Bangor Historic Preservation Commission approves two downtown renovation projects

[0:38] Speaker A (unidentified): Thank you. Good evening. [0:43] Nathaniel King: And welcome to the August 13th, 2026 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. My name is Nathaniel King. I'm the chair of the commission, and the commission members are, starting with Katie Ko, Matthew [1:00] Katie Coe: White Camp, Peter Keebler, Rebecca Krepke, and Peter Sachs. [1:06] Nathaniel King: And present from the City of Bangor, we have Matt Altiero and Anya Collette, as well as our esteemed consultant, Mike Pollan. So the Historic Preservation Commission has two roles. First, we serve as the Bangor Center Revitalization Area Design Review Committee, designated under Section 71 of the City Ordinances, which covers review issues in the downtown and waterfront areas of Bangor. Second, the commission has several responsibilities on the historic preservation section of city ordinances, Section 148, including issuing certificates of appropriateness for construction of or changes to buildings within the city's designated historic districts. We may need to review a proposal under both design review and historic preservation criteria. If all regular members are in attendance, our associate members participate in the meeting but do not vote on motions. In the event that any regular members are absent, associate members will vote such that there are a total of five votes for any motion. I think we changed that, didn't we? I'm not, I don't have an updated script, so okay, yeah, okay, so we'll just skip the rest of that. So the order of the meeting, I will call the applicants to the order they appear on the agenda. When I call your project, I will ask you to present your application from the podium. Once you have made your presentation, I will first ask for the consultant's report, second, for questions from Commission members, and third, for any questions or comments from the audience. When questions are completed, the Commission will have a discussion of the proposal and the standards of review under which the proposal is being considered. When discussion is complete, the Commission will take action on the proposal to approve, deny, or otherwise handle it. When a proposal is being evaluated under both design review and historic preservation criteria, the Commission will make separate motions related to each type of review. I will then ask for Commission member votes. Some final points for applicants before the HPC. If it looks like your project will not be approved, you may choose to withdraw your application, amend your application, and then resubmit your application for a future meeting, saving the application fee. If you disagree with the decision of the commission regarding your project, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Board of Appeals. All projects need to be started within 12 months, right? Did we change that to 12 months? Within 12 months and completed within a year. 24 months. Got to get updated script someday. Otherwise, a new application to the commission will need to be made and approved prior to starting your project. Project before we begin, are there any additions to the agenda for consideration? Okay, so just so everyone is aware too, we don't need a total of five votes on any motion, or four affirmative votes for certificate of appropriateness, or three affirmative votes for approval, it's majority approval. Okay, so moving on to the projects as soon as I pull up my list. [4:31] Katie Coe: Yeah, let's take a motion to approve the meeting minutes from July 9th. All right, I'd make such a motion to approve the meeting minutes on July 9th, 2026. I second. Sorry, Katie. Yes. [4:50] Nathaniel King: Yes, and I also vote yes. Okay, the next item is the adoption of findings and decision for 30. [4:58] Katie Coe: Central Street. Do we have the motion to adopt? I motion to adopt the findings and decision for 30 Central Street. I second. Yes, and I also vote yes. Okay, that concludes the old. [5:18] Nathaniel King: business so new business we have a certificate of appropriateness and design review 73 main street map lot 4166 main street historic district the applicant is roscoe with them oh i hope i said that right owner cook investment group llc that's [5:44] Speaker A (unidentified): That mic on the green there, we go. All. [5:49] Roscoe: right the business is actually the downtown spot it must be the landlord like the owner of the building my name is roscoe with them i'm the owner of the downtown spot we're essentially looking to replace the exterior that gray kind of like falling down paneling that was there since i think gm poliquin with a like a brick veneer so it's going to make it look more like the original building the two-tone like a light peach pink and white up top to make it look more like what it is an ice cream Shop and then we're looking to add two walk-up windows, like a payment window and a serving window, on that front part which isn't the original building. So we're hoping that it had some value to the building and just make it look a little bit nicer. [6:44] Nathaniel King: Okay, if we can go ahead