October 19, 2023 FINAL Minutes

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 The Meeting of the City of Dover Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 3:30 PM as an In-Person meeting in the City Hall Conference Room (anchor location) and virtually using the videoconferencing system WebEx. With Chairman Czerwinski presiding, the other members present were Mrs. Mason, Mr. Street, Ms. Horsey, and Mrs. Ellen H. Richardson (virtual call-in user). Planning Office Staff members present were Mrs. Melson-Williams, Mrs. Maretta Savage-Purnell, and Ms. Katherine Oehmke as well as Assistant City Manager Sharon Duca (assisting with management of the Department of Planning and Inspections). APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Horsey moved for approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Ms. Mason, and the roll call vote was unanimously carried 5-0. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 20, 2023 Ms. Mason moved for approval of the Meeting Minutes of July 20, 2023, seconded by Mr. Street and the roll call vote was unanimously carried 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS Summary of Applications for 2022 and 2023 Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that included in your packet first is the Summary of Applications for 2022 and 2023. We have had three Applications. One was a parking lot improvement, and we are still waiting for the real start of that project at 34 The Green. It is associated with the Kent County Family Courthouse project. There was a Referral of a Fence Permit that you looked at earlier this year. The Permit was approved, and the fence has been installed. The other Permit you looked at was for 43 The Green at the John Bell House for their informational kiosk. Today we have two Referral Permits to consider. In 2022, there were a total of seven applications and the chart gives the latest status on those. Mrs. Melson-Williams asked if there were any questions on the applications status; there were none. Summary of Architectural Review Certifications for 2023 Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that since the meeting back in July there have been several Sign Permits and Interior Renovation Permits. The Interior Renovation Permits do not require Architectural Review Certification. There were also a couple of roof projects. Mrs. Melson-Williams asked if there were any questions on any particular Permit activity item. There was none.

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 Department of Planning & Inspections Updates Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that there have been some staffing changes in the Planning Office. For Mr. Julian Swierczek, who was a Planner II within our office, his last day was October 6, 2023. He is now continuing his career at the City of Alexandria, VA as a member of their Planning Staff. We are currently advertising for a Planner II position. Secondly, the Director of our Department Mary Ellen Gray’s last day with the City of Dover was October 13, 2023. She will soon be starting a similar position with the City of Rehoboth. So, we wish her the best. In the meantime, it is a kind of a group effort to manage our overall Department of Planning and Inspections. I am focused on the Planning aspects and keeping Boards and Commissions like yourself going. We do have support from the City Manager's Office in that Assistant City Manager Mrs. Sharon Duca is focusing on a number of the administrative roles in our department. Mrs. Duca has joined us today to kind of see how your meeting works. The other managers also continue to focus on their department areas such as the Building Inspections, Fire Marshal's Office, and Code Enforcement. They have posted the position of Director for our Department. Projects & Studies Activities Downtown Dover Pathways Study - Public Workshop, October 26, 2023, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at Dover Public Library. See project webpage: https://doverkentmpo.delaware.gov/downtown-dover-pathways/ Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that for the Downtown Dover Pathway Study there will be a public workshop next week on October 26, 2023, from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Dover Public Library. This is a study effort that is led by the Dover/Kent County MPO which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization. They are looking at pedestrian activity for walking and biking in Downtown Dover. It's kind of a walk-in workshop and have a conversation with them. So, certainly they want to hear from you as to where better facilities can be upgraded for sidewalks, crosswalks, how you bike, and how you walk in Downtown Dover. The agenda includes a link to the https://doverkentmpo.delaware.gov/downtown-dover-pathways/ project website that the MPO is hosting and there is a flyer. Certainly, share that with your neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Update on C-2 Code Amendments Project for Potential Revisions to Zoning Ordinance for C-2 (Central Commercial Zone) Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that included in your packet was an intro memo about this effort. Planning Staff along with some others associated with the Downtown Dover Partnership created a Work Group to focus on where we may need to make changes to the C-2 Zoning District. Last week we held a series of stakeholder and initial public outreach meetings to focus on hearing feedback on some concepts that we are looking at for those revisions. Information on those Code Amendments and the results of those stakeholder meetings will be reported next week to City Council as part of their Council Committee of the Whole: Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting. This is just concepts; we have not started to draft Ordinance writing because that's always a lot more complex. We wanted to focus initially on concepts. The concepts really focused in four areas: uses, parking, bulk standards specifically related to 2

