HARB

Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2008

Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at

7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Those in attendance were: Board members Nancie Gudmestad, Peggy Gustafson, Rich Clark and Norm Forness; and Merry Bush, Borough Planner. Elwood Christ and Michael Birkner, Borough Council liaison, were absent. Four or more members make up a quorum.

Others attending the meeting were Janet and Cornelius Knorr representing the rear of 140 York Street, Bryan Wasylyk for 218 Chambersburg Street; Patricia Lawson, Peter North and Jim Biesecker, Gettysburg College, Caroline Smith, Borough Council member and Edward (Ted) McPherson regarding Gettysburg College signs; Geoff Spangler, Adams County Transit Authority and Scot Pitzer, Gettysburg Times.

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, September 8, 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 other changes to the agenda since the addition of Item B the previous week. There were two changes to the minutes of July 16, 2008: the word "iconic" in the fourth line under Item A should have quote marks around it and under Item D, in the first line of the third paragraph the word "window" should be deleted.

Peggy Gustafson moved to approve the agenda and the minutes of the July 16, 2008 minutes as amended. Norm Forness seconded and the motion carried.

Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness

A. Demolition. Barn. 140 York Street. Cornelius & Janet Knorr, owners.

Merry Bush noted that in the 1903 Gettysburg Street Address Directory, 140 York Street was occupied by Luther Y. Diller; 136 York Street, part of the same land parcel, was occupied by Theodore F. Freck and James E. and Miss Lucinda Freck. Both properties show up on the 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. There were two accessory buildings, one for each home, located along the alley. Mrs. Knorr presented a copy of the 1880 tax map, which did not show an accessory building at the rear of 140 York Street.

Janet Knorr presented additional documents showing that the barn runs from survey line to survey line. There is no way to access the rear yard of the property from the alley without going onto the adjoining property to the east.

Nancie Gudmestad asked about the soundness of the barn. Mrs. Knorr said that the barn does not have a foundation but the metal roof is secure.

Findings of Fact: The barn at the rear of 140 York Street being more than 50 years old is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Borough Historic District because of its age. The barn was not present in 1880 although older pieces of wood may have been used in its construction in the late 1920s or early 1930s.

Gary Shaffer said that, according to the Historic District Ordinance, there are three actions the Board could take on applications for demolition. The Board could recommend denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness, recommend a 90-day delay before demolition or recommend that Borough Council grant the Certificate of Appropriateness.

For discussion purposes, Norm Forness moved to recommend that Borough Council grant the applicant's request to demolish the barn at the rear of 140 York Street. Peggy Gustafson seconded.

Norm Forness said that he is not eager to tear down buildings along the Borough's alleys, particularly carriage houses. Gary Shaffer said that the barn was built as a throw away building.

The motion carried, 5 to 0, recommending that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition of the barn at the rear of 140 Chambersburg Street.

B. Alteration. Front entry. 218 Chambersburg Street. Bryan Wasylyk, owner.

Merry Bush provide background material-there was no listing for 218 Chambersburg Street in the 1903 Gettysburg Street Address Directory but the property does show up on the 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map with two adjoining accessory buildings.

Bryan Wasylyk said when he purchased the property in February 2008 the front door was an aluminum storm door with an aluminum surround. Mr. Wasylyk said that he removed the surround and installed a new steel door. Plywood now surrounds the door filling the archway. He hopes to cover it with stucco or faux brick.

Norm Forness said that the door leading into the house was up three steps and that the entry way was open. Mr. Wasylyk said that when the former owners purchased the property there were three sets of stairs leading to apartments. Much of the original woodwork is missing. One of the previous owners took it to someone on Springs Avenue to refinish it but never paid for the work. The woodwork was never returned. Peggy Gustafson said that the man who may have done the work, Mr. John Toggas, still lives on Spring Avenue. Ms. Gustafson said that everything may still be there.

The most recent owners rearranged the stairs returning the house to a single family home. In the process, they installed French doors at the top of the steps and covered the area just inside the front door with drywall creating a foyer. Norm asked the height of the doorway; Mr. Wasylyk said that it is 15 feet from the base of the door to the top of the rounded arch. Mr. Wasylyk said that he selected a steel door for security and insulation.

