HARB
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2008
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at
7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Those in attendance were: Board members Elwood Christ, Nancie Gudmestad, Peggy Gustafson, Bea Savage, Norm Forness, Robert Krummerich, Acting Borough Council liaison; and Merry Bush, Borough Planner. Rich Clark was absent. Others attending the meeting were Kostas Kranias for 517 Baltimore Street; Joseph Dougherty, 113 E. Middle Street; Paul Kellett on behalf of 210 W. Middle Street and Andrea Singley for
61 and 63 W. High Street.
Mr. Shaffer introduced the members and noted that the Board serves as an advisory group to Borough Council, which makes the final decisions concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will meet on Monday, May 12, 2008. Applicants may pick up permits for those projects approved by Council after that date. He explained the procedures that would be followed during the meeting.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to accept the March 19, 2008 minutes with one correction-page 4, 4th paragraph under item G, 4th line the word "decorate" should be "decorative." Norm Forness seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0. There were no changes to the agenda for the meeting.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Replace porch railing and cover sides of porch foundation with brick veneer. 113 E. Middle Street. Joseph Dougherty, owner.
Joe Dougherty said that his pre-Civil War house was owned and occupied by Obediah Beard. It is the only remaining house in the Borough that was owned by a Civil War soldier.
The applicant proposes to replace the porch railing and balusters with cedar that will be painted burgundy. The rail will slope at the top to allow water to drain off easily away from the balusters. Mr. Dougherty plans to remove the carpeting from the porch base and cover it with a brick veneer. Mr. Dougherty said that it feels like granite beneath the carpet. When asked by Nancie Gudmestad, the applicant said that the existing posts would remain.
Findings of Fact: The building at 113 E. Middle Street is located within and is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The house has a mixed degree of integrity with some modifications. Much of the original fenestration remains. The porch was a later addition but an early one. Peggy Gustafson moved to accept the application as presented. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0.
B. Alteration & Sign. Replace aluminum siding with an alternate siding. 61 & 63 W. High Street. Shutters and sign also proposed for 63 W. High Street. Wendy Beauchat, partner, 63 W. High Street LP.
Andrea Singley, representing the owners, presented the applications. The primary building entrance is located at 63 W. High Street. There is an interior connection between 61 and 63 W. High Street. Both exteriors are covered with aluminum siding-63 has gray siding and 61 has yellow. The aluminum siding was installed during the 1970s. A recent storms caused damage to the siding on 63 W. High.
The applicant proposes to replace the existing siding with fiber cement siding on both buildings and paneled and louvered shutters as historically accurate. Shutters will not be installed on 61 W. High Street because of the window location. The applicant presented a sample of the siding.
The proposed sign will be very similar to the existing one but the colors will change to be consistent with the firm's new stationery.
Elwood Christ noted that Hattie Shriver married David Pittenturf after the war and moved to 63 W. High Street. Mr. Christ expressed concern about the width of the siding based upon the sample provided by the applicant. Paul Kellett spoke up and said that there are various widths of the siding available. Mr. Christ suggested that two different styles of siding be used on the buildings to differentiate them. The buildings should retain separate appearances.
Norm Forness recommended that the smooth surface of the siding face out. Gary Shaffer agreed noting that the wood grain would allow dirt to accumulate on the surface.
Bea Savage asked about the square footage of the proposed sign. The applicant said that she did not have the exact dimensions with her but the sign would be about four inches narrower than the existing hanging sign. The existing wall-mounted sign will be removed; the company's name will be incorporated into the new sign
Norm Forness asked whether the applicant had considered adding framing around the windows of 61 W. High Street. Framing would eliminate the need for shutters. Gary Shaffer said that awnings may have been installed at one time.
Peggy Gustafson said that shutters would not fit properly if installed on 61 W. High Street.
Findings of Fact-61 W. High Street: The building located at 61 W. High Street is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The building has a mixed degree of integrity. The building's profile and fenestration remain. The applicant is requesting permission to replace the existing alternate siding with another alternate siding.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of an alternate smooth cement board siding no wider than six inches including the western elevation at the break between 61 and 63 W. High Street. The applicant will also install molding around the windows to provide a wider frame. Elwood Christ seconded the motion and it passed, 6 to 0.
Findings of Fact-63 W. High Street: The structure located at 63 W. High Street is a contributing building to the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The windows, door and shutters are not original to the building. The building maintains its original fenestration but otherwise has a mixed degree of integrity.
Gary Shaffer made a motion to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of an alternate smooth cement board siding no wider than six inches; the siding will not be continuous with the siding installed at 61 W. High Street. Elwood Christ seconded the motion.
