 are still being prepared. These Meeting Minutes will be distributed to the Historic District Commission via email and at the May 19, 2016 meeting for review. o Adoption of the Meeting Minutes will be considered at the May 19, 2016 meeting of the Historic District Commission.

City of Dover Historic District Commission Summary of Applications 2016 Updated thru May 11, 2016 FILE# PLAN NAME LOCATION TYPE ACTION STATUS HI-16-01 Capitol Complex Capital Complex Presentation of Presentation at HDC 2/18/2016 Meeting Project lighting concept for light fixture Lighting Area: Federal Street, Information and bulb illumination positively received Upgrades Martin Luther King by HDC. Project is informational only; no Jr. Boulevard, formal action or permitting process Legislative Avenue required. HI-16-02 Carriage House at 2 Kings Highway NE Demolition of garage Architectural Review Certification granted Upon receipt of Building Permit #16-337 2 Kings Highway and construction of with conditions at 4/21/2016 HDC project was identified as requiring NE carriage house Meeting; Staff Approval of Permit per ARC application to HDC; Application HI-16-02 building as accessory pending filed and considered; Permit approval structure pending HI-16-03 CLG Grant Certified Local Information File Notice of Eligibility for Grant 2/19/2016; Grant Application received; Formal Award Application for Government FFY2016 CLG Grant Application submitted Letter and Letter of Agreement expected in FFY2016 Application for 4/28/2016 to SHPO June; Grant Timeframe 7/1/16-6/30/17 Grant Funding HI-16-04 Referral of Sign The Depot at 595 Sign Permit for Wall Permit #16-611 referred to HDC by City Permit Referred for consultation Permit #16-611 Forest Street Sign with Electronic Planner for Architectural Review Message Center Certification consultation; Scheduled for 5/19/16 HDC Meeting

City of Dover Historic District Commission Summary of Applications 2015 Updated thru May 11, 2016 FILE# PLAN NAME LOCATION TYPE ACTION STATUS HI-15-01 DRAFT Certified City of Dover Application to be Draft Application presented to HDC on Planning Staff completed DRAFT of CLG Local designated as a 1/15/2015. Draft Application reviewed by Application. Application presented to City Government Certified Local Legislative, Finance & Administration Council who endorsed its submission. Application Government Committee on 2/9/2015. City Council on Submission to SHPO with cover letter 2/23/2015 approved Application for dated 3/30/2015 from Mayor. Designated submission. a CLG on May 15, 2015. HI-15-02 Sign Permit #14- 151 Kings Highway Sign Permit for post Permit #14-1609 referred to HDC by City Permit issued for post and panel sign. Sign 1609 Referral SW, Woodburn and panel sign Planner for Architectural Review installed. Governors Mansion Certification consultation; 1/15/2015 HDC Meeting - approved ARC as submitted in permit; Staff Approval of Permit per ARC HI-15-03 Sign Permit #15- 6 South State Street, Sign Permit for Permit #15-15 referred to HDC by City Permit issued. Freestanding sign and fence 15 Referral Baird Mandalas & freestanding sign Planner for Architectural Review installed at property corner of South State Brockstedt and fence Certification consultation; 1/15/2015 HDC Street and Division Street. Meeting - approved ARC with conditions on height and size; Staff Approval of Permit per ARC HI-15-04 Building Permit 3 Loockerman Plaza, Building Permit for Permit #15-19 referred to HDC by City Permit issued. Construction complete. #15-19 Referral PNC Bank Drive-thru ATM Planner for Architectural Review structure Certification consultation; 1/15/2015 HDC Meeting - approved ARC with conditions for dumpster enclosure; Staff Approval of Permit per ARC HI-15-05 Biggs Museum 406 Federal Street Installation of Architectural Review Certification Permit issued. Installation of the sculpture Sculpture exterior sculpture of Application granted at HDC meeting of is complete. tree and birds 2/19/2015; Staff Approval of Permit per ARC