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 building height, and then some other miscellaneous provisions in the Code related to things like dumpsters and potentially tree planting requirements. I will note that Mr. Jonathan Street is a member of our Work Group that kind of kicked off the thinking about what could be potential changes in the Downtown area that would assist in future redevelopment notions. Most of the Downtown also falls into the Historic District area. The current Code provisions do not make changes to the District boundary or the provisions for how that Architectural Review Certification process works but it may impact what we call the base zoning in the C-2 zone in those areas. Education & Training Opportunities A Future for the Past: Preservation Delaware's Annual Conference & Meeting on October 26-27, 2023 Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that included in your packet was information about Preservation Delaware’s upcoming Annual Conference and their Annual Meeting. It is a series of virtual workshops and then some in-person activities that are scheduled for October 26th and 27th. There is a pre-registration requirement that is included in your packet. The virtual workshop is free. The in-person events do carry a fee. One of them includes a walking tour with Main Street Smyrna on Friday evening. NEW BUSINESS Review of Permits Referred to Commission HI-23-04 Referral of Sign Permit #23-1462 at 32 W. Loockerman Street - Referral by the City Planner to the Historic District Commission for Review of Architectural Review Certification for Sign Permit #23-1462. The Permit proposes four (4) Window Signs totaling 258.75 square feet across four storefront window sections for two business tenants in the building. The property is zoned C-2 (Central Commercial Zone) and subject to the H (Historic District Zone). It is located on the south side of West Loockerman Street opposite the intersection with South Bradford Street. The property owner of record RVC One, LP and the applicant is Fears Promotions and Donnell Fears Salon for Men/Salon for Women. Address: 32 W. Loockerman Street. Tax Parcel: ED-05-077.09-04-13.00-000. Council District 4. Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that Staff would invite Mr. Donnell Fears, Business Proprietor, and Mr. Travis Bowers the Sign Contractor to come forward. Mrs. Melson-Williams gave a summary of Application HI-23-04. This is an application for a Sign Permit at 32 W. Loockerman Street. Initially Staff normally has the ability to look at and approve Sign Permits. However, this one is a little unusual in what they actually were proposing. We made the referral to the Historic District Commission to gather your input. The building at 32 W. Loockerman Street is a little unusual in that it has a very large glass wall. That glass wall is not flat; it is a series of angles. Our Report shows kind of the history of that property from what we were able to glean from some quick research that we did. Then there's also information on the Staff Review of what we looked at in the Design Standards and Guidelines document as 3