and start with the consultant's report. [6:48] Mike Pollan: Support, thank you. Yeah, I in the history of this building, probably no, the building was designed by the firm Kroa Lancaster, a local architectural firm. Building dates to about 1928. It's called the Co-Building and the building runs from Main Street all the way back to Columbia Street. It's a large block building, solid building, vernacular style for downtown buildings. I had just a couple of items and maybe Roscoe you could respond to those as I bring each one up. So first question was that the point was for the commission to consider is the Co-Building has a brick exterior, and the proposed faux brick panels emulate that. The existing modern metal panel facade and canopy roof was likely done in the 60s. It looks a lot like other improvements that were done at that period of time. Many of them are gone now, thank goodness. So just as a point, that's about the vintage of that little corner intrusion. Question was is the after image that you provided showing a newly painted soffit that's the ceiling [8:12] Roscoe: of that? Yes, yeah, we're working with Paul to see if you can replace them. Okay, or if we're just [8:19] Mike Pollan: going to paint over it the way, yeah, those were like small panels as well, probably porcelain. It could have been a porcelain painted. They look kind of like a laminate to me, but okay. So you are intending to make that smooth and yeah, right now they have a couple pieces of like looks like two by four kind of holding a couple of the pieces up, so we're gonna make it better. Yeah, but and the only other point I had was that in that portion of the building the metal moldings that go around the window perimeters clamp on and seal onto the existing metal panels. Question is will that also be the case with the newly installed faux brick panels? Do you have, how do they close on the windows? They just butt up to the frame or so it's similar, they [9:03] Roscoe: have like a J channel instead of like that metal. Yeah, so like on traditional vinyl siding you'll have a J channel and it will kind of meet the brick right up to it. Looks like I don't know, Chris brought with us an example of the panel but it's essentially like a little brick. [9:22] Mike Pollan: Brick like window frame essentially, so those would be replaced. Okay, and that was the extent of my [9:33] Nathaniel King: comments, thank you. Questions from the commission? I have a couple quick questions. The faux brick, from what you're saying, it's vinyl, it's a similar material? Yeah, as vinyl siding, it's a bit sturdier. Okay, and Mike, as you had mentioned that the rest of the building is brick, is the size of the faux brick about the same as what's on the rest of the building? I'm just [9:59] Roscoe: curious. Yes, it looks, it looks almost real. You wouldn't be able to tell unless you tried to pull like one of the bricks out essentially. Okay. [10:10] Speaker G (unidentified): Do you have that? I think you have a sample of it or something, or a picture of a sample, or, well, can I see him? Let's bring him right up. Yeah. [10:41] Speaker A (unidentified): And then this is the trim around, all right, around the windows. Yeah. Does [10:59] Nathaniel King: anyone else have any questions? Oh, cool. [11:06] Speaker G (unidentified): Very cool. Yeah, anything you can give us, great. Also, I mean, this is not really, but what is this square? What that, we have kept, what is this thing? Fire alarm or something? Is it a fire? Oh, the fire [11:26] Mike Pollan: alarm? Oh, above the window, you know, the window, it's like a square. This is like an outside [11:33] Speaker G (unidentified): fire alarm bell or something? Is it? I don't know, it looks odd. It almost looks like a cement race. [11:40] Nathaniel King: Before you go, he's asking you know what this square thing here is. [11:48] Speaker A (unidentified): Yeah, what is it? Assume that it's either a fire alarm or a security alarm for the jewelry store, because everything there has a metal rhythm, and if you break the metal rhythm on the glass panel, so you can access off the alarm. I think that's the one from one of those tours. Okay, that makes [12:05] Mike Pollan: sense. We need to keep it, so I guess that prompts the question, if you don't need it in your operation, can it come off the building? Yeah, I was, I was hoping to remove it. I would like that [12:17] Nathaniel King: remove. It's not needed. Look a lot cleaner without it. I think so too. We spend a lot of time on the [12:24] Roscoe: interior to try to make it look really nice, so we want to make it look nice outside, and I think if [12:31] Katie Coe: you can't remove it, then paint it the same color as the rest of the brick and, yeah, hide it the best you can. Any [12:48] Nathaniel King: other questions for the applicant? No one wants. Okay, thank you very much, and now we'll, now open it up to commission discussion. Remember to have your microphones on. I like the approach. I think it's a, you know, in keeping with the building, the color certainly in keeping with an ice cream store. I think it looks nicer than what is under. That's a question. Does What is under