Nancie Gudmestad asked if the applicant was aware of the Historic York Architectural Warehouse. Peggy Gustafson said that she would be willing to email the applicant a list of other architectural warehouses in D.C. and Frederick.

The applicant said he would be willing to find a more appropriate door at a later date.

Findings of Fact: The house at 218 Chambersburg Street is a contributing building to the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. It is a sensitive building being more than 50 years old. The project is a critical one-demolition to a portion of a building-as defined in the Historic District Ordinance, Chapter 11 §104.3.J. The changes made to 218 Chambersburg Street do not comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The house at 218 Chambersburg Street has a strong degree of architectural integrity. The building has not been altered on the exterior except for the door. The replacement door is not in character with the remainder of the building nor does it meet the Borough's Architectural Guidelines.

Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that Borough Council not issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work. Nancie Gudmestad seconded the motion.

Gary Shaffer said that while the original storm door was not original, the door surround with window allowed for an open archway. The recently installed door does not meet the size of the doorway and no simple modification could be made to bring it into compliance.

Norm Forness said that the door is altogether too small for that space. If, however, an appropriate window was found and installed it would alter the appearance of the door.

Peggy Gustafson said that while it is not the Board's position to redesign the doorway, she suggested that a solid door with sidelights and a half-round window installed above the door would resolve the problem.

Gary Shaffer said that something needs to be installed above the door. A wider door or one with sidelights would work. When the applicant asked about installing separate sidelights next to the existing door, Mr. Shaffer told him that the arched glass in the door will defeat what you are trying to do.

The vote was 5 to 0, recommending that Borough Council deny the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness.

New Business

Gary Shaffer said that none of the new Gettysburg College signs are located in the Historic District and therefore the Board has no jurisdiction over the signs nor does Borough Council. Mr. Shaffer said that the Board would be acting outside of the law to make any review comments of the proposed signage. The Board did listen to a presentation by Edward (Ted) McPherson regarding the signs. Mr. McPherson is opposed to the installation of a primary directional sign across the street from his home located at 250 Carlisle Street.

Nancie Gudmestad asked why the Board was even hearing about the signs if it has no review power. Her personal comment was that a smaller sign would be better at Stevens and Carlisle Street.

In response to Mr. McPherson's comment about the colors of the signs, Peggy Gustafson said the colors of blue and orange are the College's colors and they have been around long before we have. She did say that the signs are a bit big.

Norm Forness said that signs are too big and the colors are garish.

Patti Lawson, spokesperson for Gettysburg College, said that Borough streets intersect with the college making it difficult to find locations on campus and the Post Office allows only one address for an institution. She noted a marked increase in vehicles that use GIS and are coming to the wrong place.

Borough Council member Caroline Smith, who serves as liaison to the College, said that she lives on Lincoln Avenue and she is constantly being asked where the admissions office is. Continuing she said that this is a living, breathing town and Gettysburg College is a part of the community.

Old Business

Peggy Gustafson contacted Dave Swisher at Gettysburg College regarding the curved windows at Theta Chi, 339 Carlisle Street. Unaware of the condition of the windows, Mr. Swisher had them replaced immediately. She also spoke with Mr. Swisher about screening of the handicapped accessible lift at 51 W. Stevens Street. Mr. Swisher said that the lift must be opened from the front for repairs. They will be able to install some plants in front of the lift but they will have to be a number of feet away. The new plants will match the existing ones along the front of the building. From the street, the plants will appear to be in a straight line.

Gettysburg Transit Station

There have been several more sets of drawings since the presentation in July. A meeting was held on site with members of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) staff present along with the project architect, Gary Shaffer and several members of Borough Council. The PHMC was not pleased with the architect's newest drawings and made several suggestions. Whatever design PHMC is satisfied with will be what is built. Time is running out for submission of a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration.

Update of Historic District Ordinance

John Butterfield, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Ordinance Committee, spoke to the Board about updating Chapter 11 the Historic District Ordinance. He would like the Board to review the ordinance and recommend any changes in 60 days of the date of his letter to Gary Shaffer.

Norm Forness said that on the occasions that he has called the Code Enforcement Officer there has been prompt action. He said though that there has been a continuing problem at Gallery 30 and Artworks with merchandise displays. Merry Bush said that Dale Gettel, the Code Enforcement Officer, has been working continuously on this issue.

The meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Merry V. Bush, Borough Planner and Recorder