City of Dover Historic District Commission Summary of Applications 2015 Updated thru May 11, 2016 HI-15-06 Building at 312 312 West Determination of Determination of Demolition by Neglect by Active Code Enforcement Cases and West Loockerman Street Demolition by HCD at meeting of 2/19/2015. Property designated a Dangerous Building. Property Loockerman Neglect declared a Dangerous Building by City owner has until 9/9/2015 to repair or Street Council on 3/9/2015. demolish building. City taking action to demolish the building. Demolition Permit #15-1387 issued 10/9/2015. Demolition of building complete. HI-15-07 Santa House Loockerman Way Informational Permit issued. Structure placed Project and other locations Presentation Project for a portable temporary structure. 12/17/2015. Presentation on project at 4/23/2015 HDC Meeting. Staff Approval of Permit #15- 1159 per ARC recommendations. HI-15-08 South Bradford Bradford Street Informational Presentation of project Street segment between Presentation Project concept for proposed pedestrian concepts/alternatives. Public Workshop Streetscape West Division Street improvements including new sidewalks, held by DelDOT 1/12/2016. City Council Enhancements and West curb ramps, crosswalks, curbing, granted authorization on 4/11/2016 to Project Loockerman Street pedestrian lighting, landscaping. execute Transportation Enhancement Presentation on project concept at Program Agreement to initiate the project 12/17/2015 HDC Meeting. design.

Summary of Permit Applications with Architectural Review Certification 2016 - Updated Thru 4-30-2016 DATE PERMIT # LOCATION TYPE ACTION ON ARCHITECTURAL NOTES REVIEW CERTIFICATE 1/12/2016 16-35 47 South West Street Roof Permit Staff Approval. No ArchRevCert Replacement of flat roof system. required due to lack of visibility. 2/8/2016 16-64 151 South Governors Sign Permit - Projecting Sign Staff Approval. Hanging sign under pent roof Avenue, Inkredible Art canopy. 2/4/2016 16-65 100 West Water Street Building Permit - Roof Staff Approval. No ArchRevCert Additional downspout drainage Drainage system required due to lack of visibility. system connection on rear/interior parking lot side of building that is not visible. 2/10/2016 16-129 308 South State Street, Law Sign Permit - Projecting Sign Staff Approval Projecting sign hanging under pent Offices of Sean Lynn roof awning. Sign installed. 2/18/2016 16-175 40 The Green, The Century Building Permit - Gutters & Staff Approval. Project information Replacement of gutters using metal Club Downspouts update to HDC on 2/18/2016. half rounds and downspouts on sides of building. Limited visibility. 3/28/2016 15-1702 34 South State Street, Administrative Building Permit Staff Approval Brick replacement of brick sidewalk Wesley College President's in herringbone pattern along House property frontage. 3/7/2016 16-112 150 South Governors Building Permit - Exterior and Staff Approval with notations about Interior Renovations to retail space. Avenue Interior Renovations selection of exterior finish materials Exterior Renovations of door & and formats. window replacements, reclad in new vinyl siding with entire façade in horizontal siding of clapboard style product. Discussion at 2/18/2016 HDC meeting recommended evaluation of alternative finish materials. Project work underway. 3/11/2016 16-237 147 South New Street, Bait Building Permit - Interior Staff Approval. No ArchRevCert Interior Renovation for take-out N Hook Renovations required for interior work. restaurant tenant. 3/18/2016 16-259 11 North State Street, Gunn Sign Permit - Freestanding Sign Staff Approval Reface existing signage on Wealth Management decorative metal fence and wall sign on wall at rear entry for new tenant. Signs installed.

Summary of Permit Applications with Architectural Review Certification 2016 - Updated Thru 4-30-2016 DATE PERMIT # LOCATION TYPE ACTION ON ARCHITECTURAL NOTES REVIEW CERTIFICATE 3/21/2016 16-282 147 South New Street, Bait Sign Permit - Wall Sign and Staff Approval Wall sign to be mounted in N Hook Window Signs signboard area of upper wall and placement of window signage. 3/21/2016 16-292 316 South Governors Fence Permit Staff Approval Replacement of fence segment with Avenue decorative metal fencing. 3/29/2016 16-369 527-529 South State Street, Fence Permit HDC Recommendation on ARC Construction of fence along Elm Lands of Boyles 2/21/2013; PC Approval of ARC Terrace frontage as part of Parking 3/18/2013; Applications HI-13-01 Lot construction project. and S-13-03; Staff issued Permit 3/29/2016 16-360 527-529 South State Street, Administrative Building Permit -HDC Recommendation on ARC Construction of Parking lot at rear Lands of Boyles Parking Lot construction 2/21/2013; PC Approval of ARC of property with access from alley. 3/18/2013; Applications HI-13-01 and S-13-03; Staff issued Permit 4/1/2016 16-291 116 E Water Street Fence Permit Staff Approval Fence along west side of rear parking lot. Portion of fence located within the Historic District is limited to 4 ft. height. 4/12/2016 16-417 5 E Reed Street, Weyant Roof Permit No Planning Staff Review. No Replacement of flat roof system. Hall Building ArchRevCert required due to lack of visibility. 4/12/2016 16-442 213 West Loockerman Building Permit - Interior Administrative Approval of Permit. Replaces previously issued Permit Street, Janaids Renovations (No ArchRev Cert required for #14-1074 that had expired for interior work.) interior renovations for change of use to hair salon. 4/28/2016 16-555 116 E Water Street, Barratt Sign Permit Staff Approval Reface of existing post sign. Business Services