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 well as the Zoning Ordinance. Today I handed out a Revised sign proposal that shows a series of three signs located in specific points on the angled walls. Representatives: Mr. Donnell Fears, Fears Promotions and Barber Shops; and Mr. Travis Bowers, Bower Sign, Inc. Mr. Fears mentioned that he was not here in disagreement at all. I take this as a learning experience. My previous business, I'm not sure if you guys know, was destroyed four months ago. I agreed with the landlord to move to larger space to help clean up the area in Downtown Dover. I agreed because I do a lot of stuff in the community for the children and helping to keep the area clean and welcoming. I have a well-known establishment in the surrounding communities. I had big city dreams. I came up with this concept when I was riding downtown Wilmington one day. I immediately said let's bring some 2024 attractions to life. He mentioned that he is appreciative of Staff taking the time to educate him on the historical aspect and their patience. I wanted my business to stand out and people to know where we were but at the same time, I did not want to be disrespectful to the city in no way shape or form. Travis and I decided to have a meeting on our end to see how we could make it tasteful and to put it into the community where people will say okay there is his business. I am in a whole rebuild process and it is very stressful. He thanked God that he had insurance on his building. He welcomed Mrs. Sharon Duca and stated that it was nice to meet her. Mrs. Duca replied thank you and nice to meet you as well. Mr. Fears stated that his goal is to do great things as well as continue to do great things for the City of Dover. I can contribute respectfully to this meeting to see how we can come to some resolution and collectively work together with all of us to help bring some type of attraction to not only Downtown for men and women but for Fears Promotion and Barber Shops. Mr. Street asked if this was a revised proposal. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied yes. Mr. Street stated that after reading through the Staff Report and the Revised proposal, it appears I'll say from my perspective of what I read in our Guidelines and City Standards and everything else that this is very much closely within our Guidelines. Other than I think what you reference on with the Promotions portion being on the second level of the window. Is that right? Mr. Fears stated that we are actually going to make it even lower because of the line of sight. Mr. Street asked, is that the rub right now, that it is on that second level of the window? Because everything else I'm reading talks about four feet is too large and the vinyl I think is scaled down. Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that Staff would say that yes, the Revised presentation places the salon logos very distinctly on the lowest window area in two spots and then the Fears Promotion is across really two sections of windows. It does go around an angle but that's also lower than the heavy horizontal band that exists on this glass front. What gets a little tricky is the spaces behind the glass. The floors don't match up with the horizontal bands of the windows; so, that's where it's a little tricky. I think certainly the Fears Promotion may appear that it's on the second-floor sort of. 4

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 Ms. Oehmke mentioned that on page nine (photo) it has this in the line with basically the top of the first floor and this is the beginning of the second floor. There is a lot of space inside there so the Fears Promotion would really technically be on the second floor. Mr. Fears mentioned that the second floor of this building actually has another business. If you take the elevator and select 2 it will take you to the second floor. Mr. Street mentioned that the large window is technically a floor. Ms. Oehmke mentioned that there is a loft office space inside that space that people stand in that starts basically at the metal band. Mr. Fears mentioned that was actually why we came up with the revised portion (that I did not know I needed) which is going to be in that office space which is on the extended portion. Mr. Bowers said the Fears Promotion would go in what looks like the second section of the window that is dark. Ms. Horsey asked if the signage was going to be white vinyl letters and if the barber salon logos would be in black letters. Mr. Bowers replied no, we are going to have a white outline around the barber and the remainder would be the black outline. Chairman Czerwinski are you basically going over the beams with the sign. Mr. Fears replied correct. Chairman Czerwinski stated that there are a couple of things that this violates even with the scale down. You have gone from a 32-foot sign to a 60-foot sign. In our Guidelines, it should be sized and designed for pedestrians to see and it’s not, it’s oversized. So, you are effectively putting in a billboard in Downtown and you've decided to go over the structure line. We are not just doing the windows; we are doing the structure itself. I have a real beef with that because now it’s a billboard Downtown and overtop and way oversized for the use. Your business, I would assume, does not require pedestrian traffic to come in. You want to identify your business as being there. It's not critical that people say “oh there's Fears Promotion” except to be able to find which building you are in. Again, to me this is way oversized because if you look at our Guidelines there are references regarding buildings with signs. It’s carefully considered and well-maintained signs that do not require tremendously oversized signs that plague many modern streets today. Now granted this was built in 1995, but we're not Philadelphia and not Wilmington because again they do employ a lot of billboard signs. Mr. Fears stated that we recognize how the old Sears building was with the large sign. We recognize how other businesses Downtown even have banners. I can't do that. All I can do is put stickers on glass. I can’t hang banners or flags; I can’t do any of that. Chairman Czerwinski said, so you can't do a sign? Mr. Fears replied that when I first started, I had you know the whole balloon thing. I was told if I put that up, I would be fined $10,000 5