Mr. Shaffer then amended the motion to include the installation of wood shutters wide enough to look like they function and appearing as if they would meet in the center of the window. Mr. Christ seconded the amendment. The motion carried 6 to 0.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend approval of the proposed sign. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0.
C. Alteration. Removal of exterior brick veneer and replace with an alternate siding. 210 W. Middle Street. Paul Kellett, applicant.
Paul Kellett, the property manager, represented the owner, Kristin McCreary. Mr. Kellett said that the brick veneer was not installed properly and is separating from the building. The applicant proposes to remove the veneer and install an alternate lapped composite wood siding with a six-inch reveal. Once the veneer is removed the roof overhang will appear in proportion to the building, according to Mr. Kellett.
Elwood Christ asked if there was anything behind the brick. Mr. Kellett said that there was horizontal German siding. There is no foundation supporting the brick, which is why it is failing. The foundation of the house itself is sound.
Mr. Kellett proposes to install windows with true divided lights. He noted that the property is used for rental income. Mr. Kellett also plans to replace the door with a wood door with either a fan light or nine true divided lights.
Nancie Gudmestad asked whether there is any chance that this is a log house. Mr. Kellett said no. He said that water entering behind the window caused the failure of the brick veneer. Mr. Kellett said that the brick veneer is a full brick rather then a thin slice of brick. He said that he plans to install the new siding only on the original building. He will leave the addition as is. Continuing, he said that the building has a rubble stone basement. It is structurally sound.
Peggy Gustafson said that some of the sills are missing or deteriorated-"Will you replace or install new sills and sub-sills as necessary?" The applicant said yes.
Findings of Fact: The building at 210 W. Middle Street has a great deal of integrity with no change to the fenestration or location of the door. An alternate façade has been installed without a foundation. Gary Shaffer said that this is a very old house. It is a contributing building to the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. There have been some modifications but the street façade height and the roofscape is original. The proposed alterations are permanent bringing the application under the review of this Board.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of the brick veneer, replacement of the windows with one over one windows with in wood or wood clad with aluminum or vinyl, replacement of the door with a solid four or six panel wood door, installation of six-inch wide profile siding and true 3½ corner boards. If the applicant wishes to do anything other than what is approved, he must return with another application to this Board. If the applicant wishes to install shutters he must also appear before the Board. Elwood Christ seconded the motion and it passed, 6 to 0.
As Gary Shaffer has a fiduciary relationship with the final applicant, Vice Chairman Elwood Christ took over the meeting.
D. Sign. Monument sign. 517 Baltimore Street. Kostas Kranias, owner.
The applicant proposes a monument sign that will announce the current gasoline prices at the new Shell service station to be located at the intersection of Baltimore Street/Pike and Steinwehr Avenue. Merry Bush reported that there is 24 square feet of approved signage on the property. The applicant proposes to install a 32 square foot monument sign. The monument sign will be externally lit.
For clarification, Mr. Christ asked about the columns. The applicant said that the columns would be clad in metal. Norm Forness asked about the color of the shell on the sign. Mr. Shaffer said that it would be yellow on a light gray background. If the background color is different he will let the Board know. The outline of the shell is either black or a dark gray.
The canopy was previously approved and will have "Shell" written in eight-inch-high letters on two sides of the canopy. The canopy was previously approved. Nancie Gudmestad asked about the color of the canopy. Mr. Shaffer said that it would be yellow and the columns gray. The applicant proposes one lamp for each side of the sign. Ms. Gudmestad asked if the brick columns on either side of the sign could be lowered by two or three courses of brick so they are the same height of the sign. The applicant agreed.
Peggy Gustafson was concerned that one lamp on each side would not light the sign fully. Mr. Shaffer said that they propose to use a 32 watt fluorescent lamp and would pull the fixture back so that a softer light would wash the entire surface of the sign.
Nancie Gudmestad made a motion that the sign be approved for a Certificate of Appropriateness with shorter columns on either side of the sign and exterior lighting. Norm Forness seconded the motion and it carried, 5 to 0, with one abstention.
Reports
Merry V. Bush, Borough Planner
Merry Bush distributed copies of Harry Eastman's decision regarding the Monahan Realty's application to build a stone wall at 119 Carlisle Street. While appropriate for the Board to give input on the application for a stone wall, it is not a subject for which a Certificate of Appropriateness should be issued by Borough Council. It is a minor project that is not in conjunction with a building. A building permit has been issued for this project.
During next month's meeting the Board will begin to discuss possible changes to the Historic District Ordinance.
The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush
Borough Planner and Recorder