Certified Local Government Program Update on Application for Grant Funding for FFY2016 The City of Dover submitted for consideration our Certified Local Government Grant Application for Funding for FFY2016. We have proposed a project to “Evaluate and Update the Design Standards & Guidelines for the City of Dover Historic District Zone.” Copies of the full Application are on file in the Planning Office. The following items from the Application are provided as information:  Cover Letter of April 28, 2016 for Submission of CLG Grant Application: Request for Funding for FFY2016)  Project Narrative: Evaluate and Update the Design Standards & Guidelines for the City of Dover Historic District Zone

City of Dover ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW REPORT Referral by City Planner to Historic District Commission Meeting of May 19, 2016 Permit: Permit #16-611 Signage for The Depot Location: 595 Forest Street Located on the north side of Forest Street between South West Street and South Kirkwood Street Tax Parcel: ED-05-076.12-02-46.00-000 File Number: HI-16-04 Referral of Permit: The following application Sign Permit #16-611 is referred by the City Planner to the Historic District Commission for consultation regarding the issuance of the Architectural Review Certificate. Applications for certain types of construction activity within the Historic District Zone (H) are reviewed by the City Planner (or Staff as designated) for Architectural Review Certification as part of the Building (Sign) Permit application review process. Staff is referring the Permit for review under the provisions of Zoning Ordinance, Article 10 Section 3.22(A) and (B). See below. Section 3.22 Architectural review certification by the city planner. (A) An architectural review certificate for specific classes of building permits, including fences, signs, siding, window and door replacement, roofing, the addition or replacement of decorative features, minor demolition, residential additions, and other construction of a minor nature, may be issued by the city planner, after a review and determination that the proposed construction is in general accordance with the standards set forth in subsection 3.25. (B) The city planner may refer any permit application for demolition or construction in the historic district for consultation with commission. Permit Proposal: Sign Permit #16-611 was filed on May 3, 2016 for the proposed wall sign with LED Electronic Message Center at The Depot in the building at 595 Forest Street, Dover. There is other existing wall signage and freestanding signage on the property will remain in place. The permit application is for a new wall sign to be mounted on the south elevation wall of the building facing Forest Street. The Sign has two components consisting of the sign panel and the Electronic Message Center area. It is 44 inches by 104 inches for a total sign area of 31.77 SF and the changeable area (EMC) of the sign is 20.2 SF (63.5% of the total sign area). See permit application form and attachments. P. O. Box 475 Dover, DE 19903 Community Excellence Through Quality Service