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 because it was so far back. I understand what you are saying but as I previously mentioned I cannot put flags or banners up. If we all took a walk down Loockerman Street, right now we would see roughly seven businesses in violation. But again, I don't want to be that guy. I just want to make my business known and successful. I want it to be clear, clean, and corporate. Chairman Czerwinski said I don't know too many corporate buildings that have graphics. Mr. Street stated that the scaling of the down definitely helps. I think the whole thing is a little too big. Mr. Frears made the same argument that I am about to make. If you look at these all of which have larger signs. Sears especially there's two signs on the old Sears building. Sears is just above foot traffic; so, it is kind of in keeping with that. Chairman Czerwinski asked but how many signs or how tall is the sign itself? Mr. Bowers replied he did not measure; it’s maybe 12-16 inches. Mr. Fears said again, to my defense, technically our historical building has been refaced. Is it still historical? The Sears sign was 42- feet long. Mr. Street stated that I'm not a fan of it going over those metal pieces but that's kind of their issue to resolve. Like that's how it's installed. I feel like we can't get into the sign itself. The lettering over the metal is not my problem to deal with; it is their issue to resolve. I'm happy that they brought back a Revised version. To get to a motion to try and approve it, I feel like they have made a good effort to bring it down in size. To me the only real issue is the first and second floor bay windows and high ceilings on the first floor. The vinyl isn't for me, but we have to deal with what we've got. He's got a large window face and that is the problem. Chairman Czerwinski stated that we could look at possibly a metal sign that goes across maybe the upper two pieces of metal. However, instead of having it go straight on the window, you could have a have a metal sign that's actually next to the structure that it bridges. Mr. Fears asked if that lights up. Chairman Czerwinski replied well no, he’s thinking of an alternative. Mr. Fears mentioned I understand what you are saying. I can just replace two of those things that have gunshots on them that are aluminum. Chairman Czerwinski stated I'm talking about a metal sign that goes across the top here and here (on the large metal band). You could put the Fears Promotions on that instead of on the window itself. I don’t think it would be too expensive. It’s a vinyl covered sign that is the same size. Something that would look a little more presentable instead of something that is just thrown on the side of the building. I understand that more because you don’t see vinyl on storage buildings, but you see them on signs. This is just his recommendation and idea. Mr. Fears stated that he has been trying to work to get boxing in Downtown for roughly three years. We are now in the process of trying to get that in the basement. This would be a third item and not to mention the other businesses on the second floor, no one knows who they are. So, now you have all these different things. 6

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 Mr. Street asked are you saying that if they came back with the same thing on a piece of metal you would be better off? Mr. Fears replied that would be far better because then it's no longer a vinyl graphic. The over the frame is what bothers me. Chairman Czerwinski mentioned I'm curious about where is the location of that business. Is it actually in the building? Is it on both sides of the first floor? Mr. Street mentioned the whole first floor is open. There was a brief discussion regarding the vinyl sign being applied to a structure as previously mentioned. Ms. Horsey mentioned she worked with vinyl lettering in her professional job but has since retired. But with all these including the barber sign, what's the guarantee for somebody not coming along on the sidewalk and to start peeling it off. I just didn't know how they would adhere so that they're not easily removed. Mr. Bowers replied the vinyl he uses has a life of 10 years. If anyone wanted to tear it down, they can. As far as deteriorating, the wall faces north so it gets no sun. It is typical to have it somewhere and he would have it saved; so, if damaged it could go back up quickly. Ms. Horsey mentioned frankly I really like the whole idea of what you have done here but I also have the same concern with the vinyl maybe you could put it to the left and incorporate it that way into the design. Mr. Bowers replied that he could draw it up that way and resubmit it. Ms. Mason asked if there were two or three floors. Mr. Fears replied two floors. Ms. Horsey asked how much time would it delay the project? Ms. Mason mentioned if you put too much stuff on there it will take away the curiosity. Ms. Horsey commented about the two signs and asked if they would be removable if he were to change his location versus having vinyl in the windows. Mr. Fears asked for clarification if the Commission was good with the Barber Sign. Mr. Street replied he did not think anyone had a problem with the two models. Chairman Czerwinski asked Ms. Richardson what she thought of the window signs. He mentioned that the image of the illustration was on the drawing showing two Barber Signs. He mentioned we all agree that the Barber signs are acceptable and perfectly fine. He asked if she was okay with the Barber Signs. Ms. Richardson replied yes. 7