the gray stuff there? Is it brick? I'm looking at Mike. [13:33] Roscoe: It's, I believe, three-quarter inch plywood. [Nathaniel King: Oh, quite attractive.] I looked on the corner there. When it meets up to the brick, some of that metal molding is falling off, and you can actually see the plywood there. We were getting some ants in the building earlier this spring, so I found out where they're coming in. Right. [13:57] Nathaniel King: That's just a superstructure. [14:00] Speaker G (unidentified): Yeah, no, I think this is, I love the idea of the takeout window. Yeah, any [14:10] Nathaniel King: other comments or questions? So [14:16] Katie Coe: the change to the what we believe now is a security alarm, it's not part of the original application, correct? Would we have to do some add-on to the application or some special added condition to and it just get to make it legal to just give it, give them permission to change it as we have discussed here and as the applicant seems not just open but [14:44] Mike Pollan: welcome to the suggestion, I think it'll be recorded in the minutes of the meeting that the applicant, there was a condition that was discussed and the condition for approval was one of them that they removed that. Okay, well, code enforcement will mainly be looking at the [15:01] Speaker G (unidentified): decision letter, so it would be beneficial for you to put it in your decision. Good idea. All right. [15:07] Nathaniel King: All right, good question. Okay, well, any other comments, concerns? Okay, would you be open to a condition of having the attempting to remove the fire alarm, jewelry alarm, etc., or if not removable, paint the same color as a once a month? Yeah, I want it to kind of blend in more if we have to keep it. Sure, I think that's fair. Okay with that? I opened up for any public comment. Do we have anyone on Zoom, YouTube, Facebook? Okay, all right, now the fun part, let's pull up the procedural background so i move that the procedural background under section three one two and three are appropriately fulfilled [16:14] Katie Coe: I'll take it. I'll second. Yes. [16:20] Speaker G (unidentified): Yes. Yes. Yes. [16:23] Nathaniel King: I also vote yes. Anya, as always, do I assume the portions highlighted in yellow can be struck for this specific application? [16:35] Speaker G (unidentified): As long as you agree they're not applicable. [16:36] Nathaniel King: cool we sure do calling out a motion to call out that under part two three five six eight do not apply to this application and part three one two and three I move that the section under part one subsection three five six or two oh excuse me is that part two yes sir oh I'm sorry yes I missed that part two sections three five 5, 6, 8 are not applicable, and also under Part 3, Sections 1, 2, and 3 are not applicable to this application. Seconded. Peter? Yes. Yes. Oh, sorry. Other feedback? Yes. Yes. Yes. I also vote yes. Okay. We can start with the applicable provisions and findings for Part 1. Okay. I move that under section four part one number one the commission finds that based on exhibits one and two the application satisfied historic preservation code 148-9a requiring that any alteration on the historic structure will preserve or enhance its historical and architectural character. Second it. Yes. Yes. I also vote yes. I move that let's see under part two section two the commission finds that based on exhibits one and two the application satisfies the historic preservation code 148-9b 2b requiring the rehabilitation work does not destroy the distinguishing qualities or character of the structure and its environment. Seconded. Yes. So vote yes. And I also note that you missed number one part two one. [19:01] Speaker G (unidentified): Oh I didn't. It's on the break. I'll tell you. [19:09] Nathaniel King: Then under part two section one the commission finds it based on exhibits one and two the application satisfies historic preservation code 148-9b2a requiring that every reasonable effort shall be made to provide a compatible use which will require minimum alteration to the structure and its environment. Seconded. Yes. I also vote yes. Moving on to four. I move the commission finds it based on exhibits one and two the application satisfies historic preservation code 148-9b2d requiring the distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize historic structures is not damaged or destroyed wherever possible. Seconded. Yes. So yes. I move that part seven the commission finds it based on exhibits one and two the application satisfies historic preservation code 148-9b2g requiring contemporary design for additions to only be approved if such design is compatible with the size scale material and character of the neighborhood structures or its environment. Seconded. Yes. Yes. I move that's section nine the commission defines that based on exhibits one and two the application satisfies historic preservation code 148-9b2i requiring that wherever possible all alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if they were to be removed in the future the essential form integrity of the original structure would be unimpaired. Seconded. Yes. I also vote yes. And I move that the decision for the decision the commission finds that based on the findings in parts 1-2 of section 4 of this document, the project meets the requirements for a certificate of appropriateness and therefore grants a certificate of appropriateness and design review permit for the closed project. Did you want to add this condition with the additional conditions that the square structure above the second window be removed if at all possible, and if not possible to remove, be painted in light color to its surrounding wall? Seconded. Yes, and I also vote yes. It passes. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The next item on the agenda is, once I scroll back to the top of my little tiny screen that I just closed out of, all right, next item I have is a certificate of appropriateness and design review for 139 Main Street, map lot 42, 130 Main Street historic district, the applicant renewal by Anderson, the owner is Ryan Dork, my [22:22] Caitlin Arleno: name is Caitlin Arleno, I'm the representative for renewal by Anderson this evening. On behalf of Ryan York, our intention is to replace three windows in one door with no structural changes or alterations, maintain the same color, and no exterior trim to be touched, changed, or removed. Okay, Mike. [22:49] Mike Pollan: Thank you. Yeah, the history of this building is it's kind of an interesting building, it's it's the one you see when you come up to the intersection of Maine and in Union Street, it's the William Lewis Ayers building. It was constructed between 1858, 1859, and it was renovated to designs by Wilfred Mancer in 1891. The building has Romanesque arched masonry details on the front facade if you see the photographs of it. So a couple of points and then the applicant can maybe address those as we go through them. Thank you. I asked that the commission consider or determine the following, determine that the glass area in all replacement windows and the door match the original dimensions. [23:45] Caitlin Arleno: Yes, all the glass will match and be comparable to what is there now with no changes. You might [23:52] Mike Pollan: mentioned to the commission that these are custom-made windows, custom to fit to match an opening, no fillers are planned around the perimeters. Yeah, thank you. Next point was determined the commission determined that the simulated divided light muntin grills have interior and exterior grills and a dark spacer between the glass panes because it's dual glass, and that the new muntins match the narrow width of those existing. Yes, they'll be the same size, same configuration, and same color as current. So On the outside, the one on the outside has what looks like a putty glazed. It makes it look like a putty glazed muntin of historic profile. Thank you. I ask that the commission determine that the exterior storm panels on those affected windows will be removed. Yes, there will be no storm windows needed beyond this. Okay, and the question was, will the exterior casing trim be painted black? That's the trim, wooden trim around the windows. The trim will not, the exterior trim will not be touched or altered at all. Okay, because if you notice the photographs, most all the windows, I think in the doors, have a perimeter what looks like a square wood trim outside. Okay, and finally that the commission determined that the diamond leaded windows, which are rather unique, will remain [25:17] Caitlin Arleno: unaltered. Right, those are not in our, [25:23] Mike Pollan: windows that were. Okay, so you're really just doing three windows and one door. Is it clear to the commission which windows, top ones? Okay, so can you point that out just to make sure everybody else understands that? Is it those three? Yes, right here, please. Yep, that's what I thought. Could we just put, for the application, for the packet that goes to the city, can we put a cloud around that or something to identify which three windows and door we're talking about? Would you be okay with that? Yep. [26:02] Nathaniel King: Absolutely. Okay, that's all I got. Okay, questions, material for the new windows, other materials? [26:13] Caitlin Arleno: Will the new windows are made of fibrics? It's a hybrid material designed to withstand and prevent fading, things of that nature, more modernized than the wood that's there currently. And is this [26:29] Nathaniel King: impregnated with the black color or is that actually painted it 's impregnated with it [26:36] Caitlin Arleno: So the material itself is black on the exterior. [26:40] Speaker A (unidentified): Any [26:47] Nathaniel King: other questions? Okay. [26:52] Mike Pollan: Yeah, I could, I think when we had a pre-application we asked the question, will the glass be tinted or will it be [27:00] Nathaniel King: clear? It'll be clear. Okay, thank you. Okay, I do have a further question. So these new windows are double pane, obviously for weather purposes, etc. Current, the current windows I presume are double hung, and so I don't know what the correct term is, but the, what the window runs in on the side, then will be a something different to provide a seal. Is there, so we have the window that