HI-16-04 Referral of Sign Permit #16-611 Signage for The Depot at 595 Forest Street Staff Report to the Historic District Commission Page 2 of 4 Staff Review of Permit for Architectural Review Certification: In reviewing the proposed project for Architectural Review Certification, Staff referenced various sections of Chapter 5: Storefronts and Signage (pages 5-5 thru 5-8) of the Design Standards and Guidelines for the City of Dover Historic District Zone which presents the Recommended, Not Recommended, and Inappropriate approaches to construction of various elements in the Historic District. While Chapter 5 focuses on signage to be mounted on buildings in the commercial district, it does not specifically address the use of Electronic Message Center signs. According to the Design Standards and Guidelines for the City of Dover Historic District Zone (Chapter 5), the following are some of the Recommended practices for signage:  A sign should be consistent and compatible in terms of its size, style, materials, and location with the historic building, and should be integrated into the architectural design of the building on which it is located.  Sign material should be compatible with the design of the building. Wood and metal signs are recommended. Similarly, the following is Not Recommended:  Plastic signs are not recommended. The following is deemed Inappropriate:  Back-lit fluorescent signs are inappropriate.  Temporary, visually assertive signs set behind display windows are not appropriate. Staff also reviewed the proposed signage for compliance with provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Per the Sign Regulations (Zoning Ordinance, Article 5, Section 4), for this multi- tenant building each tenant can have two wall signs and the proposed sign size of approximately 32 SF complies with the size limitations (maximum is 64 SF). Electronic Message Centers, a type of changeable copy sign, have specific provisions. See the following definitions and sign provisions from the Zoning Ordinance. Wall sign: Any sign, other than a projecting sign, which is attached to or painted on any wall of any building and projects from the plane of the wall less than 18 inches. A sign attached to the lower slope or face of a mansard roof, canopy, or awning shall be considered a wall sign for purposes of this ordinance. For purposes of this section only, a "wall" shall include any permanent architectural extension of a wall, including parapets, even if such extension projects beyond or above the enclosed portions of the building. Canopy, marquee, and awning signs are all types of wall signs. Changeable sign: A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input, includes the following types: (1) Manually activated: Changeable sign whose messages, copy or content can be changed manually on a display surface. (2) Electrically activated: Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See also "Electronic message center." Electronic message center or sign (EMC): An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically programmed by computer from a remote location. Also known as an EMC. EMC's typically use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a lighting source 2

HI-16-04 Referral of Sign Permit #16-611 Signage for The Depot at 595 Forest Street Staff Report to the Historic District Commission Page 3 of 4 Article 5 Section 4.4 Design Requirements E. Changeable signs. 1. Changeable signs may be incorporated into a sign face when the changeable component of the sign face occupies less than 70 percent of the total area of that sign face. 2. Changeable sign area shall be integrated into the sign face and shall be enclosed by a border or similar enclosure so as to form one sign panel. 3. Electronic message centers (EMC): (a) The following EMC display features and functions are permitted: scrolling, fading and dissolving while transitioning between messages. (b) EMC's shall have a minimum display time of eight seconds. The transition time between message and/or message frames is limited to one second. (c) The following EMC display features and functions are prohibited: traveling, flashing, spinning, rotating, any other moving effects, and all dynamic frame effects or patterns of illusionary movement or simulated movement. The Zoning Ordinance provisions for signs in the Historic District require a Sign Permit review process but allow for the sign standards to be waived as part of the Architectural Certification Review process of the Permit if “determined to contribute to or improve the historic context of the building.” Previous Applications: The property includes two late 20th century building and a collection of existing signage including freestanding signs, wall signs, and window signs. Staff notes that signage for this property was previously considered by the Historic District Commission with Applications HI- 00-06 and HI-08-03. In February 2000 with Application HI-00-06, the Historic District Commission granted approval of an Architectural Review Certificate to allow the use of 16 inch green internally lit channel letter signs for each of the tenants in the two-story building addressed as 111 South West Street and 585-595 Forest Street. In a revised submission, the Historic District Commission granted approval on April 15, 2001 to the design of two (2) monument signs. In May 2008 with Application HI-08-03 Lands of Dan Batra: Gulf Gas Station and former Duncan Depot, the Historic District Commission granted conditional approval of the Architectural Review Certification for a series of signs. Signs included the approval for use of 18 inch letters and the use of different colors for wall signage; approval of a revised sign design on the gas canopy faces; and the denial of a proposed pylon sign but approval of an alternative taller monument sign with changeable copy sign (LED lighting) for the display of gas prices subject to conditions. Historic District Commission Action The Historic District Commission should consider the proposal for the proposed signage and take action in regards to the Architectural Review Certification for the Sign Permit #16-611. Staff Findings from Review of Sign Permit: Staff findings are summarized as follows for the proposed signage for The Depot (as presented in Permit #16-611). 1. Sign Location: The proposed sign format and location complies with the sign regulations of the Zoning Ordinance. The sign format would be considered a wall sign. This sign location on the late 20th century building has somewhat limited visibility from the street due to the 3