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 Mr. Street recommended approval of the request of the Barber Signs both male and female for Permit #23-1462 on the lower portion of the window as amended and presented to Staff. The motion was seconded by Ms. Horsey and unanimously carried 5-0. Roll Call Vote Mr. Street- Yes Ms. Mason-Yes Ms. Horsey-Yes Chairman Czerwinski -Yes Mrs. Richardson-Yes Mr. Street recommended approval of the Fears Promotion signs limiting it to the silver aluminum banding between what appears to be the first and second floor of the building at 32 West Loockerman Street whether it be attached as vinyl or some other sign (material surface). The letters cannot be any bigger than the metal band. The motion was seconded by Ms. Mason and unanimously carried 5-0. Roll Call Vote Mr. Street- Yes Ms. Mason-Yes Ms. Horsey-Yes Chairman Czerwinski -Yes Mrs. Richardson-abstain (due to technical difficulties in hearing the discussion) Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned to Mr. Fears and Mr. Bowers if you want to update that drawing and submit it to Staff, we can amend the Permit to reflect what has been approved here today. We will be able to review (the Permit) and get that issued to you. Mr. Fears replied yes and thanked everyone. HI-23-05 Referral of Demolition Permit #23-1521 at 153 South Bradford Street – Referral by the City Planner to the Historic District Commission for Review of Architectural Review Certification for a Demolition Permit Application #23-1521. The project proposes partial demolition of the existing two-story masonry building by removal of the second floor and construction of a new roof system. The property is zoned C-2 (Central Commercial Zone) and subject to the H (Historic District Zone). The property is located on the east side of S. Bradford Street between W. Loockerman Street and Reed Street. The owner of record is JD Land Corporation. Address: 153 S. Bradford Street. Tax Parcel: ED-05-077.09-02-35.00-000. Council District 4. Subject of Code Enforcement Case #23-3847 for condemnation. Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that this was a Referral of a Demolition and Renovations Permit for that specific location that proposed the Demolition of the existing second floor of the building. It’s basically turning it into a one-story building and creating a new roof system. I received late yesterday afternoon a request by e-mail sent from Kevin Baird of Baird, Mandalas, Brockstedt & Federico, LLC and he notes our firm represents Bhavesh Patel on several matters (that is the property owner). He has asked us to represent his entity JD Land Corporation before the Historic District Commission at tomorrow's meeting scheduled for 3:30 PM (which is today's meeting). It has come to our attention that we have a conflict of interest and will not be able to 8

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2023 represent him at the meeting. So that Mr. Patel may obtain substitute legal counsel we respectfully request that Mr. Patel's application be deferred until the next meeting of the Commission. We have a written request to defer your consideration of this Permit Referral until your would-be November meeting of the Commission. Mrs. Melson-Williams noted that she sees heads nodding and that it seems that the Commission is amenable to that. If there are no comments regarding that Referral, we will just defer that to the next meeting of the Commission at the applicant’s request. With this Request to defer there will be no action taken regarding the Permit until your consideration happens on November 16, 2023. Mr. Street moved to accept the deferment of Application HI-23-05 until the next meeting of November 16, 2023. The motion was seconded by Chairman Czerwinski and unanimously carried 5-0. Roll Call Vote Mr. Street- Yes Chairman Czerwinski -Yes Ms. Mason-Yes Ms. Horsey-Yes Mrs. Richardson-Yes OLD BUSINESS Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that there were no updates. Implementation of 2019 Comprehensive Plan Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned there was no particular information for you all on that other than some of those other studies that I reported on earlier are certainly going towards meeting a number of goals and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. That is to be expected as part of the overall implementation coming out of the Comp Plan process. Chairman Czerwinski asked if there were any further questions. There was none. Mr. Street moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Chairman Czerwinski, and unanimously carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 4:36 PM Sincerely, Maretta Savage-Purnell Secretary 9