HARB
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
December 19, 2007
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at 7:32 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. Members in attendance were: Rich Clark;; Peggy Gustafson, Norm Forness, Elwood Christ, Bea Savage, Merry Bush, Borough Planner; and Dick Peterson, Borough Council liaison. Nancie Gudmestad was absent. There was a quorum present. Others in attendance were Germano Gomez, Orchard Development, and Judi Miller, Architecture by Design, for the Carlisle Street/Delap Avenue project; Robert Scott, YCP, Inc. and Kostas Kranias for Gateway Mini Mart and Deli, 517 Baltimore Street.
Agenda and Minutes
There were no changes or additions to the agenda. There were corrections to the November 27, 2007 minutes: Peggy Gustafson had provided the list of properties on York Street; Bea Savage noted that the 64 E. Stevens Street item was a zoning issue; and that Azek is the correct spelling. Rich Clark moved to accept the minutes as revised. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried, unanimously.
Gary Shaffer explained the process that would be followed during the meeting and noted that building permits for these projects could not be picked up until after the next Borough Council meeting, Monday, January 14, 2008.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Carlisle Street/Delap Avenue Revisited. Orchard Development, applicant.
This application was returned to the Board as there was a disagreement among the members on the proposed materials.
Judi Miller of Architecture by Design had prepared a design board providing samples of all the materials to be used on the exterior of the proposed apartment complex on Carlisle Street. A textured building stone will be the base layer followed by red machine-molded brick, Wolverine premium vinyl siding by Certain Teed with a restoration finish, synthetic trim, asphalt architectural shingles made by Certain Teed on the mansard roof. Ms. Miller noted that the thickness of the synthetic trim depended on where it is located on the building.
Peggy Gustafson asked if a more three-dimensional asphalt shingle would be more appropriate. Although Ms. Miller noted that the dimensional shingle would not be noticeable on the roof of a five story building, she did agree to take it into consideration.
Ms. Miller said that synthetic stucco or an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) would not be appropriate for this building. With the possibility of water infiltration and mold development the use of EIFS becomes a legal issue. Ms. Miller also said that wood moves but EIFS does not.
In a recent visit to the Borough, Judi Miller noted that there are a number of buildings in the center of town that have wood clapboard on at least a portion of the building. Since there were no drawings of the south elevation, Peggy Gustafson asked what materials would be used. Ms. Miller replied that the south elevation would have similar materials to the north elevation and will also have landscape materials installed. Ms. Miller said that plants requiring lower light will be planted on the south elevation since the neighboring building is so close.
Peggy Gustafson asked if it was possible to install brick on the bay along the north elevation. Ms. Miller said that it was not the best way to make the bay appear more prominent. She would have to determine a way to bring more emphasis to the bay. Ms. Miller pointed out that brick is on the first floor of the north elevation. It is not easily noticed on the drawing because of the landscape.
Norm Forness asked why they were not using all brick. Ms. Miller responded saying that brick would make the building appear massive and would be expensive.
Mr. Forness also asked why the application had been sent back to the Board. Ms. Bush noted that there had been a disagreement as to the materials and another material had been recommended outside of a Board meeting.
Peggy Gustafson said that she likes the proposed colors and now understands why EIFS is not feasible for this building. Ms. Gustafson said though that she prefers the Grand Manors line of asphalt roof shingles instead of the one proposed by the applicant. Ms. Miller said that there was not much cost difference between Grand Manor and the sample of Certain Teed asphalt roofing shingles presented at the meeting. Ms. Miller said that the two shingles are comparable and are both 35-year architectural shingles.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend conceptual approval of the project with the materials as presented. Bea Savage seconded.
Gary Shaffer said that the Certificate of Appropriateness would be issued when the final construction drawings are complete; when all windows, doors and other architectural features are selected and the applicant returns with drawings of all four elevations.
Norm Forness said that the applicant is asking us to vote on cost effectiveness. Gary Shaffer disagreed noting that it was not part of the motion. Peggy Gustafson said that she found Norm's comment confusing. She said that we are voting on the appropriateness of the building, the whole design package. The motion carried with the vote 5 to 1, with Norm Forness dissenting. Mr. Forness said that he would prefer that the whole design should be more contemporary. He felt that the extensive use of sided surfaces is inappropriate for the Borough.
B. Canopy. 517 Baltimore Street. Kostas Kranias, Gateway Mini Mart & Deli, Inc., owner.
Noting that he was at the meeting for the canopy not the sign, Bob Scott asked if a 6-foot by 4-foot sign on brick pillars with goose-neck lighting would be approved. The Board said that mostly likely such a sign would be recommended for approval.
Mr. Scott presented a drawing of the canopy. The canopy would have a yellow fascia with a red stripe with the letters spelling "Shell" no larger than eight inches. The canopy would be non-illuminated.
Findings of Fact: Gary Shaffer noted that a canopy located within the Historic District comes under the review of the Historic Architectural Review Board.
Bob Scott said there would be eight focused recessed 320-watt lights would be located in the canopy. There would be two lights in each lane focused directly down.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend approval for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the canopy as presented with the stipulation that there be only eight recessed light fixtures. Elwood Christ seconded the motion. Peggy Gustafson said that most canopies are too bright, particularly mentioning the Sunoco station at the intersection of York and Hanover Streets. Mr. Scott responded saying that the proposed lamps are of much lesser intensity than the 400-watt diffused fixtures that were formerly used. The proposed fixtures use 320-watt sulfur bulbs that are directly focused down onto the gas dispenser lanes. The motion carried 6 to 0.
Reports
Dick Peterson, Borough Council liaison, reported that last month's applications were approved except for Carlisle Street/Delap Avenue.
Gary Shaffer adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush
Borough Planner and Recorder