HI-16-04 Referral of Sign Permit #16-611 Signage for The Depot at 595 Forest Street Staff Report to the Historic District Commission Page 4 of 4 location of the gas station service canopy and pumps on the site. It is mostly visible to visitors internal to the site. 2. Sign Size: The sign size (sign area of approximately 32 SF) complies with the sign regulations of the Zoning Ordinance based on the type of road and the use characteristics of the surrounding area. The wall sign is proportional to the solid masonry wall area where placed. 3. Sign Material: The proposed materials are listed as LED, plexi, and aluminum to create what appears as a rectangular box format for the sign. The sign panel (on right) appears similar to a painted sign panel and the Electronic Message Center similar to a television screen. 4. Sign Illumination: The Electronic Message Center (EMC) is labeled as LED and the functions of EMCs allow the display to change the message (text and/or images). The brightness of the display will vary with the format of the message panel. The Zoning Ordinance includes a limit on the illumination level. 5. Electronic Message Center: While not a sign type seen in the Historic District, conditions on the size, placement, and changing dynamics of the EMC sign can be established for this specific site to give the appearance of a static sign. Consideration should be given to the duration of the message before it changes to a new message (timing of message). The limitations established by the Zoning Ordinance, Article 5 §4.4E on the features and functions of the EMC related to brightness and effects must be followed at a minimum. Advisory Comments and Recommendations: 1. The applicant shall be aware that a Permit is required prior to installation of signage. The Sign Permit Application must be updated if necessary to comply with the conditions established through the Architectural Review Certification process. Attachments:  Sign Permit #16-611 application form and permit drawings  Letter of Notice to Applicant dated May 10, 2016 4

City of Dover May 10, 2016 Richard Haxton and Kim Diehl Kent Signs 2 East Bradys Lane Dover DE 19901 Via Email: richard@kentsigns.net and kim@kentsigns.net The Depot 595 Forest Street Dover DE 19904 Via Email: abhagsu@aol.com RE: Referral of Sign Permit #16-611 to Historic District Commission Signage for The Depot at 595 Forest Street, Dover DE Dear Applicants: This letter is to inform you that Sign Permit application #16-611 has been referred to the City of Dover Historic District Commission for consultation. Sign Permit #16-611 was filed on May 3, 2016, for a proposed wall sign with LED electronic message center at The Depot, 595 Forest Street, Dover, Delaware. The location of the subject property within the City of Dover’s Historic District zone requires the review and issuance of an Architectural Review Certificate (ARC) for construction activities. Certain types of activities such as this project are eligible for Staff review of the ARC during the Building/Sign Permit application process. Project activities are reviewed for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance and the Design Standards and Guidelines for the City of Dover Historic District Zone as stated in Zoning Ordinance, Article 10 Section 3.25(A). 3.25 Architectural review standards. (A) An architectural review certificate may be issued if it is found that the architectural style, general design, height, bulk and setbacks, arrangement, location and materials and structures affecting the exterior appearance are generally in harmony with neighboring structures and complementary to the traditional architectural standards of the historic district as set forth in the historic district design guidelines and standards adopted by the planning commission and as set forth in the United States Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. In reviewing the proposed signage for Architectural Review Certification, Staff referenced the Chapter 5: Storefronts and Signage of the Design Standards and Guidelines which present the Recommended, Not Recommended, and Inappropriate approaches to work in the Historic District. As the Design Standards and Guidelines do not specifically address the use of Electronic Message Center signs, I am referring the permit application to the Historic District Commission for review. See Zoning Ordinance, Article 10 Section 3.22 (A) and (B) listed below. P. O. Box 475 Dover, DE 19903 Community Excellence Through Quality Service

Letter Re: Permit #16-611 Wall Sign at The Depot, 595 Forest Street, Dover May 10, 2016 Page 2 of 2 Section 3.22 Architectural review certification by the city planner. (A) An architectural review certificate for specific classes of building permits, including fences, signs, siding, window and door replacement, roofing, the addition or replacement of decorative features, minor demolition, residential additions, and other construction of a minor nature, may be issued by the city planner, after a review and determination that the proposed construction is in general accordance with the standards set forth in subsection 3.25 (B) The city planner may refer any permit application for demolition or construction in the historic district for consultation with commission. The City of Dover Historic District Commission will review this permit at their next meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 3:00pm in the City Hall Conference Room, 15 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. This permit referral has been assigned Application #HI- 15-04. You are encouraged to attend this meeting to discuss the project. Staff will provide the Historic District Commission with the permit application materials and other background information for their review and action. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Planning Office at (302)736-7196. Sincerely, Dawn Melson-Williams, AICP Principal Planner CC: Ann Marie Townshend, AICP, Planning Director