HARB
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2008
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at
7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Those in attendance were: Board members Elwood Christ, Peggy Gustafson, Rich Clark and Norm Forness; Michael Birkner, Borough Council liaison; and Merry Bush, Borough Planner. Nancie Gudmestad was absent. A quorum was present. Others attending the meeting were Debra Keller and Joe McDermott.
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 next on Monday, July 14, 2008. Applicants may pick up permits for those projects approved by Council after that date. Mr. Shaffer then explained the procedures that would be followed during the meeting.
There were no changes to the agenda. Elwood Christ moved to approve the minutes as written. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried.
Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Dormer. 74 E. Water Street. Debra S. Keller, owner.
Merry Bush provided background information on the house noting that the address was not listed in the 1903 Street Address Directory as complied by Robert Brake in 1975 but was on the 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. There was no indication of the owner.
The applicant proposes to replace the single dormer with two larger dormers. The existing window is not energy efficient and interferes with the interior stairs. The proposed dormers would allow more height at the top of the stairs and more light into the bedrooms. The applicant said that there is no insulation in the house.
Peggy Gustafson asked if the dormer windows would have divided lights and if the dormers would have a true pediment. The applicant proposes to duplicate the existing dormer but make it wider with an outside width of five feet and a three-foot-wide window.
Norm Forness asked if the new dormers would be built on the same level as the window on the gable end. The new dormers would allow for interior eight-foot-high ceilings. The applicant said she was very flexible.
Gary Shaffer discussed the proposed windows recommending a three-foot-square window that could have vertical sliding panels He also asked the applicant about the materials to be used on the exterior of the dormer suggesting horizontal siding.
Findings of Fact: The building at 74 E. Stevens Street is located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance. The home at 74 E. Stevens Street is a contributing structure to the District as it is more than 50 years old. The building has been compromised by changes. The proposed dormers would be a permanent change to the building and as such is considered a critical project.
Gary Shaffer said that the dormers should have a pronounced overhang and be narrower with 3-foot-square windows.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for a modified application: a five-foot-wide roof following the existing design, with the dormer itself being four feet wide. The windows would be three-foot square. Elwood Christ seconded the motion.
Discussion followed. Norm Forness said that the application should be denied because it was an incomplete application. When the vote was taken, the motion failed 0 to 5.
The Board agreed to hold a special meeting before the next Council meeting to review an amended application, which should include a cut/spec sheet of the proposed windows, as well as narrower dormers. Merry Bush will make the arrangements for a meeting once additional materials are received.
Gary Shaffer recused himself due to a fiduciary relationship with the remaining applicants. Vice Chairman Elwood Christ took over the meeting.
B. Alteration. Install railing for proposed handicapped accessible ramp. (Ramp itself is not part of the review.) 301-303 Baltimore Street. Keith and Leslie Grandstaff, owners.
The owners of 301-303 Baltimore Street would like to install a handicap accessible ramp along the Breckenridge Street side of the building. This 1829 building was the home of Tillie Pierce Allman, who wrote of the three days of the 1863 Civil War battle that took place here. At the time of the battle, she was fifteen. Dormers have been added to the building.
The addition of a ramp will require the removal and relocation of a tree. The applicant proposes a traditional black metal railing, but not necessarily made of iron.
When asked about the specific design of the railing, Gary Shaffer said that the railing would just straight black metal.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the application as submitted. Norm Forness seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0 with one abstention.
C. Alteration. Install railing for proposed handicapped accessible ramp. (Ramp itself is not part of the review.) 1 Lincoln Square. Gettysburg Hotel Investors, Inc., owners.
The applicant proposes the installation of a handicapped accessible ramp on the west side of the Sharpe-Bigham Building, which now houses Codori's Fine Art and Gifts, as well as portions of the Gettysburg Hotel.
The railing would be a simple straight black metal with straight black balusters. The metal would not necessarily be made of iron.
Norm Forness made a motion to recommend that Borough Council approve the application as submitted. Rich Clark seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0 with one abstention.
Reports
Michael Birkner, Borough Council Liaison
Mr. Birkner said that he was glad to be back from Australia where he spent part of his sabbatical. He reported that the applications reviewed in May were issued Certificates of Appropriateness by Borough Council on June 9, 2008
Merry V. Bush, Borough Planner
Ms. Bush reported that the new code enforcement officer will tackle the issues at 64 E. Stevens Street. He will be sending letters and following up on all violations.
The owner of 218 Chambersburg Street has submitted an application for the July meeting.
Norm Forness mentioned signs at 22-24 W. Water Street. This will be turned over to the code enforcement officer.
Gary Shaffer said that the stone on the Wills House handicapped accessible ramp was removed. At the last meeting Mr. Shaffer said that the stone did not match the building at all.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush
Borough Planner and Recorder