sits in the frame, double hundred wing windows just run up and down in a little track which usually rattles [27:35] Caitlin Arleno: and has a whole lot of infiltration. So this will be a what we call an insert frame, so we're putting a frame within the frame that's not visible from the outside. That's my [27:49] Nathaniel King: Question, so I assume that this was the case, otherwise it would be no purpose in doing this, but it doesn't, it's not seen that inside that new frame is not seen from the outside, just correct? Okay. [28:04] Speaker G (unidentified): So I'm sorry, just to verify one more time, so the frame that you're putting inside will not alter the dimensions of how much glass is lost? No, it is okay, very minimal, it's enough to [28:18] Caitlin Arleno: hold the sashes essentially, so the individual pieces of that like fold out for the window, it's just enough to hold them in place and click them right in. [28:34] Nathaniel King: Last call for questions. [28:38] Speaker A (unidentified): All right, mission members discussion. [28:40] Speaker G (unidentified): This [28:43] Nathaniel King: is the closest you can do, yeah, and creates a better, you know, better seal. I don't see anything. Yeah, you can come to my house. [Speaker A (unidentified): Okay, that concludes] the commission discussion. Any comments from the public? There's anyone on anywhere? Anything? No? Cool. Comments? No? Cool. All right. Then let's pull up the paperwork and we can go through the procedural background. I can do it or somebody else doesn't have it. Okay. I will move that procedural background has been completed and appropriate for this application. Application, this is section three numbers one, two, and three, but the application is deemed complete 8 13 20 26. So the second proposed project is certificate of appropriateness. Is that true? Is it also a design review then that needs to be included in this? It doesn't say that here. Okay, number three, that the applicant paid all optical will fees. Seconded. [Speaker A (unidentified): Yes, I also] whole, yes. I move that in part one the commission finds that based on exhibits one, two through six, application satisfied historic preservation code 148-9a requiring that any alteration of the historic structure will preserve or enhance its historical and architectural character. Seconded. Yes. Yes. And I found that we have moved a little bit out of order because I've gotten to the next section which is yellow. You can, so I will, a bit out of order, move that in part two number one, five, six, seven, eight and part three number one, two, and three are not applicable to this application. Seconded. Yes. Yes. And then I will move that in part two section two commission finds based on exhibits one through six the application satisfies historic preservation code 148-9b-2b requiring that rehabilitation work does not destroy or the distinguishing qualities nor character of the structure and its environment. Seconded. Yes. Also vote yes. I move that section three the commission finds that based on exhibits one Through six, the application satisfies Historic Preservation Code 148-9B2C, requiring that while repair is preferable to replacement, in the event that a replacement of deteriorate architectural features is necessary, the feature being replaced in color, design, texture, and other visual qualities and or economically and technically feasible materials? Seconded. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I move that in Section 4, the Commission finds that, based on Exhibits 1 to 6, the application satisfies Historic Preservation Code 1489B2D, requiring that the distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize historic structures is not damaged or destroyed wherever possible. Second it and yes and I move that to section nine the commission finds based on exhibits one through six the application satisfies historic preservation code 148-2 9b2i requiring That wherever possible all alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if they were to be removed in the future the essential form and Integrity of the original structure would be unimpaired. Seconded and yes and i move that the decision the commission finds that based on the findings of part 1-2 section 4 of this document the project meets the requirements for a certificate of appropriateness and design review. I'm going to add that verbiage it's not on this I'm at and Design review so and therefore grants a certificate of appropriateness for the proposed project. Seconded yes I will Also vote yes motion carries thank you very much thank you okay Max a quick question since you're from your you represent I was actually serious to question how do we access if some of us would like to have custom windows made to replace just like an after Meeting question oh I'm sorry yes meeting question and real quickly I have nothing else to add no one nothing else to add we have no other business so that we're adjourned Okay after meeting question do you have a card okay i just had one note oh we gave you [34:07] Speaker G (unidentified): These books yes if you could just return them at the end of